On Wednesday I am going to Jamaica/married/relaxing - edit, i'm home

[InsomniacInkRoss]

Tell me everything about marriage, Jamaica, and relaxing.

[Jimbo]

No problem, mon.

[Invader3K]

I won't bother giving marriage tips because you're already basically there, so you can find out on your own soon enough.

 

As far as Jamaica, I've never been there, but everything I've basically heard has been "Stay on the resort and don't leave unless you want to get mugged or worse."

[beno78]

Maybe they want to buy shirts? Brewer fever is spreading!

 

Relaxing= not thinking about being back here.

[Fatter than Joey]

Tell me everything about marriage, Jamaica, and relaxing.

 

I've got nothing but -- Best of luck, and see you on the other side.

[trwi7]

Tell me everything about marriage

You're always wrong, even if you know you're right.

[sbrylski]

FOR SALE BY OWNER.

Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, 45 volumes. Excellent condition. $200 or best offer. No longer needed, Got married last month. Wife knows everything.

 

-------------

 

http://media.ebaumsworld.com/picture/jmc1/2.jpg

 

EDIT: Changed image to URL because it contains a naughty word.

[eanelson4]

Heard this one in church the other day:

 

You can either be right or you can be married, not both. I'm not married, but I've had enough experience with women to where that seems reasonable to me.

 

 

About Jamaica, where are you staying (Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril, etc.)? I've been there 9 times so I know the place pretty well. I can probably answer any questions you have. As far as things to do (or not do):

 

1) Dunns River Falls -- It is in Ocho Rios. Yeah, it's a really touristy thing to do, but I always had fun with it.

2) Tour of the Appleton Jamaica Rum Estate -- Free samples of some great rum. Need I say more?

3) Go snorkeling or SCUBA diving -- I really enjoy snorkeling (you may not). If you do as well, check it out. Take a boat out with a guide and have them show you the great reefs. I have never been SCUBA diving, but have always wanted to go.

4) Make my favorite tropical drink -- It's a bit girly, but tastes damn good while relaxing in the sun in Jamaica. Mix mango juice, pineapple juice, and CHEAP pineapple rum with ice. Drizzle a shot of 25 year old appleton jamaica estate rum over the top (do not mix that in) and drink. Repeat as necessary.

5) Do NOT go to the markets -- Yeah, it is fun for about 5 min. to barter with the people, but everything there is crap. You will buy it, bring it home, and never look at it again/wish you wouldn't have bought it. Don't waste your time

6) If you are in Montego Bay (I assume you are flying in there) and have a layover or are staying there, check out Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. Solid food, and the place is a blast. 3 floors of fun. There is a hot tub on the roof, but it is about 200 degrees, so don't go in that. They also have a waterslide that goes form the roof and winds down into the ocean. Once in the ocean, swim out to the water trampoline, jump around, realize you are too old, and go back in to have a beer.

7) Drink some red stripes. Whenever I am down there, I like it, but when I get back in the states, it sucks. It is just soo refreshing in the heat.

8) If you like soda, try Ting. It is an awesome grapefruit-soda type beverage. I love it.

 

Maybe I'll think of more things to do later. I hope your trip is a blast.

[pretendastronaut]

First, congrats on the coming wedding and all the best!

 

I've been to Jamaica twice, both times for friend's weddings. Resort life is certainly different than non-resort life, but if you're with a good guide, I never felt uncomfortable off the resort. I love seeing the actual lifestyles when I go do these places.

 

The resort itself will try to sell you on a number of excursions, which are often overpriced, but fun. The resort can likely tell you reliable companies that will cart you around with your own agenda. One day a group of us just hired a van to take us around to various portions of the island, which was my favorite day there.

 

Beyond that, the resorts normally tell you tipping is included, but you'll still be tipping most likely. It's good to make friends with the bartenders fast if you're a drinker. Tip your maids though, they get paid dirt relative to any of the other resort workers.

 

When you get off the plane, everyone will aggressively want to take your bag for you, to get a tip. It's pretty hectic when you first go through it.

 

The shuttle you take from the airport will stop at a friend/family owned bar/restaurant in the countryside, so you can get a beer and go to the bathroom, and they can pull you aside one by one and offer to help you "party". When you get to the resort, many people will tell you to come talk to them if you want to "party".

 

If you are traveling outside the resort, you will often see children run out and look for handouts, they'll chase you down the road. You would be cautioned to not do this. However, if you want, there are ways to help out. We didn't do this when we went to Jamaica, but we did when we went to the Dominican Republic, we took school materials to give to some local kids, and I would suppose it's much the same in Jamaica on these issues. We asked our guide for a good place to do this, and he let us know when the best time/location. He did tell us later that in the future, shoes are a real commodity in the villages, and if we wanted to do something like that in the future, shoes would be the way to go, even just old shoes you were going to throw away.

 

There is plenty of good food and drink to be had for the week. Get a Cuban if you like cigars, but the "good deals" are because they're bad fakes.

 

Scuba diving and snorkeling can be a ton of fun in the right areas. Dunns River Falls is the "big" thing to do, and it's an okay time. We did it as part of a whole excursion.

