Team GRITS, spacers, Greg, swiss cake rolls, and RICE AND BEANS!!

Ok, this is my first attempt at a trip report. So I can't promise that it will be the best thing ever written but I'm certainly going to give it a try! This trip exceeded all expectations...it was more exciting, more fun, more memorable than I thought was possible! I knew this trip was going to be a second honeymoon for my husband and me, but I didn't anticipate the fun and friendships that would come as a result.

I always think a story is best told from the beginning, so that's where I will start! Hubs and I had an overnight connection in ATL with our flight to JA leaving at 830 Monday morning. Well, to make a long story short (or to get to the point quicker haha), our evening flight was delayed (shades of past trips...terrible!). Luckily, our bags were packed at the front door, just waiting to leave. I yelled at my husband to pack the car and let's book it to the airport. I figured that we could possibly get on an earlier flight. I knew that you could change your flight for fifty bucks the day of if there were seats available. We hugged and kissed our daughter, said good-bye to Nana (who was kind enough to let A, our daughter, stay for two weeks...they had their own adventure while we were gone, but I'll get into that later). <Sidenote, I am particularly fond of parentheses and ellipses. So humor me...> Of course, we head out like two speed demons. We get four minutes down the road, and I check the MyDelta app on my phone again. That's how I saw our flight was delayed. Well, I scrolled down and saw that they offered an option to rebook another flight, free. If I hadn't been in such an all-fired hurry, I would have seen that before. We rebooked and were somewhat calmed down. Travel always puts us on edge and I didn't want to start our trip out fussing at each other. Or, me fussing at him...lol!

We got there in plenty of time. Not much to say about Day 1, Sunday, except we had the bad luck to be sitting in front of a guy on the plane who described, IN DETAIL, the almost-crashing-emergency-landing-gear not coming down-experience of the flight he was just on. Now, I'm normally not a nervous Nellie or anything, but even I wanted to tell the guy to SHUT UP!!! LOL! There's only so much you can take. Luckily, we landed in ATL just fine. Got to hotel, ordered Domino's Pizza online (which is pretty cool when you live out in the middle of nowhere), and went to bed because three AM comes pretty early.

A quick explanation of the title...while those things may seem random, in actuality they are all are very important elements of our trip. Don't worry, I'll explain it all IN DUE TIME!!!

Coming up, the official day 1 description!

Oh, and I'm gonna figure out how to post pictures for this. Got some good ones LOL

rubbing palms ....

GerryG, one of the mottos on this trip was, "No one tag these pictures on Facebook!! LOL

that usually means it's going to be a good report ....

Yay.. I get to relive my trip! Also remember, I've got some pretty funny pictures I can post as well, so be nice on what u post of me. Maybe I'll just do a picture report. I don't have time to type it all out! :) Doesn't one picture = 1000 words?

Oh boy, another great t:cool:rip report!!! Great start and can't wait to hear more..

Steph, I beg of you...lol. You know I don't even have to say it!!!

Gerry, it was a great trip! I hope the report does it justice!!

Woo Hoo!
I'm ready!

Thats a great start, keep it coming!

Day 1
I won't bore you with the airport details. Other than the shuttle to the International terminal takes FIFTEEN minutes to get you there and you cross into another county lol. But other than that...the terminal itself is really nice. Everything is brand-new. We had no wait at all at the counter. We had checked in online and our luggage was checked back in Memphis. We made it through security and chilled out for a while. Boarded plane and after a slight problem with our auxilliary power, we were off!

Made it into MoBay about ten minutes early. We got off the plane, walked (sprinted really, but who's counting) to customs, did all the business required, and were picking up our luggage in less than fifteen minutes. That was the quickest trip through ever. Ironically, waiting on our luggage took the longest.

How to describe that first moment when you walk out of the airport? All of us who've been to JA before know what I mean...the smell (that I love), the sounds (that I love), the views (that I love...sensing a pattern?)-- no way to describe the undescribable! It was awesome! We couldn't have had a better day to arrive, that's for sure. Sunny, hot, slight breeze blowing...wonderful!

Kingsley was our driver for this trip. He knew us automatically, which I thought was pretty cool. We talked for a few minutes, made each other laugh, and then decided to be on our way. We went to follow him and he said, "No mon, stay here and I'll bring the car to you!" Hey, not gonna argue with that!

We had two stops that we needed to make before we left MoBay. First stop, a cambio. I wish I would have remembered the name, but it was on the Hip Strip. Ok, this is kind of dorky but I thought it was cool anyway. I changed $500 US and came out with $43,000+ JA. C and I were giggling about that, and I thought I took a picture of the receipt but I can't find it! Speaking of pictures, I am going to try and add them to the report. I took some good ones, some terrible ones, and some ones that could quite possibly finance my next trip LOL!

