Spring Buds

The plant life is still pretty sleepy around here. I wonder just how much impact the less-than-normal snow plus our dry spring has had on the slow appearance of local flora. I took a few photos on the weekend of some of the almost timidly awakening plant life.

Lilac buds from the large bush in the back ... so fragrant when mature ...




The crabapple tree, which year after year yields just bitter fruit, but that doesn't stop the dogs from sampling, just as reliably.



One of the earliest flowering perennials, I think it's a lung wort.




I can't stay on top of the relentless buds from these pretty yellow flowers all over my lawn. I waffle between wanting to obliterate them and embracing them, their numbers seem so overpowering at times. Thankfully, they stick around only a relatively short period.




On Friday, I brought home a lovely miniature rose bush that my boss had given me. It was over-run with flowers in all stages, tiny little green budlings to fully open blooms. You can only see a couple in this picture.




While I was working in the yard on Sunday, I took it outside to get some direct sun; the temps are still too risky to plant it. I left it in a protected corner on the bench that runs the border of the deck. A few of the dogs were out, and minding their own business with a rope or some other toy.

Or so I thought ...

I went out a bit later, didn't see the potted rose bush where I had left it, but did see some dirt scattered. I had thought "somebody" must have knocked it over. I only wish ...




When I picked up my little rose bush, there wasn't a single flower left. Not one solitary bloom. Neat as can be, each flower had been sharply cropped from it's stem. Each and every one. I could only stand there with the pot in my hands, and looking around for who could have done such a thing. It didn't take long before I spied the two buds who looked the guiltiest. And they didn't say a word in their defence.

Don't Worry, Be Happ(ier) (Part II)

The resort we stayed at was Breezes in Runaway Bay, quite the hedonistic experience, and it didn't take long to discover that "all inclusive" really means just that. It was complete, marvelous indulgence.

With the relatively steady tropical climate that Runaway Bay enjoys, there are no doors or windows on any of the buildings, and you can hardly call them that. Two of the restaurants are completely in the open with just a canopy of palm trees overhead. At night, the affect is quite stunning.

Chels in the lobby.



Trying out the bed ...




The view from our balcony.








The terrace is where the buffet meals were served - breakfast, lunch, dinner - and where the nightly entertainment took place. Beautiful view of the ocean ...




Chels in front of the Japanese restaurant, or "Black-anese", as the Jamaican chefs called it :). It was a lot of fun, and they were pretty good with those knives.




The beach was endlessly exquisite, perfect for burying your toes in, or strolling, or just watching the waves, and dreaming ...




One view of this particular pool. There were two main ones, and the other pool had a slight waterfall to divide the depths.








Chels ... self-portrait.




Yah mon ...



Our visit was over Easter weekend, widely and wildly celebrated in Jamaica. I have to think this cute bunny was done purely for the benefit of the tourists.




"Carnival" is an annual celebration normally held for a week around Easter, and includes parades, themed costume competitions, and lots of music, food and drink. The entertainment folks at the resort recruited some of the guests and formed three "teams" for our own Carnival celebration. It was a blast!!









A friend snapped this ... we'll be back soon!

Don't Worry, Be Happy (Part I)

My daughter Chelsea and I spent a fabulous long Easter weekend in Jamaica. It was far too short a trip, we were home before we knew it, but at the time, many things considered, it sounded about right. If we had the slightest inkling that we would both fall head over heels in love with this incredible Caribbean island, we would have gone for much longer. Much, much longer :). We are planning a lengthier return visit later this year.

I've travelled quite a bit in Canada and the U.S., but this was my first tropical venture. This was Chelsea's first trip really anywhere, first plane ride, so we were discovering the Caribbean together. We were instantly charmed by the jagged mountain face contrasting the lush tropical greenery, the warm and genuine people, and of course the soft-as-silk beaches and delightful cuisine. We brought back some jerk fixin's and so far agree that most everything tastes better jerked!

Inside the Montego Bay airport, there is a reception area for most of the resort chains where you check in and wait for a ride. It was wonderful just to be there, after a long wait in the Toronto airport for the delayed flight and no real sleep, and it was a big relief to see how organized they were for tourists.





This really neat bar right outside the airport does a booming business for thirsty travellers and regulars alike. Bob Marley is indeed King, and his music was the first we heard upon landing, continued through our stay, and was the last we heard in the airport when we left. We never tired of it.





We had a speedy and occasionally hairy hour and a half drive from the Montego Bay airport to Runaway Bay. We were the only two passengers in the "shuttle", and learned that Jamaican drivers use their horns a lot, often in place of brakes. Although our driver did his best to provide some commentary along the way, we just couldn't grasp the Patois nuances, a language unique to this island. Most of the staff at the resort spoke English as well as the native dialects. We saw a number of stray, generic houndish-looking dogs and wild goats who apparently are plentiful and desirable, both for their grazing skills as much as their contribution to the cuisine. We didn't ask a lot of questions about that. I did a bit of research at home, and apparently there are no dogs or cats allowed into Jamaica at all that do not come from another "rabies free" country, such as the U.K.. There is a Jamaica Kennel Club that registers both purebred and cross bred dogs, and they do hold conformation and obedience shows. The breeders that I found online seem to have multiple small breeds (Poms, Papillons,Chihuahuas), and offer both purebreds and crosses for sale or trade.




The Spanish were the first conquerors of this island under Christopher Colombus and ruled for approximately 150 years, after totally erasing the indigent Arawaks, who had no defence for the diseases that the Spanish brought with them, as well as the heavy toll of slavery. The British overtook the Spanish in mid 1600's, beginning a 300 year rule centralized around importing Africans for slave labour on the huge sugar plantations. Even today, the Spanish architectural influence is everywhere, while the British way of driving on the "wrong" side and right side steering wheels are just two examples of their enduring imprint. Many of the houses and buildings were in this state of not-quite-finished, but had been left this way for years. In a country where the climate is relatively steady and friendly year round, I suppose shelter as we know it here is not a vital necessity. Contrasted with villa type properties that were charming and rustic, as well as shop fronts that at this time of day were almost deserted, our drive to the resort was fascinating.














(I should mention that the photos of our trip on this post and the next part are ones that I took with my own camera and ones that Chels took on her Canon Sure Shot. She got some great pics!)