Vi- We are staying at Tim Bamboo. Have car, will travel.
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Vi- We are staying at Tim Bamboo. Have car, will travel.
Thanks for the reply vi. I am going this March. I have to check that cove out....
Hi Vi,
I've been lurking Negril forum everyday but not a good trip report to be found, I'm suffering from SJW ( Severe Jamaica Withdrawal ) please help us....
And Ms. Summer, you are a delightful supporter. Thank you so much for making my report your escape from your very busy schedule.Quote:
Originally Posted by Summer
Greetings Babalew…so glad you enjoyed the report. Thanks for the suggestion of firewater. I like the way you describe the set-up and it sounds like something I will check out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Babalew
Thank so much darlin Schuttzie. Although I visited a lot of the same places, I had a few unexpected *omg* moments that will make the background picures new. Going to start it soon while the memories are still fresh so don't go far. btw...you and hubby got that 2014 calendar out looking at dates???????Quote:
Originally Posted by Schuttzie
a car!!!! SWEET!! You are all set. The staff will take good care of you and Mrs. Sandman. Hope you get to meet Tricia, she's a sweetheart. Oh and the food is really good.Quote:
Originally Posted by sandman66
Can't wait to hear allllll about it. In the meantime I'm contacting my Long Bay connections to find out where it is just in case I DID get there but didn't know where I was....lol Happy Hour starts early on the rock!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by brazz
wow.... thanks for the first smile of the week!!!!! And here I thought I would have to wait for payday to get that first "feel good" moment since returning. I hope to end your suffering soon Negril1990 once I get caught up at work and organize my pictures....don't go far.Quote:
Originally Posted by Negril1990
*Vi*. Welcome back...so glad to hear that you had a few omg moments, can't wait to hear all about them....I know there are lots of pictures...hurry Honey we are awaiting....
I'm about 2 weeks from my next trip to jamaica so I'm counting on you to ease me into the right vibe :)
Thanks viQuote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
Dearest vi,
Thank you for this superb trip report. I've only been to Negril and you have opened my eyes to Portland in the most amazing way. You have a cool vibe and write with passion. The pictures of your journey just captured me and held sway over the couple of days of following you around. Your respect of the wonderful people you encountered was encouraging. Namaste!
This would make a great boardie avitar:
Attachment 31474
Wonderful report Vi! Now I have somewhere to look as a guide when I make it to Portland. Thanks!
Yes me gal, Sparkle, a couple of those moments left me speechless…the way only Jamaica can do a mouthy someone like me. Plenty of pictures with different sight angles just for you. I hope to start posting this week.Quote:
Originally Posted by SPARKLE1010
Sam, you must be a bundle of positive excitement. Bet you wear a smile 24/7. Enjoy your time in Jamaica to the max!! Have a fruity drink for me please.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam I Am
No, I'm afraid not yet, Vi. We've been talking about going back soon but don't have dates yet, sadly. Can't wait see more of your amazing pictures, bless!Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
awwwww Schuttzie sweetie whenever you and hubby do go back, it will be MAGICAL. In the meantime I'm glad you are tagging along with me cuz I do enjoy your company. :)
Oh my…seeing this “Namaste!” felt like I had just been given an award. Thank you so much bjritz!!! Your comment has me beaming in this dark little corner of the office.Quote:
Originally Posted by bjritz
It’s so easy to write with respect and the love I feel for that place because that’s what I receive when I’m there. Staying indoors is absolute torture for me. I don’t care if it’s just sitting on the curb along the seaside watching the commotion of daily life, I have to be face to face with Portland all the time. Afterward, it’s impossible for me to keep silent about my wonderful experiences. I’m happy you enjoyed this journey and were able to, in essence, feel what I felt.
oh and I can't decide WHAT shot to use as an avatar, but that's a great suggestion.
Thanks Sandy girl, and please feel free to ask away when you start your planning. I will be happy to answer whatever I can to help make your trip as memorable as mine.Quote:
Originally Posted by sandy-girl
Your trip reports always inspire me, Vi. Thank you!
