Highlights from Jamaica

I know what you're thinking, a vacation post and no pictures in sight... has Jen lost her mind?! Well, sorta... but there are too many pictures to post here, so here's a link to my shutterfly pictures. I am still waiting for Dana and Sheri's pictures, so keep an eye out for some more to come.

So what can I say about Jamaica?

It is beautiful.
I've been there before. To Ocho Rios. It was nice, but nothing like Negril. The beaches were fabulous. Few shells, easy to walk on. The Sandals Negril was 1000 times more beautiful than the one in Ocho. As it turns out, we got extremely lucky. They upgraded us 3 levels so instead of the Garden Room we paid for, we had a beachfront room. Literally 30 steps from our patio to the beach. On the way to breakfast each morning we'd reserve the 4 beach chairs almost directly in front of our room.

Good food and drinks.
Food was the one thing I was worried about. Not that I thought there'd be nothing I liked, but with this still-fairly-new-vegetarian thing, I was worried about finding enough reasonably healthy options. But I did. The veggie selection was great! There was 1 day with nothing great on the lunch buffet, but I splurged on a grill cheese from the beach grill and I was good.

The sit-down dinners were delicious! Especially the Japanese hibachi. Always great :) and entertaining.

And the drinks... not so much my thing, but I found my fair share of treats to try out. The rum punch was great. And the Miami Vice, which I didn't even know I'd ordered... I asked for a 1/2 pina colada 1/2 strawberry daiquiri. I got a Miami Vice which has those two things with a shot of blue curacao on top. MMMmmm! And of course Red Stripe Light is pretty tasty too.

Staying Fit is Easier on the Beach
I doubt I lose a pound. I may have even gained 1 or 2. But working out in paradise does not even feel like work!
Monday I did aquacize in the pool. Loved that! Then it rained in the afternoon so I hit the fitness center to do some arms and abs.
Tuesday I did aquacize again.
Wednesday I did the 7:30am beach power-walk. Loved that. We were probably gone for about an hour. 7 of us with a trainer from the Fitness Center. We mostly walked the beach but there were some sections where there was no sand to walk on, so we had to hike up a banking and around the trees. It was a great workout and the views were amazing.
Thursday Sheri and I did the 7:30am yoga class in the gazebo on the beach. I was soooo sore on Friday, not having done yoga in years, but I held my own in class. And the relaxation part at the end was heavenly with the waves crashing in the background.

Good Entertainment
Dan didn't get to hear his steel drums which was really disappointing... but otherwise there was great entertainment. Piano bar, disco music to dance to, local bands.

Then there was the Spotlight Entertainment around 9p each night. Wednesday night was by far the funniest. Dana and Sheri spent most of the evening on the stage. Dancing (once with a tennis ball balanced between their heads), creatively popping balloons (i told sheri to put the balloon between Dana's legs, and kick it with her high heel. worked like a charm!), and wrapping Sheri with toilet paper until she was a mummy. So many laughs. The Sandals Playmakers loved Dana. Can you blame them?

Jamaica is even fun in the rain
It rained Monday and Tuesday afternoon. As soon as we finished lunch the gray clouds filled the entire sky and the down pour ensued. Monday we chilled and watched tv, read, chatted (after I went to the gym). Tuesday we hung out in the hot tub and had a few cocktails.

Wednesday we fled to Margaritaville mid-afternoon thinking it might rain but then we got lucky and it didn't (though of course it rained for a few minutes when we got back).

Thursday I think we got a few sprinkles too.

Either way. I think it was still the best vacation ever. So relaxing (just need to remember to bring more books with me next time). I'd definitely go back. In a heart beat. Right now. If only...