Main > Photo Gallery > Trips > Jamaica
Talk about a last-minute trip. As per my wife's wishes, I was planning on a vacation for her 30th birthday. I had the darnest time trying to find something that wasn't going to cost us an arm and a leg. It was so tough trying to find something. IF we leave for Aruba on Monday to this resort, or do we leave on a different Saturday, in Cancun, stay at a different resort this time...... Wait, how about if we leave in the morning vs the afternoon..... Oye ve.
Finally, I called Tom, the travel agent we have used in the past, and have recommended to others. BAM! In a few hours, he's got a great recommendation -- Jamaica. He gives us two choices (Negril and Ocho Rios), and gives us enough information to make a decision. We decided on the RIU Ocho Rios, 90 minutes east of Montego Bay.
We opted against the travel insurance, and wouldn't you know? There was a minor snowstorm the day before. Luckily, it didn't affect our flight. I would have been pissed if our flight was cancelled.
Ocho Rios, here we come.
As usual, the first day of travel involved a mad dash to the airport to catch our flight. This time, Monday morning was a mad dash to JFK in Queens, not nearby Newark in NJ. We had an 8:45am flight, so we had to check in by 6:45am. We were supposed to be on the road by 4am, to get there by 6am. By the time we packed up the portable crib, two suitcases, a duffel bag, my backpack, and the diaper bag, and it was all in the car, it was 5:20am.
Yikes.
I drove like a man possessed, and made it to the parking lot in Queens by 6:30am. We took the bus to Terminal 8, and were on a long line by 6:45am. I was worried, but they still checked us in close to 7am. No delays, and we were off to Jamaica. Incidently, JFK is located in Jamaica Queens, so I find it humorous that we flew from a snowy Jamaica to a warm & sunny Jamaica.
We got our luggage, hopped onto the pre-arranged bus, and were off to our hotel 90 mins away. Hotel was great, the air conditioning in a room was a little poor, but a great view. We walked around, got some food, and freshened up. At night, the AC wasn't really working. A call to Maintainence was unanswered.
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No finer breakfast than potato chips |
Sitting in anticipation for takeoff |
We can almost smell the salty air |
We've been up most of the night, so she caught a few winks |
Are we there yet? |
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On the bus to the resort |
A long ride to the resort |
Long enough to put weary travellers to sleep |
The front desk |
Lobby |
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Outside our front door |
Shows every night |
Happy to be in the Caribbean |
Our first day at the beach. Joshua's first day at the beach.... ever. In the evening, we went to the Mandalay asian restaurant.
The air conditioning was still poor, and we were sweating. Numerous complaints, and they temporarily put us in a different room for Tuesday night, with a possible room switch Wednesday.
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Joshy's first pair of sunglasses |
Let the vacation officially begin! |
Joshua discovers sand |
Aw yea |
Come back, Robinson Crusoe |
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That's right. I have nipples. Get over it. |
Ready for a nap |
One of two pools |
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Joshy, me, and zucchini |
Dinner at Mandalay |
Hmm, watermelon |
Steel drum band |
They couldn't get anyone to fix our AC, so they apologized, and moved us to a Deluxe suite. Man, it was nice. The AC still didn't make it as cold as I liked it, but I suppose the Jamaicans like it hot.
Wednesday was spent at the beach AGAIN. In the evening, we had dinner at Mammee Bay steakhouse.
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Upgrade to the super deluxe suite |
Living room |
Walk-in closet |
Jacuzzi |
Double sinks |
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And a bidet? |
The balcony is the size of our old room |
Wedding on the beach. Cool. |
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View of half of the resort |
Family picture before dinner |
Steakhouse dinner at Mammee Bay |
Another beautiful day in Ocho Rios. Heard this story before? We spent it at the pool and beach. In the evening, we had dinner at the Tushima Japanese restaurant. Hmmm, not the greatest Japanese cuisine I've ever had, but we were in Caribbean, I guess. We also took in a show at the theater, and Joshua was mesmerized.
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Enjoying the view |
Tonight, Joshua is bartending |
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Nice job! |
"Baby carrots!" |
Dinner at Tushima |
Audience participation. Note my wife. |
Our last full day in Jamaica. We made a trip to Dunn's River Falls to climb the waterfall. After dangerously climbing with a long line of tourists, with Num-Joel-Joshua at the end, halfway Num was too worried, and got off with Joshua. I admit I was a little daunted climbing slippery rocks with my left arm, and carrying Joshua in my right arm. I climbed the rest of the way on my own. After returning to the resort, we spent 3+ hours in the pool. In the evening, we went back to Mandalay for more great generic Asian food.
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Waking up |
Famous nearby waterfalls |
I climbed a waterfall |
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Resting in the cab back to the resort |
In the not-so-hot tub |
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3 hours in the pool |
Ordering a drink at the swim-up bar |
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Seriously, 3 hours in the pool |