Ocho Rios – Port Maria - 45 km
I couldn’t stay in Ocho Rios forever, so I made my way along the
coast. I didn’t get far before being flagged down and offered
accommodation.
The Jamaicans have the most charming way of addressing a person.
One could often hear them call out: “Be careful, young lady” or
“Hello, pretty girl, you need a room?” even to an old hag like me,
hahaha. But then, it’s not to be taken literally; it’s their general way
of addressing people.
The area where I bunked down was pretty rural but offered stunning
views and a surprisingly modern abode. As I was operating in low
gear, I stayed the night and listened to reggae music and watched
Jamaicans rolling and smoking their joints while slowly swaying to the
rhythm of the music. I love the Jamaican way, slow to move but quick
to smile. Later, I biked the three or so kilometres into Port Maria,
picked up food, and discovered that the entire town knew my
whereabouts. But then, I guessed a white woman on a bike can
hardly slip under the radar in Jamaica.