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Wonderful wonderful wonderful trip report. One of the best I have ever read. I am surprised that Kahuna3(the author) has not chimed in here. That is very scary about the hand swab coming up positive. I get pulled into a room, get patted down and my hands swabbed every time I leave Jamaica. I am 61 years old and don't do drugs of any kind. They tell me it is random to which I reply "I don't think so since it happens every time!" I would totally freak out if they did to me what they did to you.
Day 7 pictures
Andre Barber and Jacko are gonna feel like celebrities with people stopping by and asking for them! :)
hahahahaha! They will love it
Beautiful!:)
I really love that last picture of the two of you!
Manda, Thank you so much for sharing your journey with all of us! I have enjoyed every installment of your report and love your positive spirit. Your positive energy shines thru every time u write and even with your ordeal at the end, you still radiate happiness!
Thanks for sharing your trip report and pics....really enjoyed reading it! I was stunned to hear about your horrible arrival back home in TO. One year, my husband accidentally forgot a half-smoked roach in his shorts pocket on the way home...didn't find it till I did laundry the next day! Dogs came right around him and didn't sniff it out...thank God! We triple-check now before we pack up so we don't make the same mistake. Weird that you would still have a "smell" on you after sitting on a stuffy plane for 4 hours though...I think you were probably flagged cause you were a single white girl travelling alone and alot of their interrogation was just fishing to see if you would fess up about anything...just my opinion. Scary sh**...hope I never have to go through that.
Thank you so much. I have enjoyed from the beginning until the end (except the airport part)and all the pics.:) Staying with a Jamaican and travelling around with them is so much fun :) Can't wait for you to go again :)
You have no idea, your trip report have me reminiscing so bad. That saying once you go u know is so true. I left jamaica in August 2011 and immediately booked my next trip for January 2012 for a 1 month stay. This wil be my 14th trip since 2000. On my first trip I traveled with my sister and friend. I met up with an old friend i met in the US that I haven't seen in 6yrs who moved back to Jamaica. He met us at the aiport at mobay then off to negril we went. I love a little adventure so we left the sister and friend in Negril, they was satifisfied with Negril alone. I went to his home in kingston, to do the native and local thing and hung out with his friends and family. It was my birthday weekend, and also carnival time in Kingston we did the carnival the club asylum, and off to Dunn's river in Ocho Rios the next day. The following day, back across the other side of the island to negril, picked up my sister and back to Kingston, asylum and Dunns River. We stayed in kingston for the weekend then back to Negril. I did all this in 8 days for my first visit. Each year since, my stays were longer and it's been more and more of an adventure. I can't explain of how excited it's been and how Jamaica has had such an impact on my vacations. I have explored the whole country and stayed in almost all the 14 parishes. I have traveled to many places but none can match Jamaica. I say, leave the All Inclusives and explore Jamaica. Trust me you can make a best seller based on your writing skills. I am a self-proclaimed writer and I will love to write a book about my adventures as well. Just haven't gotten around to it. You started your novel on the Negril Message board on your first visit. :cool:You go girl, LIVE SOME LIFE. Book your next trip so I can relive my adventure through you.:)
Butterfly aside from travelling with a friend and sister your first trip has quite a bit of similarities to mine. Meeting up with a friend after years off to Negril then off to explore. I knew when I got back that I had to book another trip and the itch has been there more and more each day but with my report completely done now it's there even more! Would love to hook up with you sometime in Jamaica. I plan on seeing Port Antonio and Kingston on my next stay, hopefully! I'm not even sure how I would go about trying to write a book lol but maybe it's something I should put some thought into.
You wont need to relive your adventure through me though with a trip stay of a month coming up in January!! Lucky!!! I can't wait for the time that I can spend a month long stay. It just gives so much more opportunity for adventure. And with everyone else on the board fastly approaching their departure I'll hopefully be able to make it through the winter when I can get back there again :)
Clarity-thank you so much it is I think the only picture we actually took together lol Andre had grabbed me and said "Manda, we have no pictures together! Get over here!" and so there it is lol
Cinni - thank you honestly I think the happiness that you see come through is because with each Day that I wrote I literally put myself back there and I honestly can't remember the last time I had been so simply happy to just "be".
In Canada, don't you have the right to be taken off from being "Red flaged", by submitting an explaination (Usually on line.) that explains this incident. And the fact that nothing was found on your person or in your luggage?
There is a application to request the information that has been collected on you and recorded in a database that is used for travel and customs etc which someone was so kind of let me know of today :) Once I request the information and recieve it I can then challenge anything I find to be of error unfair. So we'll see what I get in response.
