I know you’ve all been waiting for it, and here it is: Our day-by-day, minute-by-minute, down to the smallest detail wrap up of our trip to Jamaica. Ok, not really, but with that kind of introduction, I know you excited to read what I have to say!
Friday, August 29th
We took a red-eye flight leaving Phoenix at about 11pm and getting to Charlotte, NC by 6am. Thanks to our spiffy neck pillows we kinda-sorta, not really slept the whole flight.
Saturday, August 30th
We left Charlotte at 9am and landed in Montego Bay, Jamaica by 11:30am. One thing that I noticed on our flight was Jamaicans like to dress up when they fly. Adam and I were dressed for comfort – shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops. The Jamaicans on our flight were dressed to the nines – men: dress slacks, long sleeved button-down shirts; women: 3 inch + heels, dresses, skirts, very matchy-matchy outfits. We land in Montego Bay and our first stop off the plane is immigration, a very long line where you get a nifty stamp in your passport. Did you know you can’t get a job while vacationing in Jamaica? Another interesting observation: Americans like to complain. There were two customs lines, one for citizens of Jamaica and another for guests and visitors. The first line to be checked was the citizens obviously. You would have thought it was World War 3 the way the Americans were griping, “Why does that line get to go first” and “But we were here first” and my favorite “If it wasn’t for us tourists….”. Nothing better that grumpy American tourists.
Next stop was the customs line, another long line where if you are declaring anything they go through your suitcases like crazy women shopping at Nordstrom’s Semi-Clearance Sale. Luckily for us, we had nothing to declare. Then onto the “Sandals Lounge” where a Sandals employee takes your bags and lets you know that the man watching your bags as you sit in the lounge and drink free beer waiting for your bus is not an employee of Sandals, so please feel free to tip him, because he is making sure your bags make it to the bus. We wait in the lounge, drinking our new favorite drink: Coke Light (aka Diet Coke made in Jamaica). They call our group and our bags are now taken by yet another man, a “red-cap” who only works for tips.
We make it on the bus and off we go for an hour and a half drive east to Sandals Grande Ocho Rios. I doze in and out while taking in the beautiful scenery as our bus cruises along a road that runs parallel with the water. About an hour into the drive we make a quick stop at a local bar/restaurant. It was here where we had our first Jamaican Beef Patty – a pastry that contains various fillings and spices baked inside a flaky shell tinted golden yellow with an egg yolk mixture or turmeric. We were hooked and would eat many more before our trip was over.
Around 2:30pm we made it to the resort where we were whisked away to meet with our Concierge (we sprung for the Concierge, but decided that the Butler Service was just too much). They gave us the run down on all the services they offer – schedule tours, make tee times for golf, etc. Sandals Grande Ocho Rios has two sides: Manor Side and Riviera Side; we stayed on the Riviera Side, aka the beach side. A shuttle runs all day between the two sides. Our room was on the top floor overlooking the beach. We unpacked and pretty much collapsed after 15 hours of traveling. One of the best parts of staying at an all-inclusive resort is it’s all included! You go to dinner, order, and leave…no bill, no tips (tips to resort employees are not allowed and an employee could be fired for taking money). We had our first dinner at San Gerrano, an Italian restaurant. Portions are much smaller in Jamaica, which is a good thing, because you always have room for dessert! After dinner we walked around the Riviera side of the resort and then went to bed.
Sunday, August 31st
Today we had “Concierge Orientation” where we got a tour of both sides of the resort, all the restaurants, and of course all the extras they offer for a price (golf, spa, shopping in town, tour to Dunn’s River Falls, etc.) After breakfast, while we were waiting for orientation we sat our by the pool for about 20 minutes, where yes, I got sunburned. After orientation we went back to the pool where we lathered on the sunscreen and drank all the non-alcoholic drinks they had to offer at the swim-up bar. For lunch we went over to another pool and ate Jerk Chicken, another new favorite. Then, back to the pool. I know, life is rough and it’s only our first full day there! We headed back to our room and got ready for dinner, which tonight was at the Reef Terrace. Adam ordered the Jerk Pork Chops, and I had the Curried Mutton, a new for me.
