Yes more please! Don't leave us hanging' here! Haha
Printable View
Yes more please! Don't leave us hanging' here! Haha
Sorry an installment soon I'm trying to figure out where i left off... The riu gorgeous I would recommend it they wanna help you get whatever you want.
So after a few minutes of “digestion” we decide to go look around the resort and of course I wanted to see the beach! It was amazing... breathtaking, awesome, and all the other words you can try to describe it with but there is no word for that kind of beauty and pictures don't do the magnitude of it justice.
Attachment 29451
We couldn't have asked for a better picture. Still a lil thrown back by that sub, we made our way by the pool and found our loungers to lay and just soak it in. Next thing that happens I felt at the time was some sort of sign and I still kinda do. As I'm lying there I notice a pretty little dragonfly buzzing around I stare at it as watching it makes me smile... then something happens that I've never seen before... it lands on my big toe I stare for a second the very slightly wiggle my toe... it flew up then back down on my toe :) I wiggle it again it flys up and lands on my opposite toe...Wow! Even the bugs are friendly. We were both pretty hungry but decided to wait as we were STILL affected to the point we were to nervous to go face our first meal adventure, all of that teamed up with jet lag it wasn't the greatest feeling. Eventually we get our courage up to go to the lunch buffet. It was really good had a couple “hand sandwiches” some fruit a lil salad it was good very good.
Attachment 29452
We must be obvious because everyone already knows this is our first day as I thought I had it written on my forehead. After our lunch we go to the bar and get our first dirty banana it didn't look like the others and was quite strong but I drank it anyway. WHY WASTE? We sat and talked to our bartender for a bit. Nice lady asked if it was our first day and said we looked “fresh” because we have no tan... which btw by the end I still didn't have a tan...lol...Back to the story, After our drink we headed to a room that I had noticed while we sat a nd drank it had slot machines in it :) My other got me $5 worth of tokens and I pick my machine. I chose my machine by a particular phrase that I love...”Jamaican me crazzzy!” lol I of course knowing its my best bet play the max every time. I push the button a few times and with another push “ ding ding ding ding ding” I won about $89! nice... So I decide to play until I get to $80 and cashed out... WOW today is full of luck!!! So after this I say” Let's go to the gift shop.” WOW was it expensive not many souvenirs from here for us. I did however get a necklace in Jamaican colors instead of rasta colors.- I prefer black to red-:) Now back to the room, by this time it was about 5pm, my other decides to order some room service as this is included in the “all-inclusive”, While waiting we were on our balcony when a young man I'll refer to him as rasta came up and asked us how we were doing and wanted to know if we needed anything my other asked him for a little something which he said he could have to us tomorrow morning... he was very nice and real, didn't seem that his only concern was money... I like him. So we eat and lay down with intentions to get back up again.... We just had to get up again I wanted very badly to go to Seastar for the webcast especially since I knew I would be busy all day Tuesday for those casts. OK, I don't even remember closing my eyes, probably a lot to do with being up 36 hours but when I opened them again it was soo dark in the room I look at the clock 3:30am WHAT!!!!!! NOOOOO... :( So I drop my head back to my pillow in disappointment and decide there is nothing I can do now so just go back to sleep.
SUNDAY NOV.11th 2012
So I wake a little bit before 6 a.m. I'm super eager and pumped, I grab a piece of sub and go sit on our little balcony. WOW it's such a beautiful temperature outside it seems to be all the time. As I sit I take in the awe that is the sounds of the wildlife in Jamaica. It was more calming and beautiful than any zen CD ever created. I let my other sleep, he just looked soo tired and he was soo wonderful to me through our traveling fiasco. So I decided to make myself useful and make us some subs for the day. This must have been quite a spectacle. I made these subs using a lil LED flashlight which I held in my mouth and used my teeth to push the button. I didn't want to turn the lights on or open the curtains and disturb my other. After making several subs for the day I scooted the chair against the tile and that screech is what awakened my other... opps... So I say my good morning and he reciprocates and asks the time. I reply 7:20 a.m. I remember this vividly because it was our first full day in gorgeous Jamaica and...MY BIRTHDAY!!! So we hang around the room rather sluggish from the traveling (we are obviously are NOT used to it). By the time we actually get out and about its 9 a.m. We head to the breakfast buffet, A muffin and some yogurt and fruit for me. A big Jamaican breakfast for my other.
