We had to wake up early yet again because it was the second day of the golf tournament. I went downstairs and had breakfast after showering and Daniela tried to catch up in time and at least got some fruit. We took the bus to the course where they started us off with a group picture at the back stairs of the clubhouse. The camera would be too close so they tried to prop up a ladder for the photographer to climb to take pictures. There were small trees in the way so they tried to have a bunch of guys hold it up and of course they dropped the ladder and the photographer fell. Fortunately no one got hurt but all of us were wide eyed as they tried this stunt. Fortunately the found a step ladder for a second try and were able to get the picture. We had a few moments for a bit more coffee of fruit and then off to meet up with Alfred and Shirley again.
They took us out to hole 7 and we started the same 18 holes for the second day of the tournament. I started out poorly again. I was hoping I had learned enough to become somewhat better by the start of day 2 but it seemed it was not to be. The drink cart girl showed up and I picked up a couple Red Stripes and started to drink them and surprisingly I started to play better once I took the first sip. I am not saying I was a pro but I certain was back where I had finished up the day before and gaining a little bit more ability. Juan continued to play but his wife didn't. Juan unfortunately still hadn't learned much and no matter what anyone told him he kept on trying to do things his own way, the same way so really he made teeny improvement but not much. Daniela was getting consistent at hitting the ball and by far was our best putter. She made several of the longest putts we had to make during the day. We played to probably about hole 2 (around from 7 through 18 and back to 1 again to finish) but Juan and Yanina didn't want to continue because they were afraid we were going to miss a bus back and not be able to take the excursion they booked. When we got back and found out it was no big deal, Alfred took Daniela and I back out and we finished the last 5 holes really quickly. I was still having some issues and I have a massive left hand slice but still I was making bogies in general. Alfred rocked and we greatly appreciated all his help. During the course of day two he teased Daniela about the way she laughed and it was very funny. When we finished up we said goodbye and found that the bus which had the other couple was still waiting so we boarded and got back at the same time as they did.
When we returned one of the Sandals agents, told us they had free spaces on the Dolphin Cove excursion because of cancellations and we were able to sign on and get ready quickly and go to that. The ride was maybe 20 minutes, just a bit beyond Ochi. We got there and were immediately taken to the prep area and were immediately asked to get our life vests on and get into the water. We had one dolphin in the area. The guide spoke Spanish so I didn't get the name of the dolphin. We weren't allowed cameras or videos during the time. They had their own team to do that. We got pet and kiss and ride the dolphin as at swam among the various things we did. It was maybe 25 minutes to half an hour in the water with the creature but what do you expect for free I guess. Then we had to wait for the bus. They sent us to the picture shack where we found they wanted to charge us $100US for pictures and videos of only 2 people from the tour. We tried to talk them into selling us all for same price so we could split it up but they wouldn't budge so we didn't buy anything. No digital pictures and video is worth $100 that I can think of in this circumstance. I would gladly have paid up to $25 but that was just far too expensive. When we got to the bus we had to wait for another tour seeing the Jamaican Bobsled area which is Mystic Mountain. They however started late and we were getting pressed for time and were able to convince the driver to get someone else to get them and drive us back. So we got back at maybe 5:30 and had to get ready for a party at Ochi where the buses were supposed to depart at 6:15.
The theme of the party was the 20s. We had costumes that were reasonable for the concept as did most of the guests we found out. We were probably 6:45 by the time we were ready but they still had the one bus to wait for us because a few people had the late excursion issues. So we piled in and were driven to Ochi where they had a bar set up with the 20s theme. It was well done but it started to rain and they moved us indoors to another bar where the actual guests were a bit surprised to see us all in our costumes. After a few minutes we were brought in for the awards dinner. The hosts spoke about the tournament and Latin American travel agents and a lot of other things though they weren't too long. They gave out awards for the golf tournament. No we didn't win anything. The dinner started with a trio of appetizers including some fish ceviche (though not Peruvian style). The main course was a fish wrapped in banana leaves coupled with what they called beef anticuchos or basically skewered meat. The dessert was a mousse with checkerboard cake. It was all very good and I ate all of it to the clean plate status (except for the banana leaves). They had a jazz band playing during the dinner and awards time and I got them to play a Sinatra tune which turned out to be My Way and Daniela and I danced. We said it was our anniversary. One of the other travel agents got to the microphone and sang my way in Spanish when he realized what song it was. He had an excellent voice. Daniela almost cried through it.
After the meal was over we headed to the Rabbit Hole which is a "speakeasy" bar at Ochi with a big round looking door. We got in and found a place to sit along with a couple of Mexican couples and talked with them about various subjects and had a couple of drinks until they told us the last bus was leaving at about 11:50. When we got back to the room we got ourselves organized and packed and Daniela got her shower before we got maybe an hour and a half or so of sleep to wake up and get ready for the trip back home.
No comments:
Post a Comment