07.10 We continue to be at Caribic House, Montego Bay, Jamaica, at least for a while. CNN continues to cover the air crash in Ukraine. One after another interviewed blame the Russian President Vladimir Putin as responsible, believes that Europe's leaders are doing too little and says that Obama must lead the fight against Putin.

07.23 This is another morning with breakfast in our room. Caribic House has a great location, great prices and great views from the patio but a restaurant had also been good.

07.55 We have walked down the steep stairs, to the office, checked out and said thanks for everything. The staff is now trying to stop a taxi for us in the street.

08.03 Now we go with a taxi along Gloucester Avenue with the destination, Knutsford Express Bus Station. We are traveling with the bus company Knutsford Express (http://www.knutsfordexpress.com). The bus terminal is located downtown, at the port area. The company claims to offer "Luxury Coach Service". We'll soon see if it is correct.

08.47 After claiming the by Christer on the internet purchased tickets and having left our luggage, we´re on board the bus that will take us to Ocho Rios. Wait, we are leaving! I thought we would leave at 09.00. OK, we just left room for another bus. No departure for us at this moment.

09.09 Now we are heading on for real. The bus is truly luxurious with toilet and entertainment in the form of music in TV sets. In front of us the road spreads out. We hear music from the album "Best of Beres Hammond".

It´s time to leave Montego Bay.

A comfortable bus trip with Knutsford Express.

10.31 It's been a comfortable and uneventful journey along Jamaica's north coast. We have stopped in the small town of Falmouth, seen some form of mine or facility related to bauxite and recently went past one of the island's most important tourist destinations, Dunn's River Falls. Now we should soon arrive.

10.47 We have stepped out of the bus and into a taxi. The nice driver was hoping that we would like it here in Ocho Rios. We've also got his price list for various tours and his phone number if we need a taxi a few more times during their stay here. The taxi had a smell of vanilla.

10.58 We have arrived at the small hotel Ocean Sands slightly secluded by the seafront. Now we will check in.

11.11 From our balcony belonging to the room 4 at Ocean Sands, we can see the ocean and a swimming pool. This will be great. The AC is unfortunately out of order, does not work. At check-in we paid an extra amount to surf on the internet. In addition, we have paid a deposit.

13.01 During our time on the balcony various tourist boats packed with people have passed out on the ocean, pelicans have been floating in the sky and a woman has dropped a few bottles and shouted about Jesus beneath us. Now it is time to familiarize ourselves with the local area.

13.36 We've walked around a bit in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios means "eight rivers" in Spanish but there are no such rivers here and never have been. Probably, the city got its name through a mishearing, misunderstanding of the Spanish word for waterfall. A spectacular one can be seen outside the city. We have met tourists and locals in this city which is nice and just the right size. It is, just like in Nassau in the Bahamas living mostly on the hordes of tourists pouring in from cruise ships. Such a ship is parked in the harbour right now. Now it will be lunch at Reggae Alley Bar & Grill. It feels good to get rest, to sit down. It is so often on this year's trip hot and humid.

The lovely view from our room at Ocean Sands.

The attack from the pelicans.

A pelican is hunting.

Peter is reading on our balcony.

Room 4, Ocean Sands.

One of many touristboats with a good atmosphere onboard.

14.17 A few young ladies from Göteborg (Gothenburg) in Sweden sat by the neighbouring table during the meal. After dinner, I ordered two cups of coffee. The sweet and pleasant waitress said that she would arrange with it, nothing strange in itself with that. However, she seems to arrange coffee from the place next door. Bob Marley and Iron Lion Zion can be heard from the speakers. There are at least 100% tourists here and the TV has shown some rugby.

15.02 We left the restaurant to the tune of "Coming In From the Cold". It did not feel as if it was true for us. After that we went on through our new hometown. The idea was to find a statue of Bob Marley who reportedly will be at the entrance here at Ocho Rios.

