26 May 2023 – After multiple postponements – the ‘2020’ Europe Genealogy trip is on! In 2019 we started planning this trip, primarily to visit Czechia and my ancestral homelands – after all we have done Ireland 9 times and K’s heritage has been well covered. But Covid and the ensuing global madness pushed this to 2021, then 2022, and finally once more…

But at last we embark on quite a journey – Czechia is the centerpiece, but we will also enjoy a few other stops, and the Depeche Mode European tour as well (twice!). We have kicked off – first leg (of 3) to Budapest is behind us – and posting this from JFK and a 12 hr layover – $12 beers will make this day as expensive as any to come…

Heading home today after a great 10 days. No daily posts since days basically the same – up and out to the beach for sun, sand and water, and a variety of rum based beverages. Lunch break midday for some jerk chicken or a delicious beef patty. Then dinner in one of the four restaurants. Piano bar, drinking/dancing, sleep, repeat. Additional pics below. Sadly, home and back to reality now…

Took a break from beach time – twice! – to take the One Love Pub Crawl through and around Negril – both ending with a fantastic sunset. Sampling of the pubs and sights below…

Not pictured! Met some great Scots on the first crawl, and together we decided to do a the second! Hope to see Colin and Louise in Scotland on our upcoming trip there (or again in Jamaica someday)!

31 August 2022

Been a long time since we have been able to travel for much – and certainly not international. At last though we are headed out on our trip to celebrate Kristen’s 60th birthday (a bit early) in the sun and sand!

Bright and early up and off to Atlanta- 0530 flight means airport at 0300…and just about right too as we arrived at the gate about 5 min before boarding starts. Chatted in the airline desk line with a family headed to Jamaica for a wedding and a few extra days of fun.

Lucked out and had a whole row to myself on the plane. Rare occurrence to have a half empty plane. Ft Lauderdale looks like it has a nice day ahead, but just passing through…after a 4 hr layover…Bloody Mary time!

Flight down to Montego Bay uneventful – as we always prefer it of course – and came with unexpected bonus of gaining an hour in paradise due to time change from EDT to EST.

Upon arrival, for the first time we popped for the ‘Club Mobay’ VIP treatment at the airport – walked right past the line for passport control to a special line for us and out to get our luggage – then again a special customs line. Finally to a lounge for some Red Stripe while we wait for the bus out to the resort. For about $30 per person absolutely worth it to skip two hours of standing in lines! A must for any trip into Jamaica.

Approximately two hour ride down to Negril on the Couples shuttle and we’ve finally arrived!

A bit of rest and some cold beers then dinner. Looking forward to this beach tomorrow!

6/23-25/2020 Haven’t posted daily – but the days are very similar so not much to report. Where we are staying is actually just north of St Augustine – a little beach village called Vilano Beach. Rented a small one bedroom house just across the road from the beach. These past few days have been basically up and out to the beach for most of the day – not that there is anything to complain about in that repetition.

Tuesday evening we decided to have a night in and picked up a pie from the local pizza joint – excellent food from a cool place keeping open via their takeout and walk up prefer window. Puccini’s Pizzeria if you ever visit…

Weds night we decided to go local again and hit Caps on the Water – famous local seafood place right on the intercostal waterway and known for great sunsets visible from their vast outdoor seating. Unfortunately a Florida-typical late afternoon rainstorm drove us in to eat at the bar. No complaints the oysters and tuna were just as fresh and excellent in there chased by a couple of mojitos.