 

It's a great time, have a blast!

[phxMILWfan]

Hey congratulations. I've been married 6 months and I always thought the "the wife is always right" thing was a joke. It's not. Marriage is great but it's even better when the woman is happy.

[mothershipconnection]

Michael Scott would strongly suggest Sandals.

[BrewCrewForever]

Congrats Ross! Being a man who has been married a total of 3 days I can't tell you much about married life. Hope you enjoy Jamaica, I have heard from people who have been there that it is fantastic. Myself and my bride are heading to the Dominican Republic on Friday for our honeymoon.

[pitchleague]

Good job finding a wife and congrats! Hope you have fun in Jamaica--always thought it'd be a nice place to visit.

 

As for the "wife is always right" thing, I must have found the perfect woman, then. Not only is she into baseball and most everything else that I am, I am right many times and she will admit it. We never argue about this. Sometimes she's right and sometimes I'm right and that's the way it is. No baloney, either.

 

May Ross and Mrs. Ross also be perfect for each other.

[1992casey]

I'll work backwards here.

 

First, congratulations to BrewCrewIn2004. I knew the wedding was coming up, but I thought it was a little further into the future.

 

Second, phxMILWfan mentions something about the wife always being right. I don't think that's 100% correct, but there's merit. If one spouse feels really strongly about something and the other's able to acquiesce, that's how it should go.

 

Third, pretendastronaut mentions that you'll be aggressively pursued by people who'll want to help (for money). If you think it might be worth your while, fine. If not, ignore them. Or don't ignore them and live and learn.

 

Fourth, I've never been to Jamaica, but I think marijuana might be legal. If it is, remember that it's irrelevant if you need to pass a urinalysis once you return to the States.

 

 

EDIT: I forgot to congratulate Ross. Congratulations!

[InsomniacInkRoss]

About Jamaica, where are you staying (Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril, etc.)

 

1) Dunns River Falls -- It is in Ocho Rios. Yeah, it's a really touristy thing to do, but I always had fun with it.

2) Tour of the Appleton Jamaica Rum Estate -- Free samples of some great rum. Need I say more?

3) Take a boat out with a guide and have them show you the great reefs.

4) Make my favorite tropical drink

5) Do NOT go to the markets -- Yeah, it is fun for about 5 min. to barter with the people, but everything there is crap. You will buy it, bring it home, and never look at it again/wish you wouldn't have bought it. Don't waste your time

6) If you are in Montego Bay (I assume you are flying in there) and have a layover or are staying there, check out Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.

7) Drink some red stripes. Whenever I am down there, I like it, but when I get back in the states, it sucks. It is just soo refreshing in the heat.

8) If you like soda, try Ting. It is an awesome grapefruit-soda type beverage. I love it.

 

Maybe I'll think of more things to do later. I hope your trip is a blast.

Staying at Beaches in Negril for ceremony and family time, moving to Sandals in Montego Bay for the rest of the trip.

1)Looked into this, maybe if the misses wants to, I wasn't thrilled by the whole "climbing" aspect of it. Based on youtube videos of what you do there

2) Is the closer to Negril or Montego Bay? Easy thing to get accomplished?

3) The reef sounds cool

4) Pineapple is far too acidic for to enjoy, I cant even have OJ, damn you acid reflux

5) Didn't plan on it

6) Is this worth a trip off the resort for?

7) I plan on having quite a few

8) I'm pretty sure I have had Ting somewhere in my life, and I remember liking it

 

I am not a cigar person, but, I might have to try a Cuban. I know it's all hype, but, you know, its just something you should do. A cigar guy told me to look for the Havana's with the black label, over Cohibas

 

I don't plan on "partying" there, which is "illegal" (woefully unenforced), but, if i did, when you own your own company, you don't have to take any drug tests, haha.

 

As far as I'm concerned, I am already married. Great girl, met on opening day 2005, engaged at first Brewer playoff last year.

My wife to be is a lurker here, I am sure she will read this.

 

More questions:

Is there a Red Stripe tour?

What can I expect to pay for outside of the "all inclusivness" of Sandals/Beaches?

[brewers4eric]

We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon 5 years ago. I remember it because tt was around the time that the Brewers promoted Chris Saenz for one game and he shut down the Cardinals.

 

One of the side trips that we took was a catamaran ride to Dunns River Falls. The catamaran made a stop for snorkeling. You may have seen the "wet" climb on the Falls, where you join hands with your group and walk up through the water. There is also a "dry" climb, as there are steps next to the falls with overlooks at several locations. It is worth the cost of a side trip.

 

The taxi rides are crazy down there. You weave in and out of traffic and there are people and goats wandering around everywhere. It is equivalent to a rollercoaster ride at an American theme park. One of the other side trips that we took was a raft ride down the great river. You sit on a bus seat strapped to about a dozen tubes of bamboo while your guide points out the flora and fauna along the river. The tour included lunch at a banana plantation and a presentation on the rum trade. We were the only ones on the tour that day and the lunch by the river and the personal tour was one of my favorite memories from the trip.

