WASSI ARTS, NEAR OCHO RIOS, CERAMICS SHOWROOM AND WORKSHOP

AN EASY VISIT FROM OCHO RIOS IS TO WASSI ARTS

We were so impressed with the beautiful ceramics at this little 'factory'. It was difficult to come away without buying lots of pots, but of course we couldn't do that because of luggage weight restrictions and the small amount of space in our bags.

Several young men work there, maybe they do shifts. Each pot has a name of the potter and decorator on the base. Outside the white clay, which is accessed from Jamaica, is put in huge trays so the excess water can evaporate, in the same way as is done in the UK.

Also on display was a few paintings from the potter/artists. There is a well-stocked showroom, and you can arrange to have pieces shipped home.

THE JEWELL, DUNN'S RIVER, EVENING CABARET SHOW AND MUSIC

WHAT TO DO TO PASS TIME IN THE EVNING, AT THE JEWELL

Resident band here good, it plays every evening, four piece, till 11 o'clock. There is a pianist who plays after 11, on a different area of the resort, called the pool bar. There is also a DJ for the night owls, until 2 pm

Yesterday we had a treat as we had a man Jamaican cabaret artist doing a singing show, with old songs such as some Atlantic and rock from late 50s and 60s. And a lindy hop. He had a smart black suit and two-tone shoes and did a good lindy with one of the guest volunteers.

Most of time music on the resort is always reggae, not possible to buy any old Jamaican ska or bluebeat in the town, which is about 3 miles away and has not got a record shop, people here do not seem interested in old stuff. No surprising I guess, since I bought my music in the 1960s.

The entertainment staff, who are very friendly and well trained, do hold kind of jokey reggae dance classes by the pool during the day and seem to think that we tourists do not know how to move our hips in an appropriately Jamaican way!!!

Some of these staff, particularly the girls, dress up and look gorgeous for the dancing in the evening, dancing the band or to any guest singer. They wear tights dresses and very high heels, and have got the Jamaican hip wiggle to perfection! The men really enjoy it, and there is a lot of laughter and clapping. The several young men on the staff have a good dance routine too, verging on rap moves.

BRINGING GIFTS - NOT AWAYS A GOOD IDEA - JAMAICA TIME

They said they would be at the hotel by about 12 midday - they finally turned up at gone 2.30 and with a little boy in the car, which caused consternation here - an adults only complex. The security guard came running into the lobby, saying "They have arrived, and there is a child in the car."

This was because we promised to bring some gifts for the granddaughter of a friend in England, who lives a couple of hours drive from Dunn's River. Sunday was the day we arranged, on the phone. I bought a sim card in Jamaica and so could contact the granddaughter. We knew she would come in her boyfriend's car but did not realize she would bring her small son also.

Lots of people in the hotel seemed to know we were having a long wait, and made the joke that they were operating on 'Jamaica Time'.

Finally we all set off in the car, so as not to interrupt the tranquility of The Jewell complex with the presence of a small eight-year old boy.

We went to Scotchies for jerk chicken, which was sadly a big disappointment. It is rated in the guide books but really not worth the effort going there. Food not particularly good, dry and overcooked. Rice and peas nothing special. Chicken 'sausage' truly dreadful. Still, the Red Stripe was good, as usual.

Then went to a small beach some way away, where people were playing football, in the light of the setting sun. The sea there was full of dark brown seaweed, though, not good for paddling.

A sound system was belting out reggae and the whole beach seemed to vibrate in time to the beat.

FIREFLY, NEAR ORACABESSA, JAMAICA, HOME OF NOEL COWARD

VISIT TO THE HOUSE CALLED 'FIREFLY' BY NOEL COWARD, THE ENGLISH SONGWRITER, PLAYWRIGHT AND ACTOR


Lovely place, fantastic views over the bay. Statue of Noel Coward is placed on the hillside overlooking the sea and mountains.

We have the contact number of a nice taxi driver, called Desmond. He quoted us a price to drive from Dunn's River, Ocho Rios, to see Firefly and also to call at Harmony Hall art gallery.

It is so nice to get away from the hotel complex, although it is pleasant enough with friendly staff. However, you are in a kind of false environment with all your needs - or almost all (no newspapers, no book library, no UK TV ) catered for. However, at Firefly what struck me at first was the wonderful quiet - no piped music!

