My 26th and the 2019 Annual Lovin' Life Group Trip Report

February 23 - March 2, 2019

Every trip (even after 15 yrs) is new all over again and this one was no exception. I usually arrive a day early to unpack and prep for the group fun. This time 18 peeps decided they wanted an extra Friday too. :) So, the 3-somes began when 2 of us single gals sandwiched a single guy on the flight down – somehow he survived.... LOL!

Once we got to the MBJ airport it was quite a bit slower than previous years. Normally I don’t buy the VIP arrival service, but Castaways gets it for me when I host a group. Last couple years I went right through the fast trak immigration line, waited for baggage and then got right on a shuttle. This year there was a VIP arrival line that took just about as long as the others. Nice thing is my heavy bags were already waiting off the carousel and the Sun Holiday rep saw me coming and started smiling like she always does. The main Mobay lounge was full, so we were guided to a 2^nd one that uses some of the old superclubs lounge space. Once again there was an upside to our wait because we ended up on a shuttle full of super fun group and other H2 peeps! There was quite a bit of laughter and even some ‘Canadian Reach Around’ going on during that ride!

That evening I unpacked and made sure TSA didn’t think the group goodies I brought were too fun to get there... :) Then I went looking for my peeps and found them already having multiple shots in the main dining room. You know when you are family when you can just look at each other and start laughing. That night like many others we had peeps spitting out drinks, snorting ice chips and overall making peeps who didn’t know us yet thinking we were crazy. Success! LOL!

The rest of the crew arrived Saturday-Monday and I am very happy to say that they were all awesome. We had our meet and greet at noon on Sunday (so we could enjoy the rest of the day without having to get out of the pool) and then met everyone else as they got there. It was a common saying to newbies that they could trust peeps wearing our group member necklace, which is a really great thing to hear.

Another week of amazing memories (names excluded to protect the not-so-innocent)

§ Being strapped into a pink wig by a friend and then being a ‘Phantom Kisser’ for our Fantasy night on Saturday. If anyone had lip stickers on them that night, I have to confess – It was me! LOL!

§ Twisted vanilla statement: “If you are talking, you aren’t eating!” :D

§ Time there becomes measured differently too, “It’s 10 o’Cock”

§ Having a single who went several times in the last year say how they really enjoy our trip because they aren’t ‘single’ (our group blends singles and couples in a way that social status doesn’t matta :) ).

§ Only place where sharing worms multiple times is a GOOD thing! :D

§ Lifting a friend's fanny out of the watta to get her guy's attention - works everytime!

§ Shaking my head after a group peep said he thought of me as a ‘principal’ after they were playing naughty games outside the disco when I was in sight. Perhaps I’ll bring a ruler next time... ;)

§ Enjoying the peeps and scenery during our annual One Love Pub Crawl. 1^st stop was at a bar inside a local police station that had a cage outside for ‘bad cocks’. Another was at Xtabi where ‘whatever happened in the caves stayed in the caves.’ All I know is huge smiles were seen on and off both buses.

§ Having so many peeps come up to me after our ‘Playing with Balls’ pool party (hats off to our special guest DJ David) saying how much they enjoyed the naughty, nice & Lovin’ Life saran wrap balls and that they really appreciated being included (we pulled several into the games) even when they hadn’t booked with us (yet). Our extra special ‘yummy’ gummies (worms and rum ‘n coke bottles) were thoroughly enjoyed and we heard there was more action later on as their aphrodisiac qualities emerged. :D

§ 1st time hearing that a couple not only went over to Sandals to take pics, but snuck into the gift shop so they had physical evidence and a 'Sandals' bag. :D If anyone else does this, be sure to know a 'real' room number - they do ask. :D

§ Once again my laugh (I don’t know why it is so different!) caused peeps to tell me to ‘Stop’ repeatedly because their face hurt, start laughing while doing something something because they heard me laughing and even had an entertainment staff bent over saying ‘Bumboclaat’. LOL!!

§ Being so close to each other in the group that we all started to laugh like each other ‘Haha, ha.....ha’. Wink, wink, Ms J. :D

§ Once again wondering if I should be proud and/or just amazed by my own peeps as they were singing beside the piano (wonderful vocals!), on top of the piano doing the YMCA and ‘other things’, working the pole (& even the floor) in the disco, on stage for guest talent night and sooo many other ‘free to be’ moments (yes, I did hear ‘we saw many of your peeps in the playroom’ many times last week!). ;)

§ Best of all, organizing this group and really seeing peeps appreciate it and each other in ways that are not ‘normal’ for every group. As the song says...‘We Are Framily’. One ‘fine’ fellow said that this was the best vacation ever.

General info and tips for future trips

§ While tips are not allowed, treating staff like they are family has a huge impact on their day. They work hard and deal with tons of us crazy peeps, I always notice a difference when I take time to talk and laugh with my Jamaican peeps.

§ Stephanie is in the piano bar Saturday, Sunday and Wednesdays. Monday (this week) Winston was in there with the piano player, Tuesday was Karaoke and Dave (piano player) was back by himself on Thursday. Friday, after the rock ‘n roll dining room show, there is a DJ/dance event with entertainment staff in cages and really good energy (there was def more energy our week than the 1^st Friday we were there, so it depends on the peeps there each week).

§ There was a resort arranged guest pole dancing contest in the disco Wednesday at midnight.

§ The disco pole stage has been moved to the left side area (from the bar entrance) and from what I heard the DJ booth will be on the outside window area facing the prude bar (it was boxed in/not there yet). I also heard that after they finish moving the DJ booth, the current one will be demo’d and the bar entrance to the disco will be enlarged.

§ The resort no longer uses plastic straws. Instead they have paper versions that are functional, but not great. I brought silicone straws for group members that could be cut to fit whatever drink container or glass they used.

§ I bring these drink containers and they work really well.

o Daytime non-alcohol drinks (still use small cups for alcohol drinks so I can stay up at night): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01832FJ98/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

o Night time drinks that I need a straw to drink (love frozen vodka slushies, purple rains, etc.): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HNLY93N/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

§ They didn’t have the H2 body wash or shampoo/conditioner this time. Instead they had 2 small shampoo/conditioner squeeze tubes that didn’t work well (took almost a whole container to suds up my fairly short hair) and bar soaps (no liquid body wash). I usually use their versions, but, unless I hear it has changed, will be bringing my own for future trips. I added a comment on the comment card that they should install dispensers like they used to have (less waste and can get nicer looking ones if they are going for appearances).

§ There were several short power outages our week at night, so do not count on the room clock to be accurate – use your phone or a different battery operated clock.

§ The pizza oven was broken most of the week so peeps had to get these at the prude side grill (we had special delivery peeps ;) ).

§ At the end of our meal at Harry San, they chef made popcorn on the grill that was apple pie flavored – def worth a taste.

§ When the red stripe tap ran out in the disco, they served cans.