Two By Two

This is the first time we've stayed at a resort especially for couples, Couples Swept Away in Negril. It's all very lovely of course, but somehow a bit surreal. Think about it. In your normal day how to people normally move around? One person rushing to work, three mothers and six children at the mall, three male and four female co-workers sharing lunch perhaps? As the name implies, couples resorts are for twos. No singles, no groups. Everyone goes in two by two, just like Noah's Ark. Tables in the restaurants are for two, two can take out little catarmarans, two on the pedalos, you get the picture. At times its a bit like village in The Prisoner. Happy smiling couples walking hand in hand. They could be in a sanitorium.
In the event a couple somehow becomes separated (not encouraged) it's fun to work out where the other one is. At dinner last night we saw one poor lady eating alone. Later in the piano bar, there was a man on his own singing. Where they partners I wondered? Couples are allowed to talk to each other, but they tend to be short chats in bars and restaurants.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised really. Many couples are here honeymooning. A large proportion actually marry here on the beach, although it doesn't seem quite as romantic as the brochures when you realise you're surrounded by tourists on their sun beds listening to you say "I do."