If not for the mosquitos, I'd stay forever...

So, Scratch and I are back from Jamaica and it was AMAZING. We were there for 7 days, 6 nights and it went by soooo fast. Leading up to the trip, we were really worried about the weather. It was forecasted to rain and storm the entire time. Well...we were really lucky. It rained the day we got there, but that was about it. It did rain while we slept and actually woke us up a couple times, but the days were clear blue skies and perfect weather. Woo Woo!

Scratch and I left Friday on the red-eye...expecting to sleep on the plane to Charlotte. We weren't so lucky. Our seats were right in front of the exit row...worst...row...ever! (Except for the row in the back by the bathrooms..that's probably worse). Our row didn't recline...therefore sleep wasn't possible.We were exhausted and cramped when we finally arrived in Charlotte at 5:30am on Saturday. Our flight to Jamaica didn't leave til 9:30...so we slept on the cold floor in the airport. It wasn't a good sleep...but it was sleep and beggars can't be choosy.

We got to Jamaica around 11am and drove the 2 hours to the resort (Sandals Grande Ocho Rios). We did stop on the way at a little shop that sells jerk chicken and Red Stripe. Soooo good. Anyway, it was raining (like I said earlier) when we got there...boo! It was still so beautiful. We originally had 1 room, but I was misled by our tavel agent and our butler (yes...I did say butler) remedied the situation very quickly by upgrading us. Below are picture of our room. It was a suite with a full living room, kitchen, bed, and bath. We have french doors in the living room and bedroom that led out to our private patio and our private pool. Awesome!



Sunday was a lazy day. We spent many hours at the beach. The water was the perfect temperature and so clear...sooooo different from the Pacific Ocean. So, while I laid out reading my new book series (This actually accounts for Item #42 on my list. I'm reading the Sookie Stackhouse series (aka True Blood). It is 9 books and on the honeymoon I got through 3 and 1/2), Scratch watched the Vikings game from the bar. It was actually pretty funny because there was a male employee that kept coming by to check on me every time Scratch left. He told me he wanted to borrow my book and I had nice eyes. lol. Below is us at the beach grill eating lunch.


Monday we went to Mystic Mountain where we zip lined (we have video that I'll upload later), bobsled, and rode up a "Sky Explorer"...which is just a ski lift, but in the tropics. lol. Let me just say to those that told me going on these things would cure my fear of heights.....WRONG-O! lol Anyway, there was also an infinity pool at this place, which had beautiful views.




Tuesday was another lazy day...beach and this time we ventured to the pool (swim-up bar baby).


Wednesday we took a Catamaran (read: Booze Cruise) to Dunns River and hiked up (or should I say through) the waterfall. Such an awesome experience. We got a DVD of our adventure, but I have yet to watch it. On the way to Dunns River we stopped at a reef and snorkeled. It was so much fun. Neither Scratch nor myself had ever done it...it definitely won't be the last time though. We have pictures, but we went old school and bought a waterproof disposable...so we still need to get those developed.

Thursday we golfed and in Jamaica it's a law that you have to have a caddy. Very interesting experience. You don't have to think about which club to grab, they just tell you. However, if you're not good (like me), they give you advice in EVERY swing. lol...it can be a bit much for an amateur.


Friday, during the day, we were lazy and went to the beach and pool again. Then at sunset we had a massage over the ocean. It was sooo relaxing...a little awkward because we were in public and outside, but after about 2 minutes into it we didn't care (plus we were covered). See the 3 "huts" in the picture below...we got our massage under one of those. Oh yeah. I also learned that "Chamberry" (champagne and cranberry juice) is so delicious.


Every night there was something going on at the resort. We saw a steel pan (steel drum) performance. Unfortunately, we left the video camera in the room...so we got what we could on the point and shoot. Check out the video below.




We saw a Couple's Game Show (Scratch and I signed up, but didn't get picked), went to Casino night, danced at the bars, saw the "fireman"...dances with fire, eats fire, etc...among a lot of other things. We ate a lot of jerk chicken, Italian, Asian, and although I hate to admit it...Tex-Mex. It was at the Arizona restaurant and I would never have gone there except it had an awesome location right on the pier where we got our massage. I couldn't pass up eating dinner over the ocean.

We left Saturday at 10am for our 2pm flight back to the States and finally got home at 11:30pm. LONG DAY!

We had an amazing time and I think my only regret is not taking more pictures....oh and I wish I wouldn't have been such a treat for the mosquitos. In the end, (even with mosquito repellant on day and night) I ended up with 20 bites and Scratch had 4.

Now we're back home and back to the daily grind. We're trying to plan our next trip now...anyone up for Vegas over Thanksgiving?????