A Day in Ochi

Waking up to a blistering hot room, with a fan on high, but still not at all satisfactory, I decided it was time to start the day. I felt just about as sticky and gross as before my shower the night before. Our only real plan in Ochi was to hit the Eiffel Tower of Jamaica: the Dunn’s River Falls for a little watery climb. We got some breakfast, wandered the streets for a little bit, and found a route taxi to take us the 3km to the falls. Cuddled in the back seat with 3 other somewhat large people, I felt like a true Jamaican.

Being that you start the climb from the bottom (hence the word “climb”), we first walked down to the astonishing, golden sand beach. The view was incredible. And then, just as you walk 100 feet to your left, the rock staired falls come rippling down right into the ocean. How much more beautiful can it get?

So we started our trek, hand in hand… who ever thought of this idea anyway?! If one person falls, I see the whole line of people following suit just like little lemmings. You’re being pulled by the person in front of you, but held back by the person behind.  Your feet are therefore not quite where you would have otherwise had them, your balance off, and whew! There you all go! Brilliant. Anyway, they made us hold hands as we climbed through the “tougher” parts of the falls. The water felt refreshing, and the sun nicely blocked by the canopy above. A huge relief from what I was feeling this morning!

Not being able to leave the camera behind, we found a Ziploc to keep it dry. Hans had pockets, and thinking most of the water was just at our ankles, we hoped for no problems! Well, turns out, there was a small hole in the bag, and the water definitely came above our ankles. This is why I should have brought my cheaper camera! We still managed to get some great shots, and I believe the camera’s still working just fine! (So far, I’m still a happy camper!)

Before leaving, we took another look at the warm water beach and decided for a few bucks to take a little jet ski ride and see some dolphins. Hans had never been on a jet ski before so was pretty stoked. Though still somewhat enjoyable, I felt we had once again been put under the Jamaican wrath: the say-lots-but-nothing-all-at-once vagueness they’re so good at. I thought they were going to be wild, free dolphins by how the “mon” described it, but I should have known better. At least I wasn’t supporting the actual dolphin “park.” 

Finally, we cabbed it back to town, leaving two giant wet spots on the backseat. Still intending to head to Montego Bay for our last bit of our time in Jamaica, we grabbed some quick food, picked up our bags, and were off again for our last Jamaican bus ride: never complete until you’ve been squished in a 5 person row only meant for 4, and have to listen to people grunt loudly on their cell phones, or across the bus to their friend. It’s really amazing how not like English their normal dialect is. It’s almost as if they’ve dropped all the hard sounds and just mumble everything together. The funny part, is they don’t even seem to understand each other many times!

Arriving into Montego Bay after dark, Lonely Planet lead us quickly to an affordable guesthouse. Feeling once again like a million bucks, the cold shower didn’t bother me too much!

Tomorrow, the sunglasses hunt was on! My pupils are loving me right now, after 2½ weeks of no relief. Cuba seems to carry only one style, and most stores don’t have them. And, though Jamaica has many more, I still haven’t gotten any. Assuming Haiti is going to be another Cuba situation, I’m determined to find some before we leave Jamaica!

Posted by Abra