Breezes Golf and Beach Resort at Runaway Bay
Trip Report for 1/98
Breezes once again changed their name. From "Jamaica Jamaica" to "Breezes Runaway Bay" to the newest incarnation, "Breezes Golf and Beach Resort at Runaway Bay", but it's reputation as a quality and affordable All Inclusive stays as is.
First off, the flight in to MoBay from BWI via Air Jamaica:
We flew first class on AirJamaica from BWI. (For those of you flying out of Baltimore, Md, BWI has a first class check in line for AirJam, so it made checking in a snap) The $120 extra a ticket for first class was well worth it, and paid off in comfort numerous times. First off, AirJam stocks their fleet with several MD80 aircraft. These are small planes, and can be quite cramped in coach... it was even a bit cramped in first class. What lacked in space, was gained in treatment, though. AirJam's attendants worked hard to keep us happy. Moments after we sat down, we were asked if we wanted any juice or a memosa (it was an 8am flight). I had two of those memosas before we even left the ground. <grin> Just after takeoff, we were asked what we wanted for breakfast (4 course). Can't remember what it was I had, but I can tell you it was pretty yummy. <grin> The flight was smooth with very little turbulence, and the pilot would come on the PA from time to time to let us know what island we were flying over, etc...
The only complaint I had was that there were some empty seats in First Class, and some people got bumped up. I would normally have no problem with this, except 4 of those people were small children, who didn't like standing still for 5 minutes, not to mention the three and a half hour flight. They were noisy, kicked the seats in front of them (I was glad I wasn't sitting there!) and when they discovered the trays in the arms of the seats, they got even nosier. Despite several complaints to the attendant for several people, nothing was done about it. Not even after one of the kids ripped the trim off her seat. We later learned that AirJam didn't even normally allow children in first class at all. Ah, well... could have been worse.
Arrival and the Ride to Breezes:
We landed early in MoBay, which makes sense as we took off from BWI a little early! MoBay's airport is a little old and dirty. You have to walk from the tarmac to the terminal, which was fine with me, since stepping off the plane in 88 degree weather, after getting on the plane in 40 degree weather was a good thing. <grin> The public restrooms in MoBay are to be avoided. If you fly first class, just before customs there is a AirJam first class lounge... make use of it. It's very nice! More on that later...
Customs was busy, but a joke. The officer never touched out passports, even though we put them under his nose. He took the "Importing goods" form we had to fill out and sign, and waived us on. Seems I bought a passport for nothing.
We made our way to the SuperClubs desk where our luggage was piled into different piles depending on where you were heading... I was glad that the pile for Breezes Runaway was small. <grin> We were told it would be 20 minutes before the bus would leave, so we walked outside to check out the sites. We were greeted by an airport employee with "Welcome to Jamaica, mun! Come have a Jamaican beer!" as he whisked me over to a beer stand not far away. Halfway to the beer stand, he asks "Want some Jamaican smoke, mun?" I was a little shocked since this was an airport worker, but I guess anything for a buck. I passed, but thanked him anyway.
They were out of Red Stripe at the beer stand, so I got a Ting instead. (Ting is a Jamaican made grapefruit drink sort of like Mountain Dew that's gone a little flat. Quite good though...)
My wife and I sat outside and drank for a few moments, and then got the call to go to the bus. Superclubs took the luggage to the bus for us, but then a skycap (who later asked for money from us all) placed the bags into the bus for us.
The "Ride From Hell" wasn't as bad as I heard it was. Our driver was very nice, and gentle on the gas pedal. We only had about 3 close calls with other cars on the road. <grin> He told us about the towns we drove through (which looked very poverty stricken, BTW), about the landmarks, and resorts and such as we passed them. It was a fairly comfortable Toyota commercial minivan, and there were another couple seated behind us and two single females in front of us... so not very packed in.
About 20 minutes down the road, we ran into a police check stop. It was a little disheartening, I must say, to be pulled over by police with machine guns. The driver knew one of the officers, so they let us go without checking us out, but the driver said that it was common. The police stop cars and busses to check for drugs, and such.
We stopped at the rest stop about a half hour from the resort (it's just outside Discovery Bay) were I was once again offered some "Jamaican Smoke". The bus driver told me I kept getting those offers because I have a beard. Seems that the majority of Jamaicans who wear beards smoke dope, so they apply it to the tourists as well.
BTW, the rest stop is a tourist trap. It has a gift shop and sodas and beer and such, but all overpriced.