15.29 Suddenly we met a lady who came out of a small wooden house and she began to offer us to buy water and Pepsi. Then she took a step closer to us and offered massage. Another step was taken and now she offered, girls and sex. I said no thanks and we turned back home. Suddenly I heard the sound of running feet and the taxi drivers next to us shouted "run!!". Another chubby girl in her late teens came up to us and asked if we were in the mood. We once again said thanks for the offer but our answer remained no. On the way home we filled up with soft drinks, some gifts for the people at home and a journal for the New Year's trip. Now we are at home and have been promised that the air conditioning works later.

Christer is walking towards more central parts of Ocho Rios.

The blue clocktower in Ocho Rios.

Outside the restaurant Reggae Alley.

Cruiseship tourists are visiting Ocho Rios.

18.51 The AC (air conditioner) lives and works. We also live but do not work so much. We have kept reading in the books out on the balcony. It is small moments like this that is called vacation and is needed now and then during long journeys.

19.49 We went down to the restaurant, Jack Sparroz, right next to our accommodation. We ordered food (there was not much to choose from) and now the beverages arrived. When ordering, we were told that it may take some time to get our food. No problem. We are fine here, hear the ocean cluck and are close to home.

20.29 Now the waiter came with a first notice regarding the food. My dish is out. Instead I chose the same kind of food that Christer chose.

21.38 Our food has finally arrived. It's time to eat. We have waited for almost two hours. It is incomprehensible why it would take so long. There are not too many guests in the restaurant.

22.56 The eating went quickly, it was not so much food. It took time to pay even though we went directly to the counter. It was tough to surf on the phones down in the lobby. We have after all paid extra for it to work so it feels OK to be a little unhappy. Now we have planned our continued Jamaican economy and what we´ll do tomorrow. Tomorrow awaits a full day here in Ocho Rios or if we choose to do some excursion to the surroundings.

A nice, peaceful Jamaican afternoon.

Jack Sparroz, you can empty the bar here before the food arrives.

Wednesday 23rd of July

09.25 We've woken up in our room at Ocean Sands. There is always something special with a room near the sea where you can hear the waves roll in. Today I have so far been lazy with writing in the journal. Now we are sitting in the lobby waiting for our continental breakfast.

10.21 It was not a bad breakfast, definitely worth the wait. Now we are back in the room. Soon we will, as per tradition, call Roberth. It is his birthday today. Through the years, he has received phone calls from Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Lebanon, the Philippines, Trinidad & Tobago, Vietnam, El Salvador, Malawi and Indonesia on this particular day.

11.01 Now, the forty one year old one has been greeted and we have updated us a little bit about Sweden where a long heat wave began shortly after we left. Now it's time for a little excursion in the neighbourhood. It's fun to see nature but we did not give us of any full-day projects. We'll just go up the mountains just outside town.

11.11 Our host, the hotel's owner Brandon phoned the taxi man who drove us here yesterday. Then he handed the phone to Christer. He in turn expressed our desire for a ride soon and now we simply wait for the transport outside the hotel. He promised that he will be here in five to seven minutes.

11.33 We wonder if the time was perceived wrong or if it's because we and the taxi driver have different perceptions of where "here" is. We are still sitting on the low wall outside the hotel. The sun fries and time is running.

Ocean Sands, Ocho Rios.

Famous people from Saint Ann Parish here in northern Jamaica.

Peter is writing down the latest happenings outside the museum at Coyaba Gardens.

11.41 Our man showed up at last. He had been forced to change a tire on his car. Before we could go a police officer who drove by wanted to talk to our driver about what was going on. The driver had to show his ID, explain why he would drive us and also tell about his previous occupations. Here the law and order keep track. We guess they want to avoid that the tourists are exposed to the wrong kinds of people.

12.04 We went along narrow winding roads and were dropped off at Coyaba Gardens (http://www.coyabagardens.com/about.htm) and made up with the driver about pick up at 14.00. We had to stubbornly explain a few times that we did not want to join a guided tour but would rather wander for ourselves here. The road up here was very similar to the trip up to Wotten Waven on Dominica in 2007. After a brief look at a small museum inside the area, we will now out in the green beauty.

