Jamaica Me Want to Go Back

[jenseib]

Hello all! It’s me again…Jen!




I wanted to share with all of you my wonderful Jamaican trip I took this past summer, July 31- Aug. 4, 2016. What an amazing time it was with some amazing old and new friends.




This was a work trip….yep! Poor me! But before you all think…Gosh all she ever does is travel for work….that is not true…and I work very hard to get to do these trips. And the week leading up and the week after I come home are just chaotic!




This trip was sponsored by Sandals and Beaches and it involved touring several resorts and rooms as well as experiencing different dining options and other things the Sandals brands offer.




I no longer remember when I actually first started planning this trip, but I was invited to participate and I spread the word to a few other agents who in turn applied for this opportunity as well. At one time there were 4 of us going from my workplace; Ellen, Lenora, and Brook…but Brook ended up backing out as her family then planned a trip to Europe that overlapped the dates.




We all booked our flights and searched for a facebook group and found one. We met a few people in the group prior to going, but it was not a very active group. My flight had me flying into Baltimore and then on to Montego Bay. Lenora and I were discussing flights and when we realized I was coming in there and that is where she was flying out of, she changed her flight so that we would be on the same one. Lenora was fairly new to my agency but we have been friends online for several years now…meeting on the Disboards. We have something in common…..not many people have this in common, so it instantly bonded us! We are both wives of Dairy Farmers. She can understand things that no one else can even possibly start to understand. I was excited to finally meet her in person.


Ellen was flying from NYC I believe and she had met a gal, Marianne, in our facebook group that was flying on her same flight and they got to know each other a bit before traveling. Marianne ended up being a new great friend to all of us and we did everything together. We all bonded with her fast and we kept forgetting she was not really part of our agency. LOL.




All the preliminaries were done…flights booked; waivers and behavior contracts all signed….and we all booked the Club Mobay for our arrival in Montego Bay!




Let the fun….um I mean training begin!

 

[juniorbugman]

Wow I get to read about some of your Jamaica trip before I leave in just 2 1/2 weeks. We are staying at the Grand Palladium. My sister won a trip from a local radio channel and she is taking me. Hopefully I can use some of your information.
Also I had previously asked you what kind of camera you used and today I ordered my Olympus Tough TG4 camera.
Judy

 

[dolphingirl47]

Checking in. I will have to come back to read the trip report itself when I come back from my "round the world" trip. We are leaving for Sydney tomorrow.

Corinna

 

[Flossbolna]

I am in! I am excited to read about your adventures in Jamaica!

 

[mom2rtk]

Checking in! Can't wait to hear all about Jamaica!

 

[jenseib]

Wow I get to read about some of your Jamaica trip before I leave in just 2 1/2 weeks. We are staying at the Grand Palladium. My sister won a trip from a local radio channel and she is taking me. Hopefully I can use some of your information.
Also I had previously asked you what kind of camera you used and today I ordered my Olympus Tough TG4 camera.
Judy

How fun...Is it in Montego Bay? That is a really nice place from what I have seen. It will be so nice! Most of my info is about Sandals, but hopefully you can get something helpful!
I hope you love the camera. As I use it more, I am learning more of the functions and it is a great little camera. I only took that one on my Universal trip in Feb. and it was so freeing not to have to lug the big guy around.

Checking in. I will have to come back to read the trip report itself when I come back from my "round the world" trip. We are leaving for Sydney tomorrow.

Corinna

OMG!!!! Have fun! It sounds like an amazing trip.

Checking in! Can't wait to hear all about Jamaica!

Hello!!!

Guess what is coming today....a new dryer....finally!!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Guess what is coming today....a new dryer....finally!!!!!

Maybe we should introduce it to my new washer?

 

[jenseib]

July 31, 2016


I had an early flight…and I MEAN early!!!!! 5:25 AM to be exact! Yuck! But I didn’t want to come in a day early and this one would get me to Jamaica with plenty of time to spare before the evening’s events started.


