Ocho Rios is a place of walls, fences, gates, trash, odors, overly-solicitous taxi drivers and tour guides and, after walking a couple of miles from the ship, impending danger. After sampling it for an hour, I retreated to the Epic where a feeling of being at home and an ease is pervasive. Was it the offer of prostitution that sent me back to the ship? Or was it the cocaine seller? It was probably a combination of them both. Either way, I fled Ocho Rios and do not desire to return. Those who went on Norwegian-supplied tours will bring back a completely different perspective I am sure. All aboard is 4:30 and we sail at 5:00.
The weather is as it has been: perfect. As I write this, I am encamped upon a chaise adjacent to the pool and spas. The ship it mostly empty with the vast majority of my shipmates ashore on one mission or another. I have no desire to see any more of Jamaica; it does not suit me. You should not take any of this to mean that I am disappointed in or have regrets about this itinerary. There is no rule that says one must disembark and any one port or at any port at all. I have been to Jamaica's Dunn’s River Falls and The Blue Hole on previous cruises and having been there, I’ve done that.
People aboard ship come from all different places and present themselves to you in all different ages and shapes and sizes and colors and demeanors. Since there is precious little to complain about aboard Epic, I have been pleased to hear precious little complaining. The food is good, drink is everywhere, entertainment, while spotty, is very good if you search for that which fits your mood and demographic.
Writing now at almost two in the morning, before I turn off the light, I need to come down from an amazing evening. I would like to relate my night of music. There was so much good music to be had (last night) that I skipped dinner.
After our Cruise Critics sail away party and then the Solo Travelers cocktail hour, I cleaned up and made my way to Maltings to enjoy a cocktail and listen to the music of El Sol Duo. They play a bit of jazz and salsa and they do it well. I sat at the bar in the front row.
When they took their break, I made a break for the Atrium where The Manhattan Band was playing a Burt Bacharach set. They are very good and did Mr. Bacharach proud for 50 minutes until they took a break. I had an arm chair in the front row.
I scurried to Fat Cats where The Cruise Machine was playing the blues; the best live blues I have ever heard. The lead would make B.B.King proud. They were too loud but oh so good. When the lead broke a steel guitar string and replaced it while he played, I thought to myself, "Really? How can he be doing that?" He did it. I watched it all from a spot in the front row.
Then, it was time to grab a seat at Headliners for a reprise of the Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos. That started promptly at 10:30 and they jammed and the place stayed jammed for three solid hours without a break. Musicians from the other venues arrived to sit in. Me? I was in the front row.
It was, without a doubt, the most amazing night of music I have ever experienced. I’m worn out but haven’t come down yet. Fortunately for me, tonight as we sail west from Jamaica to Mexico, I am instructed by a card on my bed to remember to set my clock back an hour. I am on Kansas City time but am having a time not experienced in Kansas City; at least not by me.
I wish Dr. McGinness, a piano major in college, had been here tonight to see and hear these four different keyboard attractions. And I kept thinking about Cianan as the sax player in the Atrium took his solos. And, of course, Eric would have been bouncing along with the bass players while Megan would have marveled at the vocals. The only thing that would have made this night better would have been to experience it not alone.
Truly, I wish you (all) were here.
Rockin but not the way you think
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Ocho Rios, Saint Ann, Jamaica
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2025-02-07
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Steve
2014-02-13
Thanks for painting the picture. We're experiencing a bit of winter weather ... and could not get out of DC to be in lower latitudes. Glad to hear you are soldiering onwards .... :)