How are they doing that??? Sleeping on airplanes....

....ok, I've got my pillow...I'm using my hoodie as a blanket....ear buds in....eyes closed....WHY AM I NOT SLEEPING!?!?

I KNOW I'm not the only one who goes through this, but sheesh, I sure feel like it when I'm on that plane, and am surrounded by people sleeping like little babies.  It makes me want to just poke them.  If I'm not sleeping, nobody is, dammit....

This got me thinking...why is it that they are sleeping???  What do they know that I don't??  I have a friend....let's call her Deb (haha!!), and that woman falls asleep before the freakin' plane even takes off!!  And she sleeps HARD.  Then she wakes up, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and is genuinely surprised that I didn't sleep as well as she did.  She is so lucky that I love her....or she would be on the receiving end of that aforementioned poke.

So, here is what I have learned to do for myself...I'm not sleeping like the dead, mind you, but on my last flight I did manage to catch at least a couple of hours of dream time.....

1. Limit your caffeine intake pre-flight....some people can drink a cup of coffee then go right to bed and have no problems.  I am not like that.  At all.  So, if I am wanting to sleep on the flight, no caffeine for me at all!  My mind is already busy enough about whatever trip I'm taking!

2. Bring a pillow.  I have two of those horseshoe-shaped neck pillows that we all see in the airports and I LOVE them.  My advice?  Get one!  Heck, get two, they are always on a 2-fer sale anyways.

3. Pick a window seat.  For me, this is a must.  I'm not one to get up to the loo a dozen times during a flight, so I don't need an aisle seat...however, I NEED to lean my head against something when I'm trying to sleep.

4. Pack a thin blanket in your carry-on if possible.  This is something that I now have tattooed on my brain.  My last flight was from Montego Bay to Calgary.  I'm not one of those "always cold" people, but let me tell you - I was FROZEN on that dang flight!!  I would have given my left arm (which is a big deal, as I'm left handed) for a Snuggie!!!  Yes, there are usually blankets for purchase on flights, but I have a ton of little, thin, blankies that I can roll up and stuff in my backpack...and I'm totally doing that next time!

5. Stow your carry-on up top....ok, I'm of two minds on this one.  If I'm on a full flight, I do NOT like to stow my bag up above in the compartment.  I don't know why...maybe it's because people seem to lose all rationality when the plane lands and everyone is standing and scrambling for their bags before the door of the plane is even open...and, I'm usually at the window, so I need to wait to grab my bag anyways...I don't know, it's a little thing I have.  That being said, if the flight is not full, I do occasionally stow my bag up top.  That way I can stretch out my legs and be a little more comfortable.

6.  Wear noise-cancelling ear buds/headphones....are they still called headphones??  Anyways, I recently purchased some of these noise-cancelling ear buds from a certain Alberta-based airline and I honestly can't believe the difference they make.  Sometimes I don't even play my music, I'll just put them in instead of earplugs. 

So, that is what I have learned thus far on my travels.  Like I said, I'm not sleeping like a baby yet, but I'm getting there!!  I'd love to hear some of YOUR tips for sleeping on the plane....share them in the comments so we can all see!!

What The....

During my trip to Mega Mart, the Costco-esque mega-store in Montego Bay, we decided to buy our lunch from the cafeteria there.  First of all, it was so cheap!  Second, it was soooooooooo good!!
I had the fried chicken, rice and peas, and veggies...I think it came to around $400J, which is about $4 Canadian.

...sorry, I ate that delicious hunk of skin before I took the pic...it was worth every calorie too!!
So, with this delicious meal I got the craziest fork I have ever seen...at first I thought it was a Jamaican thing, but even my Jamaican friends had no idea what the deal was with it!  You will see the the picture, below, that the tines are all different lengths and angles - it was not  broken, it was made like that, I kid you not!  So, if anyone can enlighten me regarding the meaning of this crazy-ass fork, please leave the info in the comments below!!

Say What?!?!

Patois is, in my opinion, a fun, unique, colorful language.  For those of you who don't know, English is the "official" language of Jamaica, but Patois is spoken very widely on the island...there are so many dialects and accents just within Patois...plus you add in the speed with which it is spoken, it can be very difficult to catch even a single word!  Well, for me, at least.  I am getting better at understanding written Patois, but spoken still makes me giggle because I am absolutely clueless.

