Just a brief introduction.
Jackie (my wife) and John (that’s me) have
been to Braco several times. In addition we have stayed at a few other resorts
in Jamaica over the years. We both feel that Braco is a home away from home
and many of the staff are like an extended family. What we find enjoyable on a
trip are in most ways similar. How we describe these experiences are as
different as day and night at times. So this trip report is a joint effort. I
get to write the report. Microsoft spell check and Jackie get to correct my
spelling and grammar. Jackie fills in the details I missed, forgot or was
completely oblivious to. (Happens on vacation). Just so you know which
perception of the trip you are reading I (John) am using Times New Roman Font.
Jackie is using Arial font. So enough intro, on with the trip report.
From home to Braco
I have never met an individual that did not
get up early for the trip we are no exception. (Up at 4:30 AM flight at 8:20
AM) The flight from Philadelphia got us to Jamaica about 10:50 AM. Note
Jamaica does not have daylight savings time so we picked up an hour. This was
the first time that we cleared immigration and customs and were in a taxi to
the resort within 25 minutes and at the resort by 12:20 PM. (way cool, got to
be some kind of a record) We were put in a taxi because we were the only
couple going to Braco at that time. (So much for getting to the place)
Check in
My wonderful wife volunteered to do the
check in paperwork. (She does such a wonderful job. I know this praise and
flattery thing won’t work but I’m a male so I’ll try anyway) So I being
the caring person that I am I went to the main bar and got us a few drinks. We
did not expect the room to be ready at this time of day so after the paperwork
we went to Victoria’s Market for lunch and saying hi and talking to many of
the staff as they passed by. We did notice that several of the wait staff were
new. I do not remember whom the first staff member was that informed us about
the Ritz Carlton offering more money and this being the reason for the staff
attrition. The explanation made some sense. We were at the resort in March and
they had just finished a training program for the wait staff and service was
great. (or I’m easy)
About 1:30 or so we stopped by the front
office and inquired about an estimated time for the room. About 3:00 PM was
the guestimate. Sounds good to me so off to the AN side get a drink from
Chester, strip, hop into pool and relax. Just a short note. Later in the week
there was a couple that were following the same check in procedure as
ourselves. However they opted to come to the AN side and have lunch. They were
sitting at the bar fully clothed when security approached them and informed
then that this is the AN side and they were clothed. (No Problem they lost
some of their clothes: this satisfied the guard, finished their lunch and got
naked). Finally, my wonderful wife volunteered to do the office thing about 3
PM. (I know it won’t work but it’s a male thing) The balance of the day
was easy enough. Jackie came back to the pool we have a room, go to room
unpack, back to pool, later back to room shower, dinner at the pasta place and
a few hours talking with guest and staff by the main bar. Note: way too tired
to make the toga party so crashed. Final note during check in we did make
reservations for the sushi bar and the French restaurant.
A few quick definitions
For me.
Relaxing is talking with guest and staff or
laying on a lounge like a slug or floating in the pool or sitting at the swim
up bar with a drink and a good book or catching some z’s in a lounge chair
under the gazebo by the pool.
Active is working out early in the day 6 to
8 AM. Walking to the bar to get a drink. Getting ready for dinner. Walking to
the town square.
Daily stuff
Day 2 - I do my AM workout stuff. This
includes securing a couple of lounge chairs. Got a couple under the gazebo.
With my fair complexion it’s put on sunscreen and stay in shade. Breakfast
is always enjoyable. The omelet guy can make some great ones especially when
you tell him it’s his choice. The only problem I have is getting the muffins
toasted in time with the omelet. (It’s a hard life)
Lots of first time guest on the AN side
several had been doing a few days at Hedo III then to Braco for a few more.
Most liked Braco. The newest entertainment coordinator got tossed into the
pool several times and did a very good job of being pleasant with the guest.
Jackie did some kind of massage or facial thing. I had a 3 PM manicure when I
walked into the salon there were several men sitting in the chairs. I said,
hey it must be guy day and sat down to wait. Next thing I am being taken to
the chair and I was thinking that the rest of the men in the salon had a later
appointment. (Wrong! They were all waiting for their wives to be finished. The
only male nails being done were mine.) It is Beach party day but the beach
party was moved into Victoria’s market due to threatening weather around the
island. This was the first time inside for us. It does not work well inside.
