So I know I'm a little late, but did everyone have a fantastic Labor Day weekend? We were so busy but had a lot of fun! I've been feeling a little behind for the last month or so, but now that we're (kind of) settled in and things are all pretty much back to normal since the wedding, I think it's high time I share a little about our honeymoon!
We went to the lovely Montego Bay, Jamaica and stayed at a Secrets resort there. It was the first time that either of us had been to the Caribbean, and the first time that Trent had ever been out of the country. (
- that counts, right?) It was also the first time that we flew on an airplane together. And we got to do it as husband and wife, just two days after tying the knot.
We stayed 6 nights at an all-inclusive resort, and it was soooo nice! We loved it! All of our meals and drinks were included, so we never went hungry or thirsty, and we got to dine in style at all of the fancy restaurants, and get our drink on at the beach. It was an all-around pretty relaxing time.
We were on the fifth floor, and our balcony overlooked the ocean. The views were spectacular.
They say that summer is the rainy season there, but we had great weather during the week that we stayed, so you never know! Hurricane season is also late summer, September being the worst for hurricanes. We went August 17th through the 23rd, and we missed that hurricane that just went through the Caribbean a couple of weeks ago. It would have been a little scary with the thought of possibly flying through that! We were just fine, though.
It rained the first afternoon, but the rest of the week it was nice and sunny. Most mornings were blue skies and bright sun, and in the afternoon it would get cloudier.
The highs everyday were about mid-eighties to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but there was always a light ocean breeze, and the ocean and pool were just a short walk away all the time.
This was our suite. So nice and relaxing!
They gave us drinks as soon as we checked in - I got a mimosa, and Trent got a Red Stripe. That's their domestic beer down there, and our fridge was always stocked with them.
There was also SO much yummy food. We ate breakfast at the resort cafe the first full day we were there.
There was a breakfast buffet at the restaurant, but most days we stayed in the room and ordered room service. One morning we got a Champagne breakfast in bed. There was always plenty of fresh fruit, juice, coffee, Champagne, and mimosas!
When we walked out and explored the resort the first day, it felt like we were walking into a postcard or some tropical calendar! It was just so perfect and picturesque.
The sand was white, and the ocean was super clear. We swam with the fishes numerous times. I was just disappointed that I never saw a starfish! Maybe next time...
The majority of our time on the resort was spent at the beach - both in the ocean, and lounging next to it with a drink in our hand. We did go to the pool one day, but it always seemed pretty busy.
Here is the pool - There was a swim-up bar and a poolside-lunch spot that we ate at one of our last days there.
We got all dressed up and went to dinner most nights. I loved dressing up, but Trent hated it! He only brought along a few fancy dress outfits. Ha.
All of the restaurants on the resort were very nice. Most had an "elegant casual" dress code, which meant skirts or dresses for the ladies, and dress pants and collared shirts for guys. We ate at an Italian restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a French restaurant, and a Hibachi restaurant. I liked elements of each of them. The desserts were probably the best, though. :) Trent tried escargot at the French restaurant, and we both had the creme brûlée for dessert. I loved that, and the tiramisu at the Italian restaurant. I also had a yummy Thai noodle salad at the Hibachi restaurant, which was really good.
Being a vegetarian, I didn't try any of the seafood or meat dishes, but we were told when you go to Jamaica you have to try the Jamaican Jerk chicken. Trent had some of that on the beach one day and really liked it.
Of course, they also had the yummiest drinks down there, made with Jamaican rum! We had Bob Marleys, and I also tried the Rum Punch, Bahama Mamas, Pina Coladas, and Banana Caipirinhas. All awesome!
Trent drank beer most of the time, but he did get a fruity drink here and there. My favorite part was the servers who came straight to you and brought you any drink you wanted. That's the life right there. :)
We did decide to venture off the resort one day and signed up for a day trip to Ocho Rios. It actually ended up being our favorite day there! We loved the relaxation of the resort, but it was fun to do something adventurous and see a little more of the country.
We went to Dunn's River Falls, and I highly recommend going there if you go to Jamaica. It's a bunch of waterfalls all connected in layers, with a rock bottom and little pools here and there, and we climbed up the whole thing on a guided tour!
It was so much fun, and probably my favorite part of the whole trip.
We got completely soaked and splashed a lot, and had to jump in backwards...climbing the rocks was also kind of challenging and scary at times, but overall it was so much fun. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
Speaking of once in a lifetime experiences, we also went zip lining for the first time at Mystic Mountain! This was during our Ocho Rios trip, and was also very scary, but totally worth it. We zip lined 5 lines total I think, all through the rain-foresty trees, and saw some pretty gorgeous scenery at the same time.
Here's just one of the views from the top of Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios. Absolutely amazing! We rode a bobsled roller coaster near the top of the mountain, which was one of Trent's favorite things. He got to steer and control the speed of our car. For me, that's not always so much fun... Ha.
The photos below were from our last full day in Jamaica. We were savoring every second of our last beach day, because we knew it would be gone just as fast as it came!
By the end of the trip, it was safe to say we had gotten plenty of sun. I wish I could say it stayed with me, but my pretty tan peeled a week or so after we got back to Illinois! It didn't want me to be that dark, I guess. :)
Our last night there, we had the most gorgeous sunset. It was like the sun was finally setting on the most awesome vacation ever. The sun set so early there - about 6:30. So every night when we went to dinner, it was completely dark, and it seemed like the night lasted so long. We heard the local band play probably every other night. I can still hear them announcing, "The Band Pace!"
There was plenty of great reggae music all week, and now every time we hear Bob Marley I'm sure we'll think of our amazing Jamaican honeymoon.
I could not imagine a better week for our honeymoon. After all of the stress and work of the wedding, it was absolutely perfect and relaxing. I already miss lounging by the beach, swimming in the ocean...even my luxurious bubble baths in the hotel room while Trent sat outside on the balcony listening to the frogs singing at night!
It was such a great beginning to start our new life together as husband and wife, and just a continuation of the many adventures and memories already made together. Can't wait for many more!
