Jamaica Part 2

The Hotel...

So after a crazy ride to the hotel, which was only 7 miles from the airport, we pull into the Holiday Inn Sunspree.  I know a lot of you are saying "a Holiday Inn?"  Yes, and it was amazing what they had to offer!

So we get out of the taxi and arrange with the driver to pick us up on Wednesday.  He said "I'll be here!"  We turn and walk into the resort, and this is what you see in the main lobby!

Of course you will see a lot more people...We took this in the morning so we could get the best shot!
We got into the check-in line and were greeted by someone with a tray of drinks.  Rum punch!  What a way to be welcomed!  When it was our turn, we were able to check-in but our room would not be available until 3pm.  It was 2:15.  So they gave us our ID bands so we could go get a bite to each and a drink.  So off we go to the Jerk Chicken/Pork hut.  More on that when we get to the 'food blog'.  So 3pm rolls around, we head back to the lobby to get our room.  There was a line..a very long line.  There was only one person handing out the keys.  This made for a very long wait.  It was muggy warm and people were getting grumpy.  I was one of them.  I had been up since 2:30 am and I was beat!  The wait ended up being an hour and a half.  UHG!  So that is something that needs to be changed.  No doubt!  However, we head to our room in building 5, and get there to find out the elevator is out of order.  Great!  What next.  So we walked 4 flights of stairs.  The first thing we noticed was that our room was on the corner of the building with only one room next to us.  SCORE!  We open the door and THIS is what we saw..

They gave us an ocean view!!!  Okay the hour and a half wait was not in vain!  The room was very clean and we were well stocked with everything we could need.  The rooms had all the normal stuff you would get at hotels in the states.  The bathroom was small, but maybe that's because the room had a garden tub in it!  Everyday the cleaning staff did something cool with our bed.  Here is an example:

When you go to the islands you usually can expect to see some mold, it's tropical, humid.  Mold happens, but not here!  I didn't see any anywhere!  Also on the balcony there was a mini clothes line of sorts so we could hang up our suits to dry. 

The hotel had WiFi but there was no cell service.  So we had to 'activate the room phone'.  This took some doing.  We called the front desk and asked them to turn it on.  There is a 75.00 deposit.   Then calls to the US were 3.80 per minute.  No, I'm not making this up.  To me it was worth it because I needed to touch base with my kids.  It's my way of knowing they are okay.  Yes, I can be a nervous Mom at times.  We kept our calls short, just enough to say I love you, and we'll talk tomorrow!  So keep this in mind.  The hotel phones do not allow you to use pre-paid calling cards. 

So there is part 2!  Part 3 will be about hotel and area activities!

Jamaica Part 1

Every year my husband and I try to hit a Caribbean Island for our Anniversary.  This year the kids pulled Jamaica out of the hat.  No seriously, they actually pulled it out of the hat.  You see we have a hard time 'deciding' so I decided to let the KIDS decide for us.  It works just fine!  Put all the countries into my son's Red Sox ball cap and let the draw begin!  This 4-5 part blog will have information to get you pumped to maybe make this trip!  It was AWESOME!  However, there are tips that can make it better!

So we went to Montego Bay.  We left on a Sunday, and the skies looked fantastic for flying.  I was a little concerned because the 1st Tropical Storm was named and it was directly in our flight path...Alberto.

This was at flight level 37000..Alberto was spiking to at least 40000.  Amazingly not one bump was felt.  Or as I like to call them 'Pot Holes'.  Our Captain and FO did a great job going around this monster! 

So then settling back into watching Food Network on the FREE Satellite TV on the company plane!  I say company because my husband works for the company we were flying on.  Yup, perks are cool!

So one more hour in the books and I look down and notice this...

The map on the TV was showing us going around the bottom of the Florida Peninsula.  I didn't have any other indication of position..but thought this was pretty neat.  If anyone in the airline world has seen this and knows what and where it is let me know..I'm truly curious!

