The hotel is known as The Jewell, locally, or 'the new one'. Actually it had been a holiday building here for many years, since the 1950s, and was a casino at first, so I was told by Leabert, the garden guide. It has just been refurbished throughout recently. Its last incarnation was as Sandals, Dunn's River.
Staff here excellent, very well trained, and obviously chosen for their friendly personalities, attractive appearance and ability to remember people's names! They have one day off a week, I believe, and work really hard. After being there some time, they have 2 weeks holiday.
Went to Ocho Rios on a 'Shopping Tour', this cost 20$ for two- cheaper than the taxi fare which is quoted as $30 - it is only about 3 miles away. The Tour vehicel was a small bus, and we were told to come back to the same spot two hours later, in the Craft mall, full of Bob Marley sourvenirs.
I wanted to buy a sim card for phone, so we walked to the Digicel shop, where the credit card machine was out of order. We also had to provide proof of identity which could have been a problem, as we did not know about this prior to our visit. Lucily I had a photocopy of my passport. We managed to pay with the few US dollars we had (we had not planned to buy anything much). You pay for minutes of calls with this service, not by the cost.
Afterwards stopped at very nice coffee shop in another mall, and got information about a driver who could take us to Wassi Arts the next day.
Met a couple of Yanks who invited us to have a drink with them the next day, at their hotel which is the neighbour of ours at Dunn's River, called Rui I think. (Its so big it looks like a small town)
Friday, 17 December 2010
GUESTS AT THE JEWELL, OCHO RIOS - MIXED BUNCH
THE JEWELL RESORT, DUNN'S RIVER, JAMAICA
The resort is fairly full now, beginning December 2010.
Last night the staff were putting Christmas lights in the large sea grape trees outside, and there is a Christmas tree in the lobby, near where I am typing this, covered in silver cupids (or angels) and glitter.
The guests are mainly American. The majority seem young couples, I think we must be the oldest, and being from UK, are more or less the only Limeys here. The American voice can be very loud and somewhat grating on the ear, but I am presuming that this is because the various states have different ways of expressing themselves. Not everybody is like that, of course.
A lot of Americans come from Florida, which is only about an hour away.
Another big group are from Canada.
We have spoken to from people living in the States who originated from Russia and speak Russian to eachother.
Also there are a lot of Jamaican guests here, particularly at the weekend. I think they can get day passes, and maybe they have a cheaper rate being residents - not sure about this. But some are obviously staying here over night. Last weekend there was a large group of young women staying.
I asked a few of the staff here if they get prejudice from the guests because they are black Jamaican, and was told that some of the black American guests are a bit rude and unpleasant, as was one couple of Russians. Of course this is just the experience of one or two of the staff, so maybe this is uncommon, I hope so - the staff here are without exception polite and charming.
And amazingly they remember names!
The group we met most were the Entertainment team, thank you, Jason, Sasha, Antonia and all the other boys and girls!
The resort is fairly full now, beginning December 2010.
Last night the staff were putting Christmas lights in the large sea grape trees outside, and there is a Christmas tree in the lobby, near where I am typing this, covered in silver cupids (or angels) and glitter.
The guests are mainly American. The majority seem young couples, I think we must be the oldest, and being from UK, are more or less the only Limeys here. The American voice can be very loud and somewhat grating on the ear, but I am presuming that this is because the various states have different ways of expressing themselves. Not everybody is like that, of course.
A lot of Americans come from Florida, which is only about an hour away.
Another big group are from Canada.
We have spoken to from people living in the States who originated from Russia and speak Russian to eachother.
Also there are a lot of Jamaican guests here, particularly at the weekend. I think they can get day passes, and maybe they have a cheaper rate being residents - not sure about this. But some are obviously staying here over night. Last weekend there was a large group of young women staying.
I asked a few of the staff here if they get prejudice from the guests because they are black Jamaican, and was told that some of the black American guests are a bit rude and unpleasant, as was one couple of Russians. Of course this is just the experience of one or two of the staff, so maybe this is uncommon, I hope so - the staff here are without exception polite and charming.
And amazingly they remember names!
The group we met most were the Entertainment team, thank you, Jason, Sasha, Antonia and all the other boys and girls!
