Dreadlock Holiday
Not the first time we’ve used a 10cc song title as the header for a blog post, let’s just hope it never has to be “Rubber Bullets” or, especially, “I’m Not In Love”.
Isn’t planning the next trip just one of the absolute joys of being a traveller. It doesn’t pass us by just how lucky we are, in so many ways, as we open books entitled “Where To Go When” and “The Travel Book”, knowing that the world, almost in its entirety, is our proverbial oyster. Although using a snot-like seafood which needs lemon and tabasco just to be edible for such a positive metaphor is a bit of an anathema, don’t you think.
Anyway, the planning is so enjoyable, so exciting, researching different places, picturing ourselves in that culture, starting that job of working out the logistics of exploring a particular country, the shape of the next trip slowly forming.
Is it time for South America? What about returning to Asia? We have unfinished business in India. And Vietnam and Cambodia. How about that South Africa-Namibia-Zimbabwe trip that we had planned before COVID? And by the way we still haven’t even looked at Australia….and Sydney looks fantastic on the clips they’ve shown during the T20 World Cup.
But just now our thoughts keep returning to the Caribbean. During the last year we’ve had little teasers – the Jamaican expat culture in the little town of Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica, five days on the island of Caye Caulker in Belize, and both times the mix of culture and cuisine just made us want to know more. But have we really finished with Central America when we’ve heard so many good things about Panama, Guatemala and Nicaragua?
Closer to home. Europe. Yeah, let’s do Bologna and Rome, and we’ve got a fixed date for Switzerland in February – that’ll do for Europe out of season. Oh, and then there’s the Caribbean. Or maybe the Caribbean. What about food? Oh, remember that Jamaican food in Puerto Viejo….wow….
And so this is it.
Shortly we’ll be heading to Jamaica, home of Bob Marley, home of reggae, home of jerk spices, starting in Kingston from where we will embark on a 4-week tour of the island. From Jamaica we’ll head to Panama, starting in the capital but with plans to see and do a lot – A LOT – over the ensuing five weeks.
Jamaica….then Panama, from late November through to late January. This promises to be another exciting adventure.
16 Comments
Alison
Fantastic, but how does Michaela feel, did Jamaica
Had to get that in before anyone else
Very jealous 😀
Phil & Michaela
Ha ha good one – well she’s not “dreading” it, that’s for sure….
Alison
Haha also good
wetanddustyroads
Planning a holiday … that must be one of the best parts of the actual holiday! Jamaica and Panama – it definitely promises to be a great series of posts coming up from you guys! Can’t wait!!
Toonsarah
Oh yes planning is so much part of the fun, and it sounds like you’ve come up with a fabulous plan!
grandmisadventures
Oh I am so forward to reading about your adventures in Jamaica and Panama!
Mike and Kellye Hefner
Can’t wait to hear about your adventures in Jamaica! If you don’t follow her already, blogger and Jamaican, Rochelle – adventuresfromelle.com – is a goldmine of information on visiting Jamaica. She has also published a travel guide. Happy travels, and I will be looking forward to your posts.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you, yes we’ve visited Rochelle’s site already, it’s going to be very useful!
leightontravels
Very exciting! I’m sure you are going to have a blast.
WanderingCanadians
I couldn’t agree more about how fun and exciting it is to plan and do research for a trip. We’re currently in trip planning mode for next year and are mapping out where we’d like to go. Safe travels to Jamaica (and then later to Panama). I could sure use some sunshine and warm weather these days as we’re approaching winter here in Canada!!
Dave Ply
Sounds interesting – and tasty.
Latitude Adjustment: A Tale of Two Wanderers
Good plan. We lived in Panama 3 plus years so any questions let us know? You must visit the San Blas for sure and stay in Casco Viejo in PC. Cheers!
Phil & Michaela
Well that’s perfect, we already have both of those sorted!!
Cathy
Sounds great! Are you planning to book your accommodation now in advance, or just book it a few days ahead as you go along – or just turn up on the day?
Phil & Michaela
Hi Cathy, a bit of a mix. We have our first three beds booked but the rest we’ll do one by one a few days ahead – except for Christmas & New Year which we’ve also booked ahead as things get tricky as you get closer so we thought we better get those sorted. Thank you for dropping by.
Lookoom
I agree, planning a trip gives way to so many dreams that it will take several lifetimes to accomplish them all. So some will remain beautiful dreams. I don’t know Jamaica and I’ll be curious about your view of the island. Concerning Panama, I have spent several trips there, there is a bit of everything, I am sure you will be able to sort it out.