Doom, despair and disappointment

1:10, Wednesday, December 20th... Stunned. Archana called to say that there is no available date after all. I was a bit shattered since I've already booked the babysitter and told everyone we'll be leaving. She had told me I only needed to put the Jan. 6th date on the forms I sent back to her on Tuesday because she was sure that date would work. She tried hard to find another resort for that date but the one suggested was Superclubs Puerta Plata which is a very different type of resort.

So many negative reviews and unhappy visitors, no golf and very poor snorkling so I turned that down. I hated breaking the news to my sweetie but by 3:30, we were happily trying to come up with another date. We'll keep you all posted on the new date and I'll post tons of pics when we finally get to Jamaica. :)

Archana @ Itravel2000.com was so helpful and it's gratifying that someone would work so hard on your behalf when you're getting the trip for free.

A free trip is never free...

Received prize forms Mon Dec 18, 2006 from Nadia Granata, contacted Archana to find out if our date might be available and she said yes :). I found out that the airport taxes are $220./person, confirming that there's no such thing as a free lunch. *lol*

I checked tripadvisor.com and was blown away by the resort. It's newly renovated and the positive comments from before the reno are overwhelming. I can't imagine how they could have made it any better. My sis is loaning us her snorkle gear so I'm thrilled with the reports of how clear the water is and how close the reef is. Hubby is thrilled about the golf course.

Tuesday, Dec. 19th... passport office took much less time than expected. There were about 60 people waiting and the staff just zipped right through everyone. I was out of there in 1/2 an hour! It's one of the few gov't offices that had the right number of counter help and the attitudes were wonderful. It cost $117.00/person for the passports. ($30 extra to make sure
they're here in time for the trip... I pick them up Jan. 4th)

I WON!!

Miranda Salvato is my new best friend!!11:48 a.m. Friday, December 15th, she called to tell me I had won the OMNI TV, "where in the world is Jonathan Carroll" contest.
An all inclusive, 6 day/7 night vacation to Superclubs Breezes Runaway Bay resort!!!! Value: $6,000
I could hardly remember entering the contest and I had the same expectation I always do when I enter... "It'll never happen to me". I know I cried when she called. I'm very glad it wasn't one of those radio things they replay on the hour! Miranda was so sweet and hopefully she knows how thankful we are for this amazing trip. I've always loved OMNI but now they're my
favourite channel.

I called hubby to tell him we were going and he's actually as excited as I am. What a great second honeymoon! Amazingly, when I called everyone else to tell them, every friend and sister wanted to know why I wasn't taking them. Winning a trip makes ya very popular!