Our first time in Jamaica was to a small cliff-side resort in Negril. No beach, just pools and direct ocean access via long rusty ladders. The first four days were plagued with high winds and crashing waves, so the ladders were removed, and ocean access deemed unsafe.

We spent those first days relaxing on sun loungers, a book in one hand and a daiquiri in the other. Each day, walking from our room to the deck, we passed a lone water shoe, perched sadly on a garden wall. And each day we joked about the person who lost it - how could they not know?

After a night of heavy rain, the winds finally died down. The ladders were replaced, and we were allowed access to the ocean. Excited to swim, I reached into my beach bag for my snorkel and water shoes but discove...

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