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Well it is hard to be back at work ( ugh) after being in Jamaica for the week of Christmas and Boxing Day. I will try my best to post a trip report but admit that I am not terribly talented in the writing short story category.
We left Boston on a reasonably good day – not as cold as expected. Booked on Air JA so at least we get fed on the flight. Knew it would be a tough check in because the week before holiday is the worst time to fly and sure enough they overbooked!!! We had a totally full flight – not one single seat was empty. Real mix of Jamaicans going home and Americans going to enjoy the country and the people. Oh well – the plane got delayed an hour but we take off and before we realize it we are hearing that favorite sound – “ Welcome to Montego Bay”. Before we land, we look out the window but we cannot see the blue sea below. It is raining and windy and chilly – only in the 70’s but feels like a lot less. Cannot even see through those clouds. Please don’t let it stay this way all week we think to ourselves. We never seem to have good weather so we are worried. We wait another hour for the small plane ride over to Negril and the weather not really improving, Still overcast and cold for Jamaica. Surprisingly for a little four seater the ride is not bumpy. The Air Link pilots look out their windows with longing to watch the Air JA jets take off. We know from prior conversations that this is their real goal but I think I would trade places in an instant.
Once we are in Negril airport, things look up when we are greeted immediately by the driver to Swept Away. Looking forward to seeing the room and having some cocktails. As usual, we are welcomed like friends and family ( being repeaters helps but they treat all with same respect) and led to a beautiful room. First thing we see is the giant white comforter with oversized embossed pillows on a king size bed. Plantation shutters wrap the entire room to let you hear the tree frogs at night and to let in the sun during the day. On one wall there are French doors and we head out to a huge stone terrace with a pretty white cotton fringed hammock on one end and a big colorful blue-green sofa on the other - it looked like it belonged in a movie set. Christmas plants were placed on the veranda table and it was festive and a reminder of the time of year. A knock at the door and a bottle of champagne appears with a smiling staff member. After a quick handshake off we go to lunch. Across the street we head to the sports complex. The outsides of all the palm trees have been wrapped in colored lights. Poinsettias are everywhere and a big bowl of sorrel has been placed in the entry to the hotel along with jars of homemade cookies and candy canes. I take the treats to the crossing guards who make sure we are safe. We have our snacks of fresh pizza and callaloo nori then check out the gym. Nothing has changed. A few die-hard people are working out. That night the weather is still cold – I had to wear my longest shorts, shoes and denim jacket because it’s all open air.
The next day we get up at 5:30 and lazily head to the gym. It’s still dark but we like to do this early and get it over with. Wow what a sight we are greeted with as we stroll through the front door of the hotel to cross the road. We are embraced by lighted Christmas trees all around and the illumination on the buildings and the tress were unbelievably beautiful. The entry looked like a fairy tale. It seemed so different when we got there the during the day.
After we head back from the gym for a shower and breakfast. Oh boy - ackee and salt fish, boiled yams and bananas, callaloo, mackerel rundown, fresh papaya and mango. Yum. With cheeses, omelets and salmon we are good to go, but too full to move. Yea! the weather has broken and it looks like we can head to the beach. We find a spot in the shade to protect us from that Jamaican sun. A day of reading and walking Negril’s beautiful shore line was on the schedule. That pretty much summed up our week.
One morning after a stroll, we saw the staff setting up a wedding gazebo with white gauze and flowers. The groom appeared before 11 and his bride came to meet him right on time. The minister performed the ceremony after she walked down the sandy ‘aisle’ to Bob Marley! What a way to do it. Honeymoon and wedding all rolled into one.
One day the crafts people showed their wares. What talent. We but a small face mask that will fit in the luggage. So many beautiful things it was hard to choose. I like to take a mask home every time we go to have a wall collection as a memory. That along with sherry pepper sauce and jerk spices.
On Christmas Eve as we got prepared for dinner there were a group of carolers singing all the familiar favorites. They traveled by all the rooms so everyone could enjoy. After our wonderful meals we always head upstairs to the piano bar where we meet our friend who works at the resort. He greets us every time we see him and always remembers our names even if we haven’t been to Swept Away in several years. That is true Jamaican hospitality! After a few flaming Bob Marleys ( which we shared in the spirit of the season) we were off to bed.
We opened our door to find a pretty wrapped package as a Christmas present from the resort – a sea shell that has been decorated to hang on your tree with a card from the staff. Really nice. Christmas is another glorious day – full of sun and no wind at all. Everyone is in a good mood and greeting of Merry Christmas are everywhere. The staff was all wearing Santa hats and they all seemed very happy and upbeat despite having to work on the holiday.
Later in the morning. all of a sudden we noticed Santa – on a Jet - Ski! What a sight. As he spins around HO HO HO’ING, his red hat flies into the turquoise sea where he quickly scoops it up and comes on land to pose for pictures with everyone. There to meet him on the beach was a donkey – didn’t quite get that one but it was cute. Perhaps it a nativity and Santa all in one. Felt badly for Santa though because he’s wearing that fur suit in 90 degrees, but he seemed happy nonetheless.
The next day it was time to go home – boo-hoo. We stay at the beach as long as we can to get the most of the warm day and sunshine. Going back to Massachusetts in December will not be the same for sure. After lunch and a shower it’s off to MBJ. Boxing Day must keep the crowds away because the airport is pretty empty compared to the past trip and Air JA is not full at all. We actually leave early- a first with any of my trips with this airline.
We land and feel that New England cold air. Even the pilot says the temps are too much for his Jamaican blood. He has his family with him and once through the airport he and the kids hop a shuttle to their hotel. I wonder what they must think of the cold city compared to their tropical paradise.
