My 29th and the 2021 Annual Lovin' Life Group Trip Report

February 19 - 27, 2021

While I greatly dislike having anything 'infectious' as part of my FB pages and this trip report, I also know peeps are going to want to know everything (even more so this year). So One ❤️ and knock on someone's 'wood', only our laughter will be contagious!

Pre-Trip and Arrival

Important - check this site prior to arrival: https://www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization/

HHS site for testing locations: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html

H2 CV Info: https://www.hedonism.com/covid-19-news/

I went to CVS (CVS Health/Minute Clinic, listed on HHS.gov as a testing site, CDC has CLIA# for Minute Clinic) and had their FDA EUA'd rapid result antigen test done. I got the results in under 5 minutes via a phone call and within 24 hours it was in their MyChart patient portal. They also sent a text message with a link to a PDF version that is way better/easier to read so I am taking that version on my tablet and a couple printed copies (airport & resort).

I submitted my travel authorization on Tuesday for my Friday arrival (https://travelauth.visitjamaica.com/) and it was painless. They do ask for an emergency contact and the form also includes the customs form we normally do separately. Nice thing is the data you enter in the medical section carries over to it. You do need your passport information and when you get to the signature box, you actually use your mouse to draw in the box. My 'approval' was immediate after I got the application submitted popup. I then downloaded the approval PNG/image file and will keep it on my tablet and print a copy. My cell phone doesn't work in JA, so guessing they have it as another reference point vs use.

Arrived at the airport after sliding down my icey driveway along with my rolly bags. Southwest checkin and boarding both checked the travel authorization, neither wanted to see the test results. My other peeps said their airline did check them. Landed at mobay and the club mobay rep guided me to a hand sanitizer station and then to the club mobay immigration line. They didn't need the test results either. Another sanitizer station before baggage claim then got my bags and lined up for customs. Part of the travel authorization is the customs form, so only needed my passport. After (see funny story below) going through customs, my lovely shuttle sevice lady said the bus was ready, so only had my sipper cup filled before leaving.

Upon arrival at the resort, they take your temp and have you use hand sanitizer. I did have to give a copy of my test results and sign a new covid waiver document. They spray the outside of your luggage as well. Then it seems like everyone is in OVN or H-block rooms.

Resort Experience

Being there when the occupancy was ~20-30% was surreal. One day there was just 4 of us in the pool for hours and we joked about it being a private pool. Upside is there are no lines and you do get to know peeps better. Our members once again had a lot of fun and met amazing new peeps. You only need a 'handful' to have a good time! :)

Dining was pretty much limited to the 3 restaurants and breakfast in the buffet. Everything was served to you. Friday lobster/gala night had a menu to order from and you could order more lobster afterwards. The food was good with some new items like the spicy jerk chicken kabobs at the grill, pizza daytime and fried chicken at night. Main things I missed was the buffet salad bar and Jamaica night's Jamaican food.

Entertainment was the same with fun nightly shows followed by DJ dancing in the courtyard or Karaoke/Singalong in the piano bar. Then we'd end up in the pool/hot tub until ~3am chatting and laughing like always.

All of us knew the risks of going and accepted them mainly because we were in way more mental need for an escape than ever before. The staff were amazing and obviously happy to have us there. I'm VERY glad I went and got to be with my peeps and our extended staff framily. It was a very needed vacay and yes my voice is once again rusty from use!

Return Testing and Departure

Return testing arrangement is done via a computer in the area with white tables in the lobby. It's done behind the piano bar from 9-11am 3 days before your flight. Clarified with the resort - even if your flight is later than 11am, still get tested 3 days before it because the form only lists the date (not a time).

My return test was done and I passed. They make sure you had filled out the online form and take your name. Then they poke 1 side, not great, but briefly. You stay there for the 2 minutes while the results are processed and they email them using the email address you entered when signing up.

The test result email is sent the morning after the test and you can have the front desk print a copy by telling them your room number. Mine had my last name misspelled so I replied to the email and the front desk contacted them. They sent a new copy with the correction later that night.

Before returning you also have to complete an online 'attestation' form via a link provided by your airline. I did mine when checking in a day before the flight. The front desk also has generic paper copies.

