Atlanta has been exceptionally cold and rainy this winter and Keoni always wants to go play in the sun.  We decided at the last minute to go to Montego Bay, Jamaica.  The decision all had to do with flight availability (standby because of my flight priveliges) and the cheapest hotel that wasn’t a dump.  Keoni worked tirelessly on Saturday while I impatiently waited for his decision.  Usually, I choose our mini vacation destination but I wanted him to just tell me where we were going.  We knew it was going to be an island in the Carribean so the packing was easy.

Keoni found a deal in at the Holiday Inn Susnspree Resort for $204.00 a night which is an all inclusive resort.  We were pleased to find the staff friendly and the room more than adequate.  We even had an ocean view!  It’s nothing real extravagant , the rooms are kind of dated but clean, and really, who spends that much time in the room?

Since it was all inclusive, we wanted to get started on the food and drinks!   There are several restaurants, bars and food stands so that you never go hungry or thirsty.  The main restaurant was run-of- the-mill buffet style and the other restaurant that we went to was Seabreeze, which was Carribean. They also have a couple of higher end restaurants that for some reason did not have availability. At Seabreeze you just ordered off the menu whatever you wanted so we ordered all the appetizers and a couple of entrees.  They serve an appetizer made out of a local fruit called ackee.  It was really good, kind of reminded me of guacomole except it was yellow.  Keoni wanted to try the oxtail stew and I had pork fajitas.  Very good!  I tried the oxtail and can’t say I’m a fan.  Too bony!  One of the stands had jerk chicken that was really good.  Another place had burgers, hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches that came with french fries that Keoni thought were exceptional!  There were a few items on the buffet that were unusual.  Boiled bananas, for instance.  I did not try those but I saw people piling them on their plates so somebody liked them.  I did try a fruit that the server called a Jamaican apple that was very red on the outside, very white on the inside and was shaped like an avocado.  I also tried smoked marlin and won’t be ordering that again anytime soon!

Ok, let’s talk about the drinks.  The only beer they served was Red Stripe and after trying it, I decided to make Shandys (beer mixed with a little sprite) Refreshing!  The liquors, for the most part, were cheaper brands.  I did enjoy some pina coladas but kept thinking about all the calories!  Don’t even think about ordering wine unless you like cheap, tasteless wine.  I know it’s not a red wine kind of place but at night the weather was cool and it would have been nice to sit on the deck with a glass of heart healthy red wine.  I’m just saying!

Keoni woke up early and secured chairs and an umbrella (for me).  We stayed out on the relatively quiet beach all day and enjoyed the glorious sun and ocean breeze!

The hotel does have a decent gym with free weights and machines that looks onto the beach.  They also have water aerobics and yoga classes daily.  There is also constant entertainment on the stage near the main pool.  They also have an adults only pool where you can belly up to the bar!

What a fun and relaxing mini vacation!

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First of all, Washington is such a good city to visit in a short time.  The metro is so easy and reliable and it takes only about 15 to 20 minutes from Ronald Reagan airport to downtown DC.  There are hourly flights from Atlanta, and of course, you could always go to Washington, Dulles.

We found a Hilton Garden Inn for 139.00 a night.  If you’re not familiar with these hotels, they offer lots of amenities.  Microwaves and fridges in the rooms, free wifi through out and a business center with three computers and copiers.  The service was very friendly and helpful and we even arrived at the hotel around 10:00 am and there was a room ready!  They also have drink and appetizer specials around 5:00 pm.  The hotel is right across from the metro and it’s 3 stops to the Smithsonian exit which is where all the museums and monuments are.

Our first stop was the Washington Monument then the Lincoln Memorial and on to the Vietnam War and Korean War Memorials.  It was hot and we woke up at 0430 in the morning so we went back to the hotel for a snooze.  Well, Kelsey and I did and Jeff took a dip in the pool.  I wanted to try a restaurant called Julia’s Empanadas so we took the train (with a few transfers) to the closest one.  It was not that great but it was cheap.

The next morning we got up and started going to some of the museums.  We started with the Air and Space Museum since it’s supposed to be the best one for kids.  It was interesting and very interactive for kids and free!  My favorite thing there was the art work of a former astronaut , Alan Bean, who’s art is based on what he saw on the moon.  He was with the first ones who landed on the moon in 1969.

Next stop was the National Art Gallery, also free!  We also went by the White House since it was only a few blocks from our hotel.

Jeff is in a bluegrass band and he’d heard about a bluegrass place in Alexandria, Va.  We found out that you could take the train out there also and it was about 30 minutes away.  The place was called Tiffany Tavern (no S) and I think they have live bluegrass most nights.  It was in a very quaint area on King Street with lots of cute restaurants, wine shops and boutiques.  We ate dinner there, they had burgers and salads and a few Greek items on the menu.  It was fine, nothing great but we enjoyed the music.

The next day we were able to make it to one more museum.  The Museum of Natural History.  This was very interesting and would have been more fun if it wasn’t so crowded.  It was Saturday and there were lots of kids!  It was also free, like most of the museums there.  We didn’t make it to the Smithsonian but I plan on going there the next time I have a long layover.

Click Here => PARIS 2009

Keoni and I along with my parents arrived at the place called “Homespun Bluegrass” which is a store decorated with all kinds of antique tools and musical instruments and seats about 100 people. This was the first time Jeff and his group played at this place. There was a $5.00 cover but was well worth it because they did an excellent job and the crowd was appreciative.

To download The Bluegrass Gentlemen songs:

Rocky Top

Murder on Music Row

Rocky Top – (29 megs) / Murder on Music Row – (39 megs)

We went to the very small town of Ellijay. They have lots of antique stores and little gift shops and some restaurants. We didn’t eat there but did go to a wine and gift store called “Corks and Crumbs”. They also have a small restaurant in the back. They have a wine bar with tastings, wine by the glass or bottle. All of the wine is from Frogtown Winery which is in North Ga.

On the way home I wanted to stop and get some apples so we stopped at a little country store and I got fuji apples and applesauce bread. The apples are so crisp and sweet and the applesauce bread is delicious!

It was such a beautiful day and we ended up back in Marietta at one of our old favorite places, Willie Rae’s on the square. They have the best fish tacos! We haven’t been there in ages and yet we can count on seeing the same bartender, Meghan and Mike one of the servers who have been there forever. It’s such a cute restaurant with lots of cool art (for sale) and the food is always good!

This is such a cool city! The weather was beautiful. Don’t let people fool you and tell you it rains all the time. I went to Pike Place Market which is the well known market there that has fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers and arts and crafts. The flowers are unbelievable! You can get these large, beautiful bouquets for only $5.00. If I lived there I would have fresh flowers all the time.

Another thing that intriqued me was hanging, fresh peppers and some that were shaped like a wreath. They’re not only for decoration but can be used for cooking. The peppers stay fresh for a couple of weeks and the dried peppers can be used for up to two years.

It’s almost too pretty to eat!