My first day on my solo adventure, I was taken in a taxi by a friend to Mega Mart (more on that later), and I think my taxi ride was one of my most favorite parts of my trip.  Devon was a great driver compared to some stories I've heard (he even delivered me supper one night!), but it was still a trip (in the groovy sense of the word) and I just sat in the back seat and giggled the entire time.  If you're in Montego Bay and need a taxi, I highly recommend Devon and can hook you up - just drop me a line!

Here is a video clip I just had to take of Devon chatting it up ... I literally sat and giggled because I had no idea what the conversation was about.... Sorry about the weird angle - yes, I am aware that it starts out sideways! - I'm still getting used to my iphone video camera!! haha!!

Palm View Guest House

The majority of my stay in Montego Bay was at a lovely guesthouse only a couple of minutes from the airport.  The Palm View Guesthouse is owned by Doris Morgan, who lives right on property.  She has owned the house for around 20 years.  It is a grand house that has been separated into approximately 15 fully furnished suites - some with and some without kitchenette.
The grounds of the house are covered in gorgeous flowers and plants and a multitude of fruit trees - breadfruit, lime, banana, coconut, almond...and Corey, the grounds keeper, takes immaculate care of everything.
The house has security posted at the road and each suite is very secure...you are given a key ring upon check-in that resembles a jailers ring! haha!  If you make arrangements the evening before, Doris will make you an amazing home-cooked breakfast along with the fabulous Blue Mountain coffee that Jamaica is famous for.
You are a short 10 minute walk to the Hip Strip, but be warned, the hill that the house is on top of is crazy steep!! 
I put together a few photos of my suite that I stayed in the first night before being moved to a different room....enjoy!!!  Get in touch with me if you are interested in staying here!  jodi@somebeach.ca