Desmond, an excellent driver, took us to Firefly, up a terrible rutted and holed track. Potholes big enough to swallow a small goat, I think!

The hillside gives stupendous views over St Marie bay, and the air is full of the scent of herbs, like wild thyme.
There is a small stone built house with gun slits which was a relic of when Henry Morgan the pirate had his base there.

Inside the house you can visit the small kitchen and dining room, the main room with two baby-grand pianos, and upstairs to the terrace and bedroom, where Noel Coward died. The views from the house are stupendous.

The complex is now used for weddings, apparently, especially the pirate's house!

THE JEWELL, OCHO RIOS, BEACH PARTY TEAM

BEACH PARTY IN THE EVENING, UNDER THE TREES AND PALMS ON THE BEACH, AND DANCE SHOW

The entertainment team at The Jewell does a fine job. Several young women and men run events, its a bit like being in an upmarket Butlins holiday camp, though I have never been to a holiday camp in England. The family used to watch a TV comedy program called Hi Di Hi! about the imaginary holiday camp in the UK. Hands up if you remember this!

Here the The Jewell the visitors are not encouraged to go off the site, so things have to be devised to entertain them. During the day there is sometimes a quiz show with a prize of a bottle of rum, held by the side of the largest swimming pool, (passing by, I realize the questions are outside my experience, since I am ancient and English - all about US sports and pop stars, it seems).

Sometimes there are beach volley ball games, which include people of quite a lot of shapes and sizes; I have done photos of these, and made a few sketches, and plan a painting when I get back to UK.

One evening a week there is a Beach Party. This starts at 6 pm - it is almost dark here by 5 pm - and food is arrange on side tables displaying salads, hot meat, hot fish, cold cuts, cakes, and also a collection of coconuts and sugar cane.

Large round dining tables and chairs, seating about eight people each, are on the beach with tiny little lights, so you cannot see what you are eating. (Though I am sure this is not intentional).

The entertainment this week, was a kind of coaching session by the young team for a few guinea pig guests, at how to dance a rather restrained reggae.

Then a professional troup of dancers performed, very well. Five girls in colonial era costume did a folk dance. The men were very energetically dancing, jumping, summersaults. Finally there was a display of limbo dancing, pole dancing, and fire eating.

Congrats to the team, Jason, Antonia and the others.

DUNN'S RIVER FALLS, OCHO RIOS TRIP WITH TAXI DRIVER DESMOND

DUNN'S RIVER FALLS, NEAR THE JEWELL, POPULAR WITH CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS AND OTHER TOURISTS

We got the phone number of Desmond from a friend here. We did not want to take the organised tour which is expensive, about 90 dollars each. We noticed the entry to the Dunn's River Falls is very near this hotel, but too far to walk. There is a big car park. My guide book suggested going there early in the morning, or late in the evening. The Falls opens at 8.30

My plan worked. Desmond turned up as agreed at 8.30 and as the Falls is not far away, we were the firt in the car park, and walked to the main buildings where you can change to swimsuit if you want. Entry fee reduced for older people, so only $20.

It was nice to have the place free from anybody except the staff - there are numbers of guides in blue tee shirts. We climbed down to a viewing platform where you can see the course of the river down the falls, the force of water is stupendous.

I think the rounded rocks are limestone. The sound thunders in the ears, and huge trees shade over the white water.

A nice middle aged lady came over, and told me that she did not recommend me to climb the falls, saying it was slippery and dangerous. I was quite happy to take her advice because actually the route you have to take, to climb up from the beach looked quite scarey and probably requires a lot of arm strength to pull yourself up via the hand-holds set into the rock at the sides.

I stepped into the water from the platform, to see how cold it was. The force of water then quickly washed away one of my new Jelly shoes, so I discarded the other one - hard luck! Lots of other shoes lined up the bank, lost by other people

We walked all down the side of the falls, on the wooden walkway (they call it a boardwalk) where it is also made in concrete in places. There are plenty of places to stop and admire and wonder, and take photos.

The beach at the bottom of falls is well-served with toilets, changing cubicals and places you can hire towels. The sea there was bright blue and very inviting, calm and safe-looking.
The atmosphere was calm and relaxed, we had no hassle.

Then we climbed up again on the walk-way and steps to the exit where we expected to be harrassed by traiders, but actually nobody addressed us at all, it was absolutely no problem as they day out here. And we met up with Desmond about an hour after first arriving.