If you missed yesterday’s post you’ll want to read it first.
After our time admiring the dolphins, we actually got to do trucks with them. The first trick was lovely. The dolphins came up and kissed us on each cheek. Then we got to kiss each of them. It was one of the sweetest moments of my life. They made us hold our life vests at the chest. They told us it was the symbol for a kiss, but I think it was just to keep us from poking them our wanting to hug them. I watched the trainer as he gave the commands. He never touched his chest.
Then the dolphins pulled us around the pool on their fins. We faced backwards in the water with our hands out, and the dolphins swam up behind us allowing us to grab their fins for the ride. It was really fast & over too quick, but it was so wonderful.
The highlight of the experience was when the dolphins lifted us out of the water on their own. We laid flat on our stomachs with our legs out, knees locked, toes pointed to the ocean floor, and our arms out in front. We were told not to bend backwards, just to go with the dolphins. They came up behind us, and I felt their noses, one on each foot. Then we were off. The dolphins pushed me across the sea, and slowly I emerged out of the water, as the raised me to the sky. It was the most amazing water ride of my life. I can still close my eyes and feel those wonderful noses on my feet!
The dolphin excursion ended with the dolphins swimming back by for a thank you pet. They waved goodbye to us, as we waved to them.
As we made our way back to the lockers, the guide who had given the story line throughout the experience asked us for a tip. It really rubbed me the wrong way. But I let it go. He even told us where to come find him if he was gone when we got back from the natural spring showers flowing out of the mountain.
Our next adventure was snorkeling with the stingrays. As we entered the pool we were allowed to hold and pet one of them. Of course it’s because they wanted us to buy their overpriced pictures, but we just enjoyed the moment.
As we swam in the pool, we saw several fish, but the best part was when we found the dolphin pool. Sadly it was separated with a fence, but one of the dolphins swam up a few times & let Brandon pet it’s nose. One of the dolphins was a week old calf…very cute. I loved listening to their sounds under water.
After leaving the dolphins we spotted a stingray, so we swam above it all over the water. Then we headed to try one of the other activities at the Cove. We found an area where we got to hold an iguana, and then Brandon held a snake. The guy took our photos, then wanted a tip because he didn’t take them on the company camera. How admitting he steals from the company was supposed to inspire me to tip him, I am not sure. But we didn’t tip.
Honestly, I reached the point in Jamaica where I got tired of all the expectations of money instead of just accepting a thank you. If you said thank you, a hand went out. I realize their economy sucks, but I am not independently wealthy. And sometimes a thank you should be enough!
That was the last thing we did before the sky fell out at the resort. We stayed to watch the shark show in the rain because, we heard it was worth it. But it was really super cheesy & over-rehearsed.
When we headed back to the resort, Maxwell drove thru the city of Ocho Rios. It reminded me a lot of Mexico. Lots of trash, lots of poverty, and lots of craft shops in the craft market area. We spotted a Harley shop on the way in, and Brandon asked if we could stop so he could get a pin for his cousin. They were sold out. Maxwell knew of another Harley shop, but they, too, were sold out.
Back at the resort we ordered pizza and took it up to our room. We tried the dessert pizza, and it was okay (chocolate sauce, pineapple, coconuts, bananas). Brandon had the jerk pork calzone, and he loved it. I got my garden pizza with ackee again. After eating on the balcony, we rested a bit in the room. When the rain finally stopped, we headed down to the pier for one last evening view.
As we walked around the resort, we stumbled upon the manager’s reception. We snacked on fried plantain chips, sweet potato chips, and bread fruit chips with yummy yogurt dips. Brandon also tried sushi with mango and jerk pork & chicken. He described it as unique.
We ended the evening walking on the beach watching all the sand crabs. Then we laid under a moonlit sky and watched stars. We saw the brightest & biggest satellite crawl across the sky. We wonder if it could’ve been the International Space Station.
My favorite part of the night was dancing on the beach, under a beautiful starlit sky, as a saxophone player played music in the background. It was the prefect romantic ending to the most romantic week of my life.
We ended the night walking into the sea one last time. Thank you Jamaica for a wonderful week!!
Right now we are sitting in the Atlanta airport. We have another hour before we board the plane to Little Rock. I am sad to be home, but I am SOOOOOO excited to see Meg-Meg tomorrow. Then our family can be complete again!! 🙂 Thank you to Brandon’s wonderful parents for watching her for nearly 11 days!!!