Back to the real world

I’m home from vacation.  Stress levels lowered, body full of vitamin D and mind full of vivid colors (which is a real reprieve from the endless vistas of white beige and grey we have here at home).

Here are some highlight photos:

We went to Jamaica and stayed in a very nice hotel.

We did a lot of snorkeling and shell hunting.  These are my favorite finds.

While snorkeling we saw many animals. Sea urchins…

…lion fish (I think)…

…a sting ray…

… an eel (this guy scared the poo poo out of me! It is a water snake and I hate snakes!)

We fed some fish who were well used to this game!

Under water, we also saw a lobster, flounder, octopus, crab and barracuda but either failed to get a photo or the photo was crap.

On land we saw cats. Lots and lots of cats.

Here is a cute little hermit crab.

There were many birds, but this garling is the only one we successfully captured on film.

The flowers were every where and so vivid!

The shaving brush tree is something I’ve never seen before.  It dropped a flower so I added it to my hat.  It lasted for 3 days like that!

We did do a bit of shopping. Mostly I needed something to tame my wild hair (humidity).

We did two excursions.

Dunn’s river falls.

I climbed these falls in my 20’s.  I do not recall them being so hard or scary.  But these old knees and flabby body as well as a healthy dose of self preservation (which is often missing in your 20’s) and an acquired fear of heights made this grueling so I took one of the “off ramps” about 3/4’s of the way up.  Hubby was able to complete it.

The next outing was to the Blue Hole.

The Blue Hole was a two fold excursion.  A dip in the Blue Hole and some tubing on a river.  Hubby opted to leave his water camera behind so no photos of this.  So here is the story.

I failed to understand that before you can take your dip in the Blue Hole you have to climb some falls to get to it.  Note story above.  The night before had been significantly rainy so the falls were moving rather fast.  For that reason we were given the optional life jacket (I’ll take it!) We were crossing the falls from one side to the other right next to a precipice, one at a time, with the guide helping each person.  So obviously a tricky part.  I lost my balance and fell and the water started pushing me towards the edge.  In my mind I saw myself going over and at best breaking a leg or a worst cracking my head or neck and ending up permanently disabled or dead.  I was terrified and I believe I cried like a little girl.

Mercifully the sure footed guide Daniel (who’s name I will never forget and will always be in my prayers) was able to stop me from going over until the hubby and the other guide (Little T who was mercifully not little) were able to get to me and get me back on my feet.  I did get to the top of the falls this time (with guides being very attentive to my fears) and did enjoy the diving and swimming part.

The rafting was way more to my speed.  No need for me to rely on my knees and crappy sense of balance!

So except for the “little scare” I had a great time in Jamaica.  I feel rested and ready to face the rest of the winter!