Country #34. Yeah, one a lot of people have been to. Not top of my list though. But do you have any idea how few countries are letting American tourists in? And then with most of them, you have to quarantine for 14 days.
Thursday, October 15th, 2020
Fort Lauderdale International looked much different when I passed through on the way back from Columbia in December. Sad.
Flying into Montego Bay.
The challenge was anticipating the arrival progress. Up to this point:
- 10 days before departure get a Covid test
- 5 days before departure submit an application with negative Covid test and provide more information
- Stay at a an approved hotel
- Don't leave 'resilient corridor', which is the west and north coasts from Negril to Montego Bay and over to Ochos Rios.
- Wait for approval
Jamaica's tourism website was incomplete and contradictory of what to expect when arriving.
Are you tested again? Will they track your movements? What additional medical screening is done upon arriving?
Here is how it turned out.
Off plane, half hour line to get temperature.
Temperature written on slip, keep it with travel authorisation.
This is part of the first line. And no one knew what the next step was.
Up a flight of stairs, and more of a line.
Turn a corner, and the line continues
.
Finally, you can see it is for more screening.
- They sanitize the table and chair between people
- Have you sanitize your hands (they clearly don't know me)
- Ask the usual, have you had contact with, cough, etc, etc.
- Ask health history questions
- Give address, emergency contact info, job
- Explain you can't leave resilient corridor
- Have you sign several documents
Plane landed at 2:15. Left airport at 4:45.
Did you know Ian Fleming wrote all his Bond novels at his Goldeneye estate on the NE coast Jamaica?
Montego Bay
My new timeshare.
No soup for you!
Hopewell
Local's waterside dining.
Sandy Bay
Lucea
Riu Palace Tropical Bay
Negril
Enough room for my many girlfriends.
Friday, October 16th, 2020
Morning run along the Caribbean,
around the resort and
off the property.
Collard Greens, Fried Plantains, Red Beans and Beetroot drink.
Took a half hour sailing lesson, then went out on my own.
At one point it was up on a 45 degree angle. Really.
Delicious jerk chicken!
Nice dinner atmosphere! My plate was large, but healthy and yummy.
Saturday, October 17th, 2020
Morning run. Just like Wisconsin.
Saw lots of debris from the last tropical storm.
Went SCUBA diving off the western coast of the island. However, the SD card is damaged and as posting I have not figured out if I want to spend the money (or my own time) on attempting to recover data. Should have gotten a lot of great video and pictures.
Anyway, it was amazing to glide among the fish and underwater plant life. Such a unique atmosphere.
Took a bus to the next bay south to stroll Seven Mile Beach
Really wasn't that nice.
Boarded this catamaran to go snorkeling off a reef.
No underwater pictures- my action camera's waterproof case wasn't so the camera failed after the SCUBA diving. My Galaxy 10 is rated as waterproof, but risk it? Nope.
Sailed along the West End.
All these hotels and restaurants empty. Thanks pandemic.
Rick's Cafe first opened in 1974 and has been destroyed by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Their big thing is watching the cliff diving.
Total tourist trap.
Tried valiantly to order food in the dining room and outside grill, but failed to get help. You'd think in this slow times they'd be anxious to serve someone holding cash.
Since I wasn't getting food, figured I'd need to get some experience there and cliff dive. Walked to the edge, looked down, thought "this isn't a good idea" and jumped.
Immediately it went awry as my body went sideways. "This is going to suck." Hit the water on my side hard and sunk like rock. Avoided the compulsion to gasp for air, since it was knocked out, and frantically paddled as soon as I figured out which way was up. Side stinging. Broke the surface to find someone who works there swimming out to me saucer eyed, "Are you OK?!" With concentration was able to say, "Just my pride."
Back on the catamaran.
Back to the resort.
"I'll take some of the face please."
Sunday, October 18th, 2020
Last morning run.
Green Island
Mmmm, jerk chicken.
Square in Lucea that has vestiges when the island was a British colony.
High fashion in Hopewell.
Back in Montego Bay.
