Homeward bound...

It was a great vacation!

It was our first "real" (ie not weekend in maine, new hampshire, connecticut) vacation in 9 years. I *hope* it's not the last for 9 years!

I'd say my favorite parts were:

* Walking the beach
* really feeling a part of a group - the people we were with (and there were 16 of us) really made me feel welcomed and wanted (something I never feel)
* watermelon (omg the watermelon was amazing)
* watching my husband have SO MUCH FUN with his friend
* falling in love with him all over again (damn he's a handsome bastard)
* the wedding! That wedding was without doubt the most beautiful wedding I've been to (my own included)

The newlyweds, hubs and I have talked of taking more trips together I can NOT wait!

At any rate, the b&b host drove us to the airport for our flight...

That, my friends, is where the problems began! She suggested we leave at 6:15 for a 7:20 flight - we didn't argue with her.

1- Well we got to the airport at 6:40 & they wouldn't let us check our bags which was a problem because we had 2 carry ins each and 1 checked bag. After I burst into tears the lady suggested we buy a bag from the $10 store and condense 3 bags into it and she would try to get us on with just carry ins. Consider that done!! I ripped over threw away half my clothes and ran back. She brought us to another person who pushed us past the line. Through security. Ready for problem

2- remember the alcohol I bought and put in my luggage to check? Ummm yeah it was more than 3 ounces. Game time decision was trash it (actually I begged TSA guy to take it home and enjoy it) and on to problem #

3- we were at gate 22 and our plane left from gate 42 (in about 19 minutes) so to get from 22 to 42 you have to go up 2 escalators on a sky train and down 2 escalators, not to mention run about a mile (see yesterday's post with my ankle/toe to know how this felt!) as we got there we heard 4 people being turned away because the gate was closed. The incredibly nice gate keeper booked them on the 11:15 to Boston and they went on their way. She did the same for us and I thanked her for her kindness and turned around and walked away I made it about 4 steps before I just sort of melted. Hubs put a kind hand on my back and said its ok. Well apparently the people we were walking by (who worked for American airlines) asked the gate keeper what was up and she told them I missed my flight (hubs heard this I didn't I was crying) about 1 minute later our names were paged back to gate 42 - we raced back to hear that the captain had reopened the gates for us and we needed to board! I hugged her :-) and 2 hours and 42 minutes later I was landed. Happy and landed!! And treated with poodle kisses

+++do you have any airline hero stories?+++

Welcome to Miami

Got the song stuck in your mind? I sure did!

So, where did I leave off? Ahh yes a ride to the airport where the speed limit signs don't matter!

Before we hopped on the shuttle hubs and I got in a last minute walk around - we wanted to drink in Jamaica with our eyes one more time before we said goodbye mon

When we arrived in Jamaica it was dark so we didn't get to see the amazingness that is the jamaican road ways. Gorgeous views left and right, huge mansions and falling down shanties side by side, wild goats eating grass on the side of the highway and bulls tied to trees next to the sea, Jamaica truly bared all of its soul to us on the drive to the airport.

Our flight to Miami was quick and painless and I must admit I was shocked at how much easier it was to get into America than it was to Jamaica. We had our bags and were through customs within 40 minutes.

We opted to take 2 buses to our bed and breakfast - it was a savings of $25. The b&b was lovely and the host was amazing she even took us on a tour of Miami and Miami beach - so different from both Jamaica and Boston. We saw the art deco buildings and listened to the music and saw some dancers :-)

After we returned back hubs and I decided to go for a walk - apparently my clumsiness is back in full effect once we hit American soil. I stubbed my left big toe on an uneven sidewalk, I'm pretty sure it's broken (it's purple and the nail is already falling off) BUT while hopping onto my right foot I twisted my right ankle. At first I thought it was sprained but I'm going with strained but it is swollen (and most of my right leg is). BUT here's the total Joy part I fell and hit my head on a root and have a little cut and a big bump (no worries Laura I've already made a dr appointment for today).

Thus our walk was cut a bit shorter (though still another 45 minutes as im obnoxious (ask hubs) and refused to call a cab) and we went back to the b&b for an early ish night (still was 10:30 by the time we were back)

Trips and all Miami is gorgeous and I'm so glad we got the chance to check it out. And now I just can NOT wait to get home to the poodle because that little man needs to give me some snuggles!

