Takin' the Newbies along Part 2 - a trip report

[Jenn]

Day 6 continued...
So we arrived at the beach at Half Moon and just took it all in. I LOVE the hustle and bustle of 7 Mile - but this was simply glorious. It was so quiet and peaceful, even though there were several people out and about. I imagine this was what Negril was like many years back. We hung out and took it all in. Tom went and bought a round of RS Lights and we just hung out. Before too long, Marvin pulled up in the boat to take us out to the island. Last year we had planned on coming here, but (as Brian would say) sand "paste" got us. We planned to come out on Thursday - but rum got me. So here we were...on Monday. Marvin was a ton of fun and we spent some time throughout the day just chatting with him. What a great guy! So he took us out to the island - some pictures of our approach...





Upon our arrival - we found we were the only ones there - with the exception of Livingston. He was getting the bar set up while we explored and got settled in. We weren't sure how long we would stay out there...until we decided to leave I suppose. But we just didn't know if it would be a couple hours or most of the day. Some pictures from the island.









We ordered up a round of beers and took it all in. We had the place to ourselves for about 45 minutes. It was heavenly. We chatted with Livingston before others arrived and he got busy. He was an exceptional host! Quick with a smile and a laugh! They have found the perfect guys to work for them - Marvin and Livi are gems! We LOVED our time out there.

Watch out for these little guys - they are all over! Sharp if you step on them! This was my favorite little fella - he was about the size of a pencil eraser!



Pretty soon the place started to fill up. Kathy Gillespie and friends arrived along with Charlotte and Luna. The kids added a different element - but they were mostly busy with tiny crab races. Livingston was busy preparing lunch and had taken our order. The food was plentiful and reasonable! It was by far the biggest plate of food I have ever had in Jamaica. You had a choice of jerk chicken, fish, or lobster. I chose chicken and the other three got fish. It also came with rice and peas, macaroni salad, coleslaw, and potato salad.



After a bit, I decided to get in the water. They have done a great job of clearing out the sea urchins in front of the dock so you can get in the water without shoes. However, I would recommend water shoes of some sort if you plan to spend any time in the water. Naturally, I didn't have any! Kathy and the kids had decided to head in and she saw me without water shoes. Very kindly she offered up a pair she had brought out for me to borrow. Just leave them at the bar when you get back, she said. So kind of her!

Pretty soon, Tom and Amy decided to go snorkeling. So, the water is pretty shallow and it can be a bit disorientating. We are all used to snorkeling in deeper water where you can "stand up" straight without touching the bottom to adjust your mask or snorkel. This wasn't the case and Amy was having a bit of a struggle. I decided to give it a whirl and Tom and I went out. After you get out a ways - there are a million sea urchins. This was unnerving to me - but we kept on. Saw some great coral as we snorkeled just out towards the reef from the dock. Tom and I stopped and I asked him to be next to me or in front of me (he was staying behind so he could keep his eye on me) but I needed to be able to see him too so I wouldn't get panicky. He obliged and off we went. As the water got deeper - I felt a little more comfortable - minus the sea urchin forest below me!

So I felt comfortable until I wasn't. You know when you are snorkeling and you can hear someone yell? I heard someone yelling my name - loudly! And over and over again. I stopped and looked towards the dock - we were quite a ways out by now and Tom clearly hadn't heard. I see Brian waving his arm in (what I thought) was a come back motion and yelling "JEN!" Whelp - that's all it took. You only have to be faster than the slowest person. I FLEW across the water...seriously...like Jesus...across the top towards the dock. Poor Tom didn't realize until I was long gone. Brian and Amy were in tears laughing and I may have just run a marathon....fear and fast swimming will do that to a girl! Tom eventually joins us and Brian and Amy were still laughing at me. Brian explained he was pointing AT something - maybe a turtle or a ray? Something was near the top of the water and they weren't calling us in - but pointing it out to us. However, I'm done now. My heart calmed down a bit and I got out of the water.