Living, Loving, Laughing a Life in Jamaica

So it has been a busy time with visitors!  I love each set of visitors as they are all different and have different expectations and things they would like to do, each one allows me to customize their events to them and allows me to expand my experience on the island. We had Nancy visit from Montreal who was very interested in all things that grow in Jamaica, she wanted to experience all the fruits, vegetables and cuisine of Jamaica, she did her research before arriving and knew more about the fruits and vegetables than I did, her favorite places to go were fruit stands and grocery stores, I look at grocery shopping in a whole new light. My Aunt and Uncle from Minesing, Ontario arrived and they were just happy to have warm weather and sun allowing for us to explore some down time, beach time and of course a day of shopping with my aunt, we of course went to the Bob Marley Museum and Port Royal, we experienced a Valentines day dinner cruise with LooseCannon  @LooseCannonT...

Okay so this is a bit of a vent blog, I apologize I have become quite passionate about my new home. Hilton Rosehall Resort, Montego Bay Lately in the media they have put out an alert making Jamaica sound dangerous to tourists and I am sure many Canadian tourists have changed their mind and cancelled trips or if they are thinking about a holiday for next winter Jamaica slid way down their list, which is sad - very sad for Jamaica, even sadder for you because you will miss out on a trip of a lifetime.  Did you know that Jamaica is a tourist destinations that see the highest rate of return visits!!! I remember living in Canada and hearing on several occasions of tourists being murdered in Mexico, innocent tourists who were murdered, that scared me and I thought I might never go back to Mexico.  I don't ever recall the media bashing Mexico and warning all tourists to stay away and they couldn't even have issued a warning to just stay on the resort and you will be safe beca...

I get asked all the time, do you like Jamaica? A Day trip to Ocho Rios My answer is always... No, I LOVE JAMAICA I mean really what is not to love, I am so lucky to be here, some days I actually feel bad that I get to live here, it just seems unfair that I get to enjoy all this beauty, rich culture, and sunshine! 45 Winters survived, has earned me a great appreciation for this weather.  Today I want to give a shout out to one of the amazing adventures trips that we went on over the Christmas holidays. Mystic Mountains , in Ocho Rios, in the heart of the rainforest you can find yourself far above the jungle canopy taking in breath taking views of the beautiful turquoise waters and beaches, as you travel to the top where you have many choices of what to do. At Mystic Mountain you can: Skyride, Bobsled, Zipline, Waterslide or sit and enjoy a snack while watching the amazingly talented performers. Of course we had to do it all!!! The Bobsled: what an amazing adrenalin...

Wow!  What a month November was! I must say November flew right by me, I have never seen time fly as fast as it did last month. Saying is true, time flies when you are having fun. We had Visitors!!! IT was amazing, my Mom and Harvey stayed the longest, leaving just yesterday. A recap we had our son surprize visit, then we had Nicky come for a quick get away and check out our resort for a longer stay in March with the boys, which we are all looking forward to. We went to Port Royale here in Kingston which was truly a fascinating place, there is opportunity there for it to be a real tourist attraction, to walk the grounds where once famous pirates and privateers once reigned, the history that is there, the story is fascinating and the fact that is has been ravaged by hurricanes, earthquakes and fires so many times makes you wonder if there is a greater power that wants that part of history forgotten? Bob Marley, what can I say about Bob, I have fallen in love with his mu...

So Visitors season has kicked off with a Surprise Bang! My Mom and her husband, arrived for the first time, they have not travelled anywhere tropical before... and I knew but Dad did not know that they were bringing a special guest, his son! What fun we had with him at the airport as the hustle and bustle of arrivals came through we welcomed my Mom and Harvey with a warm Jamaican welcome, and as we were about to pose for a picture someone else familiar appeared out of the crowd.  It was a special moment, having him living so far away has been difficult for both of us. Then came the functions!!! Dad took his Son to work day with an evening out and they ended up on page two of the paper, next night came and took us to the Celebration of Friendship between Korea and Jamaica with entertainment and food from both cultures coming together as one. Next we attended the Brasil and Jamaica celebration which came complete with a sharing of common things in their cultures, Ca...

So I now officially feel like I live in Jamaica.  Even though I still pinch myself each time I say that, as I am still in disbelief. My stuff has arrived I am unpacked and surrounded by my things. I still wake up everyday and expect to walk outside and feel it getting cooler, which is how my brain has been programmed to think for the last 46 years.  My birthday has gone by, my daughters birthday has gone by, and now Halloween... Halloween isn't a thing here really from what I understand, no trick or treaters, just a few clubs host Halloween haunts but I have not seen anyone in costumes, which is different, but I see stores selling it, and small kids at school on Tuesday will have dress up and a parade.  We are big Halloween people  we love to dress up and go to a dance on Halloween, so we have decided we will host our first party and it will be a masquerade which will be a lot of fun but due to travel will have to be hosted in November. So life will be diffe...