Over 41,000 views should be an indicator on how a book written by you could do ;-) WOW!!!!!
yah, i'm TELLIN y'all, girl's got SKILLZZZ!!! ;) :D
Excellent report Manda!! Felt like I was right along wit ya! Got the same love for JA the first time I went just 3 short years ago and now book every chance I get. Gotta love going off the tourist track and just hanging around. Good for you...took me three trips to gain the nerve to do that, but now love it and stay in yaad each trip which makes it feel like I have come home every trip! Great writing and way to convey your energy!
Thanks for posting the great pics also...love trip reports with a little writing and the pics to put it all in context! Excellent!
T
Terrific Report from start to finish - although your rude entry back to home seems to have been quite the ordeal. Like your first time to Jamaica you held your own with them customs folk. I'm thinking that your Negril experience must have helped you get through that last bit. Like others, I did worry about you when we didn't get any daily updates while you were there. The build up to the trip and then a small blip and nothing........ then you got back and all was good. Great Report - Thanks for writing it and sharing with us all.
Bravo! I agree you do have some serious writing skills, Manda. Sorry your trip ended on a bad note. I've heard and read of that happening to people before, mostly women. Scary! Read somewhere (can't remember the percentage), but a large number of bills have cocaine residue, so that's probably the culprit. Think I can safely say that we are all (except Brassi - LOL!) hoping you can get back to see Andre soon for another adventure.
Thanks Manda, pretty intense end to your trip. lol Great report!!
Finally got the chance to read your report. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Reminded me of my first visit to Jamaica and my first trip report. After that, I was determined to see every inch of that amazing land and I hope you set a goal to do the same. I knew from the start Jamaica would embrace you and you would find your fit there.
I just returned from a 7 day stay last week and for the first time since I started traveling there, I was pulled and searched when I got to the US. Although the questioning didn’t take as long as yours, it was still unnerving.
Manda,
My wife has been telling me about this thread for weeks. I've finally read it over the past two days and absolutely enjoyed every page, comments and all. You are an extremely talented writer and can really paint a picture with the written word. I had to laugh because as I started getting into it I was thinking this is a movie ... then a few posts later I saw it was being cast. If you do submit a screenplay to Hollywood, end it somewhere before you land in Toronto. You airport experience there was a real downer. What a shame you had to end a trip like that on such a sour note. I can tell from your writing that it really did not affect your positive vacation memories and that is how it should be.
Thank you again for a wonderful contribution to this forum.
Timm
You see, manda all your responses from this post says it all, your writing style has a way of bringing what you write to light. We can actually vision your vacation and that's a make for a great novel. Yes, our 1st trip was similar, birthday, old friend reunion and exploring the isand and all. It would be a good idea to meet in Jamaica one day. After every return from Jamaica and rebooking the next trip gives me such a thrill. It gives me something to look forward to. That adventure fix I crave so much for Jamaica. My next trip in January, I will explore St. Elizabeth,Rebel salute and Little Ochi for seafood and the Appleton Estates, St. Andrew for the weekend to visit some friends, and Port Antonio again. I can't wait maybe I will do a trip report, i have learned a lot from reading yours
Timm- I'm flattered that your wife suggested you read my report and thanks for taking the time too. It's been wonderful reliving my experience and I'm just happy that everyone enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it :)
Vi - I saw some of your pictures on the other board. BEAUTIFUL!! Are you a photographer?
Maryann & Tizzy -Thanks to both of you for following along as well. I can't thank everyone enough really lol it's been fantastic like going on my first trip twice! :)
Maryann, I'm already getting a very annoying itch to book my next flight lol I'm not sure that I could ever write another report for everyone to enjoy as much as they
did this one but hell half the fun is in the trying :)
ohhh please do write a report!! Already I'm excited with the line up you have already. St. Elizabeths you say?? Well if you find yourself going through Malvern or planning to, let me know you could meet Andre!
I completely look forward to one day meeting up with you in any of the Parishes and Miss Blue too!!
Wowza Manda...what a journey!!
Thanks for sharing, you have a wonderful and easy way with words I truly enjoyed tuning in every day for an update!
All the best to you!
I haven't been here on the boards in a really long time, but I just got back from my trip to Negril on the 15th and have been thinking about Jamaica every day sine I got back. I found my way to your post over the weekend and absolutely fell in love with your story Manda! This is the type of story lots of gals dream about, I can't wait to hear how your relationship blossoms with Andre between now and your next visit. Please keep us all updated!
OMG OMG OMG Amanda I LOVE your trip report..I totally know the feeling of going to JA solo thinking ok is he really going to be there to pick you up!...I remember my first solo trip i was having panic attacks and all!!...FOR no reason...trip was great!!..I
totally feel you about not wanting to stay in the AI's once you get that real feel you do NOT want to be behind no d$# gates!!!
I am the same way as soon as i get home i am looking at airline tickets n prices trying to plan my next trip!!
