Last week I got to join Mark on a work trip to Jamaica. Yes, garage doors can be exotic! Company executives host the top customers from the US and Canada. Of course there is lots of garage door talk but there is also lots of fun and adventure. I often describe it as a cruise on land. Days are filled with excursions, beach games or just relaxing by the pool. Nights include fabulous dinner events and entertainment. In years’ past we’ve gone snorkeling, ziplined through a jungle, golfed, taken Jeep rides, competed in sailboat races, gone wine tasting and more. I look forward to it every year.
The locations are always somewhere warm and the hotels are always top-notch that offer impeccable service. I gotta say, it’s nice to treated like a queen in a faraway land. I could totally get used to this.
This year we were off to Secrets Wild Orchid in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It’s a nicely spread out all-inclusive resort on the tip of a little peninsula. The palm trees wave gently in the breeze and the sun is warm on your face. The lobby boasts several AAA 4-diamond plaques. Since winters in Arizona are warm compared to most of the country, we often get to travel in warm weather clothes. Last week it was long pants and a jacket as we headed to the airport. It was a quick change the second we got to our room.
The hotel’s location on the peninsula made for amazing sunsets. Every single sunset was prettier than the last. Every night on our walk to dinner we stopped for sunset pictures. This night dining at the pool was simply breathtaking.
We lucked out and got an end room with views of the ocean and lagoon. The breeze that came through the open air hallway to our room was wonderful, as was the little first floor food and drink station. It was stocked with a nice variety of breakfast items in the morning then varying foods throughout the rest of the day and of course a friendly person ready and waiting to make you your drink of choice. I made a point to get a good long look at the dessert selection for something chocolate everyday. The best part about their sweets collection was the size. Each item was bite-sized so eating four wasn’t too much and your clothes would still fit. Hey, I can justify multiple sweets til the cows come home. It’s the main reason I run.
Several beautiful peacocks wander the grounds, even a mamma and her babies. The first time I saw here, she was peeking out from a bush with her babies safely hidden behind her. The next time she was wandering near the shops with her brood in tow. Colorful macaw parrots also inhabit a couple of trees and can be seen chomping on the branches at various times of the day. Much like the peacocks, they seem used to having people around and I swear they recognize a camera or phone and pose accordingly.
Our excursion of choice this year was a jungle zipline. Close to 40 of us chose this and for many of them was their first time. We’d done it before in Park City and McCall. It was fun watching the first timers. There was plenty of nervous anticipation and several squeals on the first zip. We were broken up into four groups and all of the rookies with us were ready to do the entire thing all over again when we were done. A successful experience. Other choices were snorkeling, golf and a tour of the famous Rose Garden and everyone raved about their day.
A quick repel drop was a nice surprise. Click here for the video: Zipline Video
Our last night was a white themed beach dinner with a local band. In addition to the spread of perfect bite sized treats were s’mores because every beach party needs that for dessert! About halfway through the event they brought out Chinese lanterns to release. It was the 34th anniversary of our very first date and I’m sure you can guess what I wished for as we released it. I bet finding entertainment in a faraway place is a challenge but every year we get a really good show. The band played a nice variety of Jamaican music and American hits. It was a great way have fun with everyone to close out the week.
We opted to stay another day and I am so glad we did. For Mark and the other staff that extended, they could relax a little more and not be “on” anymore. We lounged at the beach and by the pool and got to unwind. Our big treat was after dinner. We took a leisurely stroll up and down the beach then got a drink at the beach bar when we noticed someone starting a campfire. A real, honest to goodness campfire with chairs. We took our drink and plunked down in a chair just as the singer, Alexandria Love, was finishing setting up. She started singing and I was sure more people would join us, her voice was amazing. Four of us plus the worker taking care of the fire were treated to our own private concert for almost an hour. She started out about 20 feet away but came closer and sat with us while she sang. We danced in our chairs while she sang familiar cover songs as well as her own. Her website calls her a reggae-rockstar and that’s how I would describe her. We made a new friend that night and it was all hugs when the fire burned out and the show was over. It was the absolute perfect way to end our stay.
It was a long day of flying to get home and we crashed into bed. The last load of laundry is in the wash but if Mark said let’s go back I’d have my bag ready in five minutes tops. Until next time, Jamaica…save a chair by the water for me.