JAMAICAN WATERSLIDE TEAM
ANNUAL TRIP REPORT
FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 2003
The fourth Annual meeting of the Jamaican Waterslide Team is now history and the culmination of a year of preparation has been declared a total success.
We’ll dispense with all of the resort and travel related information except to say that travel was uneventful for most of us, except for those who missed their flights from hangovers, and had to arrive later than planned. We also had some folks whose flights were cancelled only a week or two before departure, so be sure to check with the airlines a couple of times before it gets too late to make satisfactory alternative arrangements. We’ll also say the bus trip to the resort is long and tedious because of road construction, but it’s getting better all the time.
As to a resort update, we received superb service from all departments. The management team that Kevin has put together is head and shoulders above any other resort we’ve ever visited. They were all visible, friendly, outgoing and checked with us several times daily to ensure we were satisfied and had no problems. Minor issues were dealt with immediately and corrected. They are serious about making sure every guest is well taken care of. There were no illnesses reported and the sanitary/food handling procedures were as good as you will find anywhere. Kevin called Bill personally before the visit, to re-assure us that the problems experienced a few weeks ago was isolated, and they had reviewed and revisited all of their food handling procedures. The results were obvious.
The key to the success of the trip was our 100 members, and the many old friends from previous years who re-joined while we were there. The group was by far the nicest, friendliest, and most fun group either of us has ever been affiliated with. We had a nice mix of couples and singles ranging in age from 20’s to 60’s. Lots of folks volunteered to help out with various committees and made everyone else’s vacation even better. Our theme night (“Wear Mesh and Glow”), our welcome party and our nude catamaran cruise were the best ever. We also held a group dinner under the stars one night and everyone enjoyed the camaraderie of just being together after so many months of planning, waiting and endless Emails.
The beauty of going with a group is that from the moment you arrive, you are among friends. We don’t form “cliques” and welcome all with open arms. We don’t care what you do, how you look, or where you come from. We greeted almost everyone with their favorite drink as they stepped off the bus, and had personalized welcome packets waiting. Upon arrival at the nude pool, we provided lots of support to the new folks, and the veterans spent lots of time renewing old acquaintances. The other advantage of the group is that you never have to go to lunch or dinner alone, and you always have lots of friends in the Piano Bar and Disco. There is no apprehension or fear about staying late in the disco or hot tub, because someone you know will also be there.
Each morning we set a few tables aside in the dining room, way out on the edge of the room, so as not to inconvenience the other resort guests. We held court there and had a rotating line of members joining us with stories about some things many of us wanted to forget about last night. It was fun and a nice way to spend the morning. Many of the management staff often joined us just to show their support. Our afternoons were spent at the nude pool and evenings in the piano bar and disco after dinner.
Our Waterslide Captain reported that we completed a total of 1691 individual trips down the Waterslide during the week. She led most of the assaults from the nude pool several times daily with her whistle. It proved to be great entertainment for the folks on the prude side many of whom came over to see what we were up to.
All in all we consider our trip to have been a huge success. Our members had so much fun that 75% have already signed up to return next year and many more will be joining us as well when their travel/business/family plans are worked out. We owe a special note of thanks to Kevin Levee and his outstanding management team headed up by Brian Sang. We also want to thank all of the individuals who did their jobs so well as waitresses, bartenders, housekeepers, front desk staff, gardeners, pool and water sports staff and of course, Bevon and his entire entertainment staff. These were the people that really made it happen. And a special thanks also goes out to Paulette (Front Desk Manager), Michelle (Public Relations Manager) and Anne-Marie (Water Sports and Scuba Manager) who are now official members of the Jamaican Waterslide Team.
Respectfully submitted,
Phil and Sunset Bill
Co-coordinators
Jamaican Waterslide Team
September 11 to 18, 2004