Third trip, first report.
Basics (repeaters can skip).
We take the red-eye out of Los Angeles, and arrive in Montego Bay around 6:30AM.
Good flight, slept most of the way. Now that the bus is averaging one hour 10
minutes we take it. No need to save a few minutes arriving that early in the
morning. This was the first time our room wasn't ready, so we headed to the nude
pool. Room was ready at 1:00PM. Stored our stuff, and back to the pool.
Observations
We have always enjoyed the resort, mostly because every trip is slightly
different. The food has been decent. Service was pretty good, etc. BUT this year
was amazing. The food was still good, but the service was outstanding. If you
even looked at your glass of water the restaurant staff was there to fill it up.
When they were not swamped with work, they would bring drinks from the bar.
Housekeeping was great as had clean beach towels in our room each day. It was
either cooler in the evenings than before, or the air conditioners were working
better. We actually turn it off before we went to sleep.
The music was lower during dinner so we could have a conversation, except for
the steel drums one night.
We were H-block, no trouble with water fluctuation, except for one day. I even
think they improved the quality of the toilet paper.
I noticed more security around. In fact I encountered the aftermath of what
appeared to be a difference of opinion between two male guests, and surrounding
them was Hedo security, and another uniformed (military?) person with, what
appeared to be, an M-16. During our bus trip we also noticed a large military
presence along the road from Mo Bay.
This was our first wedding anniversary. We were married there last Spanksgiving.
We were able to reserve one of the large tables to celebrate with our friends.
They even spelled out 'Happy Anniversary" on the table with some type of flower.
Well actually they spelled out "Happy Birthday" but we fixed it.
It was wonderful to see friends we had met over the last two years. We also met
some new friends as well. We did miss those who couldn't make it this year, and
for them I will try to underplay the GREAT time we had.
The weather was great, except for one day when it was mostly overcast with light
on-and-off rain. Actually gave us a day of rest.
We finally got our happy asses out of the pool and did para-sailing, which was
fun. We did a tandem that cost $70.00. Just the boat ride out to the boat that
took us up was worth the price of admission.
The resort did not seem as full this year as in the past. Could be from the
rooms that were out of commission being redone.
Reading trip reports and message board on DennyP, it almost seems like we were
at a different resort.. No "crud", nor anyone talking about getting it while we
were there. Noise from construction? We didn't hear any, but every so often we
could smell the paint/glue they were using, but is was not a big deal. Maybe I'm
just to easy.
Suzanne tried the jets in the cool/filter pool. Enough said on that subject.
Tim Air kamikaze attacks. O.K. it is fun and exciting, but I thought it was way
over the top with the low flying. Is it to attract customers now that the bus
ride is probably taken by more people, and they need the business.
Dissatisfied with
Coffee pot in room did not work again. I need my coffee in the morning without
walking to get it.
Don't hate me for this, but there seemed to be more single men this year.
Normally I don't mind, but they would come over and talk it seemed they would
talk to the female partner and ignore the fact she had a companion. They would
also casually touch the women on the legs or behind. Now I thought touching,
even casually, was O.K. only after asking permission. These moves were from
people who should know better, and that surprised me.
Piano bar, again don't get upset with me, but when we go there we expect Dave to
be there. Often he showed up late, and one night just sat back and allowed the
other piano players to continue on. They were good, for sure, but no Dave. When
Dave would finally begin for the first half-hour we got the same songs from the
same people. "your an "asshole" is funny once in a while. I even refrained from
asking Dave to play and sing 'One Love" for several nights, so when my bride
asked him to play it for our anniversary - he (what it seemed like to me) is
ignored her, and we got the same old songs form the same old (I don't mean old
age-wise) people.
Suggestions to New People
The first year we arrived and were in the room by 10AM. Afraid to miss anything
we stayed up and partied until 2AM. Pretty much wiped us out for the next day.
The second year we actually took a nap, realizing that if we did miss something
we'll see it later.
The second year Suzanne would wake at 8Am head to restaurant, while I slept, for
breakfast and bring me something back. So I ended up with more sleep than her.
She would get tired earlier than me, and that messed up our "together time"
schedule. This year we made sure we were either awake or asleep at the same
times so we did not get out-of-sync. This worked out very well. I recommend this
to all couples, especially new attendees.