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Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
There have been a couple of requests for a trip report from boardies who are missing Negril, so we have decided to give it a shot.
I know what you are saying, it's not October 30 yet, so how can you already be telling us about your trip??? Well as most of you know, in this Covid 19 world that we are currently living in, your trip now starts way before you actually start traveling. We went last night for our pre-trip Covid Test. Very easy process at a drive-thru testing facility that they have set up near our house. We did have to pre-register, but once we got there the whole thing took less than 1 minute (not joking). Told them our names, they retrieved the pre-labeled vials with our names on them and after a little nostril discomfort, we were done and off. Could have kept the car rolling slowly and probably would have been OK. Now to wait 48-72 hours for the results (not worried).
Next step is to work on the travel authorization. We'll be back to update this report once that process starts.
This idea of an election day trip was actually the original idea of a friend of ours who has since had to cancel because he was going to do a split stay and as the months dragged on and split stays were not allowed, he canceled because he had a line in the sand with work details and someone to watch his pets. It was commitment time for him and the rules simply hadn't changed yet so he made the decision to call it off. So we've taken the trip and have run with it. It should be interesting to be in Jamaica during a US Presidential election (and one that is highly contested, etc.). Don't worry we will be voting before we leave (this Saturday the 24th to be exact).
M&M
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Thanks M&M!! Looking forward to hearing about the Travel Authorization process.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Monty&Melo
There have been a couple of requests for a trip report from boardies who are missing Negril, so we have decided to give it a shot.
I know what you are saying, it's not October 30 yet, so how can you already be telling us about your trip??? Well as most of you know, in this Covid 19 world that we are currently living in, your trip now starts way before you actually start traveling. We went last night for our pre-trip Covid Test. Very easy process at a drive-thru testing facility that they have set up near our house. We did have to pre-register, but once we got there the whole thing took less than 1 minute (not joking). Told them our names, they retrieved the pre-labeled vials with our names on them and after a little nostril discomfort, we were done and off. Could have kept the car rolling slowly and probably would have been OK. Now to wait 48-72 hours for the results (not worried).
Next step is to work on the travel authorization. We'll be back to update this report once that process starts.
This idea of an election day trip was actually the original idea of a friend of ours who has since had to cancel because he was going to do a split stay and as the months dragged on and split stays were not allowed, he canceled because he had a line in the sand with work details and someone to watch his pets. It was commitment time for him and the rules simply hadn't changed yet so he made the decision to call it off. So we've taken the trip and have run with it. It should be interesting to be in Jamaica during a US Presidential election (and one that is highly contested, etc.). Don't worry we will be voting before we leave (this Saturday the 24th to be exact).
M&M
We leave after the election. 15 more sleeps and we test next week then do the travel authorization.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
M&M,
Just spent a good 45 minutes listening to a animated discussion about Trump v Biden at Corner Bar.... very interesting thoughts on both sides... there is no escaping it... lol
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob
M&M,
Just spent a good 45 minutes listening to a animated discussion about Trump v Biden at Corner Bar.... very interesting thoughts on both sides... there is no escaping it... lol
I'd much rather listen to US Election "discussions" in Jamaican Patois than some Americans version of English!!! And at least when we are in Jamaica starting Friday there will be no US political ads on the tele, so we will miss the last 5 intense days of those!!
See you soon!!!
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Enjoy M&M, Ayron and I wish we were there also.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Were are you staying you are not on the list?
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Celinda
Were are you staying you are not on the list?
. We are staying at Rondel Village.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Monty&Melo
. We are staying at Rondel Village.
We will be near there at Fun Holiday but we arrive on your last night
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
UPDATE!!!!!
Received our negative test results at 702pm and went to the Visit Jamaica site at 715pm. Took about 8 minutes to file my Travel Authorization form, but as soon as I hit submit on mine at 723pm by the time the screen refreshed and sent me back to the travel authorization homepage, next to my name was the greatest message I've seen in a while. It read "you have been approved for travel to Jamaica, please download the form." I'm in!!! Melo stepped to the computer and completed her form and once again by the time she went back to the home screen after hitting submit, she had the same message. We downloaded the forms, printed them out and put them with our passports. In about 56 hours we will be on our way!!! Very easy and obviously very fast. We were never really worried about making it through the whole testing/authorization process, but anytime there are obstacles between us and our trip to Jamaica we are anxious. All good now.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
I'd be putting a copy of the forms with my passport....another copy in my carryon...another copy in my checked bags...and probably scan a copy to my email.....
Don't leave home without it...lol
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
1015pm and my alarm is set for 315am and yet here I am "wide awake in America" as they say. Why is it that the night before a trip, you know you should go to sleep because you have a long day of travel tomorrow, not to mention the Red Stripes and the rums, but you just can't do it. You are literally too excited to sleep. So I sit here watching reruns of Beat Bobby Flay on Food Network and telling myself I need to go to bed. Hopefully soon, next update from the airport in Louisville in about 7 hours. Sleep tight!!! (assuming you can, I can't)
M&M
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Hope you have a great flight!