12.29 It is now, after a walk among the various different trees and plants, time to have a rest. Not surprisingly the heat and moisture tare on us. Coyaba Gardens is a fairly small area with walking trails, a pond, a few small houses and many different types of plants and trees. It is a lovely place but really not that much to see.

12.36 We decided to move on as a group of tourists showed up and began to prepare to hand out their packed lunches. We will now find a waterfall near here.

12.56 We found the Mahoe Falls not far from Coyaba Gardens. It is a waterfall you can climb up. Right now we are at a viewing point looking out towards the north and the town of Ocho Rios and the Caribbean Sea. It's a great view from here. Music and tourists can be heard further away. Along the way we saw a rasta man sitting quietly among some bushes. These gentlemen are difficult to understand.

13.31 It's time for a bench break by the staircase that goes up and down on the side of the waterfall. Next to us the Mahoe Falls slowly sneak down the round rocks. We hear screams and happy shouts from the foot of the falls. A gang of teenagers are sitting in a natural hot tub and splash water on each other.

13.46 The time for pickup is beginning to approach. We take one last bench break right next to an old cannon and cage with macaws. Soon, our booked transportation will be here. It is only approximately fifteen minutes left.

Walking through the lush greenery in Coyaba Gardens.

A pond in the tropical gardens.

Christer in Coyaba Gardens.

One example of all the beautiful things growing here.

14.15 We have been in the parking lot for a while and have not seen any trace of our driver or his car. Friendly people among the staff here have checked that everything is order. We explained the situation and they were hoping that we had not paid in advance (which we didn´t).

14.35 Our driver turned up. He sat in a completely different car with a colleague behind the wheel. Our man's car had refused to start. He must have had the extreme misfortune with his car today or he was good at excuses. The fact that he came in another vehicle indicates that there might be some truth in what he said.

15.01 Today's late simple lunch was at "our" hamburger chain, Burger King in Ocho Rios centre where we were dropped off. After the lunch is over, we will walk back home for a reunion with the water.

16.44 Yet another pool has been visited by us. This is a wonderful form of relaxation. We have been swimming around in the pool which is available on site below our balcony. There was no swimming in the ocean as it floats around lots of seaweed and other uncomfortable things there right now. We should have taken the opportunity yesterday when everything looked OK. We've moved the sun loungers in stages before the entire pool area was in the shade. But now it is enough with this. It is time to return to room 4.

19.07 Tonight we are out in time for dinner. We have walked to Fancy, a small fish restaurant a short distance from the hotel and we're going to eat goat, not fish.

Views towards Ocho Rios.

Christer with the Caribbean Sea behind him.

Mahoe Falls.

Teenagers climb along the cliffs of the waterfall. We just watch.

Christer is enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

Peter is cheating, using the stairs instead of climbing in the waterfall.

20.30 It was a good dinner, but it must have been made by a very skinny goat. There were bones and bone fragments here and there in the stew. Goat is quite normal food here in the Caribbean. We have tested it in Tobago and Haiti earlier. After checking the internet in the lobby, we are now back in our cool room.

21.50 We have investigated what the TV is offering. We watch the opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. After that, among other things we´ve seen Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle, we look now at the Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

22.33 During the in-march, we were a little apprehensive of the countries participating in the Commonwealth, or at least allowed to compete in these championships. Among those who walked in there were athletes from Mozambique and Rwanda. They have never belonged to the Commonwealth? Now the news talk about the new law that will make life easier for the disabled. Everything will be handicap friendly. Sometimes, both on TV and in the community here in Jamaica, it is not easy for us to understand what people say. It certainly is English but not really.

23.02 Between two TV programs, there has been information in form of name, picture and details of people who have died. One lady was 103 years old and another lady had great, great, great grand children, some effort!

Main Street, Ocho Rios.

Ocean Sands from a pool perspective.

White cranberry juice was served together with the bony goat.

