What can I say but WOW! What a great way to spend my birthday and Christmas this year. I have a feeling I'm going to travel during Christmas for many years to come. On Christmas Eve, I spent most of the morning and afternoon at a private resort called Spanish Bay Reef on Grand Caymen Island. The view was in a word...spectacular. The turquoise water countered with the white sand beach was breathtaking. Everything was included at the resort including unlimited alcohol, lunch, loung chairs, snorkel gear, and beach umbrellas. I basically relaxed on the beach. I can't stress enough how much I am looking forward to taking swimming lessons so that I can return to this and many of the places I just recently visited. I know I would have loved the snorkeling but alas...right now I can't swim. The shoreline was rocky but I was able to get in the water to wade and enjoy. So relaxing, beautiful.
Christmas Day was equally great. I had so much fun yesterday in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. I booked a 4x4 Landrover Jeep excursion and I would have to say that I enjoyed this excursion the most! We traveled through Fern Gully on our way up to Murray Hill which is 2,000 feet above sea level. From there, the view is amazing. So picturesque. It was another hot day so the had fruits and beverages of the island awaiting. I finally had some sugar cane that I was craving all year but missed getting during the summer. I also had coconut water...haven't had that in such a long time. The day would not have been complete without some fruit punch rum. After the fruit and beverages, the real fun began with our off road adventure through a working farm and coffee plantation. We were literally bouncing around in the back roads of the countryside. All of our seatbelts got a good workout. The ground was wet in some parts to we trailed through red mud and dirt. Fantastic! Loved it! What a rush! I love all the off roading. I need to do that more once I get home.
After that, the final stop on the excursion was Dunn's River Falls. I must say I was impressed with myself that I actually was willing to climb the falls! It looked really challenging but I gave it a shot. And...guess what?!? I made it to the top! Wha Who! The hardest part for me was literally right at the very beginning. The water initially was really cold and there was a huge step up. Some guy helped me by giving me one big push. I think he also wanted to cop a feel but hey...the first push helped me on my way. Another guy named Dennis really helped me as well. We paired up and helped each other along the way as the rocks were slippery and the resistance from the rushing water made it even more difficult. The guides were pretty helpful at some critical points as well but for the most part it was a free for all. There were so many people. 600 feet up and about 45 minutes later...we made it to the top. Dennis' wife says she'll email a picture she took of the two of us about mid point. My father says he took pictures but I don't know about that...only time will tell once he gets the 35mm developed.
We are headed back to New York now. I don't want the vaca to end but I guess all good things must do so eventually right? This was truly a holiday to remember. It was good that I decided to do this. It was fun that my father decided last minute to join me. Good memories. Lots of laughs. I got a fantastic tan...he has a wicked burn (he should have listened about the sunblock). Next year it will be interesting to see who travels with me or if I will be traveling alone. No matter what...I know I will have fun. This was the first of many. Wonderful!
