Best Fun Activities in Ocho Rios Jamaica- Things to Do on Vacation

Ocho Rios Attractions and Activities will keep you busy when you visit the parish of St. Ann. Ocho Rios, or "Ochi" is one of the favorite spots in the island of Jamaica, for both visitors and Jamaican residents.

People who visit Ocho Rios can book their activities when they arrive or they can choose to explore their options before they leave home. Chukka Adventure Tours is one of the companies that offers a wide range of activities, including white river tubing.

You will also enjoy these activities in Ochi:

• Climb almost 200 meters up the Dunns River Falls
• Browse a selection of Jamaican and Caribbean books and magazines at Bookland
• Swim with dolphins
• Go snorkeling
• Go scuba diving and take pictures of nurse sharks and other marine animals in the Caribbean Sea
• Go parasailing, sunfish sailing or just relax on the beach with an umbrella
• Take a horseback tour through a rainforest
• Enjoy the driving range at Sandals Golf and Country Club
• Visit the Ocho Rios Jerk Center and enjoy traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, pork or fish
• Participate in an educational tour at the Coyaba River Garden and Museum and learn more about Jamaica's cultural heritage

The area has a lot to offer in terms of fine dining, shopping and nature tours. If you like adventure, you will find that there is a lot to challenge you.

Best Mexico Eco Tourism Vacation - Trekking Adventure Among Indigenous Species

For me and many other people who are interested in adventure tourism, the best Mexico eco tourism vacation would be one that allows us to explore the country completely. I think that the plants and animals that are native to the area are best enjoyed on foot.

An ideal journey would allow visitors to trek across different parts of this country and get close to different habitats. I am interested in guided tours that would allow me to stop and take as many pictures as I want to. This facility is provided through photo safaris. These safaris are offered by several of the companies that cater to hikers in the area.

Monarch butterflies, bats, crocodiles and a host of other interesting creatures live in the tropical forests, deserts, sinkholes and caverns of Mexico. When your feet are tired of hiking you can swim in the underground rivers in Cancun and cool off, or relax in the picturesque Xel-Ha lagoon.

While some people come to Cancun and other parts of the country to do research, many adults and kids are there just to observe and enjoy the wildlife. Gray and blue whales frequent Mexican waters. So do pelicans, seagulls, sea lions, dolphins and other marine animals.

Blue whale tail fluke, Mexico- via Wikimedia

Mexico is home to a large number of endangered plant and animal species. I know that for this reason, it will be important to stick to whatever rules are laid out regarding how far humans can venture into certain habitats. There are more than 20 biosphere reserves in the nation. These are recognized by UNESCO and are designed to promote sustainable development.

People who like visiting parks to spend quality time with friends and family, reflect or observe nature can do so freely while on an eco tourism vacation here. There are over 40 Mexican National Parks, including Cumbres de Majalca, Bahia de Loreto and Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres. Most of these, such as Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres, have affordable accommodations nearby. Rooms which are listed on Hotwire.com start at USD $40.

Chinese Jade Forms: Bi Disks

In China, jade is believed to have special properties. For centuries, green jade has been associated with rainwater, and plants, including crops such as corn.
 
Among its many art forms and art products, China is famous for its jade and hand held scrolls, just as Japan is famous for ikebana vases and the art of ikebana.

The bi disk is one of the oldest jade forms. The bi jade form is round and flat, and has a hole in the center. Some bi jade forms have carvings on them for decoration, while others are simple and have no adorning sculptures. Dragons are one of the popular sculptures found on bi disks.

You can see examples of these disks at the British Museum. Some of the pieces are inscribed with poetry. The disc in the image above is inscribed with a poem that was written by the Qianlong emperor. He was known as a collector of antiquities.

Many of the jade forms that came from the emperor's collection were marked with his seal or with his thoughts on the artwork. In the Hongshan culture, jade discs were placed on the bodies of the dead. They formed an important part of the final ceremony when a person passed from life to death.

Source: Britishmuseum.org, "Jade Bi", http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/j/jade_bi_with_poe.aspx

Free Games and Activities for English as a Second Language: Fruit Games

ESL fruit games are a great way to introduce students to new vocabulary.
Free educational English (ESL) fruit games help to reinforce new vocabulary words related to fruits. Educational games also help to build the conversation skills of English as Second Language (ESL) students. Fun games for English as a second language encourage cooperation and allow students to have pair conversation with the targeted vocabulary. 

Vocabulary for the ESL topic fruits includes English words which are readily used in conversation. Vocabulary includes but is not limited to singular and plural forms of nouns such as apple and cherries. Verbs such as 'eat' can also be easily used in a fun game.

ESL Fruit Games are not Difficult
The level of difficulty of the conversation used in an ESL class on fruits is dependent on the ages of the adults or children who are students in the class and the number of years of exposure to English they have had.
Fun games which are good for teaching fruits to ESL students include Fruit Basket and May I Have Apples? May I have Apples is played in a similar fashion to a well known favorite game, Go Fish.

