Travel Blog

I found the sun!  It’s living in Jamaica with white sand beaches and tropical breezes.

After arriving in Montego Bay, I went to Sandals private airport reception area, I was met at the door by a Sandals representative who gave me a drink, took my bags and arranged my transportation to the resort. The driver turned up the Reggae music and off we went up and over the mountain to Sandals Whitehouse.  This is where the Travel Counsellors US Conference was being held, our international conference was held in Spain with 8 countries attending, truly an international company, but this was just for US Travel Counsellors.

Sandals Whitehouse is located on the south west coast of the southern shore of Jamaica. When we arrived at the hotel I was given a cold cloth, to refresh, my bags were taken to my room as I was taken to a sitting area to check-in - no long lines at a counter - I sipped my drink and signed in. 

My room was very nice with tile floors, mahogany furniture and a balcony looking over the beach.  Sandals Resorts are award winning all-inclusive resorts with excellent service. My room had all the amenities of a fine resort and my mini bar was stocked with drinks - the all inclusive resort includes drinks.

The first evening we met at Blue Fields Beach for Welcome Cocktails and Dinner.  We had a wonderful Caribbean Buffett, tropical drinks and white grove service from the Sandals staff.  It was so nice sitting out on a warm night with my toes in the sand listening to the steel band and getting caught up with old friends…a perfect way to start a conference.

Eleanor’s Restaurant, one of seven at Sandals. 

We all met at the conference area of Sandals, where we were welcomed by our Sandals host before the start of our meetings.  We had a full day of information and motivational speakers.  That night we went to Eleanor’s Restaurant, one of seven at Sandals, for a private dinner, it was our Awards Dinner and a lot of fun. 

The Dinner Menu

Farmer’s Salad
Curry Chicken and papaya bruschetts
Hearts of palm, pumpkin, vine ripe tomato
Garden salad greens, Island fruit
Vinaigrette

Allspice Jamaican Pepper Pot - soup
Sweet Potato Dumpling

Sandals Surf & Turf
Grilled beef tenderoin and spiny lobster tail
lemon butter, merlot sauce

Chocolate Lava Cake
Vanilla Ice Cream, topical fruit compote

but If you had a body like his why not show it off. 

Morning meetings and then off to visit some of the other Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Grand Pineapple Beach Resort was first, an all-inclusive resort located on Negril’s famous seven-mile beach, this resort is the economical level of the three brands. Next to Beaches, the family resort brand, where we had a Sesame Luncheon with Cookie Monster and Grover.

Lunch Menu

Appetizer - Jamaica Crab Plaw Salad
St. Elizabeth sunburst greens and tropical fruits

Entree - Land Meets Sea
Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin
with sugarcane Jerk Lobster Kebob
Potato and vegetables.

Dessert - Warm Cheese Cake
with stewed fruits

Then on to Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa, this is the award winning adult only all-inclusive brand.  On the way back to Sandals Whithouse we stopped at Rick’s Cafe, voted on of the Ten Best Bars in the world, to have a drink, watch the divers and the sunset.  People dive from the cliffs, the highest area is 35 feet where some of the locals dive from.  It’s a wonderful area for people watching, from the tourist who are hesitant about diving in - to the local man who put on his own show!  He started doing hand stands before climbing to the highest platform, where he posed and did one hand pull ups on a branch…but if you had a body like his why not show it off.  After leaving Rick’s we stopped for some Jerk Chicken, spicey local chicken.  Later that night some of us had  dinner sitting out by the water.

 We had one more dinner, I was told it would be special …and it was!  

Today we attended an intense Sandals Workshop to become Sandals Certified Agents.  So much information - ask me about having a Butler on your next vacation; or maybe you would like to be one of the many wedding couples that have chosen Sandals or Beaches for their wedding…Imagine the Possibilites!

I spent the afternoon in the main pool, the water was like bath water, thinking I didn’t want to leave the warm, sun and wonderful service I found at Sandals.  I hated to get out of the pool, with swim up bar, but we had one more dinner and I was told it would be special…and it was.

It was called the Vineyard Dinner.  The room was decorated beautifuly, music was paying and each table setting had 5 wine gasses!  The Executive Chef expained each course before it was served and the Wine Stewart told us about the wine for the course and why it was chosen.

VINEYARD DINNER MENU

Wine - Moet Chandon

Seafood Cocktail
Shrimp, scallop & Calamari

Avocado and Tomato Tartar
Gazpacho, Parmesan Crisp

Wine - Gabbiano Pinot Grigio

Allspice Pumpkin Bisque
Yellow Corn Flan, Yam Chip

Wine - Lindemans 65 Chardonnay

Caramelized Onion-Goat Cheese Pie
Prosciutto Crisp, Garden Salad Greens Black Olive
and Basil Pesto, Balsamic Vinaigrette

Sour Soap and Giner Granite

Wine - Rosemount Shiraz

Beef Tenderloin Wellington and Lamb Chop in Potato Jacket
Mushroom-green peppercorn sauce, horseradish mint cream

Wine - “Pink”

Pastry Chef’s Trio:
Caramelized Banana Torte - Dark Run Syrup
Double Vanilla Ice Cream Profiterole - Chocolate Sauce
Coconut Papaya Parfait - Red Berry Coulis

All served by white gloved waiters, the presentation was flawless.

This was our last night, before going back to my real world where I have to make my own meals and clean my own room…being so pampered was nice while it lasted!

Life is not about waiting until the storm passes…it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

This comes from a conference I attended, at Sandals in Jamaica, last week.  I will be posting on my Jamaican adventure in the next few days.

