riu – Rainwater Rambling

Last Day in Jamaica

May 14, 2016 richardt

Jamaica2016

This is a Black Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax).

The pond near our building had turtles.

Where’s Susan?

This was the view from the hallway outside Mom and Dad’s room.

The last pictures of the beach.

This time the dark clouds eventually brought some rain with them. As our bus pulled out to head back to the airport, it rained almost the whole way.

This was the view from Mom and Dad’s room balcony.

The Deluxe pool.

Chaos ensued at the lobby as they told us to go on the wrong bus initially.

All of our luggage that was already loaded had to be off-loaded until our bus came.

The taxi stand in the lobby.

Checking luggage weight with Grandma’s scale.

Brad’s expression says it all.

Finally on the right bus, Mom and Dad, Lori and Dale and Brad and Chelsea stayed for a few more days.

Arriving at the Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay.

Our flight was delayed leaving Jamaica and we landed in Toronto at 2:15 am, due to our delay there was another flight in the customs line so it took longer. By the time we gathered our bags and got a taxi home it was 3:30am. After leaving the 30 degree weather behind in Jamaica, we stepped out of the airport into 3 degree weather, followed by some flurries on Sunday afternoon.

Beach

May 13, 2016 richardt

Jamaica2016

jamaica ocho rios riu

Close to the shore were some reefs that had a lot of fish swimming around.

Shanna and Jesse had brought their masks and snorkels.

I took these by holding my camera under the water and randomly taking pictures.

They interrupted the beach volleyball game in the background as a guy climbed the tree to cut down some more coconuts.

The catamaran coming back from Dunn’s River Falls, Brad and Chelsea and their friends were on the boat.

Although the skies were getting dark, I don’t think it actually rained that day.

Shopping

May 12, 2016 richardt

Jamaica2016

jamaica ocho rios riu

On Thursday some of us went on a local shopping excursion. The first stop was the Rainbow Stores, really only one big store, the plural refers to the chain of stores. This was the scenery across from the store.

The second stop was the Taj Mahal Shopping Centre, here we are piling out of the bus.

Grandpa being part of the store display.

The Taj Mahal.

Looking down the road outside the mall.

A lot of people carry things on their heads.

This guy was selling ice cream.

He was heading to his next gig.

Brad and Chelsea’s Wedding – Jamaica

May 11, 2016 richardt

Jamaica2016

beach brad chelsea jamaica ocho rios riu wedding

Susan and I were down in Ocho Rios, Jamaica for Brad and Chelsea’s wedding on the beach. In total they had 46 people join them for a week at the Hotel Riu Ocho Rios. I am starting off with the wedding post and later will post photos from other days from our week. As you can see the day they got married was beautiful, sunny and hot.

Susan posing for me on our way to the ceremony.

The ceremony was at 3:00pm, and thankfully the seats were in the shade. One of the workers raking the sand by the gazebo.

Dead man walking…

Lori and Dale.

Brad checking the time.

The three grandmas.

And one Grandpa.

The bridesmaid, Chelsea’s sister (right) was her maid of honour.

Chelsea coming down the aisle with her Mom and Dad.

Not sure if there was some sand in Brads eye or if he was wiping away a tear.

All is good Brad, all is good…yah mon.

Congratulations Brad and Chelsea!

Making it official.

Picture time.

The groomsmen, Brad’s best man was Josh (second from the left).

Brad giving G-pa a hug.

Lori, Melissa and Dale.

Brad’s buddies.

Chelsea with her Mom and sister.

Papparazzi shot.

Brad and Chelsea with the parents.

Melissa yelling at a couple of guys to stop photobombing the photos.

The photographer moved the wedding party further down the beach.

Susan and I.

Brad was our Ring Bearer 23 years, and 3 days ago. I’ll have to dig up that photo of the two of us.

The photographer went through a bunch of poses and shots with the wedding party as follows.

Some were a little goofy.

Here he was showing the guys what they were suppose to do.

Take 2.

Chariots of Fire?

Even after the photographer said “release the cheeks”, the guys held on.

Eventually it got to hot and headed back to the shade and some more family photos. Here are Jesse and Shanna who made it from Rossland, BC.

Mom and Dad and the kids.

Mom and the girls.

Lori’s friend Sue sweeping the beach.

Sue, Lori and Di. They are a couple of Lori’s friends who made the trip down.

Shanna having a cocktail at the bar.

The reception was at the other end of the beach.

Dad was able to get a wheelchair to use for the night to get from one end to the other.

Mom and Dad.

The wedding party making their entrance.

Brad and Chelsea had quite a few friends make the trip.

Chelsea’s Dad did the first speech of the night.

To Brad and Chelsea!

Dale made a good speech to the happy couple.

The wedding cake, one of the waiters decorated it with the leaves after they brought it out.

Brad giving his speech.

The speeches were short and sweet!

The DJ’s.

Time for a few more photos Brad!

Melissa said a few words.

The final few speeches of the night.

The first dance.

The traditional dances.

Me and my sisters.

It was a great day and Susan and I enjoyed ourselves. It was great to share in Chelsea and Brad’s wedding. I’ll post more on Jamaica this week.

