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Jamaica Day…

Tuesday, January 6. 80F.

   Well, today was the first time we set foot off of North American soil on this trip. A bit lumpy for new crew and first time for the ship with shore excursions involving some 1650 [???] elderly, and some grumpy folks like me, sick of wearing a darn mask anytime outside of our stateroom and me not quite getting into my comfort zone on this trip. I think that I may have become Homophobic, is that the right word?

   

    Regardless, we were delighted to get off the ship and step ashore, meaning the end of three years, grounded as travellers. We had booked a Shore Excursion with Jim and Gail that involved Rafting down a slow flowing Spring Fed river that ran three miles down to the ocean through a very tranquil and peaceful high tropical forest. Really like in another world. The involvement to get there was far from tranquil however, but we overlook the real world issues for the sake of peace and harmony.

   

    The river run was three miles, each 'Raft' held only two people with one Driver who is in reality living in a poor situation, he can get at best three runs a day on the river when things are good, so this is a second or third job for him. A wage of some sort no doubt, but largely dependant upon tips, meaning us! Unfortunately this is the way it will be for another 126 days. [Sorry to say.] Only now is the reality of cruising coming back to me. We have forgotten some of the downsides of cruising, as we, the wealthy in this world, visit and become involved with those at the other end of the economic ladder.

    It was too long a day for me, personally speaking, 45 years ago this would have been a great adventure and probably would have come back on board with scads of great stuff to take home, lay it out on the bed and photograph it. [Yes, I have done that!] This does not diminish my spirit of adventure, it just puts it in synch with my age!

   We were back to the ship with an hour to go before dinner, I had to make a complicated phone call, shave, shower and check my link with sending my blog, get dressed and down to dinner in an hour. Too rushed for me, this is supposed to be relaxing, I will have to make some alterations to my schedule  for me to enjoy this trip.

   Fellette, along with Jim and Gail went to the Show tonight, a comedian, which I wanted to go see but the pressure of 'Doing The Blog' got me again, so I skipped that and went to our room to let all you guys know what is going on in Cabin 7901!

Sorry about no personalized photos, I have some, but have not had the time to get them organized. I have to get some time!

Good Day…

Rafts getting sorted out at the end of the trip. They get loaded onto trucks and are driven upriver to the start point.

Drifting down the river...

Peaceful indeed.

Some passing and dialog in a spot or two. The run takes maybe 45 minutes.

Some enterprising people have set up stations to sell souvenirs and foods along the way.