Friday morning, last day

So, no posts the last couple of days so I'm catching up a bit here.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

Pool day today, got set up with three lounges and the pool area seemed quite a bit less busy. Played some ping pong and wrapped up with large chess. Karen was very helpful to Matthew. Had a 50 minute run first thing followed by a short visit to the fitness center for some resistance work. Breakfast at Miranda Hill, lunch at Aunt Ruby.

We had dinner reservation at Aunt Ruby Steak House (8:30 pm) which was very good. Matthew and I had Rib Eye and Karen had Beef Plate (which I think is Beef Skirt). Enjoyed the meal and ordered a bottle of wine, which proved to be quite an undertaking as the selection was quite limited and the waiter didn’t know what was available. Wound up getting a bottle that wasn’t even on the list (actually, picked from two that weren’t on the list), a Robert Mondavi Merlot that was not that good, but considerably better than the house wine. Karen and I have decided that the lousy house wine is a blessing in disguise. Mostly an uneventful and restful day. Booze cruise to Montego Bay Thursday.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Montego Bay Trip.

Got up in time to have a leisurely breakfast at Little River Café on the veranda. Off to the dive center for a 9:00 am departure. Got fitted for fins and snorkels and boarded Ding Dong’s boat with Jack as our guide. Sight seeing trip along the shore passing the various resorts. Sandals was quite large, including an island section (which is clothing optional apparently). Other resorts looked pretty nice, golf course at the Hilton. Arrived in the bay and anchored over the reef. No problem feeding the tropical fish, and there were plenty. Matthew and I really enjoyed the snorkeling and got lots of pictures. The snorkelling gear provided by the dive centre was OK, would have preferred my own,

but not sure it would have been worth the trouble to haul it along. There were only two other families on the excursion, one Dad and Daughter, the other Couple with Daughter and friend. After snorkeling, we went to Cornwall Beach, which is a public beach with full service (restaurant, showers, bar). The swimming area had an inflatable ice berg which you climb and jump/slide off. It took me a couple of tries to climb but I eventually made it to the top and jumped in (one bounce). Matthew had way less trouble with the climbing but couldn’t muster the courage to jump (had to slide). Everyone on the boat climbed up the wall. Also had a trampoline which neither of us got on. Lunch was Jerk Chicken plate that was quite good. Afterwards, off we sailed for the Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville bar/restaurant on the Hip Strip. They had a three story water slide which I had to try. Lots of salt water up the nose today (in fact, my sinuses were still leaking salt water late at night). Found souvineers on the Hip Strip so our shopping was almost completed. Re-boarded the boat for a faster run back to the resort,

punctuated with a few Red Stripe beers. Once back there, we took a trip over to the fishing village, and tracked down Mike who found us a really beautiful Queen Conch which I was quite happy to overpay for. Also picked up a macramé bracelet, but should have gotten a couple more for the price. Then we went to get cleaned up and Matthew & I sampled the smoke we picked up in Mo Bay. Some rain moved in at dusk and we got one of those cleansing tropical rains for about an hour. Then it was off to dinner at Miranda Hill, followed by an early turn in. Matthew’s stomach was unhappy, but seems no worse for wear the next day. Must have been the Pina Colada at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.

Friday, April 13, 2012

So our last day at the Rose Hall Suites. We were able to arrange to keep our room until midnight which really is a bonus. If we had been required to check out at 11:00 am and cool our heals till midnight it would have been uncomfortable. As it was, we had a nice relaxing day around the pool and beach complete with the three squares we have become used to. It was a bit windier but very sunny and hot. Finished my second reading project for the week, The Omnivore's Dilemma. Very interesting read that I'm going to try to get Karen and the boys to read. Matthew and I had one last game of chess, in three games he has really picked up on the concept. Also played some more ping pong, and worked on some ball handling drills with two water volleyballs. We had intended to bring a rugby ball with us to practice, but both of us forgot. The other item forgotten that I really missed was swimming goggles. Although, swimming in the ocean doesn't really bother my eyes too much, it would have been nice to have them. After dinner at Little River Cafe (where we sampled some different house wine) we went back to the room to pack up and grab a nap before midnight departure.

Received a call at around 11:00 pm that the flight would be late and so our transfer pick up was postponed till 01:50 am. That news was well received since it allowed for a couple more hours of viewing Storage Wars (I must have watched twenty episodes this week). Other than being 75 minutes late, the flight home was good and we arrived at around 11:00 am.

All in all, a very successful trip, meeting our stated objective of a purely restful, sunny vacation. Obviously, we didn't really get to see much of Jamaica, but we will probably go back with a more adventurous agenda.

Tuesday @ Rose Hall

Had a great meal at Samurai Japanese Steak House last night, followed by an ADD at the lobby bar again. Turned in early, lots of good rest on this trip. Slow start this morning and got set up on the beach after breakfast. Went for a swim along the rope (20 min), the beach is great for swimming and running. Later in the afternoon, Matthew and I went para sailing and got some great photo's of the resort area. Saw a couple of Manta Rays swimming along. Also notable from the outing was how the Captain applied sunscreen, he was very dark man but put on huge amounts of screen (Matthew and Karen should take note!). Needed a siesta before going out to dinner at Miranda Hill. I had forgotten how easily exhausted one gets from a little swimming, and a short boat ride. After dinner, we explored the complex a bit further and while wondering around the complex Matthew entered the resort Fear Factor contest, but the tiny little kitten won. It seems he acquired an unwanted new friend who kept jumping out of the bushes and following us around.

