So after our flight from Jamaica, which seemed fairly long but actually was only a series of short hops between islands. We arrived early 15 mins to be exact but the immigration line was long and slow, and as usual we picked the slowest.
Once we got out we could not find our pick up but after some phoning he appeared, and so the hour long drive in to the mountains. Arriving at the center some time about 10:30. They had left us a flask of hot water and some tea and some sandwiches which the ants were trying to desperately get in to (I think some had managed). So we ate then got ready for bed which involved a quick spray down with anti-bug spray. then to sleep – well apart from the frogs bugs and birds partying all night.
Last day in Jamaica and we’re off to Trinidad. Being collected at 10.30 and the flight is at 2pm. We’re flying off with many of the Caribbean delegates who were at the conference as we’re stopping on another couple of islands along the way to Trinidad. So I get to work for another few hours. Should be in Trinidad by 8.30 tonight.
Yesterday was the main meeting of the organisation and that wen’t well. We managed to finish it up before lunch and so could do a nice tour of Kingston. Well, Devon House and the Bob Marley Museum. Didn’t get to do much at Devon House though a few people had ice cream (I was too full from lunch – the food has been fabulous) and then spent about 2 hours at the Bob Marley Museum. We were the last group through. It was interesting to see the museum again and nice to get to see a bit more of Kingston.
We got back hotel after the time we were suppose to have been collected for dinner! So we were given more time to get ready and then out to Eden Place for dinner. We had a set up on an open veranda area complete with band. Lovely dinner but very loud, really could not chat to people. But then that’s Jamaica – if you can squeeze a sound system in and turn it up loud you do. It was a fun dinner with lots of dancing and drinking and eating. I was surprised when it ended before 11 but we had people flying out at ridiculously early times in the morning (taxi collection started at 4.45am!).
Up this morning, breakfast, good-bye to the people who are staying a bit longer or flying out a bit later and we’re now packed and waiting to go.
Frog Blog
I had my plan for the day, to get some postcards and then maybe go out somewhere or failing that sit in the pool with a crate of beer. Just as I was leaving Kathleen ran across the lawn and told me they needed more photos as the photographer wasn’t around yet. So I ran up, grabbed my bag, and spent the day taking more pictures. As I was downloading the second day’s worth of pictures we were told that the bus tour around the campus was waiting for us. So we ran down and hopped onto that and I got a few more pictures of more parts of the campus. After that we retired to the bar for a few drinks and something to eat before the evening’s entertainment. We decided to try the Juicy Patties again, this time I had a meat stuffed loaf followed by grapenut ice cream. I have no idea what a grapenut is but it tasted good.
We then went to the 50th anniversary University Singers’ Concert which was brilliant; moving its way through religious and gospel music to folk and popular at the end. It was a retrospective across the 50 years of performances. Back to the room for a beer and a quick blog update and bed.
It’s been a busy couple of days!
Wednesday we got up early and were collected by our driver to go out to Ocho Rios. After a lovely drive though the gorges, we arrived at Dunn River Falls. You can take the path down along the falls to the beach where the river joins the sea and then climb the falls back up. Joe and I were watching and thinking it looked like a lot of fun. But a cruise ship was in Ocho Rios and the place was packed – the tour bus lot was full and there were boats pulling up to the beach with hundreds more coming up already in the congo line to start the climb. With that many people it just didn’t look that fun after all. It wasn’t so much a climb up the falls but more a queue up to wait to go up the falls.
But we enjoyed the walk down to the beach, then along the beach, and then just took the patch back up. It started to rain just as we were ready to leave so that was timed well. We just drove through Ocho Rios. About all there is to see is the cruise ship enclave and Reggae museum and both were packed with people. We then took a drive along the north coast braving the detours along the route and admiring the scenery. It was a lovely drive. We didn’t get to Ian Fleming’s house because of road blockages and detours but didn’t mind. Just nice to go for the drive and see the sights.
Back to work today as the conference started. Also put Joe to work taking photos in the morning. All is going well and we’ve just returned from having drinks at the Vice Chancellor’s home. Very nice with a wonderful garden.
Joe has added more photos to his site: http://www.panoramio.com/user/511198 and may make a gallery on the other website. We’ll link when he does.
Otherwise not much to report. Just work. Mind you, it’s work in a lovely lush sunny warm part of the world!
Frog Blog
While Kathleen was working I took a wander around the campus taking a few pictures which you can see below. The day was quite hot so went quite slowly looking at all the different buildings of different ages. Popped into the help desk to ask about gaining access via wireless but they told me they don’t do the guest login any more. Although apparently there is some open access around the Business School. I then made my way back towards the Vice-Chancellor’s office stopping for a cup of mint tea in one of the little snack places (the unusual shape). When I got back Kathleen was still busy so I told her I’d meet her at the bar, where I had a ginger beer and downloaded the photos from the camera. Kathleen joined me and we went for lunch at Pages Cafe on campus. I had my curry chicken and rice and peas and cherry drink (they were out of coconut milk) which was all very nice; Kathleen had the recommended honey roast chicken and Spanish rice which she enjoyed. We then wandered back to the room to cool off a bit and upload the photos and type this blog entry.