MONTEGO BAY AIRPORT, JAMAICA, AND JOLLY BUS RIDE TO OCHO RIOS
Arrived Montego Bay in sunny weather, bright blue sky, what a change from dark November in the UK.
We had to get a porter for our baggage to go a few yards from the area where you have to leave the airport trolley, to the bus arrival area, and that cost $5. A bit over the top!
Long ride from MoBay to Ocho Rios, seemed to go on for ever, I guess it was under two hours but seemed longer. Driver gave a running comentary on the size of the huge hotel complexes along the way. We stopped off for beer and restroom (toilet)use. My first Red Stripe of the holiday!
Driver was cheerful, but none of the passengers were anything more than anxious to get to their destinations.
Luckily the hotel complex we are staying at was efficient and there was no delay on showing us to the room on first floor. Nice, large room with four poster bed, balcony (without a view, unless you crained your neck to a tiny glimpse of sea), New bathroom suite and plenty of space everywhere.
Too late to eat - by the time we had had a shower and changed clothes, in any restaurant, but had jerk chicken at the grill place in the grounds, where it was too dark to see much, despite a minute candle on the table.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
GATWICK AIRPORT AND COPTHORNE HOTEL - PROBLEM!
Set off for our holiday, and spent night before flight at Copthorne Hotel, which is a taxi-ride from the airport. Taxi cost £8.50.
The staff promised to wake us at 6.15 and said they had never missed a wake up call! Needless to say, they missed ours, despite us reminding them the last thing at night. Luckily I woke at ten minutes to 7 and we had a rush to get to airport. They had messed up on ordering taxi too. Told us it had already been and gone without us!
Another problem was the weight limitation on Thomson flights. Carry-on is limited to 5 Kg and hold bags to 20 Kg. So the carry-on cases had to be weighed by me several times, at home and later at Gatwick, as by that time I was manic about having to discard stuff at the departure point.
Of course, nobody weighed anything at Gatwick so we need not have bothered and could have packed an extra book to read!
Flight was truly dreadful. Thomson was the one we booked because seat pitch is 31" but Thomson rep at Gatwick said they had to transfer flight to a Thomas Cook 767 airplane because of a technical fault.
The Thomas Cook planes are very cramped. I asked a flight attendant what is the seat pitch? He guessed 28" or 29", and the aisle between seats was so narrow you had to walk sideways. The attendants were good, pleasant and helpful but food was really the worst of air travel food, no choice, overcooked and tasteless chicken, cold fried potatoes and peas. Also you could not see the tiny TV screens up on the ceiling from where I sat. Not that I really wanted to see a film, but some people did. A very long ten hours, but I am glad to say the plane left and arrived on time, with no further hitches.
We then found where we had to get on the mini-bus supplied by Jamaica Tours to ferry passengers to hotels in Ocho Rios area.
The staff promised to wake us at 6.15 and said they had never missed a wake up call! Needless to say, they missed ours, despite us reminding them the last thing at night. Luckily I woke at ten minutes to 7 and we had a rush to get to airport. They had messed up on ordering taxi too. Told us it had already been and gone without us!
Another problem was the weight limitation on Thomson flights. Carry-on is limited to 5 Kg and hold bags to 20 Kg. So the carry-on cases had to be weighed by me several times, at home and later at Gatwick, as by that time I was manic about having to discard stuff at the departure point.
Of course, nobody weighed anything at Gatwick so we need not have bothered and could have packed an extra book to read!
Flight was truly dreadful. Thomson was the one we booked because seat pitch is 31" but Thomson rep at Gatwick said they had to transfer flight to a Thomas Cook 767 airplane because of a technical fault.
The Thomas Cook planes are very cramped. I asked a flight attendant what is the seat pitch? He guessed 28" or 29", and the aisle between seats was so narrow you had to walk sideways. The attendants were good, pleasant and helpful but food was really the worst of air travel food, no choice, overcooked and tasteless chicken, cold fried potatoes and peas. Also you could not see the tiny TV screens up on the ceiling from where I sat. Not that I really wanted to see a film, but some people did. A very long ten hours, but I am glad to say the plane left and arrived on time, with no further hitches.