Second stop was Mega Mart, which is exactly like a smaller Sam's Club or Costco if you've never been. While we were in a hurry to get to Negril, we couldn't help but look around. You see, my husband considers himself to be a world-class bulk shopper. Now this is the man who reluctantly agrees to go grocery shopping with me and simulataneously posts of FB how he is stuck in hell because he is at the store. But something about bulk buying...IDK. Anyway, I digress. Speaking of which, I do that a LOT. Which ironically, will play into the trip report! Back to the story, because we are dorks we walked around the store taking pictures of price tags. My personal favorite was the multi-pack of Degree Deodorant for $1228! Love it!

So anyway, we bought a case of Ting, two cases of the multiplying Red Stripe, a case of water, and a small bag of chips. Yes, we know where our priorities are!

Ok, posting this and then I'm going to try and upload some pictures.

Coming up, the harrowing journey to Negril!
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Waiting for the flight to MoBay...
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Some pictures at the airport!
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Just to prove I'm a dork...lol

Thanks TFW, So looking forward to your TR....great start....can tell this one will be funny!

Ok, continuing on Day 1 (this is more fun that I thought it would be!)...because I'm nice I let my husband sit in the front seat of Kingsley's van. Of course, nothing is that simple. I prefer to be oblivious, or Bolivian if you like jokes, to impeding car crashes. He just thinks I am being nice, which works for me either way. Surprisingly, traffic is light. We quickly make our way from the cambio to Mega Mart. Oops, I've already gone over this. Let me skip ahead.

We kept forgetting about the wrong sides of the vehicle. It's been two years since we were in JA, so that is reasonable. We loaded our stuff up, careful to keep the precious cargo safe. I was sure we would need that beer later in the week! So we took off, windows down, enjoying the sights and sounds. Kingsley stopped and picked up a young lady who needed a ride to Negril. Not what we were expecting, but hey, it was fine with us. I had really intended to stop at Bigga's for some jerk, but the closer we came to Negril, the more I just wanted to get there. I know y'all know exactly what I am talking about!

Pulling into Negril, I asked Kingsley what the houses/condos being built before you got to the Riu were...he told me they were being built for the workers at the hotel. They looked nice, I don't know what the local opinion over the buildings are and I'm hesitant to assume anything. Regardless, I still think they look nice.

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We arrived at Coco. Now, I'll preface this by saying I absolutely love Cocolapalm. Perfect location, awesome beach, super friendly people. What's not to love? Our room had some issues, however. I don't like to dwell on the negative, so I will just say quickly that we brought the issues to their attention and it was fixed to our satisfaction. Would I return to Coco? Definitely!

So anyway, we go to our room and quickly unpack. We decide to go to the beach. Well, it was almost dead out there, which was great! We ordered a couple of Red Stripes and a late lunch. Swam for a while and rested, then it started raining. No thunder or lightening, just a steady, straight down rain. So we stayed in the ocean for a bit and then went in sat in the jacuzzi, which was really cool. If you haven't been to Coco's jacuzzi, it's hidden in the foliage. Sitting in it with the rain coming down was a highlight. It was very, very cool. We stayed out for quite a while and then it was time to go wash up and go to Pushcart for dinner.

Coming up, dinner with some new friends who felt like long lost family!

This report is another good one mon!!

Ahhhh, feel like I'm tagging right along in real time!!! Loving it! This is helping me survive for 5 more long months before next reach. Keep it coming...please???
Great to see Kingsley...he truly is a great guy and driver.

I'm back!!! Continuing Day 1!

So, we get showered and changed, all dolled up if you will. We walk out to the office and while it's never a good idea to ask your hotel to get you a cab, I decided to roll the dice. Stick with me, you'll see why in a minute lol.

First driver walks up and I ask him, "Fifteen bucks to Pushcart?" and he says that he can't do it. Cool, thanks anyway! So the second driver walks up and I repeat my questions. He replies no way, drivers can't do it for less than twenty. So I said thanks, but I can't do it for more than fifteen!

So we walk up to the road and an empty route taxi stops. I say, five bucks to Pushcart? Of course he says no, I need ten. So I say thanks anyway and turn around. He yells out, "Wait! I will do it for six!" Cool. So we get in and make our way to Pushcart. When we get there, we're a little early. So C and I are sitting at the bar and he proceeds to tell me that I insulted those taxi drivers LOL. Well I didn't mean to! :) Anyway, C gets a Red Stripe and I ask the bartender what would he recommend. He makes me some frozen banana alcohol type thing. Pretty good, I must say. While we were there, a girl ordered one of those drunken coconut things. WOW! I think I'd be under the table if I had one of those.