Joe – as typed by Kathleen
Just woke up in Jamaica. Of course, there was a bird that was insistant it was morning at 4.30 when it was still dark and I still wanted to sleep and of course it shut up when the sun came out. Stupid bird.
The flight was probably the worst flight I have ever been on. Very full, more people not knowing how to find seats, and a very patronising airĂ‚Â hostess made the 9 1/2 hours seem like forever. Plus we were late. Stuck on the tarmac at Gatwick for over half an hour and then late into Kingston. We managed to get to the front of the immigration queue but that still took nearly an hour to get through. Then the baggage claim – oh my. That took nearly another hour. So I was pretty sure the person who was to collect us had long gone. The best sight ever was a board with our names and a smiling face above it there to take us to UWI!
We’re staying at the Mona Visitor’s Lodge at UWI and it hasn’t changed much since I was here 10 years (!) ago. They have done some refurbishment and taken out the restaurant (which is a shame) but the general layout and bar are the same. Not that I spent that much time in the bar last time!
So we got to the visitor’s lodge and checked in, got our bags put away and headed down to the bar to try to log in to the wireless. Got our drinks (I do love decent ginger beer!) and Joe started sorting out the laptop only to discover that we can’t use the wireless connection. So that’s something he’ll probably sort out today. So the evening was spent with Joe trying the local beer (Red Stripe) and rum (Appletons) and me trying to empty the bar of ginger beer. One of the conference organisers came to see how we were settling in and we had a chat with her. Then off to find food and just managed to get into the fast food place before it closed and got patties. They were sold out of everything else. We must do better tonight!
Off for breakfast and then to discuss the conference and then looking forward to seeing more of Jamaica!
PS: He may not have worked out the wireless connection but he did manage to sort out the room connection. I don’t want to know.
Frog Blog
So I was walk around London still trying to get use to the new camera (a Nikon D300), I now know what some of the buttons do :).
Mainly trying out different exposure setting and getting use to interpretative the back display and histograms , I still have a lot to learn moving from film to digital.
When i came across this in Bedford Square ?
So the question is what is it, why, and by who ?
We took the train which is a nice way to go though we didn’t get much sleep. So were a bit tired the first day. The other problem was the train was late – both ways. We were two hours late into Florence and about an hour late into Paris on the return. We booked plenty of leeway into our change at Paris (about 5 hours) so no worries but many people were trying to catch the 11.30 Eurostar service – the train got in at 10 so it would have a been a close run if they didn’t know exactly how to get to Gare du Nord!
Definitely book museum tickets on the web before you go. Be aware that you may need to exchange your voucher for an actual ticket. At the Uffizi we headed straight for the door which was marked ‘pre-booked tickets’ only to be told we had to go to door 3, then back to door 1 to enter. Not a big deal but can save you some walking.
Florence has lots of museums, plan carefully! Best line of the holiday was overheard while we were in the Uffizi gift shop: “Hurry up! The next museum closes in an hour!”
Check the web for museum opening times as these change. Some museums have early closing as well.
Go to the popular museums earlier and if you find yourself in a room with a huge crowd just wait a minute or two. Most of the large crowds are tour groups and they tend to cruise through the museums looking at the highlights and don’t tend to stand by them for very long.
There is a lot of information about rip off restaurants in Florence but we really didn’t find that a problem. Perhaps we got lucky! We did check the guidebook for the types of food we wanted and found that generally it was all good. Note that service is generally included in the price and if in doubt ask. They didn’t mind and one place actually pointed out that it was included and we shouldn’t leave a tip.
And finally, if you can, stay at Hotel Balestri! And if you can ask for a particular room, get room 502. It has a small terrace with table and chairs with views over the river to Ponto Vecchio and the view out the window is of the Palazzo Vecchio. There is also a larger terrace which is shared amongst the four rooms on the 5th floor with views over the city, including the Palazzo, Duomo, and Santa Croce. It is within easy walking distance of most things in the city, only minutes from the Uffizi and Santa Croce. The staff is very nice and very helpful.
Also we booked through Railbookers. Very nice, very helpful and I think we got a good on the hotel and travel. The only compliant was that on the way out on Eurostar our seats were not near each other. But that was solved in a person very nicely moving for us.
Frog Blog
We made it. Very tired when we got to Paris but walked from Gare du Bercy to Gare du Nord. As the train was coming in it was dark and wet looking, but as we walked along the river the sun came out and it became quite a pretty day.
We walked along the river to Notre Dame and Joe took photos. We then turned off the river to walk by the Centre Pompidou. Stopped to get coffee and a crepe then on to the station. Nice walk but we were quite tired from the train journey.
At Gare du Nord we got drinks and fries and waited for check in to open. First class travel on Eurostar at the end of the school holidays was very interesting. Lots of parents bringing their children back from holidays at the second house in France. And then there was Joe and I with laptop and camera, rucksack, and scruffy from the train travel!
But home and mugs of tea and an early night.
Frog Blog
A panoramic view from micalangleos Piza
Please Note The Small Pictures are placed ware the photo was taken from.