Food was OK tastes better on the beach. We finished before the show so we
could listen from outside. (I think it did rain about 9 PM or so)
Day 3 - This was a Thursday. All the AM
stuff about the same. For the AN side there is a Buffet Lunch. Lamb chops and
steak on the grill, salads veggies etc. (Yes some people, but not all, did
wrap a towel or something around themselves while having lunch. Personal
preference I guess) The tables are set up with tablecloths and other stuff you
need and the Jamaican guys played during lunch. (Note: In March we had the
string quintet playing at lunch and both groups keep their clothes on while
playing)
Some how we wound up in the gym about 4 PM.
We were trying to look like we knew what we were doing while getting in our Ti
Chi practice. If you do not practice Ti Chi, we looked like we knew what we
were doing. Michael the gym instructor does know some of the moves but he
knows them from another form of Ti Chi. The repeat guest party was moved
inside to the courthouse due to threatening weather and it did rain. Found out
about Richard Bourke being transferred to San Souci and a few other promotions
of the staff.
We tried the sushi bar for dinner. This was
our first time and the meal was very good. "Except" (There is always
one of those Excepts when it’s a first time.) Everything prior to the sushi
was great. When the sushi is served it’s in a large bowl. There are two
things in this bowl to be wary of. The first is what looks like rice wrapped
in seaweed. Guess what it is seaweed and it tastes like it. (Ugh!) The second
gem in the serving is called Wasabi sauce<sp>. Now I honestly do enjoy
hot sauce, jerk sauce etc. Well I tried the wasabi sauce. An amount about the
size of a small grape. The stuff is great but must be taken in much smaller
doses. (My sinus are still wide open.) The only thing that saved me was
knowing to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. My shirt
was soaked from perspiration from that stuff.
Finished dinner went to watch the talent
show. I caught some Z’s in the chair and Jackie watched the show.
Skipped the PJ Party.
Day 4 Same-o Same-o till the street party.
It was great. Lots of food lobster, crayfish, roast beef, jerk chicken all
kinds of goodies. The street dance was a riot. The dollar dance was one of the
best. Later we did some Hot Tubbing then back to the town square for another
drink or two.
Day 5 Saturdays are somewhat quiet days,
guest turnover to some extent. Good day to relax. We scheduled dinner at the
French Restaurant. The food is very good and service is excellent. Yes, the
men are required to wear a jacket and long pants, no tie is required. The
restaurant is air conditioned so the jacket is not a problem.
Last day this trip. Since our flight was not
till 5:30PM we had till the 2 PM to catch the bus. We spent an hour or so
saying goodbye to staff and guests, grab a bite to eat and jump on the bus.
Now for the smokers out there. There is no
smoking in the airport terminal. Our flight was last so we were sitting in the
lobby after passing through the metal detectors. Went to the cop at the gate
and inquired about going back outside for a smoke. "No this is an
entrance not an exit". So thanks to Mike S. I knew what had to be done.
Grabbed my passport and tickets walked through immigration told the guy I was
going out for a smoke. He just nodded. Didn’t even stop at customs and went
outside. When finished walked in through the metal detectors and said hi to
the same cop.
One last thought. On our last day I was
relaxing at the gazebo by the AN pool. My view was the pool, building A and
the walkway in front. At one point a flock or herd or gaggle, (whatever you
call lot’s of butterflies) were flying about by the building. I do mean lots
of butterflies. I hope I can hold that image in my mind till the next trip.
That’s all Folks. Ran out of words.
WOW! After all that, I
certainly don’t want to add much more, otherwise you’ll need an entire
week to read this. If you grabbed a drink, you’ve probably emptied the
bottle by now. John didn’t talk that much during the entire vacation! All he
did was sleep. Cynthia, the fruit lady, said she could have carried him away
and he wouldn’t have known what happened!
Just wanted to sing the
praises of the spa. Had a great facial and massage from Caroline. She’s
terrific.
Service in Victoria’s
Market and La Pasta is definitely off, but there was a lot of new staff being
trained. They are not up to speed yet. A huge difference from the excellent
service we had mid-March. Saw a new dining room supervisor (breakfast and
lunch), Maxine is on leave.
I enjoyed the power walks
in the morning and the aerobics classes late in the afternoon. There was a
guest aerobics instructor.
Two young Cuban women
played the flute and guitar in the dining room. They’ve been at the resort
before, playing at La Pasta during lunch and dinner. Beautiful music. We were
told the harpist had injured her hand and is recuperating in Cuba.