At the airport the Southwest rep checked their system for the attestation online submission (didn't need paper form) and the negative test result print out. Then the luggage checkin and boarding was normal. Club Mobay has a menu with similar food items as before that you order from and everything is brought to you.

Informational notes

• The coffee maker and cups are not in the rooms now, so if you want that setup ask for it upon arrival.

• Hairdryers also have to be requested at the front desk and will be brought to the room.

• New water bottle given by the resort is not insulated and the seal around the straw didn't work well on mine. I filled it and put it in the fridge to have water in the room. Brought my normal insulated sipper cup for daytime use. I use the resorts small cups for alcohol and the larger sipper cup for club soda+juice combinations and my 'coffee' aka diet pepsi.

• If anyone is going to be outside at night, spray your legs with bug spray. I'm a bitey bug magnet, but February usually has less of them. Not sure if it is from dancing in the courtyard or down by the grill, but my legs have several itchy bites.

• Room phone: 0 calls the front desk; 9999 calls the room's voicemail (no label on the phone). There are also phone booths along the outside pathway that you can use to call the front desk now.

• Watersports is open, including diving.

• Catamaran cruises were sailing. Tuesday's was paid for by the resort as an extra. I'm not sure there were enough people booked for Thursday's to happen. Check while there about the cruises your week.

• Bathroom dispensers have body wash and shampoo/conditioner combination. And there was a bottle of lemon grass lotion on the shelf. I don't like the shampoo/conditioner option, so I bring my own shampoo and separate conditioner each time since they changed from the H2 bottle versions.

• If anyone does test positive, the resort has a quarantine section of rooms on the far GVR side. People are brought meals they order and are allowed to be outside in beach chairs, etc. within a range of those rooms. Guessing security is maintaining that section so others don't go over there.

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

• Being in the club mobay customs line when they unhitch the barrier to pull me and my large group goody luggage into the scanner area. Of course they aren't going to let me go without wanting a peek inside. The lady asked me to open the bag and I was very compliant, but also said "I am going to hedo, you know..." while opening the bag. She saw the top layer of fun group 'stuff' and without digging further asked "What's in here? Costumes...?" I looked at her and said yes with a mischievous smile. She closed the bag pretty fast after that! LOL!

• Being hugged by my framily after almost a year of none (working full-time at home) and then getting tucked into bed 'snug as a bug in a rug'.

• Rainy 1st day brought a beautiful double rainbow over the OVN rooms.

• Creating a new 'hedo hug' for staff where we turned around and bumped and wiggled bumpas causing them to shake their heads and laugh at me (as always).

• The Baller - new definition: a guy who makes sure his balls are covered, 'butt' not other things when sitting down for dinner. Smh

• Can a laugh be a turn-on? Guess mine was for a loverly couple of newbies. And, had another fun lady say it made her kitty vibrate! :D

• Adult kids, do not get so socially happy your first night that you not only eat the midnight pizza, you cuddle with it in bed too!!

• Pool trivia: What has 4 legs in the morning, 2 legs in the afternoon and 3 legs at night? Lovin' Life peep answer - Sex! :D

• Getting stopped by the camera police (H2 possible management staff) while taking pics of the watta on the c/o side. He asked if I was a guest on the property when I was wearing a coverup you def wouldn't see at Sandals. Smh LOL!

• Making new frens while sharing a special lotion. ;)

• Our Lovin' Life pool party was what the doctor ordered with masks used as blindfolds (fruit roll up/roll down game), a few gents got their steps in (pecker ones that is!) and someone got quite creative with their Big O(vation). :D Then special 'therapy' gloves were given out to any who accepted the help. ;) And LOTS of 'cock' (see pics) was sucked by both ladies and gents.

• Doreth suggesting that I add cheese to a midnight BLT YUM!

• Someone setting up a never have I ever game during our nightly pool/hot tub fun when the REAL never have I ever game was in one of our members hot tubs! ;) :D

• Dressing up as 'Sista Bad Habitz'/nun on Friday and (after 16+ yrs of never being on stage) winning the guest chosen outfit contest.

• Same night, Winston performed Hotel California and ended with "You can check-out any time you like. But you can never leave!" SO true! #TheAddictionIsREAL

• Meeting awesome peeps who 'organically' meshed with our group and will officially be part of our Lovin' Life Framily next February.