trip report 4/21-28

Well, so far so good.

Saturday
First stop: Jewel Paradise Cove, Runaway Bay

Flight out of Boston was on time and we actually landed about 50 minutes early, so arriving at 9:30 am was a new experience. Only issue was that JetBlue gave the wrong customs forms.... never had that happen before. Luckily, I had CMB and it was not that buys anyway, so I was able to fill out a new form and get through the lines in record time. Different from last year was that there was a designated set of CMB immigration agent desks on the far right hand side of the hall, where in the past, they were in the same row as the other agents.

Because of my form delay, my bag was waiting when I got to the luggage carousels. No problem there and a quick stop at Customs then on to the arrivals hall. We dropped off my bag, I used the restroom and got a drink, then I decided to change into shorts, flip flops, and contact lenses while I had the chance. My agent and I then went to check on my transfer with JTL. The woman at Dest 21 asked my agent to bring me back to the lounge and check with the JTL man outside. I had a chance to get on to the wifi in the lounge and check in with my folks. One of the servers in the lounge offered to fill up my insulated mug with rum punch, and I asked for a bottle of water for the road. No problem!

My CMB rep had a bit of a run around with my early flight and helping me with my transfer, so I ended up tipping her $15. She was really nice. I gave a few dollars to the man who served me my drinks.

The transfer was kind of how group transfers go. I always forget to look at my watch after I land, so I don't know how long I actually stood outside the bus soaking up the sun (oops... sunburn).... but it was ok. I like to stand with the drivers and chat, anyway. The shuttle only had Jewel guests on it. Our first stop was Runaway Bay, then mine, the Paradise Cove, then Dunn's River. Once we were on the road, it was smooth sailing. I forgot how many hills are on this side of the island and I wondered if our shuttle bus would make it up some of them!

In my excitement, I forgot to tip the driver :( I feel bad about that as he was pleasant and safe.