We then found where we had to get on the mini-bus supplied by Jamaica Tours to ferry passengers to hotels in Ocho Rios area.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
MARRAKESH, RIAD KNISAS, DERB HOTEL BAB DOUKALA
Set off from Gatwick airport using Ryanair (or was it Easyjet, can't remember). No problem with small cases or - that nuisance - the plastic bag for liquids, but what did happen? My contact lens lotion emptied itself all over the contents of case so couldn't use contact lenses during whole of stay. No shops in the Medina that sold such a thing as contact lens lotion.
Had a long wait to board then was sitting in plane for nearly 45 minutes.
Crowded plane, uncomfortable seats and sqashed at armrest.
OK at Marrakesh though, met by Ben and a driver, and short ride in nice new air con car to Riad Kniza.
Riad Kniza is in tiny alley near souk selling food - near Bab Doukalla, three carved gateways in the ochre city wall. Outside the wall is mayhem of city traffic, inside in mayhem of pedestrians and little motorbikes.
We have duplex accommodation, dark rooms, carpets, huge bed, nice cushions on floor, carved antique furniture. Very helpful people.
Snack lunch at about 3.30 which was tea, fried 'finger' food and little rolls (pastilles) stuffed with chicken and salad.
There is a plunge pool, tiny and very blue and open to the blue sky, with two blue pots at one end, where stand large palm trees.
Red rose petals on the bed, in the wash basin, on the table, on towels and in another room a bowl of peaches, grapes and apples.
Had a long wait to board then was sitting in plane for nearly 45 minutes.
Crowded plane, uncomfortable seats and sqashed at armrest.
OK at Marrakesh though, met by Ben and a driver, and short ride in nice new air con car to Riad Kniza.
Riad Kniza is in tiny alley near souk selling food - near Bab Doukalla, three carved gateways in the ochre city wall. Outside the wall is mayhem of city traffic, inside in mayhem of pedestrians and little motorbikes.
We have duplex accommodation, dark rooms, carpets, huge bed, nice cushions on floor, carved antique furniture. Very helpful people.
Snack lunch at about 3.30 which was tea, fried 'finger' food and little rolls (pastilles) stuffed with chicken and salad.
There is a plunge pool, tiny and very blue and open to the blue sky, with two blue pots at one end, where stand large palm trees.
Red rose petals on the bed, in the wash basin, on the table, on towels and in another room a bowl of peaches, grapes and apples.
NOT SO NICE THINGS ABOUT MARRKECH IN MOROCCO
Dirty taxis, 'rip off' and surly taxi drivers.
Chaotic roads so you risk life and limb crossing road.
Overpowering heat of direct sun (July).
Rather too much sugar and too much fried food.
No 'western' bread except in French restaurants.
Not many vegetables (low fibre diet!).
Chickens, rabbits, chicks, in tiny hutches in the markets.
Flies on cakes, breads, pastries on the stalls.
Lack of any good quality shops in the New Town - or we couldn't find them if they are there.
Chaotic roads so you risk life and limb crossing road.
Overpowering heat of direct sun (July).
Rather too much sugar and too much fried food.
No 'western' bread except in French restaurants.
Not many vegetables (low fibre diet!).
Chickens, rabbits, chicks, in tiny hutches in the markets.
Flies on cakes, breads, pastries on the stalls.
Lack of any good quality shops in the New Town - or we couldn't find them if they are there.
NICE THINGS ABOUT MARRAKECH IN MOROCCO
We visited in July, during the hottest freak weather, up to 45 degrees.
Nice things:
Cool shady bits, colours, carved wooden doors.
Lovely potted palms(in blue pots).
Friendly people who say 'bon soir', 'bon jour'.
Pretty children.
All the staff at the Riad Kniza, and most of the waiting staff at restaurants.
Shops at the airport
Orange juice, cold wine, expat lifestyle.
Food:
Little fried savory snacks and salted almonds in their skins.
Lamb tagine, fish, peaches.
Nice things:
Cool shady bits, colours, carved wooden doors.
Lovely potted palms(in blue pots).
Friendly people who say 'bon soir', 'bon jour'.
Pretty children.
All the staff at the Riad Kniza, and most of the waiting staff at restaurants.
Shops at the airport
Orange juice, cold wine, expat lifestyle.
Food:
Little fried savory snacks and salted almonds in their skins.
Lamb tagine, fish, peaches.
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