Attachment 29453
After we finish a very good breakfast we head up the stairs to make reservations for the a la Carte restaurants. At this point I still feel like I do at home, nervous, self conscious, your basic social anxiety. But I push to try to have fun on vacation. WE deserve it. So we make reservations for the steakhouse for this night at 9 p.m. (only time left) and for the Japanese the next night at 6:30 p.m. By the time we get done here its about 10:30 – 11 a.m. My other wants to take another less jet lagged look at the gift shop. So we do and I find this “beach bag” that I like it says Jamaica with the flag pattern for coloring. My favorite color is green, it has been for quite some time. OK so, My other and I decide to go back to the room so on our little walk we take in the property very nice place I loved it.
Attachment 29454
Attachment 29455
Anywho, we notice a coconut on the ground that's only a lil cracked at the top so we pick it up out of curiosity and wanna open it so we eventually get it open by use of the tile in our room lmao. EMPTY... dun dun dun. , So we put on our so called beach apparel and headed to get towels after the towel/ towel card exchange I realize I'm still uncomfortable...how frustrating. I am really bothered by this I wish I could just be free to be myself. I always tend to hold myself back inadvertently, I hate this regular occurrence. I truly am my own worst enemy... SOOOO.... We find our beach loungers and our spot and soak it up and try to relax and get used to things.
This is so much fun to read - I'm going to be a newb on a short trip in September too. AND, I extra LURVE the How I Met Your Mother terminology of the "subs." Hahaha! :) Love it - AND, I also suffer from anxiety as well - the subs seem to help with that. ;)
Love your pics!
Thank you both! and as for being a newb you won't feel that way for too long and for some reason your very being pulls at your heart to go back.It's the only place I want to go. Hands down. I live like 40 min from san diego and i want nothing to do with it anymore I refuse to go in our water after that. It's enthralling enchanting and how my vision of heaven will be when I get there... til then negril as often as possible!!! :p
CONT'D
Wow the people on the beach that walk by selling things are persistent, “you want subs?” “you want cigarettes?” “you want your hair braided?”. This, at first, is very intimidating. So I decide to lay there with my eyes closed so I can relax without being asked to buy something every 3 min. some still try to get my attention lol they must be used to this tactic. My other asks if I want a drink I say yes but I'm not sure what he just says “i'll get it” and off he went to the bar... now … i'm alone... so I close my eyes again. It only works on some people lmao. My other gets back with a margarita mm it was good. Then a man asks if we want a boat, my other gets up and walks over to him and the talk, we didn't make solid plans and the man said “OK if you want we go out next at 1:30 p.m” “OK man” my other states. Well that's only thirty minutes from this time and I don't really feel like it we head back to the room shower and change. While preparing sub sandwiches, my other decides he wants to go to the gift shop and get a Cuban cigar. He made jokes about making a giant birthday sub with it, but when u saw it you knew it wasn't a good idea. So I'm STILL in anxiety mode and I feel just terrible because I think my other really did want to go for that boat ride. I really don't want to hold him back from having fun on vacation, but he refuses to leave me alone for any significant period of time because he promised my mother he wouldn't so getting him to go alone was a no go. We go and decide to try and catch the end of lunch just before 3 p.m. And we make it. We walk the grounds a little and head back to the room for a balcony sub. And now I'm seriously anxious we are in the room at 5 p.m. On VACATION...wtf... I feel like its my fault and I tell my other to go do what he wants for awhile bur of course he refuses to leave. I'm trying soo hard to push past this I need to relax I need to be me its definitely necessary. OK so we go out for drinks before our late dinner at the steakhouse. Well after a few drinks and a little anxiety fueled drama it was dinnertime. So we head towards the water to some pre-dinner sub, then off to the steakhouse where we both ordered the “surf-n-turf” steak and lobster. Steaks cooked med-rare naturally..duh. It was amazingly delicious and for dessert I had the cake and my other a “baked Alaska”
lmao his face...
Attachment 29460
after dinner we catch the end of the show. And a little more drama on my part. (told you i'd be honest) Unfortunately before turning in at the room.
SIDE NOTE: If your into late-night nightlife THIS RIU probably not for you although if you stay at palace you have access to the sister property but if you stay at the club you do NOT have access to the palace property.
