Get Your Groove Back...Jamaica Style!By Rochelle BrownWhen Stella decided to get her groove back, novelist, Terri McMillan sent her to Jamaica. Why? Because it is a land of beauty, relaxation and love. In the movie version of “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” Angela Bassett returned home with a tan and a man, but more than that she also brought back a renewed spirit and a simple love for life like no other she’d ever known. Recently, faced with seemingly endless hours at the office, caring for a mother with Alzheimer's and a stack of other “must-dos”, on a whim, I too, decided to make a visit to Jamaica. If it worked for Stella, would it work for me? After trekking through tight security at 5:00am at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, I boarded the big American Airlines Boeing 777 bound for Miami, found my seat and settled in. I was determined, for just a few days, to leave behind everything and embark on an adventurous holiday in Jamaica. With a quick plane change in Miami, I was on Jamaican soil less than 6 hours later after leaving my house.
As I arrived at the all-inclusive resort and dragged myself off the shuttle bus and to the reception area, I was greeted by a staffer with a tall, cool rum punch. Yes! I was in Jamaica again. Although, it was hot, almost 90-degrees, a taste of the traditional drink of the island and a soft breeze blowing through the open-air reception area was beginning to relax me already. My friend, Gloria, who got there a day before, and our very handsome Jamaican Tourist Board escort, Gary Gourgzone, spotted me and came over to say hello and welcome. OK, I smiled, getting my groove back may be easier than I thought. I was escorted to my room which was fabulous with not one, but two balconies overlooking some of the bluest ocean water I’d ever seen. Although, the resort was all inclusive, I tipped my bellman and took a flying leap across the huge, soft, King Size bed, rolled over, glanced out at the ocean and whispered, “Thank you, Lord. I needed this.” After a quickie power nap, my friend, Gloria, knocked on my door and insisted that I make her appointments with her and check out other fabulous properties in Jamaica. Great idea! I love hotels. Our next stop was the heavenly, Sans Souci, known as the Jewel of Jamaica. Sans Souci means, “without a care”. Every aspect of the mostly open air resort functions around that thought. I was invited to have a 45-minute massage. Cool! Massage is good. It had been at least 4-5 months since I last had one. I was escorted to a small wooden three-sided hut on a hill facing the ocean. My masseuse, left while I disrobed and prepared for my massage, then returned at exactly the right moment. How they do that, I’ll never know. I relaxed, exhaled and buried my face into the table and listened to the waves splash against the rocks below. Life was good! The massage was one of the best I’d ever experienced. By the end of the massage, every inch of my body was like jelly right down to my baby toe. Although there was still aftermath of a war in Iraq and stacks of paperwork on my desk at home, for just a moment, I pretended that there was only this place overlooking the ocean where I was at peace. After a buffet dinner and a wonderful Jamaican show featuring the Krazy Boys, it was up to my room. I drifted off to sleep listening to the ocean. The next morning, I got up early and watched the sun rise. I was so at peace. At peace, that is, until my friend, said, “Alrighty! Let’s get on to the next resort!” One thing you must realize about Jamaica is that the resorts are like shoes. There is a style, size, color and price for everybody! My friend was determined to try them all on! We piled into Gary’s BMW and headed for Montego Bay! The next stop was the all-inclusive Grand Lido Braco one of many SuperClubs properties in Jamaica. Designed to look like a town square complete with cobblestone streets and Victorian architecture, Grand Lido Braco also boasts an endless beach and sapphire waters. The property had everything you could imagine including fresh water pools, well-appointed rooms and amenities, gift shops and activities around every corner. For those free spirits who dare to bare, there is an “au natural” section to the resort complete with freshwater pool and restaurant. Speaking of food, meals are whatever, whenever and wherever you want on property. There’s even a little French bakery for pastry, ice cream and sandwiches. After a day of fun in the sun, we chose the very formal French, Piacere restaurant for dinner. I had a medley of seafood and all I can say is “Ooh-la-la!!!” Oh, did I mention the service? The Grand Lido resorts, one in Montego Bay and one in Negril, are operated by a brilliant and caring Jamaican man the staffs calls Mr.James.. One reason, the service is so incredibly wonderful, is because James worked his way up the ranks to Vice President of Operations. So, in his own charming way, he makes the guest and staff feel like family. By this time, I was fully enjoying the beauty of Jamaica. I was relaxed. So, now I was anxious to find out just what accounted for the spirit of the people of Jamaica. I know, for example, that no one is hungry there. Fresh fruit grows wild on trees and fish and lobster are abundant in the ocean. Although, there is no recognized middle class, there also seems to be a lack of class-ism