Thanks Maryann. I'm glad you moved by the report and very happy you posted.
Do you plan on continuing with your report?
Hi Kaycee
Going to do a new one which I should be ready to start posting next week. But I do have one more entry for this one. I'll try to get that up today. Thank you for remembering me...your support means a lot. :)
One more thing I want to mention regarding this visit….
Appreciating Duty-Free Liquor :) and the duty (tax) ON said liquor :(.
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I arrived to the airport super early so decided to kill time browsing the rum inventory at Sunshine Liquors and comparing prices with those of the liquor mart smack in the center of the airport avenue. It was brutal moving around the small, hot, congested store with a carryon but worth the effort. Their prices are the best I’ve seen anywhere.
Twenty minutes later I leave with eleven bottles of some of best white and gold rum they had on the shelves. Four were overproof. The entire purchase was less than $70.
I had plenty of room in my carry-on so six went in there. The others were packed in one cardboard sunshine box and taped up good.
This was my first time bringing back more than 2 or 3 bottles. US Customs allows 2 bottles duty free. So I knew with this load I would be facing fees but didn’t know how much.
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Having that box sitting next to me made leaving Jamaica less painful. Not MUCH less, just a little closer to bearable.
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Where is sunshine liquors located? How much duty did you have to pay? I came home to Canada once with one extra bottle. I claimed it and the duty took away most of the savings.
You will see Sunshine Liquors is at the top of the escalators once you leave check in and security to proceed to your gate. it's before the little food court and way before Margaritaville. Just look straight ahead when you reach the floor.
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WOW sandman, You were charged that much???!!!! Maybe Canada imposes a higher duty rate than the US. The more expensive the alcohol the more the duty will be. What did you claim??
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The flight was good. The below kept me from shattering as I was taken further and further away from my Jamaica.
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Landed in Philadelphia on time (5:35 PM) only to be told that due to an earlier storm, there is no power in some parts of the airport. US Airways gate was powerless so we couldn’t get off the plane.
So we waited...
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...and waited...
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...and waited...
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For almost three hours we sat waiting for a gate so we could deplane. The pilot kept us updated on what was going on inside the terminal while the attendants gave us beverages and scolded those who were out of your seat too long.
For so many people to be cooped up on a plane for over six hours (flight and sitting time combined) things were surprisingly calm. Aside from a restless baby or two, no one freaked out. I don’t know what got THEM through it, but after 90 minutes, I pulled out my reserve…smile.
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Finally got a gate and were off the plane.
Immigration was a breeze. Customs was not. Hungry, disoriented and exhausted didn’t matter to the customs officer, he made me go to the secondary inspection area because of the extra bottles of booze.
I was 3rd to be inspected. The two ahead of me, male at one booth, female at the other, both (of course) had issues. He has some sort of problem with his documents. She was Jamaican living in the US, but because of a scent of ganja on her person every item in her luggage was searched inside and out. All six pair or her 5-inch wedges were X-rayed.
After thirty LONG minutes it’s my turn. By this time I was ready to just surrender all the extra bottles so I didn’t have to go through what they did. Or worse, pay double digit$ in duty fee$.
The inspecting officer got a box cutter and smiled as he sliced through the tape that secured my cardboard Sunshine Liquors carrier. He carefully removed the bottles and placed them side by side on the table.
“Do you have more?”
“Yes…..”
“Could you take them out please?”
“Sure…”
I pulled the first plastic bag from the carry-on and unraveled the brown paper from around the two bottles and sat them on the table.
The agent is checking what looks like a duty sheet against the brands I purchased. I go back to the carry-on and do the same with plastic bag number 2.
The officer’s eyes open wide. I’m nervous now and wonder if I could pay the duty with Jamaican currency because I’m sure I don’t have enough US cash on me.
I turn to retrieve the third and final bag when he stops me.
“You have more???!!!”