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Somehow , even with little or no sleep, it’s always easy to wake up for vacation! Bon voyage ! Respect !
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
We made it. Sorry for not updating sooner, but we have been having so much fun, plus I couldn't figure out my pictures until I had an epiphany in the middle of the night last night and a trip report with no pictures is not a trip report!!! Travel Friday was pretty easy and both flights (Louisville to Charlotte and Charlotte to Montego Bay) were both on time. Protocols all around were being adhered to and we didn't encounter any non-maskers. The only good thing that I have encountered in this whole covid situation is that since they don't want people congregating in the bars, they let you take your beer with you. Sipping on a well made IPA while waiting at the gate is nice!!!
Covid Beers
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And drinking the beers while watching this sign countdown is great!!
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Touchdown right on time in Montego Bay and head to the immigration hall. We turn the corner and are confronted by this line
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No worries though, the line was only here because they were only letting so many people into the immigration hall for the health screening at one time. From arrival at the gate to leaving the airport took right at 55 minutes, which we didn't think was too bad. Off for Negril...
On the way over we encountered what appeared to be a "covid killer" truck, if you can zoom in it has what appears to be some kind of fogger in the bed. Who knows what it was.
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Stop at Chineymon in Green Island for money exchange and the purchasing of provisions (mainly beer and rum) and soon enough we arrive in Negril. Head up to Red Ground to the Red Dragon and then to see Collette and then back to the beach to go check in. Got to Rondel Village just in time for happy hour (damn the luck!!!) and this wonderful sunset.
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Diner at Chicken Lavish (the soup and chicken were awesome!!!) and then off to bed. Great travel day and first few hours in Negril
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Great Report...... Keep them coming !!!!!!
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Full day #1. Up early as I love to walk the beach early in the morning. 615AM leave Rondel and head south towards the all-inclusives. Very lonely walk. I had the beach pretty much to myself until I got up to Footprints. Walked past Couples and Beaches and they were pretty much empty, I saw the staff at Beaches setting up for breakfast and they maybe had 10 tables prepared. I don't know if that was the only place you could eat breakfast or not, but there didn't appear to be many people staying there. A lot less people than in July and I thought it was dead then.
As I approached the Public Beach Park, things started to get ugly!!!!
When Tropical Storm Zeta came south of the island a couple of weeks ago it really put the motion in the ocean (or is it the weeeeee in the sea??). If any of you are regular watchers of the Earthcam installed at Ricks you could see the craziness that went on there. As for the beach, the storm appears to have really brought a lot of debris (mostly seagrass) onto the beach. No one has cleared the Beach Park yet, so this is what remains, and if you think it is nasty to look at, you should give it a good whiff!!
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And there are places where the beach is really small, this tree which is located where Barry's used to be just before you get to Couples is usually 10-15 yards on the beach, as you can see the tree is in the water.
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Back from the walk, then Breakfast at Rondel and we locate in our normal spot right under the almond tree, and waste the afternoon away. I did take a couple hours off to watch Liverpool defeat West Ham on the televsion at the bar (took a swim at halftime, but Delroy yelled for me when the second half started so I didn't miss anything, thanks Delroy!!!), nothing better than that a lot of my favorite things all occurring at the same time in such a great place!!
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The highlight of the day was the Halloween party at LTU. We've never been here at Halloween time, but as soon as we were invited to the party we jumped at the chance. $2500JMD, but they credited your bar/food bill for $2000JMD, so really just $500 to get in (as if we weren't going to eat/drink $2000JMD worth!!!). Good mix of people, a limited crowd of only 30 people, a DJ playing tunes on a sound-system that sounded terrible (if you go to a party in Jamaica and the sound is great, leave, it's not going to be a good party HA!!!), great rum punch, good food, and some very interesting costumes (we did not dress up, but we were wearing a mask!! if that counts). We compared the whole evening to the bar scene from Star Wars. Really good time and because of curfew it was over by 8ish and we were able to get back to Rondel before 9pm
Oh yeah, and a totally awesome sunset!!!!
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Sitting at the Rondel bar having breakfast now, Tropical Storm Eta is supposed to give us some rain and clouds later today and tomorrow, so not sure what we will be getting into today. Probably not much of anything, just the way we like it.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Enjoying the report. Really good info
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Monty, thanks for the trip report, it’s great!! Enjoy your spot under the almond tree!! It’s nice to know what to expect when we arrive on the 25th.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Hi...what was the exchangE rate in Green Island. Thanks
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Thanks for the trip report. Keep the updates coming and have a great time!
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Monty & Melo,
Great stuff!!!
More Please!!
Enjoy,
VVHT
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
I almost forgot how much I miss seeing trip reports and pictures!!! Thank you.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Amazing report so far, keep it up. Shocked at Barry’s tree. I knew CSA had a shallower beach but that is crazy. Was the water right up to treehouse then?
