Today we arrived at Ocho Rios, in Jamaica, and what a fantastic day it's been!!

I was up early for escorting duty - didn't think i was going to get any breakfast due to the huge queues of passengers also up early - turns out, most of the ship, it seemed, were booked on excursions; the Neptune Lounge, where everybody has to meet to get tickets stamped and escorts given their numbered lollipops, was full to bursting.

It looked, for one awful moment, like there was going to be a repeat of my being left behind again, when we got down to the coaches, but fortunately, our guide, Sandreen who was lovely (a larger than life, bubbly Jamaican lass who I told I wanted to take home with me), insisted that I take the front seat and she take one of the emergency seats by the door. This was an excellent start, since it meant getting a prime view up front of the vehicle, sat by our driver, Brydon.

Everybody is very cool in Jamaica. Sandeen explained that there are two phrases used often in these parts - the first is "Yah Mon" (as in the affirmative 'yes man'), and "No Problem". Nothing seems to phase these people - I loved 'em!

Our first stop was to the Dunns River Falls, where the group was asked to decide whether or not they wanted to climb the falls, and get wet. About 15 of the group said they wanted to try out the experience, and I was certainly not going to pass up such an opportunity - bring it on!!

Well, what can I say? Utterly fantastic! For almost an hour, we climbed 960 feet up the Dunn Rivers Falls. The climb is supervised and lead by guides, of course, who know the best route and have everyone sitting in waterfalls, sliding down into deep basins, and throwing themselves backwards into the fast flowing waters for many a memorable photo-opportunity. Not only that; one of the guides was sporting a video camera, catching the best moments, and when we finally arrived at the top, an extremely efficient marketing system had them offering DVDs of our intrepid expedition at 40$ per disc, available to take away within about 15 minutes of completing the climb. Several people in the group took up the offer, and I, being a tour escort, was offered a complementary one - nice one huh?

Our second stop of the tour was to Noel Coward's home, known as Firefly (apparently, they have a lot of them around here). Despite the feeling that anything after the Falls was going to be a bit of an anti-climax, Firefly turned out to be an extraordinary experience of quite a different kind. I don't really know much about Noel Coward, I must confess (I know a bit more now, of course), but this hilltop dwelling, which is now a popular visitor attraction was surprisingly charming. Boy, did he know how to spot a good location! The views where awesome, looking down over the bay, where James Bond Beach is located (this is where Ursula Andress walked out of the sea in Dr No), and within a stone's thow of his mate Ian Fleming's House (called Golden Eye). As well as being able to sit at the very desk that Noel wrote many of his most famous plays, we got to stand in his art studio and see where the Queen Mam stopped and had tea with him.

His list of celebrity chums was extensive, with photos and testimonials scattered about the walls - the likes of Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, Marilyn Monroe, Sean Connery, to name but a few. He was certainly a popular person amongst his peers, even if his plays weren't always well received by the critics. This memorial is indeed a fascinating and fitting shrine to a gifted artist.

The final thrill of the day was learning that the quay by which the Balmoral was docked is known as The James Bond Dock, because of it having been used as film locations for both Dr No and Live and Let Die! (ding-diddle-ing-ding-ding-ding-ding....)

I could quite happily come back to Jamaica and spend longer here - Yah Mon!!

The time is now coming up to a quarter to six, so dinner looms. We've set sail again; this time we're heading towards Belize, where we are due to arrive on Tuesday, so tomorrow is our second sea-day, meaning I have to prepare for two more workshops. It's 'Elements of the Landscape', which means covering a little bit of everything - trees, skies, stone walls and basic composition.

I am very impressed with your blog - I read it every day. I am going on a Fred Olsen cruise ( on Boudicca) in September and hope there are water colour classes to attend.;)

Hi Anne

I'm pleased you're enjoying the blog, and I'm sure you'll enjoy your time on The Boudicca - it's a great ship.

I would recommend taking your own painting equipment with you, in the hope that there will be classes on board. One thing several people complained to me about was the fact that Fred Olsen sent out no notification that there would be such sessions on board, and have consequently ended up having to fork out £16.50 for a kit of stuff that they've already got - except they left it at home.

Enjoy!