Originally I booked a hotel near the Detroit airport for the night before. I had researched and researched and the emails I had gotten from Southwest said to arrive at the airport 3 hours early for my international flight…..which mean 2:30 AM! I asked friends and looked on message boards and asked if this early time was really necessary since I was flying to BWI first. Basically everyone said better to be safe than sorry and yes the airport can be busy at this time.

After talking to my Mom, she volunteered to take me to the airport that night, which worked out better. I would have to spend 100+ dollars on a hotel room that I would only be using for a few hours….and let’s face it…I probably wasn’t going to be able to fall asleep. Claire said she wanted to come along as well to drop me off.


So the evening of the 30th, I made sure I had everything needed and packed and just basically waited on the couch till it was time for Mom to pick us up. I think I may have dozed, but not for long.


Mom arrived and we packed up the car and headed to the airport, which is a little over an hour away, depending on traffic…and at 1:30 AM there is none….so we arrived right on time. I grabbed my bags and hugged and kissed Claire good bye and went in…..to see that the SW counter was not open. I saw others sitting around, so I grabbed a seat near the check in line and waited. I talked to a few people who said they were told the SW line would not open till 3:30. UGH! Wish I had known that! Now I had an hour to waste.


As it got closer to 3:30, some of us got in line to be ready to check in….unfortunately a huge group of “gun” guys beat most of us to the line.


takeoff1 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Yep! They each had a gun case. Someone said they were a shooting team but someone else said they were military…I think Mexican military…..maybe both?


takeoff2 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Finally I got checked in and my bag was taken and I headed to security. I had just gotten global entry and was excited to use it for the first time…..except that line is not open this early in the AM. However, there was no line to speak of and they told us that those that had TSA pre-check did not have to take out anything and could follow those procedures rather than the normal ones. Good!


I headed to my gate and waited. I think I got a snack at some point and then finally boarded and was ready for my adventure to start.


takeoff3 by Jenseib, on Flickr


The amazing thing about flying at Butt-Crack Thirty in the morning is that you get to see the sun rise from the air.


takeoff4 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff5 by Jenseib, on Flickr


It was really beautiful.


takeoff6 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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I think I may have dozed a bit on this flight, but it was pretty short and before I knew it we were landing in BWI. I messaged Lenora who was just coming in through security and said she was going to get some Starbucks before meeting up.


Once I got off the plane, I decided to get something to eat as well. I didn’t take a picture and I don’t remember what it was, but it hit the spot. Lenora said the Starbucks line was super long and she would meet me at the gate. After a bit she found me and we hugged! It was nice to finally meet in person! We chatted and soon boarding was called. I had an earlier boarding position than her so I promised to save her a seat. While in line we saw Libby, who we recognized from our facebook group and said hello. She told us another gal was supposed to be on this flight too.


I found a seat and soon Lenora was on and she sat next to me….then Libby boarded and she sat in our row as well. We all chatted and got to know each other.


Time for a selfie.


takeoff9 by Jenseib, on Flickr


And off we go!


takeoff10 by Jenseib, on Flickr


I saw a reflection rainbow….so cool.


takeoff11 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Soon we saw beautiful blue water below us. I told Lenora I bet we are going over the Bahama’s….I wonder if we could see Castaway Cay from here?


takeoff12 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff13 by Jenseib, on Flickr


So many islands.


takeoff16 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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I wondered which island this is as it appeared to have a landing strip.


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And then I saw it!!!!!! I couldn’t even believe it….but I knew it at once!


takeoff14 by Jenseib, on Flickr


OMG! I shrieked! There is Castaway Cay!!!!!! And the Dream is docked!


takeoff20 by Jenseib, on Flickr


In my excitement many people started taking pictures. LOL. I think some of them had no clue but figured if someone was freaking out over it they better take a picture.


