Melissa's Jamaica FAM

Day 1


Arrived at the airport 2hrs earlier and it was busy. Should have been there 3hrs before like I tell all of my clients, but anyways it was fine. One thing to let your clients know is that there was no Sunquest counter. I walked back and forth looking for it, until Lisa saw me and flagged me over. You have to check in at the WS counter. Lisa said it might be different for the winter months, but she is not sure. Went thru security fine, for a change no search of my bags :) and met the other 3 ladies on the FAM. Everybody is awsome and we were laughing right away with each other, like we had knowen each other for ever. Boarded the empty flight and got a whole row to myself. The plane was empty because I think people from YWG don't know about the direct flights starting so early. Fligth was good, got to see Miami, the Florida Keys, and The Caymen Islands from my window.

Another good thing to let your clients know is that there is no food served on the flight. Even though you are flying with Sunquest, no meals are served for free, like on Sunwing or transat. Cashless cabin as well.

The flight was 4hrs and 45mintues and we landed with out a problem. Customs, however, was a problem. 12 other planes all landed at the same time as us and we all had to go thru customs at the same time. About 1hr and 30 minutes later, I was thru and in Jamaica. We went to find our luggage and it was already off the converer belt and just sitting there waiting. We were met after that for our private transfer to the hotel, Sunset Beach. We landed at around 12:30 so by the time we were on the way to the hotel is was still light out and we got a good view of Montego Bay. It is hard to describe what it looks like, but it is very poor here. I have been to Varadero and in some places this is worse then there. Alot of "shacks" were along the road, and people living in them. It makes you appreciate what you have back at home. But, even with the conditions here, the people are so friendly and happy. It is very contagious, and it makes you have a very relaxed attitude. The weather is very hot, and very humid. You sweat just standing in one place. It is very windy and cloudy because we are getting the aftermath of Hurricane Tomas. You can not swim or sit around the pools, just too windy.

The hotel was nice. I had a ocean front room for the first night. The Montreal group had arrived on Fri., so they were out looking at hotels and the Calgary & Toronto groups were not arriving until later. So we looked around the resort, got some drinks, and had something to eat. By the way, I have found my new favorite drink. Move over wine, Hello Hummingbird!!!

It is soooooo goood. It tastes like a banana milkshake, and they are very dangerous. :)

Anyways, went to bed early that night.

Day 2

The bus was picking us up at 9am to start our hotel inspections. Well, I guess what they say is true. When you are in Jamaica, everything runs on island time, because the bus was 1hr late. When it came, we drove from MBJ to Ocho Rios, about a 2 hr ride. Something good to tell clients.

Riu Ocho Rios was the first hotel. Very nice, lots of people, once you have seen one, you have seen them all, so I am told because this was my first time seeing one.

Next was the Jewel, which used to be the Sandals Dunns River. This is a very nice hotel, just like what a Sandals would be. Pretty much everything is included.

Next was the Sunset Jamaica Grande. This is an okay hotel. Water slide looks very nice, but the rooms are very small. It would be hard to fit 2 adults and 2 children in 1 room.

Next was Rooms on the Beach. Basic hotel, nothing fancy to say, but expensive hotel.

Next was Couple Tower Isle. Very nice also, like a Sandals. Only couples can stay here, but they are very gay friendly. Your clients just have to let the front desk staff know, and they will make you feel comfortable. This resort also has it's own island which is "au natural", but we did not get to check that out. :(

Next was the Couples San Souci. Very nice. It is built into the side of the hill, so lots of stairs. The resort is on 32 acres of land, so it was alot of walking. And of course they make this are last hotel.

We then went to our new hotel, Breezes Runaway Bay. It is nice, but this time I got the gardenview. That night we all had supper at the Italian a la carte restaurant. It was very good. After supper we went to check out the live band that was playing and we danced alittle and then went to bed.

Day 3

So far today, we got up and went to Dunns River Falls. I did not go in the falls, but they were awsome to see. Most of our group did, so I was the offical picture taker. Let me tell you the stairs on the side of the falls, are just as hard as the falls. We are now back at the hotel and we are off to the Gran Bahia tonite for drinks and dinner.

Talk to you all later,