11/12-19/05
Western Caribbean Cruise Gig Report
November 12th - 19th, 2005
Cozumel Mexico, Grand Cayman & Ocho Rios Jamaica
11/12-19/05
Western Caribbean Cruise Gig Report
November 12th - 19th, 2005
Cozumel Mexico, Grand Cayman & Ocho Rios Jamaica
Well, it is really good to be back home in the U.S. Our Western Caribbean Cruise was a blast, and the most awesome rock and roll experience we have ever had. All three countries were very interesting, but there is no place like the United States of America. First of the entire trip started out with a flight from Ohio to Florida. This was my first time in the air and it was kind of stressful to me. I was really on the edge during the flight down. Miami was a blast, and let me tell you, this city parties. Our first night there we went to the Hard Rock Café and had dinner. We hung out and did some shopping at the Bayside Market and then went back to the hotel to prepare for the cruise. Saturday morning we boarded the Carnival Triumph and it was awesome. Three football fields long and 14 decks high, this was a floating city. We had a casino, nightclubs, an art gallery, a mini mall, a library, a doctor's office, restaurants, an arena, and much more. After five days of exploring I was still seeing new sections on the ship.
We sailed for around a day and a half getting to meet people and also finding our way Around. Our first stop was Cozumel, Mexico. Wilma pounded this small island pretty hard. The Triumph was the first cruise ship to return since the disaster and the citizens were out to welcome us to the docks. My small group did some shopping and then I hired a private taxi and took a tour of the island. It looked like a nuclear bomb had hit the area. The natives were polite and very eager to help us around the island. The other members of our group went on the "Party Boat" excursion and on to Paradise Beach. I stayed onshore about 4 hours and headed back onboard to rest and get ready for a night out on the Triumph. Temperature 81 degrees.
We left Cozumel after about 10 hours and started towards the Cayman Islands which we would arrive the next day. The Cayman Islands were barely touched by Wilma so everything there was pretty much normal. On the Cayman Island I took the approved tour through Carnival and went to the Turtle Farm, Rum Cake Factory, and to "Hell". Hell is a section of the island with strange Geological formations that look like it could be down below! I went to the bar there called the "Inferno" and took some pictures of the site. We also stopped and seen Bill Gates' island mansion and see some of the 625 banks on the Cayman Island. The rest of the group went to Senor Frog's for some lunch and kicked back. After about 9 hours we left that rich piece of real estate and headed on to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Temperature at the Cayman Islands 82 degrees.
The next day as we left the ship all you could say is WOW. Jamaica is very beautiful, but at the same time it was dirty and had a high poverty level. I went ashore and did most of my shopping and sightseeing there. I hired a private taxi, (I will never do that again) and went on a tour. I seen Mick Jagger's resort house, Also I was shown where a James Bond movie was shot. I drank coconut water from a fresh coconut, and went all the way to St. Ann's Bay to drink Red Stripe Beer. Jamaica is a very beautiful place from a distance, but when you get there you see it's third world rating. Scott and Trish hung out on the beach for 3 hours swimming, red stripe-ing and making the RBJet logo in the sand. Kyle and Ty had a "FUN" cab ride and Ron..Jeremie just hung out around the town. Temperature 92 degrees.
The main reason we were able to do the cruise tour was to perform on the ship. We did two shows and were accepted well both nights. They ran out of beer in the lounge, and had to bring in more beer and also more waiters. We have made new friends and fans from all over the world, and enjoyed one of the most exciting times as a band ever. We have to thank our cruise managers Roger and Denise Estill, and all of our #1 friends and fans that went with us and shared the most exciting week I have ever had. There were around 90 people that made the trip with us. We have to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. With out our friends and fans we could not have done this. It is really good to be back in Ohio. Temperature 22 degrees!