Hope you get more sun then rain the next couple of days.
Enjoy, soon come for us this Christmas.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
To answer a few questions, the exchange rate in Green Island was 135. The water was not up to the bar at Treehouse, it is strange that the beach is actually bigger in some places (but still smaller than it was) but smaller in others due to the storm. It is really small at Beaches as I had to walk almost into the bungalows where they were serving breakfast to avoid water on my walk the last few mornings. I would say the water is about 20 feet from Treehouse's bar. Tomorrow I will snap a few pics to show you what I mean.
Yesterday was a strange day, kinda cloudy and overcast due to hurricane Eta churning in the sea south of the island. Not sure it ever rained yesterday though, it did rain overnight last night and is cloudy again this morning. Which means today might be a pub crawl day, we'll see.
Pretty much did nothing yesterday except hang at the hotel under the tree or at the bar. Watched ManU and Arsenal duke it out on the pitch and got to see most of the Tottenham game too. Love the halftime swims during the games.
Sunset was kind of "meh" with all the clouds around, but still beats the hell out of being at home
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After sunset we decided to do a bonfire on the beach. Pretty cool.
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Since no one else was on duty, I decided to take up the post as lifeguard. Glad no one was swimming
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After the bonfire we walked down to the Italian cafe. Pasta Carbonara on point as usual. Actually better than I remembered it, and I remembered it as being pretty good.
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Back to Rondel and off to bed. Next update tomorrow.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Rainy Day #1. It looks like we might be in for a few rainy days in a row, courtesy of Hurricane Eta, who can't seem to find it's way and is moving very slowly. We are in the outer bands of the storm, so nothing else but rain, the sea is relatively calm. Beats being at home even though we aren't on the beach.
What do you do when it rains in Negril?? Bar Hop!!!!
We ended up hitting Red Dragon first just for a quick stop and then off to Seastar. We wanted to buy some of these cool masks that Barbara makes. Now even more of a reason to wear a mask!!
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Obligatory picture of Red Dragon
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After buying the masks at Seastar, and having a few drinks. We headed to Collette's to hang out for the afternoon, sorry no picture at Collette's we got busy talking and telling lies (mostly!!).
Back to Rondel to "Re-J" (that means get more money!!!) and then down to Canoe for happy hour before dinner at Quality's. That man can do things with fish that I didn't know was possible. Sorry no pics at Quality's I was concentrating on eating and forgot, but I had Snapper Escoveitch and Melo had the Pan Fried Snapper. Both were awesome!!!
Pic from Canoe, I love the view of Mary's bay from there, but I waited a little late to get the picture and it was dark for the most part, but still peaceful and serene!!!
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It is raining again today as we sit at the Rondel Bar having breakfast, so it sounds like another pub day is in order.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Great photos! Thanks for sharing! :eagerness:
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Great trip report, thanks for sharing!
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Yamon' Monty & Melo. Thanks for the trip report and pictures. Today is 11/3. 70 some degrees here in western Minnesota. Should be 10 degrees. Crazy mon'. Say, favor??? If you go back to Seastar ,get us 2 Jamaica flag masks from Francine , and tell her they are for Todd & Debbie. Give Chris a slug in the arm from me. {just kidding.....?}Then you can mail them to us when you get back to the US. We will pay you. Thanks, kids! One love.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Thanks for the great report,it's helping us get through these last 14 days before we head down there!!
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Another rainy day so bar hopping we went!!! First on the beach to Sunnyside
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Then off to Red Dragon for lunch, and yep, the jerk pork still as good as ever and the beers remain the coldest around. Sorry forgot to take the picture of the pork before we ate it.
Next we went to another bar up the hill from Red Dragon but the person we went to see was not there so we only had one drink and left.
Stopped at Collette's again and I still forgot the picture, we will be back and I promise to get one at some point.
Final stop was what we call the Purple Bar on the road to Sav out by Sheffield. It's a great place with a nice local vibe.
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We walked into a party of locals hanging at the bar so we sort of hung over by the side and observed the rowdiness. The bartender was nice enough to pour me a Q of rum and made a little private bar for me so we wouldn't have to "barge in" when we needed more drinks. It was a great time at a great little bar.
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I always get a kick out of the various posters/calendars that advertise White Rum, Magnum, etc. The good folks at Magnum out did themselves with their 2020 Calendar.
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No rain today, but it is cloudy and overcast and the sea has kicked up some so we are having a late breakfast at Rondel and considering what the plans might be for the day. We may just hang here for a while and see what develops.
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Irie report!! Good times!!:applause:
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Those Magnum calendars make nice gifts for the Younger fella's man-cave walls. As, my wife is rolling her eyes! {again} They can tell all their friends "Look what Uncle Monty brought me from Jamaica"!
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Patiently awaiting another onsite post......
VVHT
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Re: Trip Report - October 30 - November 8, 2020 AKA "The Election Trip"
Love the report
Respect
Bikermike