I awoke with that sense of not knowing where I was. As I glanced around this strange room, I slowly became aware of the sounds around me, or more accurately, the lack of familiar sounds. I glanced at my watch, laying on the nightstand and was surprised to see that I had slept till 6:00. I turned over to see Paul, who was still sleeping peacefully and decided not to wake him. I slowly crawled out of the queensize bed, quietly opened the bedroom door and just as quietly, closed it behind me. I stood in the darkened living living room, famaliarizing myself in these foreign surroundings.

"Ahh, coffee", I thought. Walked into the kitchen and pushed the button on the coffee maker. We had remembered to prepare it the night before which is a habit we have at home. Back to the living room to open the drapes and the door to have my first look at morning in Negril. The tropical beauty was everywhere - I was mesmerized. It seemed as if it were all just for me and so I decided to grab my coffee, sit outside and drink it all in.

I don't know how long I sat alone, enjoying my solitude but I suddenly heard Paul saying "how long have you been up? why didn't you wake me"? I mumbled something about wanting to let him sleep but he knows me too well. He understands this morning quiet time thing of mine but always pretends he appreciates my concern for his need for more sleep. He gets his coffee and joins me on the porch. It's ok now, I've had my time.

We watch as the houskeepers begin to arrive. They all disappear into a building and emerge again, dressed in their "work clothes" and head off in different directions to the villas to which they had been assigned. Miss Elaine appears and offers a bright smile and a "cheery good morning". She asks if we are ready for breakfast and it is then, that I realize that I am absolutely famished, which surprises me, as I am one of those people who rarely eats anything before noon. Paul & I answer yes, almost simultaneously. We look at each other and burst out laughing. Now this, I think to myself, is a good omen.

Before we know it, Miss Elaine appears at the door to announce that "breakfast is ready". So are we. We go inside and see that the table is beautifully set, with freshly cut flowers and what seemed to me, at least, a mountain of food. She had made Jamaican omelettes, bacon and toast, plus there was an appetizing array of fresh fruit on a platter. We also had fresh squeezed orange juice not to mention a bottomless pot of the famous Blue Mountain coffee. I would not have believed it possible but we actually managed to eat every last crumb.

We had already decided that this was going to be a "do nothing day" so we put on our bathing suits & sun block and headed down the short walk to the beach. It was a spectacular day. The aqua blue of the Caribbean meeting the brilliant blue of the almost cloudless sky. I resisted the urge to pinch myself, afraid I might find that surely I was dreaming - this scene is too incredible to be true. As we approached the security guards thatched palm station, a tall - make that "Tall", handsome Jamaican gentleman, wearing a guard's uniform and a smile that lit up his entire face, approached us, grabbed Paul's hand,thumped it up and down heartily, and announced that "I'm Smiley and I'll be taking care of you. Anything you need, you let me know, yeh mon"? Introductions over, I looked for a perfect spot, out of direct sun, to put the lounge chairs provided for the guests use. There were a few thatched hut type retreats to choose from but I finally picked a site under a large tree, (no idea what kind - I should have asked) situated next to "Margaritaville". As soon as "Smiley" saw where I was looking, he immediately dragged over two padded lounge chairs, a small table and an ash tray. From now on, this was to be known as "DD" & "Diver's" spot! Every morning, from then on, "our spot" was ready & waiting for us.



"Back" "Next"

™