Trip to Jamaica

Both Geoff and I had never been on a trip to a resort, this was the first time for both of us.  Our dear friend Micheline invited us to her wedding in Jamaica.  At first Geoff and I were reluctant to go, but after discussing for a very long time, we decided that it would be the perfect 1^st year Anniversary gift to give ourselves.

June 28^th

Last minute packing, taking stuff out, putting it back in, should I bring it, shouldn’t I, did I forget something. WHOA!

Geoff finished work at 5:30 and we packed up the last minute things and drove to Ottawa.

We stayed at our friends Heidi & Lloyd’s.  They were very kind to let us sleep in their RV, so that we could depart early for our flight.  They served us a nice BBQ dinner with veggies and a little bit of wine.

June 29^th

– 3:00 am Canada Time, my cell phone wakes us.  I’m too excited to really factor in how early it is.  We make a stop at my son’s place as he will be keeping my vehicle with him while we are away.

– 7:00 am Canada Time, our flight leaves for Toronto and lands at 8:00 am

– 10:55 pm Canada Time, our flight leaves for Montego Bay

– 1:00 pm Jamaica time our plane lands in Jamaica (1 hour behind)

Welcome to Jamaica:

After a lengthy 45 minute line-up with customs then finding our luggage, we embarked on a 1 hour bus ride to the resort.  Our driver’s name is ‘The Boss’.  He drove all over the road, texting and calling his friends. He stopped at a bus stop, for what we are pretty sure was a marijuana stop.  Two yellow envelopes, he paid about $120 USD and as he drove away, he wrote names on each envelope.   At one point I thought we were going to die!  Our bus started passing a slow vehicle ahead of us, as he pulled out to oncoming traffic, I felt terrified that we were going to hit head-on.  To my surprise, all the traffic just veered off a bit onto the shoulders to let us through, he honked the horn, smiled and waved.   He must have seen my knuckles turning pure white as I held on for dear life to the seat in front of me, as he began telling us that ‘Here in Jamaica, honking is customary, it is not out of anger or rage.  There is no road rage here in Jamaica Mon.  We honk, we wave, we smile.’  I finally released my death grip and took a big breath.  It was a long drive, but didn’t really notice since I was taking in everything I saw.  What looked to me as poverty, I later found out how houses are built in Jamaica and will share with you later on.  The Boss said the most common sayings in Jamaica are ‘Yeah Mon and No Problem’.  We heard this so much, we started saying it too...why not. J

 I was culture shocked at first.  I had never seen a palm tree in real life, only on TV while watching 90210 way back when.  I was amazed on how many different types of palm trees there actually are.

We arrived at the resort around 3:00 pm Jamaica time.  The pictures really didn’t do it justice.  I was in awe!  All the hallways and lobby were completely in the open, no windows, no doors, extremely welcoming!  The rooms, however, are closed with air conditioning which was greatly appreciated while we slept.  People buzzed the hallways and laughter was heard everywhere. 

Check in was simple with the help of our Air Canada Vacations Tour Guide.  We were anxious to see our room.  Travar, the bell hopper took our luggage and helped us find our room (15311).  We unlocked the door and were very impressed.  Travar turned the TV on to the weather channel and ensured we had everything we needed.  We tipped him.  This was the beginning of many tippings.  We were quick at changing into pool side clothing so that we could go out and enjoy the rest of our day. 

After grabbing a couple of drinks from Floyd in our Bubbas, the first of many, we walked down the stairs to the pool.  The pool goes on forever and there is a bar within reach wherever you go and the best thing...all-inclusive!  We took a stroll down to the gazebo where Micheline is going to be married and wandered around to simply find out where everything was.  Geoff and I took each other’s picture by a beautiful palm tree located just beside the gazebo.

Our first dinner was at ‘The Grill’ restaurant.  We were given 4 à la carte vouchers for fine dining.  Our waiter was Alcott, a sweet man, took fantastic care of us.  We ordered the chef’s recommendation which was the surf & turf and it was amazingly good.  We knew we were eating at ‘The Grill’ again the following night.  Alcott told us that he would be there again, therefore , I requested that we get the same seating.  He responded, ‘No problem my lady’. 

Tired from a long trip, Geoff and I had a few drinks from Floyd at the lobby bar and then went to our rooms to find  lovely gifts from the resort for our 1^st anniversary (Bottle of Appleton Rum, a fruit tray and two t-shirts) on the table by the patio, then we crashed  around 9:30pm. 