Playing this free, fun ESL game is easy. First, divide the class into groups of 5. In each group, one student is the dealer. Each group should get 30 cards. The cards used in the game should cover at least 4 vocabulary words in the ESL topic, fruits, such as pears, bananas, apples, etc.

ESL students in Osaka who are just learning fruits vocabulary will be able to manage 4 words easily. ESL students between the ages of 6 and 8 will enjoy fun games centered on the words apples, bananas, oranges and strawberries.

ESL students who are more proficient in English may study 6 to 8 words or more. Students of English as a second language in Japan and other countries in Asia who have studied the English language for a long period of time, may use playing cards with pictures of star apples, pears, grapes, kiwi fruit, peaches, melons and so on. The ESL/ELL Teacher's Survival Guide is a good resource for men and women who are interested in teaching English as a second language.

The dealer should give 4 cards to each student in the group, with the face of each card turned down. The remaining cards should be stacked face down in the middle of the group. The students should play rock, scissors, and paper to decide who should go first. After the first winner of rock, scissors, and paper has their turn, they should be followed by the person on their right.

The winner of rock, scissors and paper should ask the person on their right for the card that they want.
"Do you have apples?"
If the student has the card, they should say yes and give them the card.
"Yes, I do. Here you are."
If the student does not have the card, they should tell the person asking to take one card from the top of the stack.
"No, I don't. Pick a card."
The next student then asks the person to their right. The first player to have of each card is the winner. This fruits game is a good way to reinforce fruits-related vocabulary for students of English as a second language in Japan and other countries in Asia.
The link to “ESL/ELL Teacher's Survival Guide” is an affiliate link and I will earn from any sales generated through it.

Caribbean Family Vacation- Kingston Attractions for Kids

Kingston is one of the popular Caribbean destinations for families that are traveling with younger children. There are all sorts of educational activities that will capture the attention of energetic youngsters.
You can visit Emancipation Park, the Bob Marley Museum and historic Port Royal. Art lovers will enjoy the National Gallery, Mutual Gallery and Trench Town Culture Yard.

Jamaican Euphonia (Euphonia jamaica) in Blue Mountains of Jamaica-via Wikimedia, CCA 3.0

If you choose to go on vacation with a group, you may also be able to get discounts on some packages that are designed with children in mind. Some of the best places to get these deals are at all inclusive hotels, such as Sandals Resorts and Beaches. However some of these hotels are not located in the capital of Jamaica and are found in other parts of the island, such as Ocho Rios.

If you are staying for several days with your family, it may be possible for you to save money by booking a two or three bedroom vacation condo in Kingston. This will also help you to save money with a large group. Pro Homes Ja is a good place to look for vacation rentals in Jamaica if you are based in the UK or Europe.

Devon House in Kingston, Jamaica-via Wikimedia, CCA 2.0

Taste Devon House Ice Cream and See the Great House
A trip to Devon House is a must, whether you are traveling by yourself or with kids. Devon House in Jamaica has the best ice cream in the world. This sweet treat comes in many delicious flavors, it’s not overly sweet and is filled with natural ingredients such as pineapple and mango. It’s also affordably priced and you get discounts on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Hike the Blue Mountains
Hike the Blue Mountains in Jamaica with your family and enjoy the beauty of nature. Older children will definitely enjoy this one. However, this hike is not to be taken lightly. If you plan to participate in this hike when you come to Jamaica, you should prepare yourself physically before. It does get colder as you go higher up, so you should also dress in layers or carry a few items to help you stay warm.

Bird Watching and Other Things to Do at Font Hill Beach Park in Jamaica

Font Hill Beach Park is located on Jamaica’s South Coast. Visitors to the parish of St. Elizabeth will find villas in this area that cater to their needs for privacy and relaxation. This area is more easygoing than some of the more popular destinations, such as Montego Bay.

Black billed whistling ducks-via Wikimedia, Ken Billington, CCA 3.0

The beach park is located near to the border of the parishes of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth. St. Elizabeth in Jamaica is known for tourist attractions such as Jake’s in Treasure Beach and the Y.S. Falls in Black River. Jamaicans from all over the island and overseas, as well as visitors from other countries, travel to this parish to enjoy the seven falls.

Font Hill Beach Park is a great place to get away and enjoy the beauty of nature. Since the resort is further away from city areas, you can relax and listen to the sounds made by the various birds that frequent the area. These birds include doves, jacanas and black-billed whistling ducks.

Coastal mangrove-via Wikimedia, Nealloveselectricity, CCA 3.0

There is a wildlife sanctuary in Font Hill and a coastal mangrove is a part of this. You may see birds in the water or observe them in the pimento trees that are grown in this part of the island. Some nest in the trees and also feed on ripe pimento berries.

You may also see birds feeding on the sea grapes that grow along Font Hill Beach. Busy Jamaicans who take a weekend off to relax enjoy picnicking on the beach, snorkeling, trekking along a nature trail, horseback riding and other sports, such as football.

There are activities to suit adults and children, whether you want to burn some calories or just sit back and enjoy some good food. If you are interested in learning the latest dance moves, you can also do so at Font Hill Beach Park in St. Elizabeth.