 

We booked all of our side trips through our resort, which you will want to do. Things get scary as soon as you leave secure areas. Your resort is also likely to have a shuttle to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. I can't remember a Red Stripe tour. I do remember an option that included a tour of Bob Marley's mansion. The whole island runs on tips. You can spend as much or as little as you want on the side trips. Otherwise, the all inclusive option covers about everthing that you'll need in the way of food and drinks.

 

We flew in to Montego Bay. It seemed like the airport was bereft of any functioning emergency or rescue equipment. The whole island is a lesson in contrasts. You'll compare the luxury of the resort to the poverty of the tin shacks (kind of like comparing Miller Park to Wrigley Field). Have a great trip.

[BrewCrewForever]

First, congratulations to BrewCrewIn2004. I knew the wedding was coming up, but I thought it was a little further into the future.

 

Thanks Casey! I appreciate it. It was this past Saturday the 2nd.

[hawing]

I'm pretty sure I have had Ting somewhere in my life, and I remember liking it

 

There was (maybe still is? I could hope) Ting soda (or Ting pop, whichever way you roll) in Wisconsin: Link

The Jamaican beverage is different.

 

Besides my congratulations to the recently/soon to be married posters, that's all I can contribute to this thread.

[Jimbo]

The snorkeling there isn't the best. The people are so poor they eat all the fish.

[pretendastronaut]

What can I expect to pay for outside of the "all inclusivness" of Sandals/Beaches?

 

Tips are a bit more under the table in Jamaica, in my experience, it's more people just kind of "hanging around" to imply a tip sometimes. Someone will offload your bags from the shuttle when you get there, and expect a tip. You're often not left with much choice but to have someone take your bags to your room, who will expect a tip. But after that, it's not really so obvious on the resort itself. I tip the maids, and I've learned to make tip the bartenders early in the week.

 

Also, I've never stayed at either of these resorts, but every resort I've stayed on, for your meals, it's all buffet. However, for dinner, they all have a restaurant (sometimes a few) that take reservations, and are an ordering off the menu situation. However, in my experience the food there is much better than the buffets (though the buffets aren't bad either). You also won't be able to go there in your swim suit and beach shoes, you'll need to look presentable. But it's worth finding out what they are and make reservations early in the morning, as they book fast. Most places you can do this every night you're there, but I've been on one resort where you could only eat in those places like 2 times in a week.

[pretendastronaut]

OH! Almost forgot the best tip, go get some big thermos mugs pronto. The bartenders will fill these up for you, and when you're sitting on the beach drinking some cold refreshments, you don't really want it in the tiny 8oz glasses they will give you otherwise. Mugs are crucial.

[eanelson4]

Ross --

 

Making a trip to Margaritaville probably isn't worth a trip off the resort in Negril unless you are bored. It's just a fun restaurant and not much more. I have just gone there as a place to kill a couple hours of waiting time before a flight or if I have been staying in Montego Bay. As for the Appleton estate, it is in the center of the island and I would think you can arrange a trip there pretty easily from Negril or Montego Bay.

 

Like other people have said, tips are key. Bring a bunch of singles. It is good form to leave one on each pillow in the morning for the maids. When someone carries your bags, throw them a buck or two. If you tip the bartenders, they will hook you up, etc.

 

Also, if you make it towards the Kingston area (which I doubt you will because it isn't tourist territory) you can always catch a reggae boys soccer game or maybe even a cricket game. This is also where the Bob Marley Museum is.

[InsomniacInkRoss]

I'm back, good times

 

Didn't leave the resort once, and barely did anything there... it was great!

 

We did end up tipping the "red hats" at the airport (who didn't give you a choice, literally), the drivers to and from the airport, a few bartenders, and the maids. We found out that by law beaches are public land in Jamaica and thats why "farmers" can roam the coast and sell their shells, necklaces, hashish, marijuana, and cocaine. Drugs are illegal there, but that is the running joke. I am now an international Beer Slam grand champion, you can't beat a Wisconsin boy.

 

Both Beaches in Negril and Sandals in Montego Bay were nice. Lots and lots of food options, each resort had the buffet and 4-6 other sit down specialty restaurants. The food varied from ok to excelent. I didn't have a decent piece of cheese the entire trip though, and the milk was either all goats milk, or had been condenced, or something.

 

At the end of the day, it would be hard to chose this trip or take all the money we spent on the trip and REALLY live it up in Vegas for 3 or 4 days. Outside of the beach, Vegas would probobly get the edge. I will post a few choice pictures when I get them uploaded, I won't bog you all down with tons of pics, just a few really interesting ones, and a few explaining why Air Jamaica sucks.

[trwi7]

and barely did anything there... it was great!

I think I know the thing. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Invader3K]

The food varied from ok to excelent. I didn't have a decent piece of cheese the entire trip though, and the milk was either all goats milk, or had been condenced, or something.

Glad you enjoyed your trip. As far as the cheese and such, it's because you're spoiled a bit. Wisconsin has the best cheese in the world.