I've gotten the shake-down from customs too...Though not as intense as you...That really sucks...No, every time i come back thru (and usually Charlotte) The TSA are the rudest to me..Asking very personal questions, how I can afford to go ,why ,etc,etc- etc,...and then it really sucks when I get flagged and have to wait for them to search my bags more..and they keep me waiting so that i miss my connecting flight...That Enrages me !!!! and of course they never find anything...
Before packing-I always go thru my clothes, luggage -just in case mi friends smoke somehow got mixed up....I dont do drugs-and rarely par-take in the green...Now rum and Guinness, thats a different story..(LOL)
15 Trips and NEVER have I had this happen. I must look like the prude bi**** that I am. I asked once if I could take a picture of the beagle dog and he said no. I did get the dog to scratch once for food (McDonalds) in my bag. I switch planes with lay overs two to three airports each trip. I don't even get questioned coming in anymore, it always used to be who you coming to see you got a boyfriend here. LOL Manda you are strong I wouldnt have given up any names but probably would have puked and bawled just at the accusation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dana1
The only names he got were mine, my ex boyfriend and Andre's and to be honest he could have found out Andre's name since he went through my phone anyways. I had only stated originally on my visa that I was staying at the Riu Montego bay for the whole week. When I entered Jamaica I told them the same thing. When I was asked if I was meeting anyone I said no. I did all of this because i had forgotten Andre's address at home and to be honest I wasn't sure he'd be at the airport. It would have sounded much more suspect if I said "well I haven't seen this guy in 13 years and he may or may not be outside the airport when I get there and if that's the case I may or may not be spending 3 nights in the hills oh and I'll also be in Negril and Montego Bay" It sounds crazy lol
So I guess my question would be without having to get into so much detail what would be an appropriate answer when being asked by customs where are you staying... should I always just say Andre's should I explain my travel plans??
Next time I go I'll be sure to just say I'm staying with Andre.
Better to just give the name of the hotel....you will get less questions that way....
yep name of a hotel and keep the travel plans simple meaning one hotel the entire time......no matter where you're actually
staying
But I dont plan on spending the time at a hotel and can they not check up on this ??
Suppose they could, but don't think they do....
no, they can't/don't care/won't check up on that - i mean imagine it.... there's just no possible way, or reason, to actually keep 'close tabs' on every tourist and where they go once they're on the island. 'technically' the govt needs to know where you're staying, partly in case of, say, a hurricane or natural disaster, in case there becomes a need to look for (or, god forbid, identify) people, or account for them after a disaster, and it's also the 'address of record' they would use for delivering lost luggage or for any potential emergency.
but typically, the information you give to the officer while standing at the immi desk, in reality usually doesn't go any farther than that -
people are always divided on what to actually write on your forms and tell the officers --- most say just always put a hotel name, because once you start getting into "i'm staying with my friend/bf/husband at their house", it opens them up to ask ALL kinds of personal questions, looking thru bags for gifts you 'MUST' be bringing, charging you duty on stuff - even if it's really not a gift but for your own use, etc etc. Anything is possible although it of course doesn't always happen. Others always put the true yard address and take their chances, cause they feel it's better the govt knows where they really are, in case the info is ever needed.
I get the idea of tracking everyones where abouts would be a bit much but I'm talking my own personal experience. I've already been documented on staying with Andre through the customs agent that interrogated me he pretty much wrote down everything I said. I am almost 100% sure that i've been flagged and will most likely get searched/questioned again. So if I return 6 months after my first visit with a "local" would they not wonder why I hadn't seen him the next trip? I just don't want to get myself in any unnecessary "hot water" because I've lied on my Visa.
yah i get what you're saying - but it doesn't necessarily follow, logically speaking, that someone would ALWAYS stay at the same place every time they visit jamaica. so as far as 'wondering why you don't see him next trip' -- that's a level of personal detail that's just not really done. hundreds of people don't see the same people on each trip, and stay at loads of different spots each different time they go - i truly don't think that kind of minutiae of detail would be examined THAT specifically. even for someone who may have been 'red-flagged' - it's still not necessarily always thought that they would 'definitely' go to all the exact same places and do the same things every trip. it's also a very common plan that the visitor has their local freind/bf/spouse/whatever go to stay with THEM at the hotel, instead of the visitor staying at the private home.... so that wouldn't be unusual -- even more so for a potential red-flagged visitor..... it could just as easily be explained that said visitor wants no more issues, and therefore plans the next trip to be completely in a tourist area, specifically to make sure that no more questions would be raised about them. (just an example, but i'm sure you get what i'm sayin')
if you're more comfortable putting the yard address though, just go with that.... whatever you feel is appropriate for you is what you should do! :)
Hey Miss Blue,
Ya I completely see where you are coming from I guess I'm just a bit paranoid now but I think I'll have a better idea of what to do when I'm sure of where I'm staying on the island next trip coming :)
Thanks for everyones input and advice!
Miss Blue, do they actually charge duty on gifts?