+++are you clumsy?+++
+++do you love going home from vacation?+++
Because seriously as much as I've enjoyed Jamaica I'm ready to see the little house

Pics (sorry they're not in order but I blog from my phone and I haven't figured that out yet)

1- cool little houses on the side of the road on the way to the airport
2- boat in the sea during our morning walk
3- if you look closely above hubs head you can see a lizard... He was looking for it HA
4- us on Jamaican boardwalk
5- Miami beach sunset
6- cool old cars that are parked along ocean drive in Miami beach
7- gorgeous Miami sunset
8- Miami palm tree
9- my one picture of the Jamaican flag
10- amazing house on the opposite side of the road

80. 30. 50.

Today is a half travel day
We opted to spend a day in Miami before flying all the way home... So more to come tomorrow 8-0

But today's title is in reference to the speed limit signs on the ride to the airport. However apparently 80/50/30 km/h are exactly the same speed!

Now let's rewind to yesterday! It's actually amazing to me how much you can do in a day!

Another bright and early morning for our group. The bride and groom had planned a glass bottomed boat cruise for us. Hubs and I got up bright and early combing for shells (wait until you see the craft idea(s) I have coming up for those!) while we waited for our boat. Must mention here that hubs phone went swimming - anyone got any ideas on how to bring an iPhone back to life?

The boat ride was amazing! We saw tons of fish and coral and a sunken boat! And the views of the island from the boat of the island were stunning!

After we finished hubs and the groom went snorkeling, the bride and her family went off and did their thing. I went and did a little last minute shopping. I bought liquor!! Oh wait, have I mentioned that I drank on vacation? I don't drink for a few reasons - some moral some medical. Pretty sure I'll "forget" to tell my doc that part!

Next up was another day at the water park.

And then home to our hotel for a circus!!!

What a day!!!

Pics of:
The glass bottom boat
Hubs and I
The fire twillers at the circus
And me "resting"

+++do you allow yourself some slack on vacations?+++

Wedding day

Yesterday was the day we came down here for! Hubs was best man in his good friends wedding. A wedding on the beach? Don't mind if I do thankyouverymuch!

Every one was up bright and early. We met at the spa at 7:00 to get our hair done! 3 hair dressers, 7 ladies means fast! We had mimosas while we got done up. I took about 700 million pictures! The bride is a love who NOT ONCE threatened to kill me!

The wedding (with steel drums! On the beach!!!) was gorgeous and the reception (did I mention on the Caribbean sea??? Like feet from it) was fabulous!

We were finished by around 3:00 and I jumped out of my dress and headed I the gym for a good workout (all the sitting - hair, wedding, reception had left my joints sore and my legs swollen a quick workout was just what i needed). I have to say I felt a bit bad ass looking at myself in the mirror sweating it up on the elliptical with my hair all gorgeous!

Just as I finished the WORST thunder and lightning storm hit. I was shaking in my flip flops - every. single. car alarm went off! Two hours later it was as if it never happened :-) amazing! Blue skies and happy seas!

The rest of the night was spent hanging out looking at photos. We are definitely getting tired 8-0

Photos of the day!

+++do you notice that as your vacations go on you slow down?+++

Bucket list...

Yesterday hubs crossed something off his bucket list - he went parasailing (I most certainly did NOT)

It made me think about how I really don't have a bucket list. I should work on that maybe?

At any rate we went to a craft mall yesterday (think of it as etsy come to life or a farmers market of crafts but I prefer to think of etsy coming to life - how cool would that be?) and bought a couple small things. We also walked the beach. And found a beach vendor selling art and bought ourselves a piece :-)

And went to a turtle pond!

There was swimming in the ocean, and time on the elliptical... A huge thunder storm where we sat on our balcony and watched the lightning come down over the Caribbean - it was strangely relaxing.

Then we did lots of stuff around the resort. Including seeing Ernie and Bert! It's been a ton of fun!

And today is the wedding ON THE BEACH!!!

Photos:

1. Jamaican man making making a bracelet for Lira.
2. The bird who joined us at the pool.
3. Art on the beach
4. Heart on the sand
5. Bert and Ernie

+++what do you like to bring home from vacation for yourself?+++

Has it really only been one day?

