jamaica.

My Husband and I are married March 8th 2008. It is the best day of our lives, hands down. We are young and many people tell us we wont make it. However we have two major things in common that will keep our relationship strong and extremely fun. Travel and God. For our honeymoon people tell us..."GO TO HAWAII!" After our trip to Cancun I just cant imagine laying on a beach anywhere else but in the Caribbean. We decide on Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This place is so gorgeous and green you can't imagine how this island became a third world country. The people here are so happy and joyous. Posters of Bob Marley hang from every liquor store and market. It is Sunday morning when we arrive. Our drive is about two hours long, we are exhausted but the view along the way is hard to break from. Canoes float off the shore, puffs of smoke rise from the vast green jungle. Everyone is wearing their Sunday best. The Jamaican people are extremely humble and hard working. Although Jamaica has a bad rap for being the 3rd highest murder rate in the world you never get the uneasy feeling of being unsafe. The guided tours to Dunn's River Falls is a site to be seen. As you walk along the white sand you wait in line to literally hike up the water fall. The humidity from the jungle engulfs you, but the cool crisp water refreshes you instantly. The sound of the rushing water and tropical birds singing is so exhilarating. The Sandals Hotel is the perfect place! Never once do you feel like you are at a "resort". You are surrounded by tropical trees and flowers. The ivory beaches are stretched out for a mile and just a short walk away. The restaurants are high end and world class, serving delicious food from around the world. There is a small village a couple miles from the resort that is filled with cottages and the smiling people of Jamaica. They sell their hand made carvings of religious skulls and colorful jewelry made from coconut, pearl, and shells. The sun sets catch the sky on fire and on a clear day you can see the outline of Cuba. It is a peaceful place to sit on the beach, a jamaican smile in hand (jamaican appleton rum cream, daiquiri, and pina colada), and the warmth of the sun kissing your face.