We're at the Pushcart to have dinner with some folks y'all may know...Rob and Lisa! WOOHOO! Also, this would be the official 'joining', if you will, of TEAM GRITS. Of course, we also were blessed with the company of another boardie...the same boardie who christened us TEAM GRITS. I haven't asked him if he wanted to be in the report, so I'll refer to him as Boardie X, for now. I liked Lisa right away, even though she is Canadian* (now don't get mad, it's not terrible. She does like mayo and cheese after all). Rob is super funny and of course I like anyone who laughs at my jokes! C monopolized Gary and Steph (he's still Gary at this point, his alter ego GREG hasn't been born yet) and Boardie X. We did take some fabulous pictures before we ate. Let me post some right now for you.
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Now, I can't stress how wonderful the company was! We laughed and joked and were loud and carried on. It was wonderful! It didn't feel like we were strangers whatsoever. I knew, KNEW, at this point that our vacation was going to be epic.

On to the food...which you will find in my trip report will be important. I hate I didn't take pictures here of the food! Many times during the trip I'd only remember to take pictures after I'd taken a couple of bites, or just plain forgot to take the pictures! UGH! Terrible! Anyway, I had the jerk sampler. It was delicious! This is what I always get. This time I remembered more food on the plate than before, not complaining however! The festival was so good and the jerk was delicious. The food was just outstanding. Couldn't have started out the trip any better.

This would be the end of Day 1....or at least all of Day 1 I'm going to tell you MUAHAHAHAHA!

TFW, your trip sounds wonderful so far! Love how you jump right in meeting new people on the first night. :-)
Also like how you went with the flow and didn't mind when your driver stopped and picked up another customer. Cool vibes! Still waiting to hear how the swiss cake rolls fit into this report! ha!

Thanks y'all! I forgot to tell y'all that the asterik denoted extreme teasing lol

Eden, I'm not sure how in depth I will be going into the whole swiss cake roll thing! :)

Go team GRITS !

Yah Yah!
Team GRITS (Girls.Raised.In.The.South) :)

Yes indeed lol!

Day 2's title will be "The South takes over Coco's beach" ;)

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Originally Posted by tfw73

I knew, KNEW, at this point that our vacation was going to be epic.

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This got me choked up - I feel ya girl.
LOVE how you handled your ride plans so expertly - at $6 you were paying the fair rate of $400 plus a tip that you chose to agree to give him. I am loving the report and look forward to more. Thank you for sharing with us. Much love!
Rock on GRITS

Thanks, Sweetness! I actually gave him seven bucks in the end. He was pretty cool.

This trip was incredible, just amazing. I can't wait to describe the wild days! I just hope I can remember all of it haha!

Man how did I miss you guys? What room were you in? I checked in to Coco on the 10th and was in the jr suite above the pool so I thought I saw pretty much every one in the hotel walk by at least once!

314. We didn't check out until the 12th! We parked ourselves under the sea grape tree at the end of the walk from the restaurant!

Day 2 coming sometime today, lol.

This is awesome! I was so happy to see that you started a trip report!! YAY!! :D
I love it so far and I'm really looking forward to the next installment! keep it coming!
(I'm curious to hear how Gary becomes "GREG" lol!)

Clarity, that's on day 2! Lol

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Originally Posted by tfw73

314. We didn't check out until the 12th! We parked ourselves under the sea grape tree at the end of the walk from the restaurant!

Day 2 coming sometime today, lol.

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I was in 336! What a bummer.

Love it, great stuff, very funny and conversational! Time to change careers and book next April!! :)

LOL @ changing careers! Lawdy mercy!

Rastagal, that is crazy. And we looked for you the entire time all of us were in Negril!

Someone had to say it! Marley has already started a few rituals for your benefit! :)

There may be a way she doesn't have to change careers (though I like your thinking GG)

Is it unheard of to call in sick for a week?

Day 2- The South takes over Coco's Beach

I wish I could remember the exact FB posting made by Boardie X, but it was something similar to this. Since he is from Missouri, we decided to adopt him into the fold anyway!

We met another guest this day, a really nice lady that we will call L (it's the initial of her first name, which I'm sure you gathered haha). L and I had an adventure later in the day. Let's just say a combination of a really persistant sub salesman and a woman whose hormone pills weren't working up to par makes a bad situation lol.

