Quick Recap
Posted on July 22, 2007 by Ching under Travel.
Today has been hectic so I have not had the opportunity to actually write about our recent trip. In the meantime, here is a quick recap..
14 July 2007, Saturday:
Brian and I were at the airport by 5:30 AM, two hours before our flight is scheduled to leave as recommended. That was way too much time, actually. I think even if we got to the airport only an hour early we would have had plenty of time.
The flight from ICT to ATL to MBJ went pretty smoothly, all on-time departures. When we arrived to the designated gate in ATL, the flight was already boarding so we didn’t really have time to dilly dally. There was a line to go through immigration and customs in Jamaica, but we were through soon enough and found our way to the Couples lounge.
They offered Brian and I a beverage but we weren’t really thirsty. At first they told us the next shuttle bus wouldn’t arrive for 20 minutes, but as it turns out the previous shuttle hadn’t left yet so they quickly took us to the shuttle for transfer to the resort. We only had time for a couple of pictures at the lounge.
The bus ride to the resort was scenic and entertaining and, at times, scary. Jamaicans drive on the left side of the street and the driver’s seat is on the right. Besides driving on the opposite side of the road than we Americans are accustomed to, they also very freely pass other vehicles by going on the lane of the oncoming traffic. I believe the trip took was about 2 to 2.5 hours but it really didn’t seem that long. We might have been driving beyond the speed limit. Although, I don’t think such a thing exists. I never saw any speed limit signs.
Dalton, our bus driver, told us several Jamaican jokes. These mostly involved sex, smoking weed, and “gettin’ junk” (whenever he says “drunk” it sounds like he is saying “junk”). He also gave us a crash course on driving: “The left side is right; the right side is suicide.” He must have been suicidal because we went on the right side to pass other vehicles on several occasions.
Amazingly enough, after a couple of stops (rest area stop for a pee/stretch break and stop at Couples Sans Souci to drop off a couple who will be staying there) we all safely arrive at Couples Ocho Rios (COR for short).
We were all offered cold towels and beverages upon arrival. I drank my first rum punch. Check in went pretty smoothly. We got our key and proceeded to our room in timbuktu. We were assigned to the older section of the hotel. Dorenda, one of the repeaters we met during our stay (this is their sixth visit to COR), says that we have to pay our dues. When we come back, we can have one of the newly renovated rooms. Our room wasn’t too bad really because the exit to the beach was only a few paces away. This was actually convenient for us on several occasions when we had to go back and forth from the beach to our room to pick up neglected items such as cameras, etc. But I digress.. Our bags were delivered to our room by one of the bellmen shortly after. We caught part of the resort orientation Suzanie conducted. Then Brian went down to beach grill to grab a cheeseburger. His first meal for that day. I was smart enough to have a chocolate milk prior to departure in Wichita so I wasn’t as starved but I took the opportunity to try jerk chicken for the first time. That stuff is spicy!
Afterwards we went back to our room to take a shower, clean up, and get ready for the poolside gala buffet. I think there was a show on the patio, followed by dancing/disco, followed by sing-a-long in the piano bar, but Brian and I just played a game of lawn chess where we met a couple playing shuffle board and then turned in early as we were tired from the trip.
This was a pretty beneficial chance encounter because they ended up telling us that we would be eligible for a $200 passport credit for use at the resort salon or spa. I knew about this, but the offer had expired. Apparently, they’re still honoring it.
These next few, I’ll just do quick summaries and elaborate on later because I’m getting really sleepy.
15 July 2007, Sunday:
Breakfast at the patio
Took our passports to guest services to claim our credit
Went to Dunns River Falls
Lunch at the patio
Spent the afternoon at Tower Island
Dinner at Verandah
Showtime at the Patio
Beach Movie (John Tucker Must Die)
16 July 2007, Monday:
Had breakfast delivered to our room
Morning horseback riding tour at Prospect Plantation
Lunch at the patio
Sailing
Spent the afternoon at Tower Island
Manager’s Cocktail Party
Beach Party/Buffet
Crab races on the beach
Showtime on the beach (dance performances by a local dance group)
Prince Bob did his balancing act and fire dancing
17 July 2007, Tuesday:
Had breakfast delivered to the lobby (long story, tell you later)
Chukka Zip-line Canopy Tour
Lunch at the patio
Spent the afternoon at Tower Island
Dinner at Le Gourmet
Showtime at the Patio
18 July 2007, Wednesday:
Breakfast at the patio
Glass-bottom Boat Tour
Was going to go snorkelling on this day but Brian felt sea sick
Lunch at the patio
Went on a catamaran cruise (aka booze cruise)
Dinner at Verandah
Showtime at the Patio
Casino night followed by blind auction (can’t remember if it was Tuesday or Wednesday)
19 July 2007, Thursday:
Breakfast at the patio
Snorkelling
Lunch at the patio
Salsa dancing
Shopping at Island Village
Dinner at The Bayside
Showtime at the Patio
Disco at the Patio
20 July 2007, Friday:
Breakfast at the patio
Pretty much all day at Tower Island
with brief break to have lunch at the patio
Left the island early for our couples massage
Dinner at Le Gourmet
Went to the piano bar after dinner
Turned in early on our final night so we could pack
21 July 2007, Saturday:
Had breakfast delivered to our room
Luggage out the door at 8:15 AM
Checked out shortly after
Boarded shuttle to the airport at 9:15 AM
Crazy trip back to US begins (long story, will elaborate on this next time)
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Introduction « Couples Resorts Information Pages on August 12, 2007
[…] 29th, 2007 · No Comments Welcome to our Couples Resorts blog. Brian and I recently returned from a wonderful trip toCouples Ocho Rios. We spent seven amazing days at resort to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. You can read about our trip on our main blog. […]