Negril

All of the senior couples and Sister Wege decided that we would go to Negril for the New Years weekend.
Elder Pearson is in the mission presidency and covers the North Coast Zone in the mission. He and Sister Pearson live in a condo on the beach just outside of Negril.  Their condo used to be in a resort so it is an amazing place to stay at.  There is a great place to snorkel not far from their condo.

  Brian and I left Wednesday after district meeting.  It takes a little over 3 hours from Ocho to get to Negril but the road follows the ocean so it is a lovely drive.  We had a pot luck dinner after we arrived and had fun visiting with the other couples.  We even brought white elephant gifts to exchange.   Because we are all seniors, we did not stay up to welcome in the New Year.  Most of us, however, heard the fireworks at midnight.  Brian and I and the Vances stayed with the Pearson.  The Whiteheads, Halls, and Sister Wege stayed at Cocoa La Palms.  The first morning we were there, we all sat out on the beach while the men and Sister Wege went snorkeling.  That night, we drove to the Moon Dance Resort and ate at the restaurant that overlooks the beach.   The next day we visited an old plantation called Abeokuta. It has a 300 year old swimming pool and the ruins of the old plantation.  It was obvious that a lot of visitors there like Ganja (Marijuana).  One guy we ran into was just coming from his farm.  Mike Vance asked him what he was growing and he said Jamaican Gold.  Mike said, "Oh, you mean wacky tabacky."  It is quite plentiful here on the Island.  After we got home from Abeokuta, we went to Murphy's for dinner.  It is a little cook shop type restaurant.  I had Devils chicken (jerk chicken in a spicy sauce) and pumpkin mashed potatoes and it was delightful.  Brian had jerk chicken and french fries.  Brian and I left Saturday morning around 10:00 so that we could get back to Ocho in time for a baptism scheduled for the river in Lime Hall.  Wayne baptized his daughter Crystal and Brian baptized Lennard.  Wayne usually washes our truck by the river so we knew there was a small pool there.  The water is very clear and the surrounding area is beautiful. We really lucked out because we were the only ones at the river.  The board of directors of our condo decided that we can no longer have baptisms in the pool so now we have to find other places to baptize.  Since Wayne lives in Lime Hall, we thought this would be a good place for the baptism.  It was a nice experience.

Sunset at the Moon Dance Resort

Outdoor restaurant at the Moon Dance Resort.  From left to right, Elder and Sister Whitehead, Sister Pearson,  Elder and Sister Vance, Sister and Elder Hall.

300 year old swimming pool at Abeokuta.  The water comes into the pool by way of a cement aquaduct.  It leaves the pool the same way.

Ruins of the old plantation

Vances, Pearsons and Brian standing by the falls where the aquaduct empties out of the  pool.

Dinner at Murphys

Waiting for dinner at Murphys

Wayne and his daughter, Crystal.

Brian and Lennard.

Sunday we had 62 people at church.  It was nice to see so many.  After church, we made a trip to the hospital to see two of our members and then went over to Sister Lewellans for a visit.

Today we went to Brown's Town to finish up some PEF items for Sister Wege.  We decided to try out Sister Alexander's cook shop and we were very glad that we did.  Brian and I both had sweet and sour chicken and it was very good.  We had the medium size and it only cost us $350 JD which is a little less than $3.50 US.  Most of the little cook shops are very reasonable.  The fast food places like Burger King, KFC, and Pizza hut are a lot more expensive here. On the way home, we stopped in Lime Hall so that we could get the truck washed.  We also made a visit to see Humphrey and Tanisha while Wayne was washing the truck.