by Eternally Optimistic

Created on: January 12, 2007   Last Updated: March 22, 2007

While preparing for my trip to Ochos Rios Jamaica I was nervous. Much like everyone else I had read all the reviews and read all the caution that was given about your safety as a foreigner. All that I had read was only partially true. We were approached almost everywhere we went and asked to purchase something hand crafted or "home grown" however, we were not pestered or hassled. It only took a simple "no thank you" and we were left alone. Not once did we ever feel physically in danger or at risk.

The only single downside to the entire trip was that everyone expected or demanded a tip. This has been mentioned in other articles however it is 100% accurate. Much like others said when we were leaving the airport and heading to our destination the porters just grabbed our bags and pulled them the entire 20 feet to the shuttle. Then would not allow us to take our bags or put them on the shuttle until we gave a tip. It was this way any place we went other than our resort (because the tipping was included in the initial fee).

Enough with the bad and onto the good! I found the Jamaican people to be fantastic. We were felt welcome everywhere we went. The people working at the resort we stayed in were amazing; they took the time to learn our names, where we were from and what we drank.

The weather could not have been better the entire time we were on that amazing island. We were blessed with have a great sunny week, the only rain we experienced was late the first night we arrived so it did not affect our daily activities at all.

The food was a nice mixture of authentic Jamaican meals and a more familiar "American" option. My personal favorite event occurred twice while we were at our resort. The people from the resort had a pig roast on the beach. There was so much food it was unbelievable. You couldn't possible have the room to try everything.

The resort also did a great job of providing entertainment and events to participate in while we were there. Each hour while relaxing poolside we were invited to participate in events like pool volleyball, beach volleyball, relay races, and other Jamaican traditional games.

All in the entire trip was a great trip and I would definitely go back.

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