Thursday 24th of July

07.17 It's no sleep in today. It will not be better tomorrow. Today we´re off to the third capital on the trip.

08.03 We are once again in the lobby here at Ocean Sands. We want to be in time for breakfast. Unfortunately the breakfast lady is late. She would have been here at 08.00 but will be expected within a quarter of an hour. The thing that an arranged breakfast is not on time is way too familiar from previous trips.

08.59 Sheena appeared and arranged with breakfast. She is alone in the staff. It would be good if someone else showed up. We want to pay for the breakfast, check out, get the deposit back and arrange with a taxi.

09.25 All of the above has been solved. Everything above was arranged and will be taken care of by the owner Brandon. He will also personally drive us to the bus station. Good service! The only problem is that he´s lost his car keys.

10.04 The transport to the bus station went just fine. The keys were found and we got there with plenty of time. The price for a litre of diesel here is 141 Jamaican dollars, US$1,32 and Christer is away to pick up the pre-booked bus tickets.

10.47 It is nice and cool in the bus. Christer and I are separated from each other. We go with the same bus company that we came here with, Knutsford Express bus. It runs from Montego Bay to Kingston. We leave about the same time that we arrived here the day before yesterday.

11.07 We go forward, up and through the dense greenery of the mountains. Thoughts go back to journey to the village we lived in on Dominica and the journey there. A small stall where it´s sold t-shirts is passed. The bus achieves no greater speed on these types of roads.

11.47 The surroundings remain beautifully green. The difference is that the curvy road now head downwards. The bus honks and sometimes we pass a house.

Breakfast at Ocean Sands.

A last look at this marvellous view before heading on.

We are going to Kingston. We have reached Flat Bridge south of Bog Walk.

13.31 After a trip with various events, we finally arrived in Jamaica's capital Kingston, where our Knutsford Express bus let us out in one of the more affluent parts of the city. Christer’s trip was an ordeal when the seat in front was broken and a man with high Body Mass Index steadily pressed backward against Christer’s legs for most of the trip. Now we´ve checked in at Indies Hotel (http://indieshotel.com) in Kingston. We are in room 11. What more happened during the trip? Well, the man next to Christer fell asleep. The man next to me was nice and gave me chewing gum.

13.40 Now it has happened again. I do not know what time it is in order. The phone just rang and Christer replied. All he heard was a voice mail. It appears now and then on trips with the phone in our room rings. Sometimes it's a sensible conversation, sometimes as now just totally incomprehensible.

14.14 Now it is time to eat a lunch here at the hotel. We've ordered pasta. On one wall hangs a moose antler, possibly a deer antler. These cloven-hoofed animals are grass eaters and you might find some special grass here on the island.

15.12 The pasta was great. Now we're back in the room to wash some clothes.

A new city, a new room.

Not what you expect to find in Jamaica.

Peter is having lunch at Indies Hotel.

16.35 It is time to take a look at a small part of the Jamaican capital. The city is worth more than this afternoon but we must sacrifice certain things on a long trip if we want to get back in a reasonable manner.

17.16 We ordered a taxi for 06.00 tomorrow morning before we left the hotel. A walk in the neighbourhood took us to a Woolworth store in the half-empty mall New Kingston Shopping Centre. Here we have bought some breakfast for tomorrow morning when we're up early early. The last time we or rather Christer was at Woolworth were 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. Then I sat backpack- and dachshund guard officer. The dachshund was not ours but it wanted into the store.

18.22 Dusk came and there's not much to see in this part of Kingston. We are back home and have ordered a beer each.

19.48 We are now back at the hotel restaurant. Now we have the last dinner at Jamaica. I've ordered the t-bone and Christer ordered stuffed chicken breast.

21.05 It was a very good last meal, one of the better for a long time. Tomorrow we will eat different food at different place and in a different country. We really hope it will be so in all cases.

21.55 It is time to lift the covers on the beds. Now I'm going to sleep. It will be an early wake up tomorrow. Hope that the taxi driver wakes up in time too.

We are in a part of Kingston where you see more suits and briefcases than the typical Jamaican culture.

Indies Hotel, Kingston.

Afternoon traffic in our part of Kingston.