Jamaica Days 6, 7 & 8

Day 6
The kids wanted to spend the morning at the pool to change up our routine.  Since the beach could be a bit windy in the afternoon, we just spent the whole day at the pool.  There was a man selling coconuts, so we got one to try at Riley's request.  It was also the only day we ate lunch at the main buffet since we usually ate at the beach when we were sandy.  The kids played basketball with some other kids, and Leighton played soccer again with a boy about his age from Argentina (we called him Messi - and Leighton never asked his real name!) and his Dad.  Leighton also enjoyed going to the bar to order me a drink.  He had tried to surprise me at the beach by getting me a drink the previous day, but since I wasn't with him they didn't serve him rum.  This time I was sitting right there, so they happily passed it to him to bring over to me.  In the late afternoon, there was an ice cream party for all the kids.  Riley did a little dancing while eating her ice cream, even!

We were supposed to go to the Japanese restaurant again, but the kids really liked the pizza at the Italian restaurant, so we switched to go there instead.  I also really had wanted to go for a drink on the little hidden martini bar at the back before sunset, so it worked out well!  By the way, Riley did her own hair this night :)

After dinner we got a drink at the bar in the lobby.  I had wanted to go all week and we hadn't been yet.

When we got back to the room after dinner, the kids watched a bit of TV while I finished my book and Roy did some work.  Riley got so tired she fell asleep!

Day 7
This was our last full day of vacation!  For breakfast, there were the fresh churros again!  I was talking with the woman who does the fresh churros and donuts each morning, and she explained that for breakfast hours every day she stands there making them, and then after breakfast is closed, she goes in the back to make all the dough and fillings for the next day.  She then comes in before breakfast the next day and makes and fills all the donuts that are put out, other than the ones she makes fresh to order.

I had wanted to check out the beach that we could see from the balcony of our room.  It was a further walk but it looked like there was not a lot of seaweed in a big area (bonus for Riley) and it was more open water to be clearer and maybe have some waves for Leighton.

When we got there, we realized there were several locals hanging around trying to sell shells and hair braiding services.  Some guys also came along with the grills on their boats to cook lobster and other items.  Leighton was excited to once again see the Canadian flag with the 'mistake' and the wrong leaf on it:

Leighton and Roy did some snorkeling in the clearer water, and Leighton spotted a sting ray in the sand and weeds at the bottom!  Roy went back to take a picture and ended up seeing another!

We did some writing in the sand.

And played in the water and spent a lot of time collecting shells.  Barbie even made her first dip in the ocean.

We went for a short time to the pool before dinner.

Our last dinner was at the steakhouse.

After dinner, we went to the kids' movie in the village (Angry Birds Movie, much to Leighton's delight!!!) and did some souvenir shopping.  We also got some sugarcane for the kids to try for the first time.  It was delicious!

Day 8
The next morning, we woke up to find we must have missed a big rain storm while we slept.  It was cloudy and cooler.  The kids wanted to swim one more time before we left, so they spent some time in the pool before breakfast.  They had it to themselves - I guess the rain scared everyone else off!

After breakfast, we finished packing up and showered and got ready to check out.  The kids got one last souvenir and then it was time to get on our transfer to the airport.

As we were driving out, we saw them putting up these black, green, and gold decorations.  We thought they were maybe for the Olympics.

Riley was pretty excited to sit in the front seat!

But she quickly fell asleep on my lap!

We passed Usain Bolt's high school again, and this time I was able to take a quick photo out the window.

We had a quick lunch at the airport ...

And then it was time to fly home.  Riley had her first ever beverage right out of a can (she doesn't like soda) and was SO excited!