Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Jamaica, Jamaica


Got an opportunity to enjoy the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay Jamaica for my FABULOUS 30th BD CELEBRATION and away we went!

The thing about this resort is the people! From Elvis' 1st "My Pleasure" greeting to you at the front door to Maydene the fab concierge that rocked the front desk to Angela the "angel" in the business center who rescued our lost overnight package to Kingston this staff delivers!

The other great thing - the food! The food! Oh and the FOOD! Oh, we enjoyed some of the freshest most amazing fruit I've ever had in my life at
the Ritz Rose Hall. I ate figs (baby bananas) and guinep on my way out of the gym every day. Breakfast every morning in Horizons (thanks Laurel) was delicious. Lots of variety and there was always an authentic Jamaican dish. Lox with capers in one plate and ackee in another is as close as you can get to heaven on earth for me.

About the resort - simply beautiful! Not the most amazing beach you'll ever enjoy in life but you won't find the perfect beach in MoBay - take a day trip to Negril for the big sandy beach. This one has just enough beach and sun to enjoy and the pool is gorgeous day and night.

Now the property is about 5 yrs old and is beginning to show its age (needs a little botox here and there) but they are scheduled for a major renovation and I'm sure they'll keep everything looking fresh and lovely.

Enough about that - let's show you who helped me ring in my 30th in style & culture.

Here's our merry bunch!
My girl Jena, my BFF Jackie & our mommies.
Here's another hot pic of Jackie. Yes fellas, I am accepting applications (Sorry B).


My 1st "TripTip" -
Always look for special packages at resorts. The RC can costs hundreds a night for a basic room, we got a resort view room (and it was ocean view if you just looked to the right), a resort credit ($$$) and full buffet breakfast for two every morning for under $200 a night by just being flexible in our dates and shopping a bit. Never be intimidated by a name - most hotels want their rooms to be full and they'll be creative to get them that way. All you have to do is be diligent and take advantage.


Arrrgh! But I'm Back Baby!

Lost my 1st blog on another site so here I am. You know what they say "use it or lose it" - so I guess I'll have to move forward and be more diligent in my posting from now on.

So here I am - admitted travel addict who loves to hit the road, with a luxurious twist. And, in a world where everyone who thinks they're an expert on anything has a blog, why shouldn't I join the party?

Where to begin? I guess with my very 1st trips. I can still remember my first airplane trips (back when you got a hot meal in coach and REAL flatware). And I know some of you have seen piece or two of TWA silverware outside of a plane.

I remember getting my first pair of “wings” on Eastern and Delta.

I remember taking the auto train to Orlando for one of our 1st Disney trips. I remember thinking hotels were the best treat ever (even if we did live in fear of setting off the alarms with our hot plate.) Yes, we bought and prepared food. This was before the days where everyone was as accustomed to eating out as they are now.

Awww, the romance… and the agony – of chewing gum and stuffing your ears with cotton to relieve only some of the excruciating pain from that sharp descent into Jamaica once we passed Cuban airspace.

And most of all, the agony of it all being over WAY to quickly.

Years and years have gone by and I still get excited at the prospect of taking almost any trip and escaping my little pocket of reality for just a moment.

Yeah, travel and I are in it for the long haul. And I’ve decided to share some of my special moments, insights, tips, and observations with you. I hope you’ll enjoy reading as much I’ll enjoy writing and reliving each moment.