Why? Jamaica!

By Jen @ Why CLE?

I’m back, I’m rested, I’m tan, and I’m geared up for spring in CLE!  I hope you enjoyed the fantastic guest bloggers over the last week or so.  And to thank you for being such wonderful readers, I brought someone a present from Jamaica.  Read on for my trip recap and a READER GIVEAWAY!

CLEguy and I spent just over a week at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  There’s something about leaving a town where there’s snow on the ground and going to a warm, sandy beach that is just good for the soul.

The resort was all-inclusive, which meant lots of rum drinks by the pool and lots of yummy Jamaican cuisine.  One of my favorites was called “When EE Done EE Done,” which was a daily special that was always some different kind of Caribbean food.  We enjoyed lamb curry, jerk chicken stew, and Caribbean lobster.  We didn’t get to try the curried goat, which we were really hoping to get to sample.  I guess we’ll just have to go back!

CLEguy and I also went on several excursions, which were a great way to see more of the country.  We spent a day in Negril, where we went to Margaritaville, checked out the white-sand beach, and ended the day at Rick’s Cafe where you can watch the world-famous cliff divers as the sun sets.

CLEgal and CLEguy at Margaritaville Negril

We also climbed Dunn River Falls, which was the favorite excursion for both of us.  Dunn River Falls is a tiered waterfall.  Starting at the beach, you climb up the different tiers, ending up 900 feet above sea level at the end.  The water was freezing at first, but you quickly adjust.  And our guide made it a lot of fun…pointing out natural “waterslides” and pools to swim in.

Continuing on the nature theme, CLEguy and I also went ziplining.  I think I had too many rum drinks when I signed us up for this one and I was pretty nervous the morning we went.  But it was incredibly exhilirating and I would highly recommend it.  Don’t count on getting too many pictures, but the views of the ocean and the mountains were breathtaking.

Finally, we spent an afternoon on a catamaran snorkeling cruise.

Hi from Jamaica!

Like almost everything else in Jamaica, this included rum punch and Red Stripe.  The snorkeling was amazing…crystal blue water and coral reefs.  And we got to see this sunset on the way back…

So, if you like sun, beautiful beaches, spicy food, rum, amazing culture, gorgeous natural landscapes, and well…have I convinced you yet?  Check out Jamaica…just come back to CLE!

And, to give you a little taste of our vacation (and since you’re all a huge reason Why CLE? for me), here’s the READER GIVEAWAY!  I brought back a chocolate Tortuga rum cake, 8 ounces of world-famous Blue Mountain Coffee, and a kitschy Jamaica shot glass, all for one lucky reader.

The giveaway will run until 8am on Sunday, April 17, when random.org will choose a winner from the comments.  Here’s how to enter.  Each comment gets you one entry:

1. Leave me a comment telling me your favorite vacation spot and why (CLEguy and I want to plan our next trip!).

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following: I have no problems, mon! I want to win @WhyCLE’s Jamaican treats giveaway! http://wp.me/p1fb9r-8U

You can tweet every day until Sunday.  Just leave one comment per day letting me know you tweeted.

3. Follow me on Networked Blogs or subscribe to the blog via the email subscription button on the blog.  Leave a comment letting me know.

4. Put Why CLE? on your blogroll.  Leave a comment letting me know.

Good luck!  Cheers!

21 Responses

  4. mojamala2

    Favorite vacation spot is Dubrovnik, Croatia or road trips, I did a road trip to Nashville, memphis, New Orleans, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and St. Louis and it was a blast.

  7. Amy

    Kiawah Island SC is a favorite for vacation. Why? It’s a great blend of beach, quiet, southern hospitality and sweet tea, and it’s only 20 minutes from Charleston where you may enjoy some great history, tourism, and delicious eats.

  8. Tammy Colson

    My absolute favorite vacations are Grenada or St. Maartan.

    Grenada has amazing hiking, an inactive volcano, beaches, and the friendliest people alive. Its relatively inexpensive to visit (they are on the Caribbean dollar) ad the food is delicious.

    St Maartan is a duel island (french and dutch) so you get two cultures for the price of one. Stay on the dutch side (its cheaper, since the FR side runs on Euros) and eat all that amazing french food on the other side!) And a great resort for hiking, ziplining, etc… and more than a few celebrities.

  10. PLP

    My favorite place is Italy. Great food, wine, art, history, culture and romance 😉 You would need to spend at least 10 days and do Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast. I think you would especially like visiting the Vatican too, it’s truly amazing.
    xoxo

  15. Amanda Hicken

    My favorite vacation spot is Key West, Florida (though our trip to the Hilton Rose Hall Resort last June was pretty amazing!). Key West is similarly very laid back, warm and on the water. You can rent cute little cottages downtown or get a hotel or b&b if you prefer. Plus, lots of interesting history and activities. My favorite place there: Ernest Hemingway’s house. Loved it so much that’s where Scott and I had our wedding ceremony!

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