Saturday July 30^th- - Monday July 2^nd:

We both slept very well.  We took our time getting up since we are on vacation.  Took our showers and started making our way down to the breakfast buffet.  We were completely amazed by the amount of food in the buffet, the variety, the presentation, it just leaves you standing there with your mouth open in disbelief.  There was a chef that was making omelettes, you pick up a plate, put on the fixings that you want in your omelette on the plate (corn, mushrooms, onions, peppers, etc) then he takes it from you and cooks your omelette Jamaican style.  He was flipping the eggs in the pan with and without a spatula, it was really cool.  Then he would sprinkle mozzarella cheese on it and fold it over...voilà, omelette in 3 minutes!!

Not yet realizing that there is a beach, Geoff and I decided to sit at the pool and get a bit of sun.  We thought that the beach is what was around the Gazebo.  We relaxed.  I can tell you that most of our vacation, we were doing the following things:  Relaxing, drinking, eating, laughing, smiling, swimming, drinking, walking, eating, drinking, walking, eating, drinking, dancing, etc. J  I suggest their Strawberry Daiquiri and the Dirty Banana!  Yummmo!!!

As Geoff goes to refill our Bubbas, he approached Floyd, sets the Bubbas up on the bar.  Floyd looks at Geoff, then looks at the bottles.  He says, ‘I know them bottles’.  Then Geoff says, ‘Floyd, you know what the wife said, no skimpy on the rum’.  Floyd responds, ‘better not skimpy on the rum then’.  He fills them half & half J  They laugh.   By the way, it’s always 5 o’clock in Jamaica!

Geoff is the ‘reader’ between the two of us.  When you arrive, you are provided with a map of the resort,  because they tell you ‘You will get lost’.   The place is massively big!  Geoff memorized the map and found where the beach was.  Basically right outside our balcony view.  Duh!  LOL  So can you guess where we went next?  We grabbed our blue towels and walked down to the beautiful sandy beach where the salty Caribbean sea water slowly waved onto shore to touch our feet.   The water was perfect, warm but cooling.  We found some chairs, settled our things under our towels and went for a swim.  This was Geoff’s first time swimming in salt water.  He liked it.

To be honest, this was pretty much what we did for the next couple of days. We made sure to wish all Canadians that we met up with a ‘Happy Canada Day’ on the 1^st of July.   We also had the pleasure of meeting awesome people and feeling completely part of Micheline’s family.

We dined at the Japanese restaurant, Mikado, Monday night.  To our pleasant surprise, Micheline’s sister and her husband were seated with us.  It was our fist dinner together with them.  There were no Japanese chefs or servers.  Our chef was Jamaican and told us he was our Blackanese chef.  I thought that was hilarious.  Cool guy and knows how to entertain.  The food was delicious. It makes me want to return to the Japanese Village in Ottawa.   Good times!

Tuesday, July 3 

We’re are off to our shopping excursion.  Four of us, Bev, Desiree (Newfoundlanders that we met, mother & daughter) and Geoff and myself, jumped on a tour bus driven by a Jamaican hired by Air Canada Vacations.  He took us inland to see the ‘authentic’ Jamaica, not just the perfection of the Bahia Principe Resort.  He brought us well over 2000 feet above sea level.  The scenery was breathtaking as we drove through a one lane windy road.  Half way to our shopping destination, we stopped at a coffee Plantation.  ‘Baronhall Estate’.  It is located in the central mountains of Jamaica.  Not as sophisticated as Jamaica’s world famous Blue Mountain coffee, but is a great buy at almost half the price.  We bought two packages for $30 USD.   Once we heard the story from our special Coffee Tour guide, we continued on our journey.

During the trip, I asked Alton a few questions, for example, how much is the Jamaican dollar worth?  He said that to buy an American dollar would cost $83 Jamaican dollars.  Wowzers!  I also asked what the average income was?  He responded $50 USD/ week.  He also shared that there is no credit in Jamaica.  People build their homes as they get the money.  So It’s not necessarily poverty, it’s just actually really smart.  You own what you can afford and build as you get the money.  No credit cards.  However, they do accept credit cards at the resort and the shopping centre.   Ha!