Enjoying your trip report and photos! And this is off subject, but your little dog (daschund?) is so cute!
Great TR we went to Jamaica for the first time in May and loved it. Can't wait to go back. We stayed at an AI also because we didn't know what to expect since it was our first time doing anything like that.
You write a great trip report and I am enjoying reading it. It makes me laugh when I read some parts because I know (as I'm sure many others do) how you were feeling. Remember, we've all been newbies and one time or another. I couldn't wait to return and did it one month later! LOL
Did you make it out of the AI or did you stay there all of the time? I do hope you were able to leave and see more of Negril. There is always next time though.
So I will do another installment i just have to type it... but I think if the boardies will have us we are going to try our hardest to be there in april for the boardie bash. I really want to stay at fun holiday seems like its in a good spot and a nice place.
MONDAY NOV.12, 2012
This morning I wake up before my other...big surprise... lol. SO I go outside with a piece of sub and sit on our porch and reflect on the previous night drama. I notice I feel different today. More free. I tell myself the rest of the vacation is GOING to be amazing. Eventually my other awakens, I'm not sure on the time I think I've fallen into the time warp known as Jamaican time because time seems to be non-existent anymore except where plans are laid. We get ready very slowly and barely make breakfast. I really want to go out into the water and relax out there. We get our spot under that tree previously posted. Here it is again...
Attachment 29476
Still a little self conscious (because i'm a big girl) I head to the water. I get to the waters edge and a man approaches me about ganja and pipes and he said I will wait while you go to the room, I say no I really want to go swim but thank you. He didn't look very happy with this but he accepted it. Wow now that did shake me a little but then I look up and out into the ocean and the entire world gets drowned out by the awe and utter beauty of Bloody Bay. So I swim as far out as the buoys would let me and I float for what felt like minutes but it was at least an hour and a half before being summoned back to the room...lol. So after showers and a wardrobe and head change hehe... we head out for dinner early and decide to go get some drinks ok.... Once we star walking around I'm feeling SUPER over dressed and so is my other, I mean we r getting looks like we are cray cray.
Attachment 29477
So I give my other my shoes and luckily I had sandals in my bag but this only helps a little. So we head back to the room and after a little break and a minor wardrobe shift, it was off to the Japanese restaurant. Mmm sushi <3. My other and I are sushi lovers and have mastered the art of using chopsticks and it was quite obvious that was not the case for everyone in the room. I love people watching. There was this couple whom I think were Russian he husband in the couple was in awe that my other and I could use the chopsticks, he made it obvious. Lol We were served way before the people around us and they didn't like it I found this funny because you could hear them complain to each other about it. Maybe being respectful and giving tips where deserve has its advantages... the tipping thing.... lmao don't worry Rob I wont start another problem about this... to be honest that person started it and I didn't agree … tips SHOULD be given to people that provide good service regardless if I'm staying at an AI or not... back to the report... Dinner was absolutely delicious. One thing about this resort good food good service was a constant for my stay. So we head to the bar I get a fresh orange shake... I got these daily definitely a suggestion if you don't feel like drinking alcohol. And off to their little slot area to gamble.. spent like 10 bucks then decided this wasn't my lucky night. At some point within these events I actually relax And feel myself again, something I haven't felt in a VERY LONG time. I was smiling involuntarily and it was good. Everything was Irie. I decide its time for more sub we head to the room and well the island took hold of my other and I we had an amazing night. WOW The island brings something special to the interaction between lovers it feels more primal and natural. Now don't get me wrong it's always great, I mean I wouldn't have stayed for what is now 10 years if it wasn't. (TOLD YOU I'D BE HONEST) But this was F###in' amazing no joke. Ok ok.... So basically this was all she wrote for this night but that was ok because we had to be ready for our Jeep safari by 8:50 a.m.
lol @ amazing lol
Well... what can I say.... I'm sure I'm not the only one. and if I ammm hahahahaha to you lmao... jk jk
happy for you . . . Jamaica is for lovers
bump - more please!
lol ok ok ... let me type this up...
