Summary of activities in Jamaica - Day 1

After waking up to the azure beauty of the Carribbean, we were prepared for day of action. This is how we spent the rest of our first day:

• Gourmet buffet breakfast at Palazzina's
• Orientation of the resort followed by fresh guava juice by the mineral pool
• Pina Colada with Appleton Rum from the beach bar
• A nap aboard a hammock
• A swim in the mineral pool
• A delectable lunch comprising local fish, cajun chicken, almond pie and pistacchio mousse
• A bike ride around the resort and a game of tennis
• Strawberry Daiquiri followed by rum punch...ummmm
• Another swim in the mineral pool followed by a dip in the hot tub surrounded by tropical foliage, gazing at the sunset
• A swim in the ocean
• Dinner at the wonderful Bella Vista, feasting on caloola and cod quiche, jamaican red snapper and coconut ganache
• Relaxing in the in-room jacuzzi with rum and pepsi, before finally retiring to bed.

Sublime. Above is a picture taken from the bar at the mineral pool at Couples Ocho Rios.

The first night....

After the usual trial and tribulations associated with connecting flights and delays, we arrived at our resort at 12:10 am. Checking in was a breeze as you would expect at that time of the 'day'. Starving, we were guided to the beach hut for our first all-inclusive meal.

The Beach Hut is open from 11 pm to 6 am daily. What better introduction to Jamaica than a dining under the stars on a plate of steaming hot jerk pork and a glass of their famous Red Stripes beer, with the waves of the Caribbean Sea crashing on the shore a few feet away, at 1 am in the morning. Pure bliss.

Our 'Oceanfront Jacuzzi' suite was just a few yards across from the beach hut. When we woke up in the morning, this was the view that greeted us.

All-inclusive resorts

Have you been to an all-inclusive resort? In Hawaii, Mexico, Dominican Republic, or even Jamaica? What's your take on them? I would love to hear from you about this.

We picked an all-inclusive package for our vacation to Jamaica. For us the pluses were unlimited free alcoholic and other beverages, unlimited food from a choice of restaurants and cuisines, inclusive room service, watersports, mini bar, tipping...need I go on? We just didn't want to have to worry about all that.

Expedia offered us with a choice of resorts, and we picked Couples San Souci in Ocho Rios. It certainly was what we were looking for, and not a bad deal at under $3000 total for two people with flights for four nights!

Sometimes, it's hard to decide where to eat, having the cash to tip everyone who assists you, or limiting yourself to just that one cocktail because of the exorbitant prices. An all-inclusive resort in that case was just what the doctor ordered.

If you've never tried it, think about it. Then do your research. All the main travel sites should have packages you can look at. Look at the Couples and Sandals websites for more information on their packages.

Couples
Sandals

On the way to Ocho Rios...

The cab driver remarked in his heavy-set Eastern European accent "Are you sure you want to go up in the sky?" In England we have the expression 'raining cats and dogs.' Put plainly, it was miserable here in Chicago. But it made the prospect of vacationing in Jamaica all the more sweeter. I made sure to check the weather report for Ocho Rios and it was 87 degrees. Everday. So yes, I was sure I wanted to go up in sky. I wanted to soar high above those miserable clouds and say 'na na na na na.' I just couldn't wait to fly :).