The months leading up to the trip were spent keeping everyone fired up, finding pictures each week and emailing them to the group to keep them fired up and more research on drivers and at least one excursion. The countdown went into full effect with 50 days to go. With 45 days to go I was sent to Australia for 37 days on a business development project. Unfortunately I was there by myself and with nothing but time all I could do for 3-4 hours each night was read every forum I could find and try to learn as much about the new Negril as I could. It was during this time that I met a few of you Boardies and began some communications with some of you. A HUGE shout out to Booger, he was great, always ready to answer questions and give opinions. The month in Australia was fun, but he'll being away from my wife and daughters. My wife kept telling me to keep my eye on the prize (our trip) and it would be over soon. I mentioned that I felt bad for her, once we got down to Negril I wasn't going to be able to control myself especially with her wearing her skimpy suits and no tops!

The group was now getting so fired up and ready to leave. I get back from Brisbane, we have a final planning party, do some last minute shopping for some little things and a week of work then we're off. Mid week one of my buddies calls to say he ordered a waterproof "Sailor Bag" I inform him that this could be the most gay comment (not a slur or derogatory comment so don't toast my balls!) I have ever heard. Lots of laughs exchanged and a comment we didn't let him forget the entire trip on any opportunity to bust on him. Finally the day hits for us to leave.

We left on a redeye late Sunday night heading toward Charlotte, kids dropped us off at the airport very early (about 3 hours) and off we headed to the US Air Lounge for some free drinks and snacks. Now my wife hasn't had a drink in 2 months trying to get that extra 5 pounds off. She hardly needs to lose it, she is a power yoga instructor that also works out 5 times a week besides the 15 hours of yoga she does, but I didn't want to argue. A few glasses of wine later (with no food) and she is getting that look, and all I can do is try to hope she doesn't start to get "romantic" in the lounge or on the plane! LOL I'm feeling no pain as well after 3 or 7 Jack & diet Cokes and we decide to head out to the gate. We are the first two on the plane since we splurged and bought first class tickets and right away ordered drinks. A quick side note, I don't sleep on planes so I figured I would just have drinks and read, but my beautiful wife can sleep anytime, anyplace or anywhere. No sooner had we taken off when she curled up and died. Legs, arms and everything else all over the two seats. She stirred once about 3.5 hours into the flight and woke up in time to have a Bloody Mary and ask where we were staying our first night. I failed to mention that she had no idea what our plans were for that first night in my first post! My wife was rested and excited to continue the journey and here I was tired, a bit buzzed but ready to rally!

Brief sidenote to explain how the extra day was handled. Once I talked her into a few extra days I had to find a place just for the one night. After tons of research I settled on Catcha Falling Star (Sagi cottage) and I'm so glad I did. My decision was reinforced after my first call with Mauvette and listening to how sweet she was. I told her we were celebrating a 30th anniversary and I wanted to do something special for my wife. Right away she recommended the 100 candle dinner and said for me to let her handle all the details. I was a little reluctant at first but after some additional research I told Mauvette I was going to let her handle everything for me. I'm so glad I did because I looked like a rock star when we showed up, more on this later!

Charlotte was uneventfull, a three hour layover, back to the US Air lounge, some champagne, a little breakfast and off to the plane. Back in first class and cocktails before we took off, and we are so fired up to take off but hold on, one of the seats was missing the cushion. Yes the same cushion you need in cash of a water landing, the same one you need for a personal flotation device. Ok, I'm not a rocket scientist but wouldn't you notice the seat cushion missing when they clean the plane, or when the flight attendants head to the back of the plan? Why was it not noticed when everyone was boarding the plane, or when the person who had the seat got to their row? No they waited until the front door was shut, phones turned off, drinks collected and now we have a delay. It took maintenance 12 minutes to deliver the cushion and another 1 hour and 48 minutes to do the "proper" paperwork. Oh my freaking God, don't you people know I have been waiting for a year to get to Jamaica? So what do you do with your spare time, of course have more drinks!

Finally we're off and I see nirvana in the distance, my heart begins to race, my pulse quickens and breathing becomes shallow. The wife begs me to find out the plans for the day/night. I give in and tell her we are staying at Catcha and I got Sagi for the night, a private driver (Rocky's Taxi and Tour) to get us to the resort and a few other surprises.