http://youtu.be/n_3m7fKMxsU

My Adventure Begins

At 3:20 am on January 21, 2013, I got out of my bed and set my feet upon the cold floor of my bedroom.  Although it was the middle of the night, and the middle of a cold January in Alberta, I was wide awake and full of anticipation.  I was about to embark on a long journey...both literally and figurtively.  I was taking my very first solo trip to anywhere.  Once upon a time, it wouldn't have been a big deal for me to do such a thing - I was an idependant, free spirit...however, as I have approached my 40's, and become more dependant on those around me, I also have become more cautious and fearful....which is really not a good thing to always be!
Not that I'm old, by any stretch....but you get caught up in the whole having babies, raising children routine and forget what it feels like to just "do"...So...I suddenly found myself in the midst of a huge life change...I could either stick with the status quo, or I could start listening to that adventurous voice that still whispered inside of me from time to time....
Now something that I should make known about myself is that I am a planner...which goes along quite nicely with me being a travel agent, I might add....I need to know when, where, for how long, how much will that cost, what should I/will I be seeing...when I took my family to Walt Disney World, I literally had a huge manilla envelope full of print-outs, schedules, and lists of must-sees.  OCD much??
So now here I was planning this solo trip to a place I had only been to briefly three months before.  I didn't book my flight until 4 days prior to me leaving.  I didn't book my accommodation until the day before I left - and even then I only booked it for my first night.  Seriously.  Who was this crazy, no plans, see what happens person?  I was nervous, excited, exhilirated, and totally shocked at my own non-OCD actions.
So, back to the wee hours of January 21...my two daughters were fast asleep in their beds as I showered, wrote them a note telling them I'd call them later, and quietly left the house.  I was doing it!  Here would be a perfect place to also let you all know that I am a big believer in "signs"...not the No Parking, or speed limit type (although if there are any RCMP reading this, I TOTALLY believe in those too...), but the "ok, if I'm meant to do this, give me a sign" types.  I had been practically beaten over the head with signs telling me to go on this trip - crazy, make you laugh out loud, obvious signs.  So I just knew I was on the right track.  Fast forward to my 2 hour drive up to my friend's house where I would be leaving my car while I was gone....I get to her place and we sit and have a coffee while we wait until it's time to deliver me to the airport. All the while I still can't believe I'm doing this.  Just 4 months prior I had to go to Calgary to a trade show by myself and I nearly had a panic attack...now, I was literally minutes away from boarding a plane and heading to another country...ALONE!!  We hugged at the departures gate and she wished me luck and I was on my way.
Now I guess it would be a good time to let you all know where I was off to...if you recall I mentioned that I had visited this place for the very first time three months prior on a brief, 4 day, travel agent familiarization trip.  From the moment I stepped off the plane I felt like I was on familiar ground.  I felt more alive than I had felt in a very long time.  What was this magical place?  It was Jamaica, my friends....some place that I had wanted to go to for as long as I could remember.  During our whirlwind trip I fell head over heels with this place, it's food, it's music, and the people who lived there.  So much so that I was now stepping so far out of my comfort zone just to have the opportunity to visit it again.
My morning flight from Calgary to Toronto was smooth and uneventful.  Oh and we had not one, but TWO priests on our flight!!  How's THAT for a good sign!! haha!  As I sat at the gate in Toronto, waiting to board, I was looking around at all of the other people waiting with me...and I was the ONLY one who was alone.  Was I imagining them giving me strange looks?  What the heck am I doing?  Are they thinking I'm insane?  Be cool, Jodi....breathe...it's too late to turn back now...thankfully, it was then time to board my second flight of the day and the one that would take me to Montego Bay.  I was one of the last to board and I made my way to my seat and discovered that I was sitting with a couple on their way to Jamaica for the first time.  Becca and Mark.  Becca has no idea but she was a Godsend for me on that flight.  We hit it off immediately and literally talked the entire 3.5 hour flight...I know that you will be reading this Becca and I want to say thank you to you!!  I believe that everything happens for a reason, and people come into our lives for a reason as well...our easy conversation on that flight calmed me, reassured me, and pumped me up for the trip I was taking.  PLUS, she's a really cool chick and I think we have some good laughs in store for our futures!!  Mystery Trip, right Becca!! ;0)
One of the great things about when you land in Montego Bay is seeing the GORGEOUS Caribbean water that is literally right beside the runway...well, we were arriving in the dark, so that was a no-go.  My nerves and excitement were building...I did not even have a ride waiting for me to take me to my guesthouse for the night.  Another great/fun thing about MBJ airport is the trio of musicians that are playing happy, infectious music to welcome travellers as they come through security...well, as we were the second last flight to arrive of the day, the airport was all but quiet and deserted....not helping...however, I did receive one last - I think quite major - sign before I passed through customs.  I was waiting in line to get my passport stamped along with everyone else.  A window cleared and I was told to head to that agent...she greeted me and asked my purpose for my visit.  Then, as she stamped my passport, she said to me "Well today is your lucky day."..."oh really?  Why?"..."Because it was me who stamped your passport and welcomed you here for the first time 12 weeks ago...".  I'm literally crying right now as I think back on this.  Are you kidding me?  What are the chances of that?  There cannot be a clearer sign telling me that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.  It was then that I knew that everything was going to be great and that I was embarking on something that was going to change my life.
I hope that the blog posts that are to follow make you laugh, make you want to travel, and mostly, make you want to step out of that comfort zone!!

A Revival....

Travel is my passion and, coincidentally, my job, and it is on here that I am going to be sharing my photos, travel stories, and personal recollections, and a few tips I have picked up along the way....

I hope that you will enjoy what I will share with you.  I hope that it makes you laugh, dream, and even want to get me to plan your own amazing getaway.  You can always email me at jodi@somebeach.ca or follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/jodis.page .

Until then....

Disney's Animal Kingdom! Part 2 of my Walt Disney World report.

(taken and revised from a previous blog post of mine)

Well, day 2 dawned - very early again. We were totally wiped from our busy day at Epcot, but raring to go and discover our second park of the trip, Disney's Animal Kingdom. (click on any of the pictures to enlarge them)

What a contrast in parks!! Epcot was all futuristic-y (is that a word?) and scientific, and Animal Kingdom was very tropical and jungle-y (pretty sure that's not a word, but it works here). Before we were even in the gates, we were greeted by a cast member with a gigantic, ug-ly millipede in a container, ready to answer any questions any of us had about it. Not really the type of thing you want to see first thing in the morning, but cool, none the less. Entering the park you hear jungle sounds, and music being piped through unseen speakers. Birds - real ones - are everywhere. Storks aplenty!! And real flamingos - that were actually PINK! Not the off-colored ones that we see in our zoo in Calgary - the pink of these gorgeous birds was unlike any color I've ever seen in nature before. Following the path, you pass various areas that house different types of tropical birds, waterfowl and little mammals. Bamboo trees are everywhere and the lovely sounds that they make as they move in the breeze are very much like wood-chimes. It's hard to describe, but very soothing. It wasn't very far into the park when we saw the famous Tree of  Life, the "symbol" of Animal Kingdom.

