Wayne and I returned from a week in Jamaica to snow still on the ground. It was probably hopeful wishing that it would be gone and the sun would follow us but oh well.
Our trip was fabulous! We were spoiled and pampered like no other trip we have been on. I think it was deserved after the headaches we had to start out the trip - resort overbooked and let us know the day before we were to leave, flight cancelled due to weather. It was starting out on a bad note. We have always flown direct flight but didn't this time being we booked our vacation late. We learned our lesson and it worked out to reschedule all flight. All worked out to our benefit though - flew first class nonstop to Jamaica and back. That was wonderful! I told Wayne "Once you fly first class, you never go back!" and he just rolled his eyes. We ended up staying at the Ritz Carlton, which was a little more "stuffy" than we prefer, but the food, drinks, and pampering were something I could get used to as they were awesome. It's not usually all inclusive there, but the hotel that overbooked and moved us covered the cost (a couple thousand dollars extra) for all the people they overbooked and relocated. I didn't feel bad for them at all. Champagne waiting when we arrived, food and drinks brought right to our beach chairs all day, someone setting up my beach chair with towels and pillows every morning in the spot I liked, an "amazing golf course" according to Wayne, and someone putting our napkins in our laps for every dinner. Fabulous! We had a driver take us shopping one day (you will see him in one of the pictures. His name is David and he is sitting at a table with Wayne in one of the pictures.) He went everywhere with us, made sure we got treated fair, and even called every few days to see if we needed anything. We ventured into Montego Bay a few nights as the night life for the "rich and famous" at the resort was pretty low key. We spent one evening at Margaritaville in Montego Bay. Thus, the picture of me with the tequila test tube shot - haven't done one of those in a long time. Met another man and his "trophy wife" from Pennsylvannia who were married at the resort two years ago and their maid of honor was Johnny Cash's daughter!!!! Some family on the beach by me one day was given the royal treatment-literally- and were addressed as "Your Magesty" so I was very curious who they were! Never found out though. As I said, we were pampered big time. It was great but did make us see a side of a lot of people who are too wealthy for their own good and rude, expecting everyone to do everything for them. We survived though! :)
The strangest coincidence happened on the 2nd night as Wayne and I were sitting at one of the lounge bars talking to people. A man was waiting for a drink and started chatting with us. He mentioned that he was from Iowa and played basketball at Coe. The conversation went on a little and I found out he was good friends and played basketball with Dennis!!!! (my young uncle - like that Dennis????) hehehe His name was John and he is a Dr. in Wisconsin. He made me promise that what he told me about Dennis stayed in New York. . . . .hahahah. . . .but what a small world??? He found it interesting that I would have been at some of his college games when I was in elementary/jr. high watching their games. Every day I saw him he called me "Dyersville" as that is where Dennis is from. So crazy!
So here are some pictures from vacation. Remember some of them were taken on the beach after a long day in the sun and we look like it. The resort beach was not one of the best beaches we have been on, too small for all the people, but we survived. A favorite was the jerk shack where we had jerk chicken and jerk beef - the Jamaican favorite. There are also pictures taken up in the mountains on the golf course Wayne fell in love with. The ocean is behind us.
Thanks for everyone who helped with the kids while we were gone! We appreciate it more than you know!
