What/ when is your " Ahhh" moment???

There is a moment in my Negril trip that I get a silly grin, when my body relaxes and the mind lets go, to realize, that It's real and I'm free. The worries are left behind and the adventure has begun. It's different for all the trips I've taken.
One of those moments is when looking out of the aircraft, I first see the change of sea colour. From Inky black to dark blue to a swirly agua green blue of the tropical waters. I know I'm almost there and the one hundred pound weight leaves my shoulders.
Does anyone have that moment? Is it when you turn a corner at the airport and see a familiar face? Is it when you see a familiar landmark or have a particular drink in a particular bar? Share your moments with us! It will be interesting to read.

When we hit Lucea, and see all of the daily activity going on around the streets. Ahhh...

when i get to the airport for departure . . . . my holiday started!!!

When I exit the airport and see the hustle and bustle then when I have my first 2 Red Stripes at the Groovy Grouper.

As soon as the planes wheels touch down in Mobay!!

1st Red Stripe while waiting for our transfer to Negril

As soon as the plane ticket is bought. Cause I know that's all I need is just to get there and the rest is go with the flow..........

1) When I push the button on Air tickets and Accomodations
2) Wheels down in Mobay
3) toes in the sand
4) first dunk in the sea

For me there's stages...
There has been a couple times when I actually got teary eyed at wheels down in mobay. The first time that hapened was totally unexpected and more of an "ah-ha" moment. But wheels down is the start. Then there's that moment you walk through the exit door and the heat hits you, and as Jamerican71 says, the action starts. The relaxation starts right there becuse I know Linston will be there to pick me up, then it's on to the Groovy Grouper for the celebratory Red Stripe!

When Customs says "Go on" :)

This is easy! Whenever we first pull over roadside or we get to the hotel so I can release the 4-5 beers I had pounded in the taxi on the way from the airport.

I stand there and go AAAAAHHHHHHH as relief comes.

Thats funny Flip. Last trip to Negril from airport I was pounding the stripes as fast as I could. Eventually I had to go, but I felt bad about going along the side of the road and just held it in. Well it got to the point that there was no holding it. Even though we were almost at our hotel (Xtabi) I made our driver stop in front of Burger King. It was a good thing there was an available stall because it was easily the closest I have been to pissing my pants since I was wearing diapers.
This December I will cut it back a notch, just to be safe lol.
My Ahhh moment- touchdown at Mobay airport.

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Originally Posted by Lola

When Customs says "Go on" :)

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TEHE! I love this one!

Spurs of "Ahhh" for me...
The moment I land safely
Once I'm all unpacked and relaxing for the first time on my balcony with cocktail/sub
First morning coffee on the balcony
First live music vibe

After the ATM, After shopping at Megamart, After a road beer......

Get to the yard, kiss Izel and greet our dogs, unpack in the apartment, turn on the AC, have a draw and then

Up to Zion Hill and see this Ahhhhhhhhhhhh

Cap

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Mine will be a bit different....
but nothing reminds me more of the "ahhh moment"...
than sitting in a roadside restaurant or bar, watching traffic go by with visitor's mushed up to the vehicle's windows and the look on their face is what I love calling the 'Negril perma Grin'...
makes me smile big time!

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Arriving at my home after an afternoon shower to see this view.

Bless Up!

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Originally Posted by sandman66

Thats funny Flip. Last trip to Negril from airport I was pounding the stripes as fast as I could. Eventually I had to go, but I felt bad about going along the side of the road and just held it in. Well it got to the point that there was no holding it. Even though we were almost at our hotel (Xtabi) I made our driver stop in front of Burger King. It was a good thing there was an available stall because it was easily the closest I have been to pissing my pants since I was wearing diapers.
This December I will cut it back a notch, just to be safe lol.
My Ahhh moment- touchdown at Mobay airport.

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My wife had to pop a squat road side behind a bush on the way in once. lol.

Used to be when the plane door opened and we descended the stairs onto the tarmac. Loved the smell and heat of that Jamaican air.

Feeling the heat as we step out of the departure hall, seeing the "goings on"

There are many small "ahhh" moments upon arrival - the smell and feel of the air when you step out of the airport, that first "real" Red Stripe (not the junk that's brewed in the US), the arrival into Negril and walking to our room while passing so many familiar smiling faces, etc. But for me, the BEST "ahhh" moment is that first morning. When I've just set up my beach spot for the day and look out onto the gorgeous, calm blue water. Hardly anyone on the beach in those early hours when the sun just begins to brighten the sky. I can finally take a deep breath, look around me, and relax. I've taken hundreds of photos of that moment over the years, but not one can capture the feeling.

