Let me start by saying that this was our first trip to
Jamaica. WOW. After much research on the Internet, and having never been to
Jamaica before I can now say without a doubt this is the best island I have
been to in the Caribbean. I have
been to Cancun, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica by far, has more
character than any of the others with the diversity, culture, and friendliness
(at least of the people whom work at the resort).
OK, the report. First
of all, everything that everyone else has written about what to expect is
accurate. We werent surprised
at the events from arrival to departure except that the experience was even
better than we could have imagined.
Through the advice of Denny Pasternaks website
(dennyp.com), we booked our vacation through Go Classy Tours (GoClassy.com).
We did do our research of other travel agencies we had previously used
and Go Classy was cheaper, more informative, and more personal.
Day 1 (Thursday):
We departed on a direct flight from Charlotte, NC to Montego Bay,
Jamaica (2 hour flight). The
travel agent helped with a less expensive flight by recommending flying on a
Thursday. It was still full. As we were told, when we landed we headed toward Immigration
Hall where we passed a live Jamaican band.
Go to the line farthest away against the wall. It was the longest, but as we were told it moved the fastest.
After clearing Customs we went to the Couples desk and they were
expecting us. We were told to
wait and someone would be along to get us and take us to the bus.
The only thing we didnt know or were expecting was that a Skycap
piled the luggage of the 3 couples on his hand truck headed for the same bus
(really a van. Toyota) then told us when we got to the van that it is
customary in Jamaica to tip the Skycap. First
timer learning experience, however, we did tip him. No problem, Mon. Our
drivers name was Dennis the menace with Tours Ltd.
He was fantastic. He told us Dennis gonna take good care of you.
He did! Again as we were
told, the bus ride is a must experience, especially if you do as we did and
not leave the resort (even for the included tours).
It was the only realization we had, that other than the resorts, that
the countryside is beautiful, poverty is widespread, and there are cows and
goats that are along the roadside. We
made our scheduled way stop for the restroom and Red Stripes.
I offered to buy Dennis a Red Stripe, but he said he was on duty,
however, he was most appreciative anyway.
The rest stop was very clean and the people were friendly.
The guy who owns this place went to the USA, worked and then returned
home and opened this place. In
case anyone wants to know, they even had Coronas, which is what I normally
drink. But not while I was in
Jamaica. The Red Stripe is an
experience and while I was a little tempted to buy Corona, I resisted and
embraced the whole culture. Anyway,
we asked Dennis about real jerk chicken, not the mediocre stuff youll
get at the resort (however it was pretty good).
Dennis made an additional stop (for me) at Mackies where he and I
were the only two that got out and I bought pound of chicken and he bought
pound of pork. I knew this was
the real thing, for him to buy himself some to take home. Forget the sanitation rating.
Enjoy. We again stopped
(at my urging) after seeing boys on the side of the road waving some sort of
fruit. We thought they were
humongous grapes, but Dennis told us that they were not (I cant remember
the name). I asked him how much
they were and he said 1 US dollar, so I thought why not, try them.
When we stopped he not only got that fruit, but also brought back
another one that was called sweetsop?
Believe me when I tell you, embrace all that you can.
We finally arrived at Couples in about 2 hours.
We were greeted and escorted to a reception area where we were each
given a cool, moist, and fragranced washcloth and a glass of champagne.
Of course I had to say my good byes to Dennis (and yes I gave him US$5)
and he replied with (if youve been you already know whats coming) Respect
Mon. Already I felt like
I was saying goodbye to a friend I knew I wouldnt see for a long time.
We all were welcomed and only a few brief instructions were given so we
could all get settled in our rooms. There
was an orientation in the TV room before dinner that evening which we
attended. They covered all of the
activities, dress codes for dinner, where things are located, and a mental
walking tour of the property. This
was very good information and I would recommend that you attend this.
By now it was time for dinner and we went through the motions of eating
dinner, but not really appreciating where we were yet.
BED.
Day 2 (Friday):
After a wonderful buffet breakfast, we headed to Tower Isle.
This is the part of the trip report we were so anxious to hear from
others about, but either folks we talked with didnt go or only went for a
few moments. We were very nervous
at first, since we dont have Ken and Barbie bodies and figured
everyone else would. Wrong.
Christopher told us, on the short boat ride over you know that you
have to take all of your clothes off on the island?