TUESDAY NOV. 13, 2012
#Crazy annoying alarm sound# Now I really dislike this sound and I started to hate it once more until I realized what it was waking me for.... HELLOOOOO!!! You're in Jamaica! And you have a safari today! So my other and I wake up, shower, get dressed, pack the day bag... which included wata... ok sidenote... I always wondered why the boardies always spelt it wata.... As soon as I saw it I realized that's what its called and labeled... sorry I found this entertaining wata...lol wata.... ok.... wow squirrel moment sorry... so it contained wata, rum in a water bottle taken from our mini bar (don't tell),
Attachment 29496
a towel, camera w/ extra memory card, soda I cant recall the kind, and some snacks that we brought. I think I brought extra sunscreen too...I'm pretty white. So now we rush to breakfast and eat a wonderful breakfast before making our way to the lobby. My other has to run to the room to drop off some records … yes records as in vinyl... That one of the waiters had gotten for him. Money definitely talks in Jamaica. Anyway he only has 4 minutes to go to the room and back and we are on the farthest building. So I'm standing in the lobby and I must be obvious because our tour guide walks up and asks if I'm looking for her I say “yes but my boyfriend ran to the room really fast” so she has me sign some paperwork and he's still not back. Hmmm i'm getting really anxious that they might not want to wait for us. He makes it back just as our “jeep” gets there. The official name of the safari is jeep safari but we are really in a land rover with 8 seats in the back. As I step in I'm honestly not really paying attention and I accidentally call our female driver sir...For which I apologized profusely and explained it was a habit I acquired from working around military …. oh WONDERFUL. What a great start. Insult the driver...She's probably going to leave me in the jungle now. Great better keep up with the group...lol
Attachment 29497
So we are off to pick up our safari mates and literally 1 minute after we get on the road we pull in to the other RIU to pick up a very nice Canadian couple.
Along our drive we learn that they are grain farmers and are very knowledgeable from lots of traveling, 45 minutes later we stop at the grand palladium
Attachment 29498
to pick up another Canadian couple who were also nice but not as “friendly” to put it nicely. As we driver our driver tells us about the lucea clock fiasco and about the towns and parishes we pass through,
Attachment 29499
Attachment 29500
including a big water wheel which fascinated me.
Attachment 29501
Eventually we make our way up a mountain above montego bay for a view and photo op.
Attachment 29502
Attachment 29503
She serves us some rum punch delicious and strong at the same time. Before we leave our guide shows us the coolest plant I've ever seen. If you touch it it sort of closes up on itself. I forgot its name but I remember she said the slave owners brought it here and planted it around the property so they could track any slaves that tried to escape. She also says it takes about 15 minutes for it to reopen again... I have a video but I gotta figure that out.
Ahhh...the Chukka Tour. We took it on our first visit to Jamaica years ago. Hope you had fun!
We used to call that plant Shame Old Lady (written in the Queens English)Quote:
Originally Posted by Beebeluv
My parents saw the same plant in Australia.
Great trip report! Keep it coming.
So our driver pours us all rum punches and tells us we should drink fast because we will be wearing it...lol we head half way down the mountain and then turn to go up another. She is taking us to a very old church, it was gorgeous.
Attachment 29529
Attachment 29530
Attachment 29531
Attachment 29532
we met our only fur friend there. I absolutely love dogs I understand them something a lot of people don't get. I'm currently studying to become a veterinary assistant and eventually a vet. tech. I can't wait to help animals and I was hoping I'd get to meet a Jamaican dog and we did. My other names her Lucky and we giver her some crackers we had and 3 cups of water she sure was thirsty and bottled water was probably delicious to her... she has the cutest under-bite. She also had a ridge on her back So I think she was part Thai ridge-back but probably very mixed OK OK sorry... We have to leave and of course I didn't want to leave her but this is her home.
Attachment 29533
As we leave I notice a chicken with a single chick tailing her soo cute so we are driving down a fairly slender road and at about 5 minutes into it....”OH ****!” I cant find my phone so I ask the driver whom may I remind u I called sir off the bat... if she could turn around I really think I left my phone at the church, we go back and it's not there..... OK I totally checked everything twice before asking to turn around, I SWEAR OK however to my embarrassment.... yes, it was in.... my pocket. Wtf... REALLYYYY!!!! Oh great I'm like the retard of the group by now... wonderful...lol stupid american... but somehow I missed it and I apologize to everyone especially our driver for doing that for me. Someone hide me please...
I do that all the time...either my cell phone or my car keys!