Once we arrived at the shopping centre, which I nicknamed ‘Tourist Trap’, we bought our rum, 2- 26 ouncers (Captain Morgan Jamaica & Coffee Crème Rum) for $27 USD (yes, that’s $27 for both).  Not a bad price at all.  Geoff also selected 4 T-shirts, one for him and the other 3 for the boys for $20 USD.  I think there were at least a dozen jewellers and the other stores were just a repetition of the same things.

Alton, had previously told us that he would be taking us to the flea market, so I was saving my money for that.  After an hour at the Tourist Trap, we were off to the flea market.  Alton warned us that while at the flea market, that we are to be decisive in what we want, don’t take the first price they offer and learn to say ‘no thank you’.  He gave us 30 minutes.  We bought two wooden plaques, one that has a female face and the word Jamaica and another that has a male face and a dolphin.   We also bought a bag that I really liked and I also managed to weasel a little pot (weed grinder) for $5 (which I had seen at the Tourist Trap for $18).  No, I do not smoke weed, just thought it looked really cool.  All the sellers, who were maybe about 4 or less feet from each other would say ‘Please come in and visit my store, look around, come in, no pressure’.  These ‘stores’ are little shacks no more than 3-4 feet wide and about 8-10 feet deep.   All side by side.  Some didn’t, but most did pressure.  It was a great experience, but I think I said ‘no thank you’ more than I’ve ever said my whole entire life.   The 30 minutes allotted was more than enough, I found it exhausting, but fun at the same time.  It poured rain for the first time since our arrival during our trip back to the resort, but once we arrived, the sun was shining again. 

We have dinner at the French Cuisine restaurant Don Puablo.  The dinner is for the wedding rehearsal to allow for people to mingle and get to know one another.  The food is delicious.  Micheline’s sister approaches me to let me know they will be doing a little thing for her by wrapping her up in toilet tissue to make her look like a bride, then parading her around the resort chanting ‘here comes the bride!’  I then mention to the best man if they are doing anything special for Brad.  They are men, they don’t think of these things.  So Geoff and I brainstorm and come up with something.  We ask the server if they have whipped cream in the back.  They do!  Then I ask him for a plate to put it in...he brings back a real plate.  I tell the poor guy, ‘We’re not looking to kill him, do you have a foam plate?’  He returns with one.  Micheline gets paraded and Brad gets pied.  Awesome!  What’s next?  Theatre & Disco!!!!

Wednesday, July 4^th – Day of the wedding

The nice part about being a guest at the wedding and not being part of the wedding party, is that we could do whatever we wanted all day until we had to get dressed up and ready.  Micheline told me, ‘Do whatever you want, it’s your trip, but you better be at my wedding’.  Yes Ma’am!!! You can probably guess what we did?  We went to the beach and relaxed some more.  I became soon comfortable with wearing a bikini and accepting my body.  I think I rock it!  I have to admit, it took at least 2 – 3 days to unwind and be able to completely chill out.  We had our schedule arranged that at 11:30pm we would head back to the room, to give us time to have lunch at the buffet and then get ready for the wedding at 2pm.

Geoff and I are all spiffed up and ready to see this beautiful wedding unfold and then the phone rings.  It’s 1:25pm and it’s Micheline’s bridesmaid, asking me if I have double sided tape for wardrobe malfunctions.  She had remembered me talking about it a few nights prior.  I do have some!  I run down to Micheline’s sisters room and knock.  They open the door and I ask if I’m allowed to enter.  I hear Micheline say ‘Of Course Dee, I need you!’  I stood frozen for a few seconds trying not to get all teary.  Micheline was standing in front of the patio doors with the sun shining through giving the picturesque portrait of the perfect bride.  She looked elegant!  She noticed my eyes starting to fill up with tears and she said ‘Dee don’t make me cry!’  So I swallowed real fast, cleared my throat and asked her how I could be of service.  I couldn’t believe that I had the honour of seeing her before the wedding itself.  She didn’t like the way her dress laid on  the chest area, so she asked me to pin her dress then tape it to her.  And of course, as I’m trying to adjust her dress around her breast area, the photographers are taking shots of all this.  I laughed and giggled and thought, ‘yup, this will be a good memory’.  Hahahaha!  I completed the job that I was requested to do, and gave the lovely bride a kiss & a hug, the last one I would give her as a single woman.  I love Micheline with all my heart.

