Jamaica

We traveled to Jamaica on Thursday May 20th from Atlanta at 9:00pm arriving in Mo Bay at 11:30pm.

On Friday morning, we took a trip to a local river, one of about 120 rivers in Jamaica, to take a rafting trip. Unfortunately once we arrived, the river with running to "fast" for the group to enjoy the experience. We then toured the Botanical Garden which was very dangerous. I know - How can a Botanical Garden be dangerous? The steps that lead to the river were so slippery that several people fell. Yes, I was one of them. Yes I was wearing tennis shoes, but the moisture of the river created moss on everything and it was VERY SLIPPERY EVERYWHERE.

Friday evening, a two minute drive from our host hotel, Sandals Royal Jamaica hosted our welcome dinner and party fit for Kings and Queens. I would rate this property Superior/First Class. The Sandals Royal Jamaica Resort, had their entire staff catering to our needs for the evening. When we arrived, we boarded ferries over to Coco Cay, a small island just off the beaches of the Royal Jamaica Sandals Resort. The presentation and service was without a doubt, exceptional--endless food, music, entertainment and drinks. On hand was Butch Stewart - Chairman of all Sandals Resorts.

On Saturday, we went to Negril and visited the Grand Lido Resort. We had lunch, toured the property and took lessons on playing the "Steel Drum". Yes I played. Ted did a dancing game and Jill watched in all. I would rate this resort First Class/Superior. Jill and Ted visited Hedonism II, while I joined a group of other agents and took a boat tour up the Negril beach coast. It was an experience seeing all the properties in Negril and how they were laid out. Yes, I saw lots of nude bodies at Hedonism II on the beach.

That evening we had a dinner, show and tour of Rose Hall, a historic site in Montego Bay. Local dancers and singers performed for us and it was excellent. Rose Hall is a great, old house and plantation. There is a great deal of history and a must see and do if you visit Jamaica.

On Sunday morning we had a visit to Half Moon Bay Resort for a trade show on all the properties, attractions and suppliers that sell Jamaica. This was an annual event call JAPEX, where all suppliers and hoteliers are on hand to promote their product/property to travel agents. The Director of Tourism, Marketing Director and several other prominent government officials were on hand to give presentations and a video on Jamaica to us.

Half Moon Bay Resort is located right next door to the Holiday Inn Sunspree and is rated without a doubt-Luxury.
They market the property heavily to the Asian market. It was mentioned that the average stay is 10 to 14 days at a rate of $350 minimum per night. The hotel totally self sufficient: Golf Courses, Shopping Center, Equestrian Stables, Bikes or Golf Carts to get you around the property (yes it's that large), several restaurants, Convention Center, Beaches, Pools EVERYTHING! The ultimate in all-inclusive.

The final dinner was hosted by the Holiday Inn Sunspree and there was excellent entertainment and great food.

We departed Mo Bay at 3:50AM and arrive back in Atlanta at 7:30.