For me its when you walk out of the airport and the air hits you. Its like ahhhhhh now that's more like it! :)

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Originally Posted by Crusher

For me its when you walk out of the airport and the air hits you. Its like ahhhhhh now that's more like it! :)

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Like yours and others, that's mine too. It's especially refreshing when you leave the cold weather at home. We usually go AI and I'll step outside of the arrivals hall while my wife heads to the resort lounge to check us in. I just can't wait get that feeling. Nothing like it. I usually get to the resort lounge with my wife giggling, shaking her head and asking ,"Feel better now?" My only reply is the what Lisa (bnewb) described...the "permagrin".

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Originally Posted by sher

There are many small "ahhh" moments upon arrival - the smell and feel of the air when you step out of the airport, that first "real" Red Stripe (not the junk that's brewed in the US), the arrival into Negril and walking to our room while passing so many familiar smiling faces, etc. But for me, the BEST "ahhh" moment is that first morning. When I've just set up my beach spot for the day and look out onto the gorgeous, calm blue water. Hardly anyone on the beach in those early hours when the sun just begins to brighten the sky. I can finally take a deep breath, look around me, and relax. I've taken hundreds of photos of that moment over the years, but not one can capture the feeling.

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Yeah, actually I think I want to change my answer to this. That first wake up on the cliffs from our favorite room (view that can't be beat) with a fresh up of coffee and Shamrock oj. Yessir.

Since I have not yet been to Jamaica, but my 'ahhh' moment for the other islands I've visited is when I first look out of the plane window and see that beautiful blue Caribbean Sea.

~Moose

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Originally Posted by CosmicMoose

Since I have not yet been to Jamaica, but my 'ahhh' moment for the other islands I've visited is when I first look out of the plane window and see that beautiful blue Caribbean Sea.
~Moose

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Cosmic I cant wait to hear your thoughts about Jamaica...do you plan on doing a report after your visit?

That first walk out onto the beach.

Mine would be when you first leave Departure Hall and you feel
The heat. I love seeing the Hustle and Bustle and jumping in the car with our driver and taking off. Just knowing vacation has just started. Then of course those first red stripes and rum punches.

I think all of the above, and finding familiar faces on the beach. Wearing the grin now, lol

So many different "AHHH" moments...the first happens (like many of you said) when you see the color of the water turning from dark to aqua....then the first step out of the airport - the heat, the busyness, the smells. Again, hitting Lucea with all of its activity. But my real ahh moment happens as soon as we check in to our hotel, the first thing I *MUST* do is walk to the water and put my feet in it. My husband used to want to take a few moments and unpack, get situated, but now he knows....drop the luggage, grab a drink and head straight to the water in my travel clothes...ahhhh now, I'm home.

For me when the plane lands safely in Mobay!!! :)

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Originally Posted by IRIEchic

Cosmic I cant wait to hear your thoughts about Jamaica...do you plan on doing a report after your visit?

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I'm hoping to do some live streaming if possible using Periscope (a video streaming part of Twitter), and some tweets hopefully.

@scottmoos for both

And yeah, will def try and do a post trip recap! I'm going to say most of it will probably be about food :p

~Moose

When the driver takes that last right turn as you are leaving MoBay. The ride to Negril has begun!

That smell you get once you exit the airport!!!

that 1st dip into the sea! Then i can exhale!

Only been to Jamaica twice, but for me, after all the hassle of traveling, the sheer gratitude when our driver hands me that I C E C O L D Red Stripe. Oh my gosh....

Anticipation......(hum the song... It helps-:cool: )
Almost home.....
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Soo close......
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Run out that airport door and say Aaaaaaaaagh!
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Relax.... Apply Sunblock, Spliff's, and Red Stripes as needed.......
Repeat.......

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Originally Posted by JamaGinger

That first walk out onto the beach.

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This is a good one.
I'll never forget the first few times staying at Firefly...checking in, dropping the bags, walking down the path, through the garden, past the flowers, humming birds, past the penthouse and cottage...taking that first step into the sand as it opens up to the whole panorama of sun, sand and sea.

yup Mikey, Firefly was my first place to stay and walking out that path to the beach and to see Maxine and Shawn was a great moment in my life.I remember it like it was yesterday.For me, it's seeing that Negril sign right before the all inclusives signals, Ahhh, I'm home.

With Red Stripe in hand, hitting up my first sub at the roadside soup place we always stop at. Let the good vibes roll lol.

Walking out of the airport and seeing Linston waiting for us - we're home and it's officially no responsibility time!