We call that plant the Tickle Plant.
pictures not working for me :-(
Yeah I messaged Rob I'm just waiting for a reply... But it's friday and he deserves a life too... So I'm being very patient...
Beebe,
I have emailed you twice, if it isnt in your Inbox, please check your spam/junk folder....
I dont want you to think im ignorant or dumb but I really dont have those emails. =(
nevermind... will repost... after work...=) blonde moment no offence to anyone
So we are back off and we are heading to a very nice part of the Great river. This place is magical looking and feeling, I couldn't help but smile the entire time.
Attachment 29673
Attachment 29674
Attachment 29675
Attachment 29676
A dip in the water only cold water I've felt so far
Attachment 29677
As we head back to the “jeep” my other and I stay to the back a little to bite some sub lol... and another rum punch and we are off.
more pics from our portion to this adventure...
Attachment 29678
Attachment 29679
Attachment 29680
Attachment 29681
Attachment 29682
We were off to the Chukka lodge for jerk chicken.... soo good... My best description is a spicy and sweeter Arby's sauce, its different than that its just the best description that I can give. Anyway it was really good and the river here was beautiful. The lodge sits on a very pretty bend in the river.
Attachment 29683
Attachment 29684
Attachment 29685
Attachment 29686
A lil shroom
Attachment 29687
So our trip was coming to a closing and we were driving back when one of the females says she needs to use the restroom so our driver says “no problem” and we stop into the chukka main building. This was a beautiful area as well with horses =)...
Attachment 29688
Attachment 29689
Attachment 29690
Attachment 29691
Attachment 29692
So we head all the way back and drop off the GP couple. And the couple at the other Riu invite us over so we go....like I said in a side-note since we had bracelets for the Palace we could visit the club with no problem still all-inclusive drinks and all.So we tell our driver we want to be dropped here and she says OK she just wants to call the Palace and tell them we will be here. The 4 of us head to the pool bar for drinks, we sit and talk and of course have a few drinks and observe some very very drunk people including “drunk granny” who was smashed. The lady fell back luckily on to a pool lounger and they took her to her room. I have to say I'm glad I stayed at the palace this resort was much wilder and I was on vacation to relax not necessarily party hard. We see our friend “rasta” who works at this resort also and he offers to walk us down the beach to our resort because it was starting to get dark. On our walk not one Jamaican we passed bothered us because of our escort (I believe) and as we walk there are soo many little crabs and he catches one... this was funny to watch and he hands it to me in such a away it cant pinch me so I carry it for a while while I examine it then I free the little guy... we get back and thank him and we talk with him and his brother who walks up as we talk for quite a while. We head to dinner and eat knowing this is our last dinner here.This is our last night. Yes a short trip. At an AI yes. Reason?... Never traveled before and I wanted to know what I could expect before we go for a longer time... what if I hated it and i'm stuck in a country I don't like for 2 weeks... NOT THE CASE>>> I wish I stayed and was still there now. Next trip will be non AI and we will be out WAY more. So we head to the bar and drink some before turning in for the night.... The next day which I'm not going to separate, sorry to those of you with OCD, we wake up and pack most of our stuff and slowly head to breakfast trying to soak up as much of Jamaica air and vibe as we can before we have to leave... Breakfast good as usual So our transport comes on time and we are off to the airport. We get to the airport and I decide to pay for club mo bay totally worth it If you have more than an hour til your flight... drinks, shower, food, plugs.... I needed to charge like everything I had that was electronic... So we head off to the gate and I really don't want to go but I am not a citizen of this country... DAMNIT... back to America... geez the flight back itself was good but I had the worst case of RLS I've had in along time...(Restless Leg Syndrome) totally not a good time for that... stupid plane I wanted to just jump out of it... When we eventually arrive in LAX we get our checked bag and the very well cushioned bottle of rum cream has exploded all over all of my others clothes and he gets into an argument with the airline... lets just say we will not be flying us airways unless we HAVE to. OK I”M going to add pics I didn't add throughout the report.
The room at the riu... a lil messy... lol
Attachment 29693
Attachment 29694
Attachment 29695
Attachment 29696
Attachment 29697
the coolest Giant moth...
Attachment 29698
Attachment 29699
Attachment 29700
This lizard that visited our patio...
Attachment 29701
Attachment 29702