Check In and Rooms:
Check in was also a breeze! We came in, announced who we were , were given a glass of champagne and a form to fill out. We turned in the form, and identified our luggage, and were immediately given a room. (I heard them telling the single people that their rooms weren't ready and it would be a half hour wait, though) We had asked ahead of time to be on the "nude side", so we got room 3116... halfway down the row and on the ground floor. A bit of a drag, as it's quite a long hallway to get to the room when you've been drinking. <grin> Nice room, though.... I could have done without the cheesy wooden palm trees above the bed, but, who cares... we were in Jamaica, after all! Bathroom was large with a big closet (with an ironing board inside, and the best iron we've ever seen!). I really only used the closet to hang up my wet suit and my other snorkeling equipment, but it could have easily fit the clothes from both our suitcases. (the safe was in there too, but once I locked my wallet in there, I rarely went in after it)
The TV had a couple of US and Jamaican channels on it, and a TV Channel which gave times of activities at the resort. Don't believe this channel, as just about everything it said was wrong! The times were off, peoples names were off (like the golf pro, some of the entertainment coordinators, etc) and they listed some activities which never seemed to happen.
The Rest:
The grounds were amazing, and there seemed to always be at least one or two workers trimming trees, raking the lawn, etc. There is a little jungle right smack in the middle of the courtyard which holds 4 hammocks and a large bird cage in the center (no bird in it, though) It gets very dark and romantic in there in the evening, in case you've ever had the fantasy to mess around with your significant other in a jungle setting. <grin>
The pool looked very nice, and it's large size could easily accommodate many people. We never used the pool, though, as the Caribbean was just to inviting.
The buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, was the best I had ever seen. Many choices of all courses... I must have gained 10 pounds in my first two days! Great food, and plenty of it! They had the BEST bread pudding, BTW. We tried all sorts of "different" foods that they offered, such as goat, ox tail, conk, jerk pork and chicken, and octopus. The menu always changed, and they rarely had the same foods severed again on another day.
Don't bother looking at the menu they post, though, as half the time, that is wrong as well.
We only ate once at the Italian restaurant they have. The food was good, and it was a nice change from the buffet, but I still missed the "all you could eat" and the pot parie of choices!
There were several bars there, and all of them willing to make any drink
you want (except champagne). The bartenders are friendly, and like to tease and joke with
you. If you want a premium liquor, you have to ask for it though... otherwise they give
you an off-brand, and it's noticeable.The wildest bar seemed to be the one in the terrace area. The tenders
there grabbed me on my first day and forced (yeah, right!) me and my wife to do a
"welcome shot" with him. No clue what it was, but it tasted good, and felt good
too. <grin> Most of the bartenders at that bar also offered to "give me a
tour" of the north part of the island (for a price). They aren't allowed to do this,
but do it anyway... like I said, anything for a buck, I guess. We didn't take any up on
it, but we talked to a couple who did. They seemed to enjoy the experience, either way.
The "all you can drink for free" thing got to me, that week. I am usually not a drinker, but I pretty much kept a constant buzz going the entire week with mixed drinks, wine at lunch and dinner, and beer. I was in Jamaica, after all, right? No worries!
Speaking of vices, if you like cigars, the gift shop carries a small assortment of Cuban cigars. I had always heard how good they were, and wanted to try one (and being from the States, had never had the opportunity). I choose a "Romeo y Julieta" for about $16. This, I have to say, was the BEST cigar I have EVER had. I went back and got more. <grin> I was also soaking them in a shot of spiced rum, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Hell... even my wife was loving those rum soaked Cubans! I almost tried to smuggle some back with me, I liked them so much. Good thing I didn't, as US customs went through my luggage when I got home.
The Beaches:
The "prude" beach was large and soft with densely packed sand, and was the most popular. I cant say much more about it, other than we cut across it several times to use the bathroom or to exchange towels at the towel changing station. It doesn't have much swimming room, though, as the reef which is just about 100 feet off the beach is roped off from swimmers.