If nothing else good happened this trip….that was fine….this was already a huge highlight for me.


takeoff21 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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We went by Cuba and that island is really huge. You never think about how big it actually is.


takeoff23 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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And then it was time to get ready to land in Jamaica!!!!!!


takeoff24 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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As we were coming in, Libby was pointing out different hotels….but honestly I couldn’t tell them apart in the air.


takeoff28 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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Landed!!!!!


takeoff31 by Jenseib, on Flickr


And a hanger for Sandals…..cool.


takeoff32 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

[jenseib]

When we got off the plane we had people waiting for us with our names on a card to take us through customs. This was part of the Club Mobay experience. They get you through much faster. Now it really depends on the time of day…and your luck. A week before we had heard of people waiting an hour to get through….today most everyone was breezing through, but with our escorts we were some of the first to get through and it was really nice.


Once we got through we were told we could head to Club Mobay while we waited for our shuttle, but also being a Sandals client, we could wait in the Sandals lounge as well. It was a bit chaotic as we were handing off our luggage to be taken to the shuttle, trying to check out both lounges, using bathrooms and also most of us were starving and trying to get something quick from one of the lounges.


I think this was the only picture I got of the Sandals Lounge….I failed miserably.


takeoff33 by Jenseib, on Flickr


The Club Mobay Lounge.


takeoff34 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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takeoff36 by Jenseib, on Flickr


I think I ended up running back to the Sandals Lounge to use the restroom and then we were being called to board the shuttle and as I walked out I grabbed something small to eat. Because of the rush, there wasn’t much left, but it kept me from starving. Some of the other ladies were smarter and grabbed several things to take on the bus with them.


We loaded the shuttle bus and I didn’t want my carryon to get put in the pile of luggage as it had my nice camera in it. They told me I had to sit at the back so that I could keep it in the back and out of the way…which was fine. But then they kept trying to take it away from me. What was so hard to understand? I want my bag with me! LOL.


We then took off towards Negril, which is where we would be staying for the first 2 nights.


takeoff49 by Jenseib, on Flickr


We got to talking with many of the people on the bus and the majority was going to the same event we were.


takeoff37 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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Most of my pictures were blurry on the way.


takeoff45 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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takeoff48 by Jenseib, on Flickr


I believe the ride to Negril is about 1 ½ hours but it seemed to go by really fast. Before we knew it we were arriving at Sandals.


takeoff50 by Jenseib, on Flickr


We were welcomed by a band playing music, which was nice, but it was also loud and hard to hear anything.


arrival1 by Jenseib, on Flickr


They had snacks for us and had us wait here while they came around with our info on clipboards.


arrival2 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Honestly this was a bit disorganized and after talking to others who have done these type of trips before they commented as well that it was disorganized and the worst they have ever seen it.


arrival3 by Jenseib, on Flickr


arrival4 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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We had time before our rooms were going to be ready so we got some quick lunch before the buffet closed. I failed to take pictures because we inhaled it!


I took a few pictures then.


arrival10 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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Our new friend Margaret asked us where we were eating tonight? Um…I don’t know…how do we find out? Oh her check in lady told her to be sure to sign up on a sheet and they offered several options for the next 2 nights. Great…no one told either Lenora or I. We went to the lobby and looked at the options and message Ellen, who had now landed, and she told us to just choose and also to include Marianne when we made them.

I think we went with French for tonight and Italian for tomorrow.

 

[jenseib]

Maybe we should introduce it to my new washer?

No way...we are meeting up before our laundry facilities are! LOL

 

[mom2rtk]

No way...we are meeting up before our laundry facilities are! LOL

 

[dolphingirl47]

I had an early flight…and I MEAN early!!!!! 5:25 AM to be exact!

That is painful and I have been moaning that the car service is picking us up at that time tomorrow morning.

After talking to my Mom, she volunteered to take me to the airport that night, which worked out better.

