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Jamaica

Stories and Photos from my travels to Jamaica.

Destination 》 North America 》 The Caribbean 》 Jamaica

Year Visited: 2011 – Aug

I visited Ocho Rios, Jamaica during August 2011 for our family vacation. Ocho Rios is a port town on the north coast of Jamaica. A former fishing village, it’s now a resort with a cruise ship harbor and a busy bay beach that’s lined with hotels.

Jamaica, the third-largest island of the Caribbean, has a lush topography of mountains, rainforests and reef-lined beaches. Many of its all-inclusive resorts are clustered around the country. With two young boys with us, we also stayed in one of those All-Inclusive resort.

Originally inhabited by the indigenous Taíno peoples, the island came under Spanish rule following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494. Many of the indigenous people were either killed or died of diseases. The island remained a possession of Spain until 1655, when England conquered it, renaming it Jamaica. The island achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962. Jamaica is the birthplace of the Rastafari religion and Reggae music.

Pictures below are from our stay in Ocho Rios. As this was a family vacation in All-Inclusive resort, most pictures are of my kids having fun in the resort.

Welcome to Jamaica!
Ocho Rios, our destination for next five days!
A breathtaking view from our hotel room’s balcony!
A night view from our hotel room’s balcony.
A night view of Ocho Rio town from our hotel room’s balcony.
A very early morning view of Ocho Rio town from our hotel room’s balcony. Moon is still out.
An early morning view of Ocho Rio town from our hotel room’s balcony.
A breathtaking sunrise over the Caribbean Sea, a view from our hotel room’s balcony.
A cruise ship arriving in the town of Ocho Rios.
A cruise ship docked in the town of Ocho Rios. View from the All-Inclusive resort we stayed.
Snorkeling trip, a view from a view from our hotel room’s balcony.
The resort we stayed, was a popular place for Birthday, Wedding and other celebration.
A breathtaking Sunset over the Caribbean Sea, a view from the resort we stayed.
Neil and Raul enjoying Kayaking in the Bay.
Neil and Raul playing volleyball with their new friends!
Neil and Raul enjoying their Virgin cocktails at the swim-up bar.
Neil and Raul in the resort lobby.
Dinner time!
Nap time at the Beach!
Balcony with amazing view!
Dinner time!
Walking around Ocho Rios town center.

During our stay in Jamaica, we visited Dunn’s River Falls, a famous waterfall near Ocho Rios. Dunn’s River Falls is unique, described as a living and growing phenomenon, it continuously regenerates itself from deposits of travertine rock, the result of precipitation of calcium carbonate from the river, as it flows over the falls. Dunn’s River Falls is one of the very few travertine waterfalls in the world that empties directly into the sea.

At the Dunn’s River Falls.
The waterfalls are terraced like giant natural stairs though some incorporate man-made improvements. Several small lagoons are interspersed among the vertical sections of the falls.
At the Dunn’s River Falls.
At the Dunn’s River Falls.
Souvenir shop near the Dunn’s River fall, selling Jamaican flags.

During our stay we spent a day at the Reggae Beach, a picturesque private beach near Ocho Rios.

Tranquil, we were the only people at this beach.
Neil and Raul getting ready for snorkeling.
Neil and Raul discovering colorful fishes.
With my boys!
Neil taking break from snorkeling.
Raul posing for a picture!
Look at the color of the Caribbean Sea.
Our friendly neighbor on the beach.
Enjoying Red Stripe Beer at the Reggae Beach. While in Jamaica, you must try the most popular beer, brewed on the island since 1928!

After a week on the island, we went back to Dallas, my home at that time. Jamaica has a lot more to offer than just Ocho Rios, though because of limited time, I couldn’t explore more. I would definitely like to come back and explore more.

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By Window on The World

In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...

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