. . . in a beautiful 5-star resort in Negril, JA . . . a beautiful fairy princess wed a handsome prince. It was a simple wedding -- at the Gazebo overlooking the crystal-blue waters of the Caribbean . . . the time -- high noon on Saturday 1/6/207. The blushing bride wore a beautiful white gown adorned with lace and pearls; a short train following her every footstep. She carried a lovely bouquet of white and red roses . . . and was follwed down the path to her awaiting groom by her loyal best friend of 20 years (that's me) . . . The groom, handsome and debonair in his dark blue pin-striped suit waited anxiously to see his bride tiptoe around the corner and into sight then walk toward him . . . his best man, almost as anxiety-ridden as he . . .

Ah, yes . . . and so begins the fairy tale . . . a fairy tale that began more than a year ago on Match.com and culminated in beautiful nuptuals. But . . . with all due respect, this story isn't really about the bride and the groom and their wedding. It's really about me, the loyal best friend . . . and My Trip to Negril!

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I dont mean to interrupt ur trip report...but that intro is beautiful!!!

LOL where's the pictures?????

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

So, you'll probably know my previous Trip Report about my back-to-back trips to MoBay in June and August . . . and my reunion with my long-lost JA love that turned out to be just a likkle bit sour on my return trip. You probably also know that I've maintained occasional contact with him and have struggled with how to handle the situation going forward.

Before I go any further, please allow me to personally "thank" MissB, ShyCutieGirl and Ghettogurl for their love and support as I struggled with my decisions about whether or not to see Shandy again. MissB . . . I "get it". Some how. Some way. Just not today. For now, live and experience . . . and ShyCutieGirl, for the acceptance and non-judgment -- the constant understanding and willingness to "listen." GG -- do you remember the PM? About what being strong really means???? Thank you, Darling . . . from the bottom of my socks!

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Awwwww!!! Thank you for that, JMart!

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Dang girl, would you cut me some slack?!? You banned me from the ETJ chat tonight . . . so I'm writing the beginning of my "novel" Trip Report.

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LMAO mi nuh ban yuh!!

I'm buggin, just take your time. I love the reports.

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

Just so you know . . . I do not yet have the wedding photos to share. The bride returned from JA today and is on her way to Seattle to visit her family. When she returns, I suspect I'll be able to post additional photos from her and from her daughter of the actual ceremony, Grand Lido, Rick's, etc. Right now, I'll just post some of the photos that I took.

Okay . . . so, you'll know that my flight out of Orlando got delayed last Friday; and, because of it . . . I didn't make my connection in Miami. The airline called me to let me know ahead of time -- so I rebooked on the next available flight . . . which got me into Negril 4 1/2 hours later than anticipated. I wasn't happy about that, but there was nothing I could do -- so I just decided to keep my sense of humor and persevere!

Well, I actually arrived in MoBay 15 minutes earlier than expected (at 3:30 p.m.), and can you believe that I made it through Customs AND Immigration in less than 10 minutes???? I was in like Flint! I got to the SuperClubs Lounge and was told that transportation would arrive in "10 minutes". I snickered to myself, took my shoes off, put my feet up and began to try to get my wits about me. Heck! I've been in JA a time or two. I know that 10 minutes really means "soon come" . . . which could mean HOURS of waiting.

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But -- lo-and-behold . . . the bus arrived and we were Negril-bound in due order!!!!

I adore the road trip from MoBay to Negril . . . the quaint towns of Hopewell, Green Island, and my favorite, Lucea. But -- I was exhausted. I'd been up until almost midnight with American Airlines trying to get my flights taken care of, I couldn't sleep . . . and I was up at 4:45 a.m. to get my daughters to school. Okay -- AND . . . 90% of the bus was loaded with Hedo Lifestylers!!! LOL. The trip was okay -- but I didn't get those butterflies in my stomach I usually get when I'm in JA.

We arrived at Grand Lido at 6:00. I had no idea where I would find Dawn (the bride/my best friend) and I was a likkle bit worried. I stepped out of the van and was greeted by somebody who shook my hand and welcomed me to Grand Lido. I walked into the sitting area and Dawn spotted me -- she'd been waiting for my arrival! I was SO glad to see her!!!!!!!

Then I was immediately handed a Mimosa! Such a sweet welcome! Everything fell into place!!!! My room wasn't ready yet, so Dawn showed me around the property . . . and introduced me to "John Wayne" the bartender at the main bar. He came running from behind the bar, hugged me and kissed both of my cheeks! (I will post a picture of him later -- when Dawn sends me her photos. He's a dollbaby!).

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I wasn't yet settled in my room when a knock came to the door -- room service . . . to "stock my refridgerator." That's when I met Greg . . . he was so sweet -- instructed me to call whenever I needed anything because it was his job to "make me happy."

Ah yes . . . I do love Jamaica!!!

Had dinner at the Beach Party that night -- fabulous spread of food . . . a whole roasted pig, jerk chicken, curried lamb, rice & peas, beef & vegetable patties -- you name it . . . they had it! The food was awesome. We also hung around for awhile while the entertainment staff entertained everybody with their Scavenger Hunt (I hate when people ask for my bra or my shoes. UGH!) and games! But, by 10:30, we called it a night. Dawn's daughter and son-in-law as well as the groom's best man (Dawn's boss, LOL) had also arrived on Friday -- so everybody was tired . . . and me? One Mimosa and a Rum Cream on no sleep -- and I had a horrible headache!

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I returned to my room . . . and spent and spent way too much time here:



Is this the bomb shower, or what?????? I couldn't make myself shut the water off . . . it was AMAZING!!!!!

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My phone rang around 11:30 pm - room service -just checking to make sure I was okay. Huh -- room service calling me to see if they could restock my fridge???? In any event . . . my head was killing me. I was downright miserable -- and in bed, asleep before midnight.

The next morning . . . I got up early, showered again (LOL), and took off on property to take some photos.

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looks like a nice place LW... great pics

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And . . . I tried to contact Omar, MissB's friend, to make arrangements to meet him someplace to deliver the package MissB shipped to me for him -- but, damned Digicell! My calls wouldn't go through!!!!

Met up with the rest of the wedding party for breakfast at 10:00. Mimosas again, but this time I declined. I was still sporting a terrible headache from the night before. After 3 cups of black JA coffee, however, I was raring to go!!!!!!

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That shower is calling my name!