That was really nice of your mom.

to see that the SW counter was not open. I saw others sitting around, so I grabbed a seat near the check in line and waited. I talked to a few people who said they were told the SW line would not open till 3:30.

What a pain.

The amazing thing about flying at Butt-Crack Thirty in the morning is that you get to see the sun rise from the air.

I loved the sunrise photos.

I found a seat and soon Lenora was on and she sat next to me….then Libby boarded and she sat in our row as well. We all chatted and got to know each other.

That worked out really well.

OMG! I shrieked! There is Castaway Cay!!!!!! And the Dream is docked!

How amazing. I had not realized that Castaway Cay was quite so big.

I can see myself in this lounger.

Corinna

 

[dizneeat]

I'm in Jen! I need to come back to read though as I need to go back to work tomorrow and I need to get a few more things done tonight (it's already 10pm here).

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Hi Jen. What an exciting trip. I look forward to hearing all about it.

 

[canyoncam]

Reading along.

Wonderful sunrise pictures. I may miss that on my flight next month as it is 6:15am so just past peak time. So dang I won't even get rewarded for being up so early. I remember you posting the CC picture in another TR. loved it then love it now.

My aunt always has to have her carry on with her on the shuttles and faces the same frustration you dealt with. It could be easier for her if it wasn't the largest carry on size allowed anymore!!!

Looks pretty. Too bad it was chaotic. Hopefully it gets better?

 

[jenseib]

That is painful and I have been moaning that the car service is picking us up at that time tomorrow morning.

It really is. I have one this summer too...but we'll survive!

That was really nice of your mom.

Yes, I was happy to save over $100 for a room I would barely use. At least that cost would have had my car there too, but still better to be dropped off.

What a pain.

I am thinking for this summer flight I am not going to arrive so early...that way I don't have to wait so long at the gate and we will have TSA precheck, so breezing through security too.

I loved the sunrise photos.

It was so pretty.

That worked out really well.

It was nice to have her on the flight with me...and then since we both were not super familiar with going through customs and stuff...even with the help of Club Mobay, we could do it together.

How amazing. I had not realized that Castaway Cay was quite so big

It really is a big island. They don't use the majority of it.

I can see myself in this lounger.

They had a lot of neat loungers. I never felt out of place, but really Sandals is for couples...so I can see why they have all the romantic loungers and some of the entertainment was more geared for couples. Paige got Married at the one in the Bahama's and she said it was amazing.

I'm in Jen! I need to come back to read though as I need to go back to work tomorrow and I need to get a few more things done tonight (it's already 10pm here).

Take your time. I have a lot going on too and I will be gone all next week.

Hi Jen. What an exciting trip. I look forward to hearing all about it.

Thanks for joining in!

Wonderful sunrise pictures. I may miss that on my flight next month as it is 6:15am so just past peak time. So dang I won't even get rewarded for being up so early. I remember you posting the CC picture in another TR. loved it then love it now.

Oh yeah...the sun might be up by then...but maybe you'll get a glimpse. It was really pretty.

My aunt always has to have her carry on with her on the shuttles and faces the same frustration you dealt with. It could be easier for her if it wasn't the largest carry on size allowed anymore!!!

I will admit, mine is pretty big, but I could easily hold it on my lap if need be.

Looks pretty. Too bad it was chaotic. Hopefully it gets better?

It was a little crazy. I think we just had a lot arriving at that time. When others arrived it wasn't quite as bad...but the organization was not the best. I found out later that some of the team members were asked to join kind of last minute as another group had other plans..and I think they were the ones who had to put together some of it.

