Woke up to sound of the rain. It started around 2 or 3 this morning and was pouring it down all morning. Well, it is the rainy season and it is a rain forest.
So we skipped the orientation tour again (I guess we can do it Friday morning before we leave), instead sitting on the veranda and watching the wildlife and day tourists come in. The rain slowed down so we headed out along a walk and got to see a toucan. Lovely. Joe got some good photos once he finally found the bird!
We had lunch then got ready to head out to Caroni to see the scarlet ibis. There is a group here from the US and they had their swamp trip planned so the centre stuck us onto their trip. This worked out very well, though they headed off in two vans and Joe and I had our own van we all shared the same boat and had that to ourselves. So only 11 of us in the boat. On the way to the swamp we stopped at a water treatment plant and bird watched. There were Spectacled Caiman at the treatment centre and they were lovely. There were also a lot of birds and dragonflies. We then got to the swamp and got into our boat and headed out. Saw loads on the way out – crabs, two boas, and loads more birds. Once out we got to see several scarlet ibis. However, the best time to see the ibis is in December, January or February as they fly in in the thousands and roost in the trees. The worst time to see the ibis is in June when they have started nesting and don’t fly in their thousands and do not roost. Also it’s the start of the rainy season so you get wet. And there are zillions of mosquitoes. We were coated in deet but still had to fend off the beasts.
But we had a good time and saw loads. I can’t begin to list the birds I’ve seen. The group we were with was lovely and a lot of fun. We even had our rum punches out on the boat. So a very fun day but tiring. Off to bed!
And we are on holiday! Finally. Woke up after a restless night’s sleep – the rainforest is a noisy place and the birds wake up early. So we weren’t feeling 100% today. Skipped the orientation walk and will do that tomorrow. The plan for the day was to find out what trips we could do and sit on the veranda and watch things. So that’s what we did.
We are now planned to see : on Tuesday the orientation walk and Caroni Swamp to see the scarlet ibis (hopefully even some spectacled caimans and boas); Wednesday more sitting on the veranda and possibly swimming in the pool (shall have to include a photo); Thursday oilbird caves in the morning and off to turtle watch in the evening. Friday we’re off to Port of Spain for the day (possibly just laying around the Hilton if the turtle watching goes on to the wee hours) then off home Saturday.
Sitting on the veranda was actually much more interesting than it sounds. There are bird feeding stations and we saw loads of different types of birds, lizards, and even agouti! We are at the Asa Wright Centre which is lovely and Joe is uploading photos of birds and landscapes to his Panoramio site.
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
We’ve been saying we should go to the Waterworks Nature Reserve to have a look as we live nearby. So today it was sunny and warm so off we went. We got there by walking through the Lea Valley which is lovely, though all the plants seem to be putting out pollen and there are clouds of midges hovering about.
Saw loads of birds on the way, had a cup of tea at the centre, then off to the waterworks to view the birds. Even saw a grass snake swimming along! Well worth the trip and really must do it more often.
Frog Blog
So what can we say lots of compaines trying to sell you stuff half you probly need and if you haven’t got why not ? half you probly don’t need and if you got it why?
The stuff we came to look at was good, not to much in the extras but a good day over all.
So rounding off in the pub ware else beer free wireless and a blog update the sun is shinning and if the tub is working the end to a purfece day.
