Here's a teaser...more to come this weekend.
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Here's a teaser...more to come this weekend.
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WOW, lovely pics. Lovely bride and groom too. Keep it coming
Nice photos.
Let me start by saying I'm not much of a trip report writer. I love love love reading others, but not sure that I have to offer what the rest of you do. But I'll give it my best. If you want more, let me know...if not, that's ok too. :) To those of you who report and write while in Jamaica ~ you amaze me. I so appreciate it! It's hard to find the time most days.
Ok, so I started this report earlier, but a quick recap. It was pouring in Michigan when we left and cold cold cold! Flew from Michigan to Atlanta and then on to Mo Bay. Flights were on time and even a bit early. Good stuff. We made it through customs and immigration in record time. Seriously, 15 minutes through Sangster. A record for us for sure! Welcome to Jamaica...yeah, I'm home! Our daughter and her soon to be hubby arrived before us and were waiting outside customs for us. Is there anything like that first wall of heat that blasts you as you walk through the doors to the taxi area? The heat, the smells, and the sounds of patios....it is a healing balm for my soul. I stop to take the moment in and just breathe. For the first time in a few months, I am relaxed. Kenny Salmon was our driver (huge shout out to him!! kennyjamaica@ gmail.com) although because there were so many of us coming in at different times, we rode with Everton whom he sent for us. As soon as we pulled away from the curb, Kenny was on the phone with me to check in.
This trip, as most of you know, was for our daughter's wedding. It was a trip of 25 people, 19 of which had never been to Jamaica. One of those 19 is our 13 year old son. He has always wanted to go with, but as of yet, it just hadn't worked that way. As much as I was anticipating our trip, so was he. He said several times before we left how excited he was, even though I knew he didn't really know what exactly to be excited about. Going through the week, watching him explore, learn, and fall in love with Jamaica was the absolute best. He loves it like we do. More on his experiences to come.
We head out and stop at Jerkies to grab some jerk and some cold beers/Tings for the trip to Negril. Again...just yum. The drive to Negril is one of my favorite parts. It gives me time to clear my mind and just absorb the beauty of the island. I found myself quiet during the drive, even though there were 9 of us in the van. The road to Negril gives me time to wind down...I never mind the drive. There was lots of rain on the way and before I knew it we pulling up to the Riu Palace.
We started our trips to Negril at Point Village and loved it there. Our last trip was to Rooms and our first trip not AI. I have loved all of my trips, each a bit different and for different reasons. I didn't choose Riu Palace, the kids did as that's where they wanted to be married. I know lots of you aren't huge fans of the AIs, especially the RIUs, but let me tell you, it was the perfect place to indoctrinate all of these newbies. It's really a great hotel, however, I'm not sure I would stay there again at least for the whole trip. The staff were fabulous, the food was good, the drinks were delicious, and the vendors and musicians on the beach were my favorite. The reason I might not return? We just felt we aren't AI people any more....I like the freedom we had at Rooms, but for what we needed this trip ~ RPTB was perfect.
The first couple of days were mostly beach days. Lazy days of laying on the beach, greeting the people arriving each day, and a couple of meetings. Thursday we went up and met with Patty at Canoe to make sure we were all set for Saturday night. Had a few beers/dirty bananas and then just hung out for a bit. Only my hubby and I went. It was nice to have a bit of time by ourselves as more and more people were arriving each day! I can't say enough great things about Patty and Canoe in general. Just love her. I love the location. I love the shabby chic of it all. God, I wish I were there right now.
Back to the hotel, more people arriving and then to the beach. Today was a beautiful day ~ great sun with a few clouds to make it from being too hot. Perfection. More to come later.
nice... Can't wait to stop at Jerkie's next week!! Beautiful bride!!
Great photos Jenn. Lovely bride, congrats to All in the family.
It was nice seeing you on the beach.
Now post some more pics please.....lol
This is wonderful, please keep bringing the joy of your trip. Lovely pics. Can't wait to hear more of the 13 yro's ah ha moments.
Here's a couple of pictures to hold you over until I can get back to the report. Coming back to work is just brutal. Plus...it snowed here today. Sigh.
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Back to the hotel, we went to search for the 13 year old who was hanging out with my cousin and her husband and our daughter and soon to be son in law. Found them on the beach. Quick change into our suits, a cold drink from the bar and we were good to go. Now, in preparing for this trip (our 13 year old's first) there were lots of things we wanted him to be ready for and able to handle. Topless women, the availability of ganja, hanging out with mostly all adults.... Let me say, you can't really prepare your 13 year old son for topless women. He would mostly just blush and doubt us. Well...first day on the beach = first eyeful for him. haha There were many Europeans at the RPTB, and therefore, many a topless woman. We happened to be out in the water swimming as a couple of topless women walked towards the water. I thought he would die. He blushed and blushed. He and I had a brief chat about "not staring" and just ignore it if it makes you uncomfortable, they have a right to do as they please. This was met with lots of giggles and it seemed that was the end of it. Throughout the rest of the trip, I'm not sure I heard another word from him about it.