 

[jenseib]

Our rooms were now ready and we were escorted with our bags.


arrival11 by Jenseib, on Flickr


arrival5 by Jenseib, on Flickr


I realized later that my room was an accessible one, which was perfectly fine. I had a shower I could throw a dance party in it was so big.


negril11 by Jenseib, on Flickr


I didn’t have any view from my room, but I was the first door next to the pool and very close to the main building.


negril12 by Jenseib, on Flickr


negril13 by Jenseib, on Flickr


I found out a little later that most of the others had an itinerary on their bed and a plate of treats….I had none. I later went up to the desk to ask for the itinerary and they said they would make note and deliver one to me. It was several hours before one showed up.


negril14 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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My room was in a newly renovated area of the resort, so my room was fresh and clean and modern.


negril17 by Jenseib, on Flickr


This shower was HUGE!


negril18 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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I loved the sinks, but I make a mess with it every time I turn it on.


negril20 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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One of those window shutters would not close right and there was a light directly outside the window, so I ended up putting a towel over it…mainly because at night it drove me nuts.


negril23 by Jenseib, on Flickr


I headed back out and met up with Lenora. Her room was in the opposite direction and very different than mine.


arrival12 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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Time for a drink!


arrival16 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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You can see the buffet area past this seating area. I found the food good. It has a lot of local items, but there was some “American” items too.


arrival18 by Jenseib, on Flickr


We did some walking around to check out the resort.


arrival109 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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These below are the rooms that you can walk right out to a swimming area. My daughter Paige ended up booking a room like this in Sandals Royal Bahamian in Jan for her wedding and she said it was amazing.


arrival111 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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[jenseib]

We then headed over by the spa to take a quick look.


arrival112 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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I think I split up from Lenora for a while and I went on looking around. We first decided to order a pizza and it was going to take a bit so we went off on our own and planned to meet back up to eat our pizzas.


arrival23 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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These rooms looked so neat….and Ellen got one of them!


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I am not sure I would feel comfortable bathing in one of these tubs. They do have curtains around them, but still…it just seems weird. I am sure they are for “romance”, but again, it just seems weird to me.


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This was the scuba area….well not where you actually do it, but the building for it and to do any padi classes if you are interested.


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This is the pool where you practice and learn.


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One of the restaurants.


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They often had people going around selling things, but it wasn’t too bad. At each edge of the property they had people kind of guarding it at times so that you would not be bombarded but local merchants. They also had times where they allowed them to set up tables to buy things.


arrival42 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Lenora and I met back up and enjoyed our pizzas.


arrival43 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Again…no pictures of our food. I guess we were just super hungry that day.


arrival44 by Jenseib, on Flickr


arrival45 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

[oceanmarina]

July 31, 2016


I had an early flight…and I MEAN early!!!!! 5:25 AM to be exact! Yuck! But I didn’t want to come in a day early and this one would get me to Jamaica with plenty of time to spare before the evening’s events started.


Originally I booked a hotel near the Detroit airport for the night before. I had researched and researched and the emails I had gotten from Southwest said to arrive at the airport 3 hours early for my international flight…..which mean 2:30 AM! I asked friends and looked on message boards and asked if this early time was really necessary since I was flying to BWI first. Basically everyone said better to be safe than sorry and yes the airport can be busy at this time.

After talking to my Mom, she volunteered to take me to the airport that night, which worked out better. I would have to spend 100+ dollars on a hotel room that I would only be using for a few hours….and let’s face it…I probably wasn’t going to be able to fall asleep. Claire said she wanted to come along as well to drop me off.


So the evening of the 30th, I made sure I had everything needed and packed and just basically waited on the couch till it was time for Mom to pick us up. I think I may have dozed, but not for long.


Mom arrived and we packed up the car and headed to the airport, which is a little over an hour away, depending on traffic…and at 1:30 AM there is none….so we arrived right on time. I grabbed my bags and hugged and kissed Claire good bye and went in…..to see that the SW counter was not open. I saw others sitting around, so I grabbed a seat near the check in line and waited. I talked to a few people who said they were told the SW line would not open till 3:30. UGH! Wish I had known that! Now I had an hour to waste.