I rushed back to the room to meet back up with Geoff.  He is sitting comfortably watching the television, and I say, ‘ come on, we have to go!’  It’s now 1:35pm.  He obeys as usual.  J

As we approach the bottom of the stairs, we meet up with Brad, the groom.  He looks so handsome in the beautiful blue shirt and beige pants.  His girls Ashley and Brianna are dressed in beige dresses with beautiful blue scarves to compliment the men’s shirts.  At this point, I have the opportunity to shoot pictures of the bridal party (minus the bridesmaid, maid of honour & bride) walking down to the Gazebo.  I think to myself, I’m the only one getting this...cool!

We are about 30 guests at the wedding.  We all wait patiently for the bride to arrive and the music to begin.  She has arrived, she wears her soft flowing white veil before her face and she is on her father’s arm as she approaches the man of her dreams, her sweetie, her husband-to-be.

The wedding unfolds perfectly, angelic-like and with so much love in the air.    Photos are being taken, I can hear the clicking of the cameras around me, the wind from the Caribbean sea is blowing in everyone’s hair, it’s hot, but no one seems to care.  All their focus is on Micheline and Brad and the joy that their union has brought to each and every person attending this wedding and to those at home in Canada, US and Haiti that are keeping them in their hearts.  I feel blessed, honoured to have been able to witness their vows and their commitments spoken softly to each other and the love that they share between the two of them.  Micheline never left the touch of either man she loves, she went from her father’s hand directly to her love’s, Brad’s hand.  She will never be alone  ‘You may now Kiss your bride’ is spoken and their lips soon unite into a passionate loving kiss.  The guests cheer loudly, we all feel the love and happiness.   Everyone is proud of Micheline and Brad and wish them wonderful years ahead.

There is a bit of free time between the wedding ceremony and the dinner, Geoff and I decide to take a siesta so that we have enough energy to go party that night.  Dinner is at 6pm at the Italian restaurant.  The food is incredible as always, nothing but the best at that resort.  Micheline is still wearing her beautiful gown and once dinner is finished they have the traditional cutting of the cake.  Everyone is full and are ready for the dance afterwards.

The dance is at the gazebo and everyone seems to be having a blast.  We keep hydrating ourselves as the wonderful breeze from the Caribbean is no longer present.  We dance until 11pm and then say our goodnights to everyone.  What do we do now?  Disco!!! 

It was very late when we returned to our room, I think it was 2am.  What a wonderful time.

Thursday, July 5

Tired from partying the night before, I realized that I was suffering from dehydration.  I started drinking water as much as I could, as much as my pouch could handle.  Geoff and I went down to the beach for a while.  The sea was rough, with big waves coming in.  The red flag warning was up, indicating that you can still swim but to use extreme caution, Geoff and I decided to go in anyways.  The waves were so much fun.  As long as we stayed close to shore, there was no problem.  Geoff went out a bit too far and soon found out that the under current tries to pull you out into the sea.  He certainly got a workout swimming back into shore.  After our swim, we realized how much our bodies took a pounding from partying the night before, so we stayed in the air conditioning for most part of the end of the day.   I think it was perfect the way it was anyways, Geoff and I just wanted to spend time chilling out and we certainly got used to afternoon naps.

Friday, July 6

Looking forward to coming home, we have all our belongings and souvenirs packed up and we are ready for our journey back to Canada.  We met so many nice people while in Jamaica, special mentions go to the bride & groom, without them, this trip would have never happened,  our bartender Floyd, our server Suzette, our house keeper Ann-Marie, Micheline’s photographers Marco & Carmen and to all the family of Micheline’s who showed concern while I was not feeling well on Thursday.  I am completely blessed to now be part of the Jean-François and Zanth families.  They all hold a little place in my heart.  What an amazing experience, I think that I’m now addicted to travelling.  We have already decided that we will be saving up for another trip so that we can have more time to experience the Island of Paradise.

– 6.30 am Jamaica Time, my cell phone wakes us

– 7.30 am Jamaica Time, breakfast at the Buffet 

– 9:00 am Jamaica Time, check out

– 10:10 am Jamaica Time, bus ride to Montego Bay Airport

– 1:00 pm Jamaica Time our plane leaves for Toronto

– 7:45 pm Canada Time, our plane lands for Toronto (an hour ahead)

– 10:45 pm Canada Time, our plane leaves for Ottawa

– 11:45 pm Canada Time, our plane lands in Ottawa and my son picks us up

– 2:00 am Canada Time, home sweet home and in bed

In Jamaica there is No Problem!  Cheers