As for the other? Never once was he approached or asked about it. As a matter of fact, we were walking down the beach and someone called out to ask my husband if he needed any smoke, but saw our son with us. He very respectfully apologized profusely saying he did not see our son. No problem and we walked on.
Anyhow, today our first newbies arrive. Yeah! They are bringing their two teenage daughters as well. Dry off from swimming, and off we go to meet them. They get checked in and join us on the beach. Lunch at the jerk shack (pretty yummy) and then back up to meet two more newbies and my sister in law. Our son is rooming with his aunt for the rest of the week. Everyone is settled and meets back at the pool. Most of the week, the only part of my son I saw was his head. Up to his shoulders in the ocean...up to his shoulders in the pool...always swimming. He is a fish!
Everyone heads back to their rooms to get settled a bit, showered and ready for dinner. We all meet up at the lobby bar and listen to piano man. He is soooo good. I could have sat and listened to him for hours! However, everyone was getting hungry ~ so off to dinner. We all ate together at the buffet. Not too much Jamaican food, but dear God there were lots of choices! So much food, but I'll get to that later in the report. After dinner ~ we headed over to the show and enjoyed many a cocktail. Afterwards, off to bed. I always wonder why I can't sleep in when I'm in Jamaica. It seems like I'm up by 5:30 every day....but perhaps that is because I am in bed by 10:30?!
The next day was more of the same...floating in the ocean, greeting more family arriving, Red Stripes, frozen drinks, and music on the beach. We talked about taking a sunset cruise, the girls went parasailing, but for most of us...sand gravity just held us in place. In the morning we had to meet with Ann Marie (the wedding planner) and take care of wedding business. Once that was done, I began to relax.
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Saturday during the day was more of the same...floating, enjoying the vendors, soaking up the sun, and of course, a few more Red Stripes. Tonight was the big dinner at Canoe. Everyone was to be ready and meet in the lobby at 5:00. I was up a bit early so that I could figure out transportation. I had given a couple of recommended drivers a call, but not enough luck. It's one thing for hubby and I to jump in a route taxi and go...it's another thing entirely to get 25 people somewhere. Especially when most of them are newbies. I was trying really really hard not to be the tour director all of the time and just wanted this to be easy. Walked up to the taxi stand and chatted with the girl there. Suddenly, a driver walks up that I recognize. David drives a JUTA bus, and had taken us on a couple of rides on previous trips. He has a big bus that can take everyone in one fell swoop to Canoe. Perfect. Again, I'm feeling just too lazy, or perhaps overwhelmed, by the possibility of getting everyone individual cabs on the road. David was great! He was entertaining as he gave everyone the tour of Negril and everyone was happy to be together. We arrive at Canoe and I am blown away with what Patty has done. It is simply perfect. Everything from the tables to the decorations to the rum punches upon arrival are top notch! We spend some time just enjoying the vibe there, chatting and having some of drinks. Dinner was served about an hour later as the sun was setting. Perfection. We had arranged two choices for everyone ahead of time: grilled snapper or jerk chicken. Everyone LOVED the food. After dinner, there were many more drinks to be had. Grandpa even bought all the boys a round of tequila shots ~ what?! LOL Grandpa doesn't drink much...other than an occasional glass of wine. To see he and grandma do a shot of tequila got everyone going! We spend a couple more hours just enjoying ourselves. During this time, a dessert sampler was served. Again ~ YUM! I mentioned before that Patty really went all out for the night. The night ended with hugs for the kitchen staff, the girls at the bar, and of course, Patty and Kirby from everyone!
A great night was had by all! We all got back to the hotel and spent the remainder of the night laughing and partying it up. Well, most of us. A few had to go to bed.... :) Again, a thousand thanks and a ton of love to Patty, Kirby and the staff at Canoe for making a perfect night for all!
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Sorry this report seems to be taking forever. :/ If you want more ~ let me know...oh how I wish I were back on vacation.
C'mon now we now you can do it - little bit at a time - you'll get it done. No pressure but we love trip reports and weddings !
I'm loving the report and all the pics are great!
Ok, more to come this weekend!! :)
I'll be looking forward to it. Great report and pics