Chapter 697

Nov 10, 2025

Jamaica

Montego Bay

In October 1975 Kathy and I took a short three day trip to Jamaica staying at this Holiday Inn which became the Catalonia Resort last year. This is the beautiful tourist area of Montego Bay. 

I only took three photos at that time designated by the yellow dots. We stayed in the room roughly designated by the left yellow dot. I recall wading into the shallows to photograph from the dot on the right.

This was the view I had of the beach front pointing back toward our room. You can see the storm clouds as there was a tropical storm of some sort out in the ocean.

From our balcony I shot down to the beach from where I waded in for my second shot. A native I believe had conch shells to sell to tourists. Perhaps the security guard walking was going to shoo him away. I was approached by one of the locals selling cannabis. There were riots and murders going on in Kingston so we didn't do much exploring.

Another shot down from the balcony to Kathy reading a book.

I recall taking the hotel shuttle to some old sugar plantation fancy restaurant for a lobster dinner but couldn't find it now on the map.

This month of October the worst Hurricane (Melissa) to ever hit Jamaica with winds approaching 200mph decimated the SW area but also did damage to the NW and our hotel.

This tourist internet photo and the next two were taken roughly from where we stayed.

Our balcony.

It looks bad but survivable and nothing in comparison with the SW where concrete and steel structures crumbled and mountain sides were defoliated. 

I remember the tourists driving in their mercedes to the parking lot and playing tennis in their whites. Thought it was way too hot for that. I don't specifically remember the artificial island just off shore as I'm sure I would have waded over to it. Even with many changes over the 50 years it appears mostly the same.

It's just a reminder of what a charmed life we had and yet how fragile everything is. We knew there was an off shore storm and went anyway. How much news and detail we had, not sure. Saw on the news a honeymoon couple prior to the Melissa saying they had the option to leave but were going to stay. Thought then - bad choice. Wonder how that came out with no power no food no water no flights out for a long time. Will take years to rebuild.

and ongoing