On the ride home we can only talk about how soon we can return. Already looking forward to another wonder fabulous week in paradise. We started saving today!!!
We left Boston on a reasonably good day – not as cold as expected. Booked on Air JA so at least we get fed on the flight. Knew it would be a tough check in because the week before holiday is the worst time to fly and sure enough they overbooked!!! We had a totally full flight – not one single seat was empty. Real mix of Jamaicans going home and Americans going to enjoy the country and the people. Oh well – the plane got delayed an hour but we take off and before we realize it we are hearing that favorite sound – “ Welcome to Montego Bay”. Before we land, we look out the window but we cannot see the blue sea below. It is raining and windy and chilly – only in the 70’s but feels like a lot less. Cannot even see through those clouds. Please don’t let it stay this way all week we think to ourselves. We never seem to have good weather so we are worried. We wait another hour for the small plane ride over to Negril and the weather not really improving, Still overcast and cold for Jamaica. Surprisingly for a little four seater the ride is not bumpy. The Air Link pilots look out their windows with longing to watch the Air JA jets take off. We know from prior conversations that this is their real goal but I think I would trade places in an instant.
Once we are in Negril airport, things look up when we are greeted immediately by the driver to Swept Away. Looking forward to seeing the room and having some cocktails. As usual, we are welcomed like friends and family ( being repeaters helps but they treat all with same respect) and led to a beautiful room. First thing we see is the giant white comforter with oversized embossed pillows on a king size bed. Plantation shutters wrap the entire room to let you hear the tree frogs at night and to let in the sun during the day. On one wall there are French doors and we head out to a huge stone terrace with a pretty white cotton fringed hammock on one end and a big colorful blue-green sofa on the other - it looked like it belonged in a movie set. Christmas plants were placed on the veranda table and it was festive and a reminder of the time of year. A knock at the door and a bottle of champagne appears with a smiling staff member. After a quick handshake off we go to lunch. Across the street we head to the sports complex. The outsides of all the palm trees have been wrapped in colored lights. Poinsettias are everywhere and a big bowl of sorrel has been placed in the entry to the hotel along with jars of homemade cookies and candy canes. I take the treats to the crossing guards who make sure we are safe. We have our snacks of fresh pizza and callaloo nori then check out the gym. Nothing has changed. A few die-hard people are working out. That night the weather is still cold – I had to wear my longest shorts, shoes and denim jacket because it’s all open air.
The next day we get up at 5:30 and lazily head to the gym. It’s still dark but we like to do this early and get it over with. Wow what a sight we are greeted with as we stroll through the front door of the hotel to cross the road. We are embraced by lighted Christmas trees all around and the illumination on the buildings and the tress were unbelievably beautiful. The entry looked like a fairy tale. It seemed so different when we got there the during the day.
After we head back from the gym for a shower and breakfast. Oh boy - ackee and salt fish, boiled yams and bananas, callaloo, mackerel rundown, fresh papaya and mango. Yum. With cheeses, omelets and salmon we are good to go, but too full to move. Yea! the weather has broken and it looks like we can head to the beach. We find a spot in the shade to protect us from that Jamaican sun. A day of reading and walking Negril’s beautiful shore line was on the schedule. That pretty much summed up our week.
One morning after a stroll, we saw the staff setting up a wedding gazebo with white gauze and flowers. The groom appeared before 11 and his bride came to meet him right on time. The minister performed the ceremony after she walked down the sandy ‘aisle’ to Bob Marley! What a way to do it. Honeymoon and wedding all rolled into one.
One day the crafts people showed their wares. What talent. We but a small face mask that will fit in the luggage. So many beautiful things it was hard to choose. I like to take a mask home every time we go to have a wall collection as a memory. That along with sherry pepper sauce and jerk spices.
On Christmas Eve as we got prepared for dinner there were a group of carolers singing all the familiar favorites. They traveled by all the rooms so everyone could enjoy. After our wonderful meals we always head upstairs to the piano bar where we meet our friend who works at the resort. He greets us every time we see him and always remembers our names even if we haven’t been to Swept Away in several years. That is true Jamaican hospitality! After a few flaming Bob Marleys ( which we shared in the spirit of the season) we were off to bed.
We opened our door to find a pretty wrapped package as a Christmas present from the resort – a sea shell that has been decorated to hang on your tree with a card from the staff. Really nice. Christmas is another glorious day – full of sun and no wind at all. Everyone is in a good mood and greeting of Merry Christmas are everywhere. The staff was all wearing Santa hats and they all seemed very happy and upbeat despite having to work on the holiday.
Later in the morning. all of a sudden we noticed Santa – on a Jet - Ski! What a sight. As he spins around HO HO HO’ING, his red hat flies into the turquoise sea where he quickly scoops it up and comes on land to pose for pictures with everyone. There to meet him on the beach was a donkey – didn’t quite get that one but it was cute. Perhaps it a nativity and Santa all in one. Felt badly for Santa though because he’s wearing that fur suit in 90 degrees, but he seemed happy nonetheless.
The next day it was time to go home – boo-hoo. We stay at the beach as long as we can to get the most of the warm day and sunshine. Going back to Massachusetts in December will not be the same for sure. After lunch and a shower it’s off to MBJ. Boxing Day must keep the crowds away because the airport is pretty empty compared to the past trip and Air JA is not full at all. We actually leave early- a first with any of my trips with this airline.
We land and feel that New England cold air. Even the pilot says the temps are too much for his Jamaican blood. He has his family with him and once through the airport he and the kids hop a shuttle to their hotel. I wonder what they must think of the cold city compared to their tropical paradise.
On the ride home we can only talk about how soon we can return. Already looking forward to another wonder fabulous week in paradise. We started saving today!!!
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