Jamaican Sunrise

May 11, 2016 richardt

Jamaica2016

jamaica ocho rios riu

On the day of the wedding we got up early to catch the sunrise.

We weren’t the only crazy ones to get up.

Chasing a Black Crowned Night Heron.

Another photo of the main pool.

There were a lot of cats around the resort, didn’t see many mice.

The view from the top floor hallway.

This is the building for Brad and Chelsea’s reception.

Looking over towards the Deluxe wing.

Dunn’s River Falls

May 10, 2016 richardt

Jamaica2016

g-ma jamaica ocho rios riu

On Tuesday we did the Dunn’s River Falls excursion. This one was close to the resort, only about 10 minutes away. We had to wait at the top for more people in our group.

The climb up the falls starts on the beach.

There is another excursion that takes you on a catamaran from the resort beach to the falls and then back again after you climb the falls. Brad and Chelsea and some of their friends did this later in the week.

In some places everyone holds hands to form a human chain as you move up the falls. Our guide said he doesn’t like that all the way up, so there were only certain spots where we held on to the next person.

Here is everyone from our group, Susan, Lori, Dale, Carolyn, Mom and Sue and Dave.

Each group is assigned a group videographer who takes video/photos of the group all the way up. At the end they try and get you to buy the DVD.

Our guide with his flip flops in his shorts.

Watching more groups behind us, it was a steady stream of people.

Carolyn was pulling Mom from the front in some places and I was pushing her from behind.

Sue and Dave.

Every so often there are pools of water between the falls.

Dale lending a hand.

The guide rallying the troops.

The videographer taking another group shot.

The water was a little chilly on the back.

And just like that there were periods where there was no one behind us.

The guide checking with Momma.

Shaking hands with “Tall mon”.

We all made it to the top.

On the way out you have to navigate through a market.

In Jamaica, it is “Give Way” instead of “Yield”.

Around the Resort

May 10, 2016 richardt

Jamaica2016

jamaica ocho rios riu

Some photos from around the Riu Ocho Rios resort. This was the lobby.

The beach.

The Red Stripe beer truck.

One of the guys pulling a cart of Red Stripe beer cases.

More beach.

The Jerk Hut that was closed most of our stay.

The main pool that closed on the Tuesday after we arrived. On the Sunday we noticed signs that the main pool was going to close from May 10-17th for “emergency” repairs. From what I have read it was to replace the filter system. It involved jack hammering the bottom to replace parts. The jack hammering went on from 6:00-7:00 in the morning until 19:00-20:00 in the evening.

The closed pool meant that everyone could use the Deluxe pool over on the other side, of course it was smaller and unless someone went early (thanks Mom and Di) to save some loungers, there was no chance you would get one later on. Even the beach at the other end was busy compared to the side near the construction zone.

The calming blue sea did make up for some of the inconvenience.

We spent some time in the infinity pool which was separate from the swim up bar pool.

This was the swim up bar part of the Deluxe pool.

Blue Mountain Bike Tour

May 9, 2016 richardt

Jamaica2016

flowers jamaica ocho rios riu

On Monday, Shanna, Jesse, Sue and Dave (Lori’s friends) and I went on the Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour. It was about a 2 hour bus ride from the resort to the mountain. This James Bond Beach, not far from Ian Fleming International Airport.

Some of the towns we drove through on the way to the starting point.

A jewellery store.

Courts is like a department store, according to the bus driver.

A KFC.

This was our tour bus.

The weather was cloudy and showers off and on on the way to the starting point.

My “Uncle Danny” sighting.

At the start of the ride the mountain was in fog. They feed you some brunch and then drive you further up the mountain where you get on a bike and start the ride downhill.

Listening to the guide talk about something.

He was picking plants and explaining what they were.

They provide the bike,helmet, elbow and knee pads.

Everyone walking their bikes across a bridge.

Garbage bins at the side of the road.

One of the photographers with all spice leaves in his nostrils.

Some of the flowers near the food stop. You end up back at the stop for brunch where they feed you some lunch, before getting back on the bikes and heading down to the waterfalls.

Coffee beans on the plant.

Here is the guide talking about the coffee plants.

The bikes we were riding, they had coaster brakes and a front hand brake.

The ride ends at a secluded waterfall, as it is described in the web sites, yet waiting for the bus is a whole gaggle of people trying to sell you beer, drinks, and marijuana.

Only a couple of New Brunswicker’s went swimming.

There is a guy there who will dive off the top and them come looking for tips. The back of his shirt actually says “Diver”.

It was then back on the bus for an 90 minute ride back to the hotel. Made it back in one piece after the bus driver narrowly missed some guy who decided to do a U turn in front of the bus on the highway.

Along with KFC, there is also Pizza Hut in Jamaica.

Jamaica Vacation

May 8, 2016 richardt

Jamaica2016

jamaica ocho rios riu

Sunday, Mother’s Day, was our first full day in Jamaica. In the morning we attended the Sunwing Tour presentation. They tell you when to check when your bus leaves for the airport and then about the excursions available.