So, I'll preface this by saying that I'm the kind of person who goes, goes, and goes. Vacation is no excuse to sleep late! No sirree! So I was up at SIX FREAKIN' AM every morning, even after the pub crawl. I'll just act like this was by choice. Anyway, I was up early and out on the beach at six AM. C and I made our way to the beach and staked out our spot which we claimed for the entire time we were there. If you're on my FB, you'd see the same picture I posted every morning. Here's an example:
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Me, on a lounger under the sea grape tree, looking out to the ocean...bliss! Digressing, sorry. After we had sat for a while, we decided to take a little stroll down the beach, south-ish, towards town. We really didn't get very far, past White Sands, when we saw a small needlefish frantically swimming/jumping out of the water. It was neat! Not so much for the little fish, because there was a HUGE needlefish chasing it! Honestly, it was the coolest thing. They were jumping so fast, it was crazy. The bigger fish chased the little one right up on the sand....he leaped and flying through the air....landing in a big plop on the sand! Oh no! Somebody save the fish, LOL! So because I'm a nice person (there is a backstory to this, I saved a turtle one morning and I told my daughter that I saved a turtle, so I must be a nice person, don't laugh...she didn't believe me either), I told my husband to pick it up and throw it back. He has experience with that nature stuff, so he did. One of the workers at White Sands saw the whole thing, so we talked with him for a few minutes. Poor C was afraid that he threw the little fish to his death, in other words the big fish had a good breakfast.

After that, we walked a little more. I had no idea what time it was so we turned back and headed 'home'. It was a nice little walk. When we got back, I walked to the front office to check about guests. Now, I know Coco doesn't have the best reputation about allowing guests on property. They sure make you jump through hoops to have visitors! I worried that Steph and Gary (still Gary at this point, the metamorphosis is approaching!) wouldn't bring their IDs. Apparently not everyone wakes up at the crack of dawn (who knew?), so I ended up waking Steph. Steph, I really did feel bad....I swear! Anyway, after informing them of the need for IDs, we packed up the essentials for the beach (cooler and Red Stripes). Oops, I almost forgot to describe breakfast!

Generally speaking, breakfast was the same for us every morning. We didn't deviate much from the same meal every morning....which is cool. As long as I had Coco's crack, I mean Coco's banana bread, then I was good. Seriously, that stuff is addictive. Best banana bread EVER.

Ok, anyway....C and I were chilling on the beach. I hate that word, truly I do, but I can't think of another one that is so appropriate. Boardie X comes up and the three of us are talking. I will leave out the numerous times I ran back and forth to the front office to check if Steph and GARY had arrived yet. I'd have to sign them in and they couldn't come on property until I did so (which wasn't exactly true, stay with me). That worried the tar out of me! I was afraid I'd miss them and then what?!?! C and I were super excited that Steph and GARY wanted to come hang with us that day. And of course, we planned on walking down and checking out the Fun Holiday webcast at noon. Well, I shouldn't have worried because I hear my name yelled out in that SC twang, "Tracieeeeee!" I look up and there is Steph and GARY! WOOHOOOOO!

After all of that business was taken care of, the five of us were hanging out on the beach. Details aren't important, truly, I can't remember what all we talked about! But what I thought was great was the five of us just got along like we'd know each other forever. I guess it's the constant interaction on the board, whatever it is, it's wonderful. It just felt right. C and I started passing out cold Red Stripes and the only reason I bring this up is because our beer multiplied throughout our vacation. Seriously! IDK how it happened, I guess it was MAGIC haha. I know we went through at least two six-packs that day, so it was spooooooky. Ok, sorry....I was getting carried away.

Coming up, our trip down to Fun Holiday!

Oh, I forgot to add...C had a nice story to tell GARY, Rob, and Boardie X. He told them he went HANDGRABBING (or noodling, whatever it's called) in Negril lol. They must have had some kind of a conversation about that the night before because they all just died laughing. The husband was so proud, I couldn't tell him to stop telling that story haha.

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Originally Posted by marley9808

There may be a way she doesn't have to change careers (though I like your thinking GG)

Is it unheard of to call in sick for a week?

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no, not unheard of! I do have seven sick days ;) LOL

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Originally Posted by Guirigay

Someone had to say it! Marley has already started a few rituals for your benefit! :)

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I was just thinking that if I DID change careers, I would probably have more money more OFTEN to come to JA lol

:)

Okay, on second thought, maybe I don't want to know! Ha! LOL!

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Originally Posted by tfw73

Thanks y'all! I forgot to tell y'all that the asterik denoted extreme teasing lol

Eden, I'm not sure how in depth I will be going into the whole swiss cake roll thing! :)

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eden

Okay, on second thought, maybe I don't want to know! Ha! LOL!

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Naw... you don't wanna know. We might get kicked off the board for telling that one :)

Love that picture, I miss Negril beach so much!
I think it's sweet that your hubby saved that fish... Well, at least gave the little guy a fighting chance at survival. ;) It's a real kind gesture

Clarity I am totally taking credit for that one haha