As it got closer to 3:30, some of us got in line to be ready to check in….unfortunately a huge group of “gun” guys beat most of us to the line.


takeoff1 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Yep! They each had a gun case. Someone said they were a shooting team but someone else said they were military…I think Mexican military…..maybe both?


takeoff2 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Finally I got checked in and my bag was taken and I headed to security. I had just gotten global entry and was excited to use it for the first time…..except that line is not open this early in the AM. However, there was no line to speak of and they told us that those that had TSA pre-check did not have to take out anything and could follow those procedures rather than the normal ones. Good!


I headed to my gate and waited. I think I got a snack at some point and then finally boarded and was ready for my adventure to start.


takeoff3 by Jenseib, on Flickr


The amazing thing about flying at Butt-Crack Thirty in the morning is that you get to see the sun rise from the air.


takeoff4 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff5 by Jenseib, on Flickr


It was really beautiful.


takeoff6 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff7 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff8 by Jenseib, on Flickr


I think I may have dozed a bit on this flight, but it was pretty short and before I knew it we were landing in BWI. I messaged Lenora who was just coming in through security and said she was going to get some Starbucks before meeting up.


Once I got off the plane, I decided to get something to eat as well. I didn’t take a picture and I don’t remember what it was, but it hit the spot. Lenora said the Starbucks line was super long and she would meet me at the gate. After a bit she found me and we hugged! It was nice to finally meet in person! We chatted and soon boarding was called. I had an earlier boarding position than her so I promised to save her a seat. While in line we saw Libby, who we recognized from our facebook group and said hello. She told us another gal was supposed to be on this flight too.


I found a seat and soon Lenora was on and she sat next to me….then Libby boarded and she sat in our row as well. We all chatted and got to know each other.


Time for a selfie.


takeoff9 by Jenseib, on Flickr


And off we go!


takeoff10 by Jenseib, on Flickr


I saw a reflection rainbow….so cool.


takeoff11 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Soon we saw beautiful blue water below us. I told Lenora I bet we are going over the Bahama’s….I wonder if we could see Castaway Cay from here?


takeoff12 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff13 by Jenseib, on Flickr


So many islands.


takeoff16 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff17 by Jenseib, on Flickr


I wondered which island this is as it appeared to have a landing strip.


takeoff18 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff19 by Jenseib, on Flickr


And then I saw it!!!!!! I couldn’t even believe it….but I knew it at once!


takeoff14 by Jenseib, on Flickr


OMG! I shrieked! There is Castaway Cay!!!!!! And the Dream is docked!


takeoff20 by Jenseib, on Flickr


In my excitement many people started taking pictures. LOL. I think some of them had no clue but figured if someone was freaking out over it they better take a picture.


If nothing else good happened this trip….that was fine….this was already a huge highlight for me.


takeoff21 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff15 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff22 by Jenseib, on Flickr


We went by Cuba and that island is really huge. You never think about how big it actually is.


takeoff23 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff41 by Jenseib, on Flickr


And then it was time to get ready to land in Jamaica!!!!!!


takeoff24 by Jenseib, on Flickr


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As we were coming in, Libby was pointing out different hotels….but honestly I couldn’t tell them apart in the air.


takeoff28 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff29 by Jenseib, on Flickr


takeoff30 by Jenseib, on Flickr


Landed!!!!!


takeoff31 by Jenseib, on Flickr


And a hanger for Sandals…..cool.


takeoff32 by Jenseib, on Flickr

Joining in here. What a great trip report so far!

How amazing to fly over castaway cay, we have been there 3 times, love that island. Yes it looks so big, even from the air.

Your sunset pictures from the plane were fantastic, may I ask what camera you used ? (Im in the market fur a new one)

 

[mom2rtk]

Those rooms right by the pool look great.

And I'm going to be honest, but I just don't get the outdoor tub. Maybe I'm just not their target market? Honestly, I don't want one myself, nor do I want my neighbors to have one!