altogether. Everyone just “is”. That’s a beautiful thought. The other thing I noticed about the people of Jamaica is that everyone I met had beautiful skin. Was it the water or some secret that we Americans don’t know about? I wanted to find out! A few more stops answered that question. We were invited to spend a couple of days at the world renowned Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay. Half Moon is the resort of the stars. Radio personality, Tom Joyner married his wife Donna there. Star Jones, from the television show, “The View”, chose this destination for her birthday last year and even started a non-profit women’s empowerment project on the island. Actor, Eddie Murphy, has dibs on a special site at Half Moon called the Imperial Villa. What was so special about the place? The food was five-star from breakfast to dinner, the service was more than you can ever imagine, and the staff could read your mind. One afternoon, I decided to visit with the manager of the Half Moon spa to ask a few questions that had been on my mind. The first question was “How do Jamaicans keep such lovely, clear skin”. The answer. Lots of water, only a little make-up and good thoughts. I knew about the water and cleaning your face of makeup everyday, but to cleanse your mind each day as well was a new one. I wrote that down and continued my quest for Jamaican spirit. A few days later, our escort, Gary said it was time to continue our adventure to Negril. That’s where we’d see “spirit” in action. Negril is one of the last parts of Jamaica to be touched by big hotel developers. Until recent years, it was not unusual to simply rent a little wooden house on the beach and buy your food from the boatman each morning after his first catch of the day. You could even sleep in a hammock under the stars. Aaah! The next stop was the Grand Lido Negril. It is the sister resort to the Braco in Montego Bay. Although sisters, their flavors were quite different. For two years in a row, the Grand Lido Negril was selected as the finest Caribbean/Atlantic Resort by the readers of one of the world’s most widely read travel magazines. The resort holds AAA’s 4-Diamond Award, too. The first thing to ease your spirit was the lack of formal check-in. Again, you’re greeted with a tall, sparkling run punch on arrival, but you are ushered to a very comfortable open air seating area where your own personal concierge greets you and handles check-in. The next thing I knew, as I leisurely walked to my room with my eyes glued to the beautiful and legendary 7-mile beach for which Negril is known. My room was the bomb! Split level, two terraces overlooking the ocean, incredible marble bathroom complete with a deep, soothing Jacuzzi tub. Some of the rooms even have outdoor hot tubs on the patios. I learned that everything in Negril says stop the madness and relax. Let us take care of you. Later in the evening, we were invited to board the 147-foot yacht, M/Y Zein, which once belonged to Princess Grace for her honeymoon. The staff, impeccably dressed in formal whites, greeted everyone and made us comfortable. Although, there was lots of conversation, as we sailed farther and farther out into the ocean, it quieted as everyone seemed to come face to face with just how awesome the ocean is and how blessed we were to be enjoying it in such fine fashion. I discovered that for a fee, the hotel would actually pick you up near the airport in Montego Bay and sail you over to the hotel! The next day, I hurried to the spa. You see, at the Lido’s, every guest receives a manicure and pedicure courtesy of the resort. As my manicurist worked on my nails changing them from a very proper professional shade of red to an innocent and blushing pink, I again asked about Jamaican beauty and spiritual rituals. Translated: Why and how do you guys look so good!!! She shared with me her secret...positive thoughts and less worry. Stress, she teased, will kill you. I’m beginning to think that. After six wonderful days exploring Jamaica, I was anxious to return home and practice what I had learned from my new friends more than a thousand miles away. The first lesson was to learn to appreciate the beauty around me… and in me. There is beauty in the eyes of a stranger, in unexpected laughter, in the nature that surrounds me and in my soul. The second lesson was to learn to relax….even when the going gets tough. After all, the work will still be there and we can’t help others until we help ourselves. And finally, I am certain that love is everything. It is the basis of our being. Love is pure. Love is simple. Love can help you get your groove back…until you can return to Jamaica. Rochelle Brown Executive Producer, “Insights” and Community Affairs Director for FOX 4 Television, Dallas Freelance travel writer in spare time |
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Although, I had been to Jamaica before, this time I was traveling with a friend who works as an event and destination manager. This time I would see Jamaica up close and personal. My first stop was the Renaissance Jamaica Grand Resort in Ocho Rios. “Ochie” as some of the natives call it is one of the most scenic parts of Jamaica. It is the home of the famous Dunn’s River Falls, which you must climb at least once in your lifetime. The scenery is fabulous and lush and green enough to create memories that will last at least a winter or two back at home.