The trip got off to a rough start. We stayed up until 3am the night before packing and watching UConn (Nancy) and the Caps (me). Our alarm went off 90 minutes later and we were off, slowly. The flight to Jamaica was uneventful but long, with a short layover in Orlando. Nancy did an amazing job with Peter on the flight to keep him happy (and quiet). Katie was also good and kept herself entertained by drawing and looking at the clouds "that look like snow!"
We arrived at the resort around 3pm and had a few hours of daylight to enjoy the pool and beach. The pool was very nice and was Katie's favorite place to be. The beach, unfortunately, wasn't as nice. It was a little small and had no waves. The ground under the water turned to a gooey slippery substance that we later found out was mud (we also found out it was a manmade beach). There was reportedly a really nice, natural beach a few miles down the road but we didn't venture down there.
The really nice thing about the resort is that it has everything you need -- restaurants, bars, entertainment, pools, beach, and boats to use. It was also nice being part of a large group because we saw people we knew wherever we went. Katie got to spend lots of time with her friends Zach, Misha, Lindsey, Lauren, and Ben. The downside about resorts like this is you don't get to experience much of Jamaica's culture and natural beauty. Regardless, we were very happy to be able to walk around in shirts and flip-flops in the middle of February.
On Friday we slept in and then hung out at the beach and pool. We were amazed at how well Katie was swimming. She moved around the pool with no help (other than her floatation vest). Friday night we had a company dinner and took Peter to his first bar afterwards (he was there for maybe 5 minutes and didn't partake in the round of shots or the drinking games).
Saturday we played some more in the pool and then I took Katie on a short kayak ride, during which I may have pulled a muscle in my back. Nancy took Katie to get her hair braided. Later Nancy got a massage by the pool and Katie and I went on a catamaran boat ride with several other co-workers. Nancy and Peter stayed behind for some quality beach time.
The boat ride started off badly. It was pretty obvious right away that it wasn't designed for 3 year old girls. The booze was flowing and the music was too loud. We stayed in the covered section because Katie wanted to stay out of the wind but unfortunately that's where the music was loudest. For the first part of the trip, Katie just sat there expressionless and seemed to be having an awful time.
When the boat stopped so people could snorkel, we moved to the front. Katie's mood brightened considerably when she got into the sunshine. Then the boat went to a place with a huge 3-story waterslide and 2 huge floating trampolines. We sat and watched the crazy folks shoot out of the waterslide and crash into the water below. You could hear some people scream all the way down. Then Katie and I swam out to the trampoline and she loved it. A few times it got scary when there were several people jumping at once. Katie would fall down but people were really conscientious of her whereabouts and made sure not to trample her. Afterwards, we swam back to the boat and sailed home. Katie was very tired but I was happy she ended up having a good time.
On Sunday morning we took a quick swim before we had to leave for the airport. A very nice gardener took a coconut from a tree and sliced upon the top so Katie could drink pure coconut juice. She loved it. In addition to the gardener, everyone at the resort was incredibly nice to us.
The flight back on Sunday was very, very long and sad. It took 14 hours to get home to cold, rainy DC. Now it's sleeting. I miss wearing flip-flops!
Ready to leave for the airport at 5am!
Katie fell asleep as we're approaching our destination, as she does so often in the car.
Our Jamaican home for the weekend, Riu Montego Bay. This is the view from our balcony. The great pool is in the middle, the buildings surrounding it are restaurants and the performance stage, and the ocean is in the background.
The pool had a ramp that Katie loved walking down and playing on.
Katie and Nancy in the deep blue sea.
Katie and Daddy
Peter's first dip
Katie and Misha build a sand castle.
The view from our breakfast table every morning.
Playing in the pool
Katie helps her friend Lauren dig in the sand.
James helps the kids find a crab.
A Jamaican crab the kids (and James) caught.
Katie goes kayaking with her Daddy.
Peter takes a nap...
...in paradise.
Peter in his first bar.
Our princess at breakfast (she thankfully only wore the dress to breakfast).
Katie's new hairdo.
Our catamaran is on the left.
On the boat.
Katie with Karen and her sweet kids who were very patient with Katie. They're holding a sea cucumber.
Katie didn't like the sea cucumber.
Katie with Zach and Ben.
Katie with Lauren on the boat.
The really cool floating trampolines that Katie and I swam to from the boat.
The insane waterslide that you could hear people scream all the way down. The drop at the end was at least 6 feet and usually caused people to twist in midair and land face first.
A beautiful sunset from the boat.
Happy in Jamaica.
Peter dips his toes in the sand for the first time.
The nice gardner that sliced the top of the coconut with his machette so Katie could drink it.
The coconut juice had no sweetness to it at all, which surprised us.
About to begin the long, slow journey home.
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