The Vacation That Almost Wasn’t. In mid-May we had a family pow-wow to plan this year’s family vacation. We chose a beautiful all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay. A week later the State Department issued a ‘travel warning’ for U.S. citizens because of riots in Kingston. Then came the Spirit Airlines strike which lasted a week and added an additional conern. Finally, the warning was lifted and the strike was settled. But, right behind it was the threat of the first hurricane of the season, Alex! Gratefully, we were spared on all fronts and had a great vacation. But we sure needed that tropical punch when we arrived…yeah, mon!
A little dorky perhaps in our themed departure outfits. 
Grand Palladian Resort, Montego Bay beautiful by day and night.
Lots of water sports including wind-surfing, snorkeling, catamarans, peddle boats and kayaks.
And we spent a lot of time doing this. 
The Food. Being all-inclusive, they had lots of palates to please so there was not too much Jamaican fare in the various on-site restaurants. I managed to get a taste here and there when we ventured into the buffets.
I was introduced to Nesberry, Jamaican Apple and Jackfruit (and shown how to eat it). I liked all 3.
I sampled some other Island specialties at the breakfast buffet (escovitch, boniato al vapor, pan bammy, plantains).
And we tried escovitch and jerk chicken from the hut on the beach. 
In the evenings we had somewhat fancier fare from the themed a la carte restaurants. 
And there was lots of drinking, especially lemonade slushies and…
Table games entertained us between courses. Yes, we were/are that annoying table.
To see more in the “I ATE” series, click here.
16 Comments
Subscribe to the Comments
Joan, welcome back, you look super-relaxed. In Jamaica there are two speeds…slow and stop!
Food looks fab and I want one oft those octopus T-shirts!
ha, ha…I can always count on you for a belly laugh.
Wow, looked like an amazing, fun trip. Balancing forks was funny! Was that Jack Fruit? In Asia, we boil the seeds to eat as well, yum.
Yes, we were told that they also boil the seeds but I enjoyed the fruit we were able to extract. The process is sort of like dismantling an artichoke.
Glad you had a great time. Food looked fab and I want a T-shirt too.
Oh Joni, what a wonderful time you all had. The photos are fantastic and the food – exotic – to say the least. Love to all
I was 19 when I was last in Jamaica in Negril. You have sparked a longing for curried goat and Planter’s Punch ‘mon. I would see it through new eyes.
I love all inclusive resort holidays!…something to do with less stress! Glad you had a great time in Jamaica and like Peter, sign me up for one of those t-shirts!
Joan, I really need to go on vacation with you and your family! It looks like you had a fantastic time, and I’d die for some of that jerk chicken from the beach hut!
Looks like a great time – great food and great fun.
The lounge chairs in the pool are calling my name! Looks like a fantastic vacation, and I want to taste that jerk chicken.
What a wonderful holiday – and I love the shirts!!! The fruit looks really interesting – and the meat – well… I am still salivating. Magnificent!
Looks like you had a great time! Theres nothing like an all inclusive resort to get some great food and relaxation. Thanks for sharinhg your experiences and great pics.
Joan! What a great post – and I do love the octopus t-shirts too!!! So cute! I am a bit of an octopus freak…
Anyway, this brings back such awesome memories of our honeymoon in Jamaica – although we were in Negril. I love the food and the people! And the scenery isn’t bad either
Now, THAT is a family vacation!
Love the exotic fruit, too. Never seen the likes of a few of them.
Now I’m really envious, I hope to be able to take a vacation like that one day! Love the fish!
-Gina-
Trackbacks / Pingbacks
show trackbacks