OUR WEEK AT SANDALS
MONDAY
We spent the day traveling. When we arrived that evening we were escorted to a room where we were offered a choice of champagne or rum punch to drink....free of course! They did a brief orientation and gave us our amenity kits, room keys and safe keys. They told us that we could attend a full orientation at 10:00 am or 5:00 pm the next day. We chose not to do the orientation, although we're sure it is informative. After getting settled in our rooms we had dinner at the Pavillion ( Caribbean cuisine) and swam in the pool. Also went to Herbies Piano Bar.
TUESDAY
We spent the day enjoying the resort. There is lots to do there: pool games headed up by the Playmakers, swimming, sunning, watersports, snorkeling, scuba diving, volleyball, tennis, golf, lawn chess, a fitness center, sauna, steam room, full spa... the list goes on! Randy went snorkeling while the rest of us got massages. The massage does cost extra, but it is well worth the money!!! That evening we went to the Sandals Halcyon where we had dinner at the Pier restaurant. Great seafood!
Salmon, red snapper & dorado (local fish) were the popular choices. Walked around for a while then went back to Sandals Golf & Resort. We liked that resort the best because there was more to do. Our entertainment of choice was Herbies Piano bar, although they also have Jaimes Sports Bar and Disco and a nightly show at the Ampitheater. At about 10:30 - 11:00 each night we went to Arizona's where they had an all night snack bar. Cheeseburgers and nachos are great food when you've been drinking!
WEDNESDAY
We did the Day Sail today and we highly recommend it! You do have to pay for these trips as well. There is a tour office located in the resort. We left at 8:30 AM and drove through the Castries to the catamaran . You have to take your shoes off before you board. Safety I guess. Once they start sailing they turn on the music and start serving the drinks.....yes at 9:00 in the morning!!!
One big party until you arrive your destination which is a tour of the Sulphur Springs, which are located in a dormant volcano. Smells like rotten eggs but they say it's good for your sinuses. We strongly suspect that they told us this as a prank so we would breath in deeper! We passed the Piton Mountains on the sail over. The next stop was the Diamond Falls and Botanical Gardens. The falls and gardens were beautiful. Afterwards we had lunch at an old sugarmill. The food was delicious!
We boarded the catamaran after lunch and sailed back around, stopping to snorkel on the way. The fish are unbelievable in color and species. When we arrived back at the resort we rested in the jacuzzi for a while then got dressed for dinner. We ate at La Toc which is a french restaurant and quite good. I would say this was our favorite restaurant. Of course we had to have wine and caviar there! Can't remember if we did Casino night Tues or Weds, but we played blackjack for play money and used our winnings to auction for prizes.
THURSDAY
More relaxing and fun at the resort. We had dinner at Kimonos restaurant which is the traditional Japanese cook in front of you. Lots of food!!! Afterwards we went to play bingo for prizes at Jaimes Sports Bar.
FRIDAY
Another day of tours. We started the day with a tour of the Rain forest which for us was a 2 mile hike total and with the bus ride to and from the forest was a total of 4 hours. We loved the rain forest. Our guide Paul was so nice and knowledgable. He was excited to show us the pine trees and the oppossum which we found amusing because we have lots of those in Georgia! There was also all kinds of trees, plants, wild flowers and wild life. We saw a boa snake which Paul assured us was harmless! There was bamboo which helped with erosion. He said those were imported from China. You have to be in good shape for this tour and we didn't even take the longest route. Lots of steps up and down. We felt it was a good tour. After the tour we went back to the resort to relax then headed out for the Sunset Tour that evening. It was actually called the Party Cruise and that it was!!!!! We had a blast!!!! They had snacks and drinks, great music, limbo and dancing. So much fun! We had dinner at La Toc again that evening . Checked out the talent show at the Ampitheater.
SATURDAY
Rested again at the resort and played lots of pool volleyball. Also took a reggae dance class. More Bingo for prizes and dinner was at the new Italian restaurant. Again, excellant food. Caught a little of the show at the Ampitheater then on to bed. Exhausted by this point.
SUNDAY
One last look around then off to the airport to head home. It was a wonderful week!
OTHER PICTURES COMING SOON!