"Welcome Home" the adventure I thought I was prepared for.

[jimnkim]

Great TR we went to Jamaica for the first time in May and loved it. Can't wait to go back. We stayed at an AI also because we didn't know what to expect since it was our first time doing anything like that.

[SLP]

You write a great trip report and I am enjoying reading it. It makes me laugh when I read some parts because I know (as I'm sure many others do) how you were feeling. Remember, we've all been newbies and one time or another. I couldn't wait to return and did it one month later! LOL

Did you make it out of the AI or did you stay there all of the time? I do hope you were able to leave and see more of Negril. There is always next time though.

[Beebeluv]

So I will do another installment i just have to type it... but I think if the boardies will have us we are going to try our hardest to be there in april for the boardie bash. I really want to stay at fun holiday seems like its in a good spot and a nice place.

[Beebeluv]

MONDAY NOV.12, 2012

This morning I wake up before my other...big surprise... lol. SO I go outside with a piece of sub and sit on our porch and reflect on the previous night drama. I notice I feel different today. More free. I tell myself the rest of the vacation is GOING to be amazing. Eventually my other awakens, I'm not sure on the time I think I've fallen into the time warp known as Jamaican time because time seems to be non-existent anymore except where plans are laid. We get ready very slowly and barely make breakfast. I really want to go out into the water and relax out there. We get our spot under that tree previously posted. Here it is again...

Still a little self conscious (because i'm a big girl) I head to the water. I get to the waters edge and a man approaches me about ganja and pipes and he said I will wait while you go to the room, I say no I really want to go swim but thank you. He didn't look very happy with this but he accepted it. Wow now that did shake me a little but then I look up and out into the ocean and the entire world gets drowned out by the awe and utter beauty of Bloody Bay. So I swim as far out as the buoys would let me and I float for what felt like minutes but it was at least an hour and a half before being summoned back to the room...lol. So after showers and a wardrobe and head change hehe... we head out for dinner early and decide to go get some drinks ok.... Once we star walking around I'm feeling SUPER over dressed and so is my other, I mean we r getting looks like we are cray cray.

So I give my other my shoes and luckily I had sandals in my bag but this only helps a little. So we head back to the room and after a little break and a minor wardrobe shift, it was off to the Japanese restaurant. Mmm sushi <3. My other and I are sushi lovers and have mastered the art of using chopsticks and it was quite obvious that was not the case for everyone in the room. I love people watching. There was this couple whom I think were Russian he husband in the couple was in awe that my other and I could use the chopsticks, he made it obvious. Lol We were served way before the people around us and they didn't like it I found this funny because you could hear them complain to each other about it. Maybe being respectful and giving tips where deserve has its advantages... the tipping thing.... lmao don't worry Rob I wont start another problem about this... to be honest that person started it and I didn't agree … tips SHOULD be given to people that provide good service regardless if I'm staying at an AI or not... back to the report... Dinner was absolutely delicious. One thing about this resort good food good service was a constant for my stay. So we head to the bar I get a fresh orange shake... I got these daily definitely a suggestion if you don't feel like drinking alcohol. And off to their little slot area to gamble.. spent like 10 bucks then decided this wasn't my lucky night. At some point within these events I actually relax And feel myself again, something I haven't felt in a VERY LONG time. I was smiling involuntarily and it was good. Everything was Irie. I decide its time for more sub we head to the room and well the island took hold of my other and I we had an amazing night. WOW The island brings something special to the interaction between lovers it feels more primal and natural. Now don't get me wrong it's always great, I mean I wouldn't have stayed for what is now 10 years if it wasn't. (TOLD YOU I'D BE HONEST) But this was F###in' amazing no joke. Ok ok.... So basically this was all she wrote for this night but that was ok because we had to be ready for our Jeep safari by 8:50 a.m.

[Seveen]

lol @ amazing lol

[Beebeluv]

Well... what can I say.... I'm sure I'm not the only one. and if I ammm hahahahaha to you lmao... jk jk

[Seveen]

happy for you . . . Jamaica is for lovers

[Seveen]

bump - more please!

[Beebeluv]

lol ok ok ... let me type this up...

[Beebeluv]

TUESDAY NOV. 13, 2012

#Crazy annoying alarm sound# Now I really dislike this sound and I started to hate it once more until I realized what it was waking me for.... HELLOOOOO!!! You're in Jamaica! And you have a safari today! So my other and I wake up, shower, get dressed, pack the day bag... which included wata... ok sidenote... I always wondered why the boardies always spelt it wata.... As soon as I saw it I realized that's what its called and labeled... sorry I found this entertaining wata...lol wata.... ok.... wow squirrel moment sorry... so it contained wata, rum in a water bottle taken from our mini bar (don't tell),

a towel, camera w/ extra memory card, soda I cant recall the kind, and some snacks that we brought. I think I brought extra sunscreen too...I'm pretty white. So now we rush to breakfast and eat a wonderful breakfast before making our way to the lobby. My other has to run to the room to drop off some records … yes records as in vinyl... That one of the waiters had gotten for him. Money definitely talks in Jamaica. Anyway he only has 4 minutes to go to the room and back and we are on the farthest building. So I'm standing in the lobby and I must be obvious because our tour guide walks up and asks if I'm looking for her I say “yes but my boyfriend ran to the room really fast” so she has me sign some paperwork and he's still not back. Hmmm i'm getting really anxious that they might not want to wait for us. He makes it back just as our “jeep” gets there. The official name of the safari is jeep safari but we are really in a land rover with 8 seats in the back. As I step in I'm honestly not really paying attention and I accidentally call our female driver sir...For which I apologized profusely and explained it was a habit I acquired from working around military …. oh WONDERFUL. What a great start. Insult the driver...She's probably going to leave me in the jungle now. Great better keep up with the group...lol

So we are off to pick up our safari mates and literally 1 minute after we get on the road we pull in to the other RIU to pick up a very nice Canadian couple.
Along our drive we learn that they are grain farmers and are very knowledgeable from lots of traveling, 45 minutes later we stop at the grand palladium

to pick up another Canadian couple who were also nice but not as “friendly” to put it nicely. As we driver our driver tells us about the lucea clock fiasco and about the towns and parishes we pass through,