You really need to take your time and see how many animals, birds, bugs you can find carved into it's enormous trunk and branches. It is unbelievable. If you follow the path, you will go underneath and inside the huge tree and be taken to the "It's Tough to be a Bug" 3D show. It is so much fun, as are all of Disney's 3D experiences and we highly recommend it. Plus, who can resist the chance to wear yet another cool pair of 3D glasses!!

As in every Disney park, you will have the opportunity to meet some of your favorite Disney movie characters here. I had the chance to meet my pal Pooh again, this time with Tigger AND Eeyore, so of course, I had to take it!! Eeyore is soooooooooooo cute, I just wanted to squeeze the stuffing right out of him. I am happy to report that I was much more restrained this time with my Pooh encounter, much to the relief and delight of my husband. ;0)

 














I will say, just because you met a character at a different park, don't pass up the chance to meet with them again. If we had passed by this meeting place we never would have met Eeyore, nor would our girls have been given bouncing lessons by Tigger. Or would our youngest have gotten a skipping escort from Tigger all the way back up the path. Those are the spur of the moment things that cannot be duplicated, and will never be forgotten. 

Disney's attention to detail really is amazing. NOTHING is overlooked. There are no "backsides" of things. You won't see the "spot that they missed". It just doesn't exist. Crossing the bridge you look down upon a boat, seemingly moored there by its jungle-dwelling owner. The gibbon enclosure is anything but. It is an acheological site of a temple being restored. The gibbons swing on the scaffolding and climb all over "their" temple. 

 

I should mention, as Disney resort guests, we had access to the early morning hours and late hours - or Extra Magic Hours - at designated parks on different days. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS!!! This day, was the early morning admitting, and it was so worth it. You get in an hour or two before the general public, and really, not many people get up in the morning to take advantage of this. We had no lines for the attractions at all. I will talk more about other good tips like this in a separate post. Speaking of no lines, we then did the rapids (buy or bring a rain poncho) and then the safari ride. This was great, and not at all what I expected. We got quite up close and personal with a lot of animals. We came around one corner, into a beautiful open area and had this gorgeous giraffe standing right there! She was so close, my girls were so excited. Another thing that you see on the safari is ostrich nests everywhere. Real, live, ostrich nests!! With eggs in them!!! How cool is that!! We got a picture of this one sitting on its nest:

We boarded the Wildlife Express train which took us to Rafiki's Planet Watch - an interactive area that educates children on what is living in their own backyards, and how to protect them. It was a fun train, ride and a welcome relief from yet more miles that we were putting on. Thank goodness for good running shoes!!

I do recommend the Planet Watch, as it has some great hands-on demonstrations and interractions for children of all ages, and we were very pleasantly surprised to meet 3 characters while there. Rafiki, himself, Jiminy Cricket, and a princess that we had totally forgotten about! Shame on us!! Can you guess who?? She lived in the woods.......very "in touch" with nature, shall we say.......oh come on.........POCAHONTAS!! We actually saw her before she saw us. Well, I saw her. She was shyly peeking out from behind a tree, watching the presentation and I pointed her out to the girls. I wonder how many other people walked right by her!!

Animal Kingdom does not have a fireworks, or night-time light show as they do not want to scare or upset all of the animals living there, but they do have a fantastic parade. Take the time to watch this. The park closes earliest of all the Disney Parks, so you will be back at your hotel in plenty of time to unwind. I will say, try to get a front-row seat. Park yourself on the ground and get ready to high-five and say hello to Balloo, Pluto, Mickey among others. Your kids will love it. Heck, I loved it!! I dare you to watch a Disney parade and NOT have a good time. I just dare you. When it was time to go, we headed to the Rainforest Cafe for our supper. It is not a Disney operated restaruarant, but it is right outside the park gates. If you haven't been to one, you should go at least once. There's nothing like an angry elephant, or a jungle rainstorm while you're eating. haha! We headed back to our resort - exhausted - again, but once again thrilled with another magical day. It sounds corny, but really, there is no other way to describe it! We still had some time before turning into bed, so took advantage of the early evening and went for a dip on the resort's pool. A great finish to another Disney day!! If you are thinking about going on your own Disney holiday, I would love to answer any questions you might have. Since I'm also now in the travel industry working for Some Beach Somewhere Ltd. I would be more than happy to help you plan your own Disney adventure!  Remember I love and welcome all feedback and would love to see comments here on my posts!!