Still on Island Time

After shaving lessons, decided to try the Little River Cafe buffet and the food really is quite good here. After dinner, we checked out the lobby piano bar for a caipirinha and then off to the rack. Don't know if we are all still suffering from the overnight flight or what?!?.

Up this morning (Monday) and everyone was game for a beach run so off we went (about an hour earlier than yesterday so cooler). Matthew got blocked from the "Grand" beach so considerably shorter. K&M decided to head for the gym instead. I finished and joined them there later. Afterwards, we went to Little River for breakfast and sat outside on the veranda overlooking the beach which I enjoyed. Much bigger and busier (again, the resort has filled up noticably). After that, we found a poolside lounge. Matthew needed a pause from tanning so we stayed out of the sun most of the day. There was a beach BBQ today so we enjoyed a great lunch including jerk chicken and pork. Played around the pool this afternoon, ping pong and chess. After the obligatory nap and clean up, we went headed over to the Samurai Japanese Steak house for dinner. While waiting for our reservation, I made a cheap remark about one of the young lady's choice of attire when compared to the requirements for "Gentlemen". Matthew was distraught that I was overheard, and sure enough, we wound up sharing the grill with her family. Matthew was embarrassed but I don't think she heard me.

Easter Sunday Island Time

So to finish off day one, we checked out the "Beach" swim up bar, which is the better of the two we can access. Lunch at Aunt Ruby's buffet. Then we had a siesta, followed by dinner at the Miranda Hill. These all inclusives are a progression from one meal to the next. After dinner there wasn't much entusiasm, so we just wandered back to our room and turned in early. I guess we were all needing a good sleep because everyone was sawing logs as soon as head met pillow.
Didn't get going till around 8 this morning (at least I did), down to the beach for a run. I need to find out what the length of the beach is, but it is fairly long and quite suitable for running laps. It was already quite warm and by 9, I was drenched after 40 minutes and ready to find something else to do. Every morning and evening, the beach vendors paddle along the waterfront in kayaks laden with the typical hand made wares, under the careful watch of the hotel security. Apparently, the beach is private (owned by the hotel) and so they don't come ashore. Patrons wade out to inspect the crafts. Checked out the "Suites" fitness center, but it is smaller and less well equipped than the "Beach", so I went back over there. By that time, I had lost my enthusiasm and was getting hungry. So, back to the room to rouse the troops and off to Miranda Hill for eggs and baccy. Loads of new arrivals yesterday and the whole resort is notably busier. Found a thatch shade on the beach and read for a while as K & M basted themselves. Just before lunch, a very nice lady came by enticing me to get the rough edges removed from my hands and feet, so after lunch I went to the spa while the rest of the girls went shopping. Lamour wasn't totally disgusted with the condition of my feet, at least if she was, she hid it well. Spent an hour and a half removing unwanted epidermis. After that, we went back to the room briefly and then off the the swim up bar for a BDD and more sunning. Before dinner, back to the room to freshen up and give Matthew a shaving lesson.

Jamaica Mon

So we had an overnight flight to Montego Bay arriving at 2:30 am local (1:30 am Calgary time, only 1 hour difference due to Jamaica on EST). Transfer to hotel gave us a great intro to Island time. After being moved around between buses we finally left the

airport (with a Red Stripe under my belt) at around 4:00. Dropped some drunken rig pigs off at the RIU and had the van to ourselves from there to the Iberostar. Very quiet at reception (I would have said "dark", but wouldn't want to appear insensitive). We were the only ones on the flight destined for this hotel. Got checked in and settled for a couple hours of sleep. Roused ourselves and worked our way down to the buffet for a typical (but good) buffet. Explored the pools and had a walk down the beach. Just off the property, met Mike who lives in the fishing village adjacent. I was invited to shop for souvineers, go fishing, island excursion and finally, if I wanted some hash. Welcome to Jamaica Mon. The overall

resort is quite large, consisting of three separate (but linked) hotels. We are physically in the middle and can access the "Beach" but not the "Grand". As Matthew says, we can go right but not left. Our room is comfortable but not fantastic, beach front and convenient to the "Beach" and "Suites" hotels and a la carte restaurants. Two double beds and a double pull out in the sitting area. The room is laid out long and narrow, with closets and bathroom at entry, two doubles with drawers and TV, sitting room with desk (including internet wiring) and a nice deck overlooking the beach. We do have a beautiful view of the water front. Got a bit of a sunburn just exploring. Lunch and siesta to

sleep off the travel cobwebs (thats a euphemism for rum). Karen has already found her dream in

structor for beach pilates, Andrea might say "Hurt Me". Matthew and I on theotherhand can only drown our sorrows in rum and beer.