Wedding Photos

Hi all,
Hope everyone is enjoying the new year! Below is a slideshow of the pics the photographer took during the wedding. If you would like to download the pics, feel free to visit the Picasa album or ask me and I'll give you a link to an easier way. I've also posted some of the pictures collected from various other cameras and put them here (these pictures don't focus so much on the ceremony itself).

Roadtrip Update!

To all who want to roadtrip with us, we have some updated information about the trip. We have booked travel through Clive's Transportation Service. We decided to move up the trip slightly as YS Falls closes around 3:30 pm and the appleton rum estates at 4:00 pm. Therefore, Clive's is meeting us at Beach Club Condos in Negril at 9:30 am on 12/30. Cost of transportation is $30 per person (children travel free). We will travel to YS Falls and Appleton Rum Estates, and will stop for lunch at some point.

If anyone cannot meet at 9:30 am, please let us know. Clive's is flexible and we can move the time back if necessary.

To those asking about water shoes - It is recommended for YS Falls that you have water shoes. However, I don't believe this is mandatory. If you only plan to swim, for example, you probably won't need them. However, if you want to go tubing or on the canopy ride, i would recommend a shoe that won't fall off and that you don't mind getting wet!

Credit Cards & Money

If you plan to use credit cards in Jamaica, it may be worthwhile to call your cc company and let them know you'll be traveling abroad. Otherwise, they may lock your account thinking someone's fraudulently using your card. Keeping the numbers of your customer service handy while in Jamaica may be a good idea as well should your cards become lost or stolen. You may also wish to understand your card's policy on foreign transactions and what the associated fees for exchanging currency are (if any). I remember a day when they would just give you the current exchange rate without fees...

As for cash, it's difficult to say whether having cash in US $ or Jamaican $ is best. From what I've been able to research, most places will accept US $ but may only give change in Jamaican $ (and probably not at the best exchange rate). Of course, the standard rules for traveling apply: Don't carry tons of cash on your person (or leave it unsecured in your resort).

Traveler's checks are great as long as you can find a place to deposit them (certainly something to investigate before traveling). I've spent many an hour walking with friends who need to find an establishment that would cash them.

Wedding Day Information & Schedule

As noted on the invitations we sent out, our ceremony will be at 4:00 pm on Friday (1/2/09) at Couples Swept Away (north end of the 7 mile beach, see map below). Judy is arranging some taxis heading up from Beach Club condos for our family staying there. At $5 per head, there's not much savings over a regular taxi; so for our friends staying at other resorts, we recommend just getting a taxi to Couples. If you need to call a taxi, contact the official carrier: Jamaica Union of Travelers Association or JUTA (876-957-9197 in Negril). Taxi rates vary, but are figured by car, not by passenger. Fares average about US $5-7 for 10 miles. Guests will be given a ceremony pass upon arrival to the resort which allows you to enter the resort and is good for two hours, plus cake and champagne after the ceremony.

The reception will follow the ceremony at Traveller's Beach Resort lounge which is next door to Beach Club condos (again see map below). We'll have a buffet-style dinner, drinks and entertainment here beginning at 5:30-6:00 pm. We're in the process of arranging transportation for everyone from Couples to Traveller's. We may do this in two groups with the latter staying for pictures.

Evites

While we are going to take the week very casually (or at least try to!), there are a few things requiring a role call to the who's all interested. To this end, we'll be sending out two evites which allow for rvsp'ing (for those of you entering into web 2.0).

The first evite is for those interested in New Year's Eve celebrating. We're thinking of doing dinner (possibly in a few groups depending on the #) and meeting up for drinks afterwards.

We'll also be sending another evite out for a day excursion up to the YS Falls and Appleton Rum Distillery (described below). Getting this information will again help organize transportation for those involved, and facilitate splitting into groups if necessary.

Please let us know if you (or your significant other) did not receive one by Thursday (12/18).

Cell phones & Communication in Jamaica

For staying in touch with others on the island during your stay, a prepaid cell phone appears to be the best alternative.

Some of the resorts appear to have cell phone rentals available from the front desk:
Beach Club Condos
White Sands - Can even request a phone number before arriving

There are apparently two major cell providers on the island:
1) Digicel Retail Locations, including one in Negril and several in Montego Bay
2) bMobile / C & W (Cable & Wireless) which apparently was renamed to LIME, but I can't be sure what's going on with this company(s)

Additionally, there are phone plans you could purchase (and should do so shortly) and have shipped to you prior to leaving (shipping back when you return). Cello Mobile is one such provider, but please note that it is not prepaid and bills you when you return.

For calling home during your stay, calling cards or prepaid accounts (similar to RingYard) may be the best option.

Numbers to remember: (Most just pulled from the web, so not verified)
Couples Swept Away (876) 957-4061
Beach Club Condos (876) 957-4323
Mariner's Beach Club (876) ???-???? - Let me know if anyone has found one
White Sands (876) 957-4291
Country Country (876) 957-4273
--> Don't see your resort? Let us know where you're staying!

If you get a cell number, please let Jes or I know and we'll discretely (i.e. not put on the blog) circulate it to interested people.

Map of Resort Locations in Negril

Some people have been asking where the different resorts are in relation to each other. I found this map that shows Couples Swept Away (where we are staying) and also includes some other that we have people staying in such as Beach Club Condos!