We acknowledged we knew. Once
we landed, we went and found some chairs away from the pool and bar.
We sat down and started removing clothes.
Of course sitting in the sun with nothing to drink gets old quickly.
So I told my wife I am going to get something to drink and get in the
pool. I braved my way walking
towards everyone at the pool. Once
in the pool with my Passion Punch (a must try) I settled down a bit and
started talking with some others in the pool.
Cool. I went to coax my wife to join me. Reluctantly after about 5 minutes, she did.
The Isle without a doubt was the best place that we really interacted
with guests. The people we met
there ranged in age from about mid twenties to 70ish.
Most folks were probably mid thirties.
If youre thinking this turns into an orgy at some point during the
day, it doesnt. Good
conversation with good people. Hamburgers,
hot dogs, jerk chicken, and fries are brought over around 12:30 1:00.
The pool is small with 6 in pool stools, 4 in pool tables, and a bench
along the side. One of the best
tips we received on what to take on our vacation was the insulated cups.
The bar typically serves your drinks in small paper cups, but if you
hand them the insulated ones you brought they will most certainly oblige you,
no problem mon. After all day at
TI and many passion punches and Long Island Ice Teas my wife pulled me out
of the pool, poured me into the boat, and pushed me out of the boat at the
dock. I was hammered.
Missed dinner that night (we had reservations at Le Gourmet), how
pissed off do you think she was with me?
Not a trip highlight.
Day 3 (Saturday):
Stayed on the beach today (too embarrassed to go back to TI today).
When my day starts out with my wife saying, Do you remember saying?
I know Id better lay low. And
thats all I have to say about that. The
beach was raked every morning and in the early afternoons after the tide
changed. It wasnt that the
beach got that dirty from seaweed, but again Couples attention to detail
was tremendous. One of the many
activities that are provided is water skiing.
So, I did that. The water
was like glass that morning. Theres
nothing like a good slalom run first thing in the morning, if youre in to
that kind of thing. For dinner we
went to the Verandah. Excellent.
The menus for all the restaurants change every day.
I will tell you that the dining experience was equivalent to a 4 or 5
star restaurant anywhere in the States. They
have someone every night in the restaurant that is playing music (when we were
at The Verandah, it was a guy playing a guitar and singing, very well I might
add). After dinner, we went to the Piano Bar (adjacent to Le
Gourmet and the Verandah). There
was a wonderful piano player there (Eddie).
We like to sing karaoke and this bar usually has the sing along type
songs (from a book) where everyone sits around the piano and all sing
together. Well, my wife asked
Eddie if he knew some songs that werent in the book, he did, and then it
was show time for Eddie and my wife. We
stayed until 1:30 when Eddie left.
Day 4 (Sunday):
Back to TI today, most of the people I embarrassed myself in front of
went home. Relief.
Drinking is now in moderation coupled with food from now on.
Finally made it to Le Gourmet, I think Im out of trouble with my
wife now. This is fine dining with a fabulous atmosphere.
There is a piano player at this restaurant.
The dress code was pretty much business casual.
We saw everything from basic golf attire for men and summer dresses for
women to tuxedo and formal gown (these were mainly the people who just got
married that day). Tonight, after
dinner we went to the entertainment out on the Patio and this was a very
nice show with good live entertainment. This
is a nightly show that features local people with Jamaican history flair.
At 11:00 this venue turns into a disco until 3, or when ever the last
person is gone. I think.
We never made it that long into the evening.
Day 5-7 (Monday - Wednesday):
More of the same of previous days.
They have excursions most every day that we didnt participate in.
We went to Veg out. We
did hear that the trip to Dunns River Falls is excellent and the same advice
from those who went, as we read on trip reports, was if youre thinking
about going on this trip, take water shoes with you so you dont have to buy
them there. Also, a couple went
to play golf and they said it only cost them US $12 per person and this
includes a cart and caddie who reads the greens for you.
September 14th,
Thursday morning, we departed for the airport.
We truly were saddened to be leaving; however, we were already trying
to figure out how we could return sooner than 1 year. I miss Jamaica and even more so, Couples (No. Im not an
employee or paid spokesperson, but after this experience I could be).
WE WILL BE BAAACK!
If youre not asleep by now and have any questions, feel free to email me.