Ya Mon, the Burgee visits Jamaica!
Arriving in Jamaica on an early
Sunday afternoon with beautiful sunny skies and 82 degrees is hard to take, but
Amy and I suffered through it. After an hour and a half ride in a cramped bus
driving on the wrong side of the road through the small towns of Jamaica and its
entire local flavor, we arrived at our resort, All-Inclusive Couples Negril
(Adults Only). Just the view from the lobby was awesome. Once getting lunch,
we were able to check into our room with a beautiful view of the palm tree laden
garden and the Caribbean Sea. We then ventured out to explore the resort
accommodations and
entertainment for the evening, and make plans for our week in
paradise. After
having dinner and listening to the local band for a little
while and a few drinks, we retired after a long day of travel.
Monday came with a nice breakfast
and making reservations to go to Rick’s Café. Then we proceeded down to the
pool to relax in the sun and enjoy the swim up bar. After several drinks, I learned that they need to have a swim up restroom as well. Amy found that she
liked the “Dirty Bananas” and the “Hummingbirds” while I stuck to my “Miami
Vices”. Later that day, we
boarded a bus to Rick’s Café. This café is
recognized as one of the top ten best bars in
the world. While watching the
sunset, you can relax listening to the band at the bar, watch people jump from
the cliffs or even watch a crazy local 150 feet in a tree do balancing acts and
then plummet in to the bay. Rick’s has its own pool as well where there are
tables and chairs in the pool where drinks are brought to you. The view of the
sunsets and the western lighthouse were breath taking.
On Tuesday, we proceeded to the
ocean to do a little Hobie sailing. The mornings seem to have lighter breezes
8-10 knots and the built to12 to 18 during the day. Amy enjoyed laying on the
tramp and enjoying the salt spray. We sailed around the bay several times
passing by the nude beach, but my eyes are just not that good anymore to see the
sights. After this delightful sail, we went back to the pool to float on our
rafts and enjoy some more local drinks. This tended to be a theme all week
long. The evening came, and we dined at the resort’s Italian Restaurant. The
food was great, the
company was extraordinary. After dinner, we listened to the
local band where the lead
guitarist looked like the Ayatollah Khomeini, the bass
guitarist looked like a pirate, drummer like a Rasta-man, and the keyboardist as
a jazz artist. But the best part was the lead singer who sang Reggae all
night. Just can’t get enough of that Reggae.
Wednesday, back to the pool and
the bar! Big surprise! Amy had a few too many “Hummingbirds” so this required
an afternoon nap where somehow she had dreams of driving a half of a motorcycle
but lost it and
could not locate it with her key fob. This followed with a
dream of putting
down a duck for $25,000. Rum is good! That evening we went
to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. We boarded a bus that came right out of one
of Jimmy Buffet’s books. We crammed 60 people into this bus that had plexiglass
window held open by hinges. There wasn’t even standing room left. The driver
ground the gears and on we went. We enjoyed some appetizers, some Red Stripe,
the band and the sunset. Our return trip on the bus brought a surprise as the
bus driver turned on some Jimmy Buffet music. However, the stereo system was
worth more than the bus and virtually pushed
t
he bus down the road with the
volume and bass from the subwoofers.
We got to do more sailing on
Thursday, and Amy got a little more adventurous out in the windier conditions.
Afterwards we were back at the pool but now Amy was drinking virgin drinks after
her interesting dreams still haunted her. Later, I went out sailing again in
the great winds. 18 knots of wind on a Hobie make for a good time. Amy stayed
back and took some pictures. All week other Hobie sailors were being pulled
back in because they kept pitch-poling the boats or could not beat back upwind.
Novices! 
Later that evening, was buffet by the pool, and then the beach party.
The
Caribbean Shrimp were to die for! At the beach, we got to see some entertainment including a contortionist and a fire dancer. Following was the
bonfire.
Friday came and Amy and I were
wondering how this trip was going by so fast but on we pressed to the pool and
the bar. The day was nice and relaxing as we chose to do nothing. That evening
we had reservations for the Otahete Restaurant. It was lobster night, and I was
going to get my fair share.
Amy ordered lobster for me as well so I was in
heaven. Amy also ordered
pumpkin soup. When it came, there were about 8
pumpkin seeds in the bowl. We both laughed—great soup. The waiter came back
with a pitcher of the soup which he poured in the bowl which then made a little
more sense. Amy loved her Caesar salad so much she had another for dessert.
Later, we sat and enjoyed a local steel drum band.
Our last day at the resort was
the day to get every bit of sun we could soak into our bodies. Amy surprised me
by wanting to go out sailing again
since it was blowing pretty well, back in to
the 15 to 18 knot range. We also
realized
that Bob Marley might have had a little influence on Jamaican life. Then, back to the pool for more sun, drinks and
relaxation. Life should be like this everyday. Saturday evening, we took in
the entertainment; then went to piano bar for a night cap before having to go
back to the room to pack as we had to leave in the morning.
All other events that occurred, stayed in Jamaica!