Monday, September 1st
Today Adam golfed while I went to the spa for a body scrub and massage – it was wonderful! For lunch we went back to the pool and ate more Beef Patties and drank more non-alcoholic fruit drinks. Adam ventured out on a kayak in the Caribbean Sea while I played it safe poolside. For dinner the resort had a “Street Jamboree” up on the Manor side. It was a buffet featuring food from all over, but mostly Caribbean nations and Asia. 
After dinner they had the Parade of Nations, in which we walked the other Americans, kinda like the Olympic opening ceremonies, but on a much smaller scale. They had a marching band and dancers made up of kids from the area – they were so cute! Then came out the performers – an unicyclist, a snake charmer and fire jugglers. When the contortionist came out, we made our exit and took the shuttle back to our room.
Tuesday, September 2nd
Yet another day poolside, rough life. But for dinner we went to Sandals Dunn’s River which is about 15 minutes west of our resort (Sandals has an exchange program where you can use the pools, eat at the restaurants, etc at other Sandals resorts). Tonight we went to Kimono’s for Teppanyaki. 
Hold on to your hats, but I actually ate tuna! You all know how much I am not a fan of seafood, but I chose courage and ate it. The first 2 pieces were actually good, but that last one was pretty fishy – I had to do everything I could to swallow it down, but I did! I passed on the shrimp, but the chicken and beef were really good.
Wednesday, September 3rd
Today was the big day – we hired a driver, Moodie, to take us to Nine Mile and around the local area to see the “real” Jamaica. Nine Mile is the birthplace and final resting place for Bob Marley. We were able to see his grandparent’s house where he was born and the house where he grew up. We walked through the mausoleum where he and his mother were laid to rest. Now at Nine Mile is the infamous tour guide, Captain Crazy, the YouTube sensation. Andrew and Hannah had showed us a video of him when they came to visit this summer and we figured there was no way we would actually see this guy, but lo and behold, Captain Crazy was our tour guide! Here's a video from youtube...wait for the laugh:
After Nine Mile, we made our way back to Ocho Rios, stopping at the Jerk Center for lunch then into Ocho Rios for “combat shopping” – just picture Tijuana with everyone BEGGING and PLEADING with you to buy something from them. They all tell you its home made, but everyone is selling the same thing, so pretty much it’s handmade in a factory in China. So we bought some local treasures and got out of there. Last stop – Juici Patties, Jamaica’s leading fast-casual restaurant chain, for Beef Patties of course! If we won the lottery the first thing we would do is purchase a Juici Patties franchise and set up shop, that’s how much we love them
Thursday, September 4th
Another day at the pool, another day of working on our tans.
Friday, September 5th
Today we went over to the Dunn’s River resort to check out their pool. This resort is smaller than ours, but is a little nicer than ours. We spent time at the pool, ate more Beef Patties, and drank Coconut Water. 
Saturday, September 6th
The low light of the day was the fire alarm going off at 3am – someone decided it was a good idea to smoke in their room and fall asleep and not even hear the fire alarm; 45 minutes later we were back in our room. This wouldn’t have been such a big deal if we could have slept in, but no, we had to be up at 6:30am to catch our 8:00am shuttle to the airport. Our vacation had come to an end and now was the 15 hours of traveling to get home - Montego Bay to Philadelphia, then onto Phoenix.
Adam and I have been listening to the Reggae station on XM nonstop since we’ve got home. The people are amazing and so nice, and do so much with so little. Jamaica is so beautiful and we can’t wait until we can go back.
View from our room:
Our room:
Manor Side Pool:
Nine Mile:
1 comments:
that guys laugh is amazing! i'm jealous you heard it in person.
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