The nude beach was small, but cozy. We spent 90% of our time there. It was popular, though, and most of the chairs would get taken up quickly. I meant to spend the majority of my time on the golf course, but loved the beach so much, I only got to play golf once! There is no warning signs on either side of the beach though, so you get quite a few people wandering into the area turning red when they realize what they have stumbled into. There is also the occasional gawker, but you'll find that anywhere you go that's not a totally nude resort. FDR, the resort next to Breezes, has children in it, and many times people would come walking by with their kids. I heard on more than one occasions one of the little ones exclaim as they walked by "Hey! Daddy! Those people don't have any clothes on!!" in excitement.<grin>
The nude side also doesn't have a bathroom, which I hope they will eventually remedy. Also, the bar there is self serve. It has a soda machine (with one beer tap and the rest soda), ice, a couple of bottles of liquor and a couple of bottles of different juices. I would have preferred a bartender like they had at the "prude beach" bar.
The nude hottub was nice, but very sandy... It held about 8 of us comfortably. 10 if we were good friends. <grin>
Speaking of which, naturists are usually the friendliest people around, and this was still the case at Breezes. We made many friends out there on the nude beach and hot tub. (Hello to all our new friends from Canada, Wisconsin, Brazil, Germany, New York, England and Russia!)
I read on another trip report in rec.nude that Breezes might not be the best place for a newcomer to the naturist lifestyle. I would not say the same thing. My experience there was very enjoyable, and I think it'd be fine and dandy for a newbie. I just wish I would have been able to walk back and forth to my room without anything on... would have made it all the better.
It, at times, was also annoying to be bugged by the "shell
boys" in the water. They are locals who wait in the water, and when you come out to
swim (or sometimes they call to you on the beach) they pounce on you to buy shells (which
they pretend they just found in the coral... even though they are polished shells, and
it's illegal to take anything from the reefs!), drugs, or "anything you want,
mun!" Usually a "no" works fine, but every time you go out, they ask you
again. <grin>
Snorkeling:
With a reef just 50 yards off the beach, it's perfect for snorkeling. We went out twice a day, every day. Once in the morning, and then again after lunch. The best place to go in right off the nude beach, as that part of the reef isn't roped off.
We saw everything you can imagine out there! Eels, squid, octopi, rays and all sorts of colorful fish. Some of the fish are genuinely curious about the divers, and will follow you around. The sargent majors especially. I swam out to the reef one morning, and a school of about 50 of them swarmed around me checking me out. They would even come right up to my mask to look me in the eye! Talk about a weird feeling! (but way cool!)
The amount and species of coral were varied as well... all sorts of neat looking stuff. Some very large brain coral as well.
The water is clean, and once you are in the reef area, has wonderful visibility. We had rain and wind one day, which messed up the water for two days, but other than that, it was very clear and warm. I never had to wear my shorty, except for the morning after the storm (and then the water was really to cloudy to really see anyway)
Activities:
We didn't do many of the activities, as we were usually busy worshiping the sun, or snorkeling. My wife did try the trapeze though, and had a blast. Some of the folks we met on the beach from Canada got quite good at it, and even preformed in the "Guest Circus" they have every Thursday night after dinner. (BTW... the trapeze teacher, Dennis, and his girlfriend "JC" are very nice and very good instructors!)
My wife went sailing with one of the instructors, and enjoyed that as well. (and got a couple of neat pictures from the boat) I didn't go, as I was recovering from some motion sickness that hit me while snorkeling earlier that day.
We also did their Bingo night (where my wife won a SuperClubs mug) and their Casino night (where I won big, but not big enough to win any prizes) Both were quite fun, and social.
There was also a beach party, complete with team games (where the teams are ENCOURAGED to cheat by the staff!). My wife sprained her ankle in the conga line going down to the beach for the party, but played the games anyway! They also had a Reggae dance contest that night on the beach.. they picked a best male and best female dancer. They had to cut the evening short though, as a couple of the guys started to take it ALL off!
And a safety tip... do NOT take the bicycle tour!! It's VERY dangerous. We didn't do it, because on our first day we met someone who had. It was described to us as this: "Some staff member riding a bike to fast, and very far ahead of you, on a small street with cars driving by you much to fast and only an inch away from you". That same bike tour, a car got a bit to close to one of the guests... she now has a broken leg.
We were to tired to do the toga party and the pajama party (though I sleep nude, so I wasn't sure what I was going to wear anyway!), though we heard no one showed up for either, and the staff was very disappointed. Some people we had met in the hot tub had been to Breezes many times before, though, and said that usually both of those parties were packed. Don't know why it was so dead the week we were there.
We also went to the lounge one evening and saw a local female singer do
some reggae tunes. She was good, but still acted like a lounge singer. As someone who used
to be a professional musician, I couldn't take to much of it as I used to live it!
