Drivers Touring Europe....and Beyond

Jamaican Santa?

25 December 2011

25.12.2011 81 °F

flags along ocean

What else would you do on Christmas morning besides go on a dive? Today we go deep to 76 feet and see more coral and Emma fish. The others again spear fish and before we know it I am back drinking daiquiris. I forgo the second dive for some reading time and work on my tan…more like sunburn.

Montego Bay Palm Tree

I attempted a get together with a local through the Meet the People program but it didn’t work out so we spent Christmas “liming”. This is my new favorite thing and it basically means relaxing and not doing much of anything.

Jamaican Santa

I did manage to get up out of the chair and take a picture of Santa with his elves when he came in on his boat

Gazebos in Montego Bay

Christmas dinner was a buffet for everyone so it was a bit crowded but otherwise pretty decent food with no dishes to clean up afterwards!

Posted by ErinDriver 14:43 Archived in Jamaica Comments (0)

Diving Jamaica

24 December 2011

24.12.2011 81 °F

peaceful surroundings

Christmas Eve starts with a HUGE buffet breakfast followed by a few hours lazing in a lounge chair by the water. The first dive we can do is at 1130 so we gather gear and head for the boat. The site is coral castle and has the most abundant array we have seen so far. There a huge fans of coral and others that look like huge pots. We find what we dub “Emmy fish” because they have humongous eyes just like our little Shihtzu – Emma. There are two other divers with us plus the master diver and they all spear fish for lion fish. I guess it is good because these fish destroy the reef and have no predators. I just don’t like to see it.

us in Montego Bay

After coming up we have a lunch of jerk chicken, fruit and other things from the buffet that is out by the water. Next activity is to pamper our tired muscles at the spa. I rarely get massages but it seems like the thing to do here.

Sunset in Jamaica

After dinner we watch four Jamaicans in red Hawaiian shirts sing Christmas songs and spend a half hour staring into the bonfire before calling it a night.

Bob Marley Tribute

Posted by ErinDriver 14:40 Archived in Jamaica Comments (0)

Arrival in Paradise

23 December 2011

23.12.2011 82 °F

chairs waiting for us

Early, Early our flight leaves Houston for Dallas and then by late afternoon Montego Bay, Jamaica! Sandals resort collects you at the airport and takes you in a small bus to the resort. Ours is just on the other side of the airfield.

Sandals resort

Right away we are put in a room to do the check in stuff and given rum and coke and a strawberry daiquiri. I can definitely handle this

Dinner in Jamaica

By the time we are done checking in and get our room we are pleasantly surprised that it opens right into all the restaurants and bars that are at the edge of the water. The rest of the day is spent relaxing, eating outside by the water and enjoying the hot tub.

Stewfish restaurant

Posted by ErinDriver 14:36 Archived in Jamaica Comments (0)

Shen Yun

22 December 2011

22.12.2011 55 °F

Our Jamaica flight is from Houston tomorrow so we made the drive a day early with time to fit in dinner and a show! Saltgrass Steakhouse is always good and the one here does not disappoint. Afterwards we drive to downtown and see Shen Yun. The show demonstrated Chinese cultural dancing that is no longer allowed in their country. Curt was under the assumption that we were going to a Christmas light show so was surprised with Chinese dancing
The costumes were absolutely gorgeous and the backdrop was digital. Shen Yun means the art of divine dancing. We were exhausted by the end of the show but it was worth the effort to make it.

Posted by ErinDriver 14:34 Archived in USA Comments (0)

Baton Rouge Beach Marathon

3 December 2011

03.12.2011 51 °F

view on race route (2)

....and Half marathon - which is what we did. After the chilly start the race became one of our favorites. The route was either through neighborhoods with gorgeous houses or along lake areas. LSU has a very pretty campus. The field was only about 1000 runners so not overcrowded and the water stop volunteers dressed up to make it entertaining.
The medal was well designed and the food at the finish was the best ever. Of course being in LA there was red beans and rice, gumbo and jumbalaya. No Dad, there were no hot dogs in it. But they did have hot dogs, chicken strips, cheese sticks, french fries and BEER - all free to the runners!
The shuttle bus took us from next door to our hotel at the Marriott to the race and returned us right afterwards. All in all a great, well organized race I would do again.