As hubs and I were getting ready for bed I commented that I couldn't believe we had only been here one day and he said that he had thought the same thing. We did SO much yesterday!

Let's see there was aqua trikes in the morning (can we discuss what I was thinking bringing my iPhone out in the water with me?) they were super fun!

Multiple walks along the beach of course (it's not hard to do when we are steps away from it and it's beauty calls you) now here's a question though - and I'm serious - this is Caribbean sea, right?

Hubs swam in the pool, played water volley ball and was on a swim team that had a mini Olympics, I enjoyed the whirlpool ;-)

I went to the gym and got my elliptical on and hubs played life size chess!

We went to a water park and floated down the lazy river, and went down the water slides (multiple time) thankfully I left my phone home for this one!

Went to a swim up bar (ummm simply because we can) I got a (non alcoholic) drink called the fairy princess (it tasted like cough syrup) and learned that MAYBE in the future I should pick drinks by their ingredient list and not their cute name 8-0

And ended the night watching a guest and staff talent show - there are two people who work here who ought to be on so you think you can dance!

All that in 24 hours, AND WE SLEPT TOO!

Here's a few of my favorite pics of the day

1- sunset Jamaica style
2- steering the aqua trike
3- hubs sleeping on a tree on the beach
4- playing catch up (to our friend who was far ahead)
5- resting on the beach
6- the view from the gym (now you know why I went to the gym)

+++do you like water parks?+++

Travel day

Yesterday was a day of traveling. Although we were scheduled to land at 2:35 (a flight I'd chosen so we could have some of the day in Jamaica) our flight from miami had "issues" so we actually landed at 6:25! Which btw was 45 minutes later than the later flight that I didn't choose because I wanted the day here ;-)

We boarded the flight from Miami to montego bay on time (half an hour before take off) then we were in formed that take off was delayed due to the queue... When it was finally our turn (half an hour after we were due to have left) the airport/airline mechanics wouldn't approve the plane to fly, it needed a new tire (a set back of an hour and a half). In reality I didn't mind this - I'd rather repairs than crashes. What I did mind though was that we were left on the fully booked plane the entire time and the air was shut off. But at long last we were in the air YAY!

We hit a good amount of turbulence and the fasten seat belt signs never went off (have i mentioned yet I'm a nervous flyer and that hubs and I weren't able to get seats together for this leg?) an hour and a half later we arrive at the airport - don't get excited... There objects on the runway and we can't land! After half an hour there's talk of diverting us to Kingston (on the other side of the island) as we head that way we learn that the runway is cleared and we are second in line, 15 minutes later we land! Oh holy hell thank you.

Now I haven't really talked about this on here but I have been having some health issues lately (that almost precluded me from coming) including some pulmonary problems and reduced kidney function. I had been afraid of my heart but not so much my kidneys but being seated for that long did them no favors esp since we weren't allowed up to use the restrooms. I've got some SERIOUS swelling in my legs currently - feet, ankles? What are those?

But at 8:00 local time (9:00 est) we had arrived at the hotel! It was a long day of travel but we survived! And even took in a little of a concert. Checked out the ocean and did some yoga with waves lapping at our feet.

Here's a few pics for the day - I can't seem to get blogger to let me pick the order so I'll just describe them in the order they're in!
1. View from the Boston to Miami plane
2. Me finally in Jamaica
3. The towels in our room <3
4. Us having arrived in Jamaica (I'll mention here that the health guy pulled hubs aside to ask what was wrong with me - apparently I looked at rough as I felt)
5. Pic of flight from Miami to Jamaica
6. Hubs and his friend whose wedding we are here for!
7. Another view of Miami to Jamaica
8. And finally what we looked like as we were ready to leave for our day of travel!

And now its 5:30 am local time and I'm sitting on the porch looking at the ocean with my legs on the railing thinking about what a great time we are going to have!

See you tomorrow!

+++have you ever been to Jamaica are there any must sees?+++

My bags are packed I'm ready to go...

I dropped pupster off at camp last night. Not ashamed to admit tears were shed. But his fabulous baby sitter already texted me pictures!! Cleaned the house. Packed my bags. And am waiting in boarding to get on a plane... Hubster and I are headed to Jamaica to see our dear friends get married! I'm hoping to blog our trip.

+++when was your last vacation?+++