“Yes.” I answer shamefully.
“Look…” he laughs “don’t take them out. I’ll just assess these.” He leaves and goes to the payment window.
“Can I pack these up?”
“No…not yet.”
I scan the bottles and decide which ones I’m about to say good-bye to. Myers?? Port Royal White??? Rum Bar?? Oh man what was I thinking??
Two minutes he returns with what looks like a voucher.
I wouldn't surrender my liquor! Lol! I love seeing people carry those sunshine jamaica liquor boxes. Every since my first trip, I've been getting the secondary search as well. Thanks for continuing!
“I tried to go easy on you, Ms. Vi, but you’ve got some collection here. The over-proof is what sent the amount up so high. He hands me the voucher. “Go to the window and pay the duty. You can pack up the bottles after you show me the receipt.”
I hold my breath as I look at the total I owe.
“What??? $81.00???? I had no idea it would cost that much. I don’t know what to do…”
“Huh??? What??? No…no Ms. Vi. Look at it again.” He’s about to bust from laughing.
“Oh…wow…really??? $8.10???”
“Yeah. it wouldn’t have been that much if you didn’t have so much over-proof.”
I couldn’t get to that window fast enough and hand over the eight dollars and ten cent.
Showed him the receipt and he gave me a customs handbook and made me promise to read it before I fly again.
I wanted to kiss him.
1:05 AM…me and the 11 bottles made it home safely.
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LOL you feel me!!! Trust me Kaycee I was getting sick thinking about not bringing my booze home after all that I went through that day. But what a great end to what could have been a nightmare arrival.Quote:
Originally Posted by kaycee
This last reach was the only time I wasn't second searched since 2009. Girl, I was shocked when I got told to go on through.
I added this incident (I know I used more words than necessary but that’s me) anyway I included it because I was clueless on the amount of duty that can be charged on more than the allowed two bottles of duty-free.
It could have been a lot worse. But soooo grateful to learn that the amounts, which are detailed in the handbook, are much lower than I ever expected.
I’m sure the handbook is on-line, but for the benefit of others who want to bring back more than the two duty-freebies, check your arrival port for the amounts. As I mentioned to Sandman, the rates go according to the price of the alcohol.
HOWEVER…on this return (October) I bought back SIX bottles and listed the purchase on my customs form since now I’m not afraid of the duty charges.
They didn’t even charge me for ONE!!! Just marked the form and told me to have a good evening.
Go figure!!!
Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to Customs. About 20 years ago my girlfriend and I were returning to Canada after a trip to Wyoming. I had 4 24packs of beer which I declared not having any idea how much duty I would have to pay. He had a look and sent us on our way.
Vi- I don't recall the amount, only that it seemed like a lot. What I remember most is being last in line to pay and that the line moved sloowwww. By time I was free to go the tiny Saskatoon airport was pretty much deserted, my girlfriend was sitting there waiting for me.
I have to critique your selection though - what, no cocomania???
Rum cream looks good! Tried JB, burned my throat. Im a "virgin" drinker. Lol!
Sandman, Nice break they gave you on the beer. Bet it made it taste all that much better. I agree I won’t even try to lie to anyone who has the power to not only fine me, but restrict me from traveling to Jamaica.
I have to critique your selection though - what, no cocomania???
LOL although I love the colorful bottle and the aroma, I’m not a fan of flavored rums because they are often too sweet for me. I regret buying the rum cream because I know I won’t be able to drink it. But this guy talked me into getting it.
You an Mrs. Sandman must be getting pretty excited about your upcoming visit. Feel free to ask me any questions either here or via PM.
Kaycee I can't drink JB, Appleton or Port Royal White without a chaser or just on the rocks. Not only do they burn going down but I swear they numb my tastebud!! No fun in eating Jamaican food if you can't taste it!!! Hey darlin, if you want that bottle of rum cream, I'll send it to ya.Quote:
Originally Posted by kaycee
Really?? I will definitely take it:)