Crystal Cruises 3-Day Sale: July 8 - 10

Crystal Cruises is offering:

* 25% Savings off Special Savings Fares
* Up to $1,000 per person shipboard credit

This offer is for specific cabin category and departure dates for Caribbean & Panama Canal, Europe and South America Voyages.

Punta Cana

All-Inclusive - $59 per person per day

VIK Hotel Arena Blanca & VIK Hotel Cayena Beach

Includes:

* Free Upgrade to Ocean View
* All Meals
* Snacks
* Drinks
* Entertainment
* Hotel tax and service charges

Up to 2 Kids Free!

Travel now until October 31, 2009.  Air and transfers not included, conditions may apply.

This was not just a cruise… it was a family memory.  

I took my two nephews on a Carnival Cruise as a graduation gift. It started with giving them
Passports for their birthdays, truly the gift of travel, in preparation for our cruise. I
have been very fortunate to have traveled to over 50 countries and islands, and wanted to
share the adventure of meeting new people and experiencing different places with my nephews.

We flew to Miami to board the 110,000 ton Carnival Freedom, for our Western Caribbean
cruise. For dinner we had our own table, it was good to have the time to get caught up on
what was happening in their lifes.  When they were little guys I often spent time with them,
as one said “when we were little you always took us on little adventures”, then they went
off to college and I only saw them on holidays, so I enjoyed our time together.

One night we dressed up and went to the Sun King Supper Club, there is an additional charge but it was worth it - for another little adventure.  There were beautiful tapestries and antique mirrors and we sat by the window watching the sun set, as we were pampered with great service and a wonderful meal.

A cruise is a good choice for a family trip, there are activities for everyone. I’m
realistic enough to know that my nephews wouldn’t want to spend all their time with their
aunt, so a cruise worked well for us. On days that we went in different directions, we
always met at dinner and talked about the day. Nights, did I tell you there were 22 bars and
lounges aboard, there were shows, an outdoor poolside 12-foot wide LED screen for movies,
sporting events and concerts; and music for every taste. I’m not sure what time the boys got
in…maybe just as well.

This was not just a cruise…it was a family memory, another little adventure to talk about
for years to come.

Special Yachting Voyages - up to 69% off

It’s Yachting, Not Cruising

SeaDream Fares Include:

* All meals - 5-Star Cuisine
* Wine with lunch & dinner
* Open bar with selected premium brands
* Use of water toys
* Gratuities

Experience SeaDream’s award winning Serive.  Only 56 couples traveling with a crew of 95…you do the math!

Stateroom Amenities

* An entertainment center with flat screen TV, DVD and CD Player

* Ample wardrobes with wooden hangers and full length mirrors

* A dataport that provides access to the internet and a laptop is available upon request.

* Marble-lined bathroom with a multi-jet shower massage and Bvlgari@ bath amenities.

* The Finest Belgian Linens and a selection of pillows, blanket or down duvet

* SeaDream’s 100% Turkish cotton robes with slippers

* Bar with mini fridge stocked with a selection of beverages.

* Personalized yacht stationery, direct dial telephones, personal safe, individually controlled AC ,Make up mirror and hair dryer.

* 24-Hour suite service.

SeaDream is offering voyages from 5 to 11 days with travel dates starting October 10th to December 27th – a sample of their itineraries:

5 Days - starting price $1,499*

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten
Saba, Netherlands Antilles
Gustavla, St. Barthelemy
Anegada, British Virgin Islands
Jost van Dyke, BVI
San Juan PR

7 Days - starting price $1,999*

Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas
Gustavia, St Barthelemy
Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe
Deshaies, Guadeloupe
Jost van Dyke, BVI
San Juan, PR

*per person rates, based on a double, taxes and fees additional

This is a great opportunity to celebrate that special occasion. You don’t want to miss SeaDream’s Champagne Caviar Splash and special barbecue served on china, on the beach!

Imagine the Possibilities…

New Spa at Black Rock

New Spa at Black Rock… sounds like an old time western, well you would have to go way way way west, it’s located in Hawaii.  The Sheraton Resort and now Spa, is located on 23 beachfront acres on Ka’anapali Beach in Maui, a great place to watch the sun set and enjoy the nightly torch-lighting and cliff-diving ceremonies. The last time I stayed here was with my brother and family; they loved the hotel and especially enjoyed the incredible sun sets.

I like travel; I get to go to a lunch seminar to learn what’s new with the Sheraton Hotels in Hawaii. I am obsessed with Hawaii - as I mentioned in a previous blog, so to hear what’s new in Hawaii, while eating pasta…well let’s just say life is good!

Spas are big business and a requirement for the traveler who wants a little pampering after a day of sightseeing.  The Sheraton in Maui has just added a Spa to their hotel - beach, divers, sunsets and now a Spa…what are you waiting for?

Special Savings Package:

* 3rd Night Free
* Daily Breakfast for Two
* Double Upgrade
* Kids Eat Free (12 and under)
* Kids Stay Free (17 and under)
* Cultural Actives
* Shuttle to Lahania
* Fitness Center
* High Seed Internet Access.

Aloha and Imagine the Possibilities…  

Disney Cruise Lines…$700 onboard Credit

Book a Verandah Stateroom for your`7-night cruise and receive a $700.00 onboard credit.  Offer available on most 7-Night sailings now through August 8, 2009. Call for information.

Other offers:

* 4-Night Cruises - $400.00
* 3-Night Cruises - $300.00

Mickey and the gang are waiting!