Okay, so 45 minutes later you hear the engines power down slightly and you feel the 'dip'.  Oh we must be starting the decent!  I grab the camera waiting for my first view of the beautiful island of Jamaica!  I look at the window and see we are getting ready to 'punch the clouds', and get ready for a bump.  Bump was hit and then all I see is white mist.  About 3 minutes later we come out and this is what I saw..

  "WOW! That looks like Vermont!"  My husband was quick to agree!

So we land at the Airport in MBJ only to be held for a couple of minutes due to another airline getting ready to push out of our gate.  So I took a picture of the Airport.  Didn't look like much from the outside.  But wait for the 'return portion' of the blog..you will be amazed!



So we pull into the gate, engines power down, seat belt sign goes off and you would think it was every man, woman, and child for themselves!  WOW!  People, we're all going to get drinks don't worry Mon!  We walk downstairs to the Immigration area of the airport.  Please note that you will be given a form to fill out on the plane PRIOR to landing.  When you are done filling it out, put it in your passport! That way it doesn't come up missing!  It needs to be ready to go or you will get scolded!  So you get 'checked in' and you are now off to Customs.  This was easy.  They just check your passport and that FORM.  Then they say 'Welcome to Jamaica!' and you are off!  Now you are in the baggage claim area.  My husband and I never check a bag.  We have carry-ons.  It's an island.  You don't need much.  We go get a taxi.  Another note.. Taxis run 30.00 American anyway you go in Montego Bay.  It's always 30.00.  No mater what.  So we get into the taxi and our driver 'Junior' takes us to our hotel. 

Jamaica Part 2 will be the hotel!  Stay tuned!

Small Town Happenings

As I type this, I'm realizing what a great town we live in.  We are 9 months post Tropical Storm Irene flooding and our hometown is starting to come back to life.  Today for instance the train station was the main stop for 'National Train Day'.  It was great to see so many people there!  Here is a photo journey of the morning! 

                                                         Lots of Arts and Crafts!

Face Painting of course! 

Here comes the train!

They got interviewed for the 11:00 news!  This was bigger than big for these two!  Even though they were not on at 11:00....

Here we are on the train checking out the old cars!  Perfect end to a fun morning! 

To all the Moms out there!

I have to say in the past 9 years, I have been one busy Mom!  I knew I'd be busy, but not REALLY busy! Here are a few things I have learned and want to share with the new Moms out there.  My sister just did a great post on "Mommy Badges"..you need to read that. That's  Lesson 1.  You should be able to read it through here.  If not let me know!  http://layspeakingchick.blogspot.com/

Lesson 2.  When packing that diaper bag, remember the wipes..brown paper towels in the bathroom are not a good alternative..

Lesson 3.  Car seats keep our kids safe, but not the parents.  Buy 2 sets of car seats! 1 set for each car!  A lot of drama will be avoided by doing this!

Lesson 4.  Joggers vs. Strollers.  It really doesn't matter.  Airline personnel hate them all!  Especially Double Joggers.  Oh yeah good memories traveling with that beast!  This also goes for those Cadillac car seats as well.

Lesson 5.  Keep plastic bags in your car at ALL times!  Trust me here...

Lesson 6.  Ice Cream will fall off the cone, child will scream.  Just buy another cone!

Lesson 7.  First Day of school, you will cry, bring tissue for you and the mother sobbing next to you!

Lesson 8.  Back Packs at the end of the school week are scary..wear rubber gloves

Lesson 9.  Your child will get injured, it happens.  Grab the dish towel hanging on the stove handle, wrap around the wound, elevate and maneuver child to the car for a trip to the ER. Don't Panic!  By the way..don't be embarrassed when they say "Oh so good to see you again!"

Lesson 10.  With birthday parties, always make sure to have one extra goody bag, for the kid that shows up last minute.

Lesson 11.  Water hoses and kids...yeah.  Just make sure your car windows and sunroofs are closed! "I'm washing your car Mommy!"

Lesson 12.  No matter what they do, they are your kids.  We brought them into this world and it's up to us to give them the best of life as we can!  Hug them, say you love them several hundred times a day!  Then remind them once in awhile how many hours of labor you were in to get them here!

Happy Mother's Day!