Jamaica

Jan 17-19
AC982 YYZ-MBJ, AC983 MBJ-YYZ

With a self imposed moratorium on travel to the USA, I took advantage of the opportunity to expand our list of countries and to finally get to Jamaica. We are not normally beach people and haven’t really gotten into the all inclusive vacation thing, so this was outside of our normal vacation parameters. However, the nice thing about Montego Bay is that there are daily flights from Toronto with wide-body planes. so getting there was relatively easy and Hyatt had a number of resort options.

Jan 17

With an early-morning departure from Toronto, we were in Jamaica and at our resort by lunch time. We stayed at the Zoetry Montego Bay, which is a very small property with less than 50 rooms in total. This meant a pretty small property, but it also meant it was never crowded. It also made for a very low-key long weekend.

Lush landscape on approach to landing in Montego Bay

Small private beach next to a launch point for tourist boats

Tom enjoying the view from our balcony

Looking back on the property from the pier

A small island and sand bank opposite our beach was home to thousands of birds

Late that afternoon, we had a brief heavy downpour, but otherwise we had perfect weather to relax from our balcony, poolside, and on the beach.

Jan 18

I was up early to enjoy the sunrise and to get some steps in before the sun and heat arrived. It was lovely having the resort almost to myself and just enjoying the calm ocean. We had nothing planned for the day and lounged around the resort enjoying the food and beverage options.

Main resort pool with great ocean views

One of the swim up pools with the beach behind as the sun is just appearing

The property had a number of stray cats that the staff fed

Full scope of the relatively small beach. Didn’t make for long walks but it was enough space for the guests

Jerk snack bar going for the Jamaica experience

Tom joined me later in the morning

Still early for the pool crowd

Doing my best to capture some of the many sea birds in flight with my iPhone

Full circle for the day, back where I started, but at sunset

Catching a plane on takeoff as the sun is setting

After a very relaxing day, we enjoyed a Jamaica-themed dinner in the main restaurant with entertainment by a very talented local band.

Jan 19

I was again up early enjoying the last day of tranquility.

Catching the beautiful reflection of the resort pier on the calm morning waters

Back at the beach watching the day break

Catching a few more ocean birds in the shallow waters at low tide

After a relaxing morning, we had breakfast and headed back to the airport. We were not anxious to head back to the deep freeze in Toronto, but were glad that we kicked off our January travel in Jamaica, which was officially now our 109th country visited.