There was also the Caribbean show on Wed evenings... this is a not to miss show if you have never seen the usual tourist shows before. Limbo dancers, fire eaters (this guy was WAY cool, and really got the energy going in the crowd!) traditional Jamaican dancers, a contortionist, and a parody "Jamaican Mamma". (one of the local dancers dressed up in traditional garb, but with large pillows in the chest and butt area!) She pulled people out of the audience to dance with her up on stage. Quite funny!
Golf:
One of the reasons I went to Breezes Runaway was to golf. As I mentioned above, I barely got 9 holes in (on my last full day there!) since I was so busy having a blast on the beach or snorkeling!
The golf course is nice, and well kept, and the caddie was wonderful! The only bone I have to pick with them is they charge an arm and a leg. While the $58 green fees are free to Breezes' guests, the mandatory clubs, cart and caddy were not. We had to buy balls as well. It cost us about $75 (plus the $10 tip to the caddy) just for 9 holes!! It's a damn good thing my golfing plans had changed and I spent most of my time on the beach: Otherwise, I'd be broke right now!
I didn't check out their golf school or the driving range, but their putting green was very unkept. Trash and chunks of mud were all over it, making it impossible to use. The people I talked to who went to the golf classes said they were great, though!
The Trip Back:
The bus we took back was much larger. It held about 12 of us, plus our luggage.
The ride back was MUCH worse then the ride there. This was the usual stuff you hear about: Drivers going 20 times as fast as they should, bumpy ride, and several close calls. At once point, we all thought we were gonna die, and a truck coming the other way came inches from sideswiping us.
At least we were in air condition. <grin>
At the airport, I again thanked the gods that I was flying first class! You see, AirJamaica schedules just about all their Saturday flights between the hours of 5pm and 6pm. This means you have a couple of thousand people getting in line to check in.
The first class check in at MoBay at about 4 people in it, so we breezed right through! 10 minutes later, we were sitting in the first class lounge drinking more free beer, and eating free snacks. The lounge is wonderfully furnished, clean and well kept. A friendly bartender and one friendly waitress. I sat and watched a Jamaican soccer match against Brazil (Jamaica lost) while waiting for the plane.
Finally we were called to board the plane, and right on time! I bed farewell to my Red Stripe, and headed off to the tarmac. In luck!! It's an airbus! The seats are SO much more roomy, and I was comfy in a moment's notice. They steward brought me a rum punch, and I waited for the plane to taxi.
20 minutes went by, and we still hadn't budged. I looked out the window and saw the pilot leaving the plane... NOT a good sign when we are already 20 minutes late.
Come to find out, some of the navigation gear had malfunctioned. We spent an hour or so in the plane (getting hotter of course, since the door was open) waiting for them to fix the problem. They couldn't do it, so we had to go back to the terminal. (I figured, better delayed then dead because of a plane crash, right?)
Again, I thanked the gods for the first class lounge, as we had to wait 3 hours for another plane. It turned out to be another little MD80, but beggars can't be choosers.
While the folks at Air Jamaica treated us very well for the fight back, and while we were waiting for the new plane to arrive, I do have some other bones to pick with them again.
Before we left the plane, they had us all write down a name and phone number to contact someone in the states to let them know we were going to be late. They didn't make my call until the new plane was actually taking off. (my ride at the airport had already been at the airport waiting for me at that point!) So if this happens to you... CALL HOME! Don't trust AirJam with the task!
Also, no one knew what was going on. When we left the plane to go back to the terminal, the AirJam people freaked out when they saw us all coming back in. They had no idea what had happened, even though we were told by the flight crew to go see them about what to do.
Also, the flight delay was never relayed to anyone. Out flight showed that it was coming in on time on the BWI flight info screens, even after our landing time!! My ride called the Air Jamaica 1-800 number to check on the flight several times, and each time they told him we were on time... even though one time he called 10 minutes after the time we were supposed to land!! No communications in that airline at all, it seems.
At least we made it home, though. <grin>
Back at BWI, we were the first ones to grab our bags and head through customs. Even though we didn't have anything to declare, our bags were searched, while they let everyone else go by. Maybe it was my beard. <grin>
All in all, we had a wonderful time, and can't wait to go back! The wife wants to head back to Breezes, while I would like to try Grand Ledo Braco or Negril... we'll see who wins for our trip back next year. If she does, no sweat off my back! I could spend a week at Breezes Runaway again without any second thoughts!
For questions, or more info, feel free to email: flax@mnsinc.com