exotic locales, my origins + our sandals honeymoon.

http://www.sandals.com/main/whitehouse/wh-highlight1.cfm

Honeymoon French Deluxe Beachfront Patio Room $2232.50

Original Price: $3,910.00

Book today and save $1,677.50

Our package we chose plus price we were charged - we did get a special deal that Sandals happened to offer recently and the resort we've chosen is all inclusive which means 7 gourmet restaurants, unlimited food, unlimited bar and alcohol, ride to airport to and from hotel, hotel rooms, and plane tix. the only thing we'd even have to pay for is any souvenirs we buy, tips to airport drivers + if we decided to have an adventure or outing outside of the resort such as outdoor excursions [sightseeing] OR a driver in town etc. more than likely we won't be doing much of that as we've been warned against exploring too much outside of resort since it's a very poor island and not safe to do.

so anyway, we have booked our honeymoon, whitehouse resort in Jamaica - outside of montego bay [about an hour away] with sandals all inclusive pkg in a european styled resort with a patio beachfront first floor honeymoon suite.

I have to apply for a passport this weekend [last time i had a passport was when i was 16, in 1988, when my mom took my brothers and i to visit HER homeland- the philippines. long story short, my mom studied as an intern and then became RN via school program in Philippines as exchange student in Chicago, IL, USA months later met my dad, who was white, an irish catholic - american. they dated and quickly engaged in order to not lose each other, i think. they of course married within six mos and my mom got her greencard. she's been an american citizen since before i was born and that was 1971 so i'm very americanized altho recognize my culture and mixed ethnicity to a great degree. because i was raised 'white', it has made it harder for me to feel i fit in any place totally. i never fit in with full filipinos because i was never perceived as looking even remotely asian or pacific islander and even white people couldn't believe i was not white and was mixed. i kind of grew up feeling separated and divided and longing/yearning to fit in and belong somewhere. although, i feel i had numerous issues that made me feel isolated growing up. ]

sadly, that passport has LONG since expired and i am due for a new one. i am all torn up that i have to turn in my past passport of my 16 yr old self due to sentimental nostalgic reasons that i traveled to my mom's country very far away back in 88 and was there for 6 wks. it was one of the most monumental and memorable experiences in my life and in my teenaged coming-of-age years. though the country was very poor and didn't have the luxuries or amenities we take for granted in USA [and it was about a million times more humid and hot than it is here in FL] - it was a great cultural experience. btw, i left as brown as can be by the end of the trip LOL

so anyway that above was a good memory, and i'd have liked to keep the passport book marked with philippines in it and as part of my souvenir from that time, but apparently when you sign up for a new passport to replace an expired one, you have to turn the old one in. i'd like to find out if its possible to just lie and say i lost it or forgot it but worry the extra fee for not turning it in and exchanging for new passport MAY be excessive and unaffordable- moneywise.

anyone out there know?

we need to find out IF we need vaccinations by a dr before traveling to the carribean or if it's required to travel by law although I think Jimmy told me last nite he was told they aren't required by law but I wonder if they are at the very least recommended.

I have never been to the Carribean in my life and neither has he. So it's a bit anxiety provoking but its also very exciting especially when you take a look at the website and link I included at top which shows you the beautiful resort we've chosen, the beaches, island, the sands, the luxury and romance of it all.

I've never done anything like this and never had a real honeymoon during my first marriage becos in all honesty my ex was too poor and made minimum wage, had no credit, had bad credit/bankruptcy etc.

Exotic trips or trips out of the country were not even an option when i was with him and was out of our league so this is something i am not entirely accustomed to, in any romantic relationship inc. marriage.

I look forward to my first real honeymoon and truly hope it will be a specical memorable romantic time with minimal fighting as sometimes we clash with different personalities and natures, I think. It is a five day trip all in all. I think it wll be good for the two of us and want to make it positively memorable for both of us so I'm going to try to be on my best behavior despite my crazy manic mood swings LOL :D

Here is a copy of our travel agents detailed email in regard to the honeymoon pkg we signed up for lastmonth and fully booked our trip and flight with her by making the minimum deposit already.
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email from travel agent:

Hey Jimmy and April,

It was great to meet you both yesterday. Please know I am here if you need anything!

Here is the break down of what we discussed last night:

Sandals Whitehouse in the Honeymoon French Deluxe Beach Front Pation Room $2232.50 for the travel dates of December 1- December 6, 2008.

See the airfare choices below. The one I quoted you is the cheapest, however has the worst layovers. So I am sending you 3 different choices. This does not mean this is all there is, I just did not wish to send you too many. When you are ready to book your airfare, I will do further research to make sure you are getting the best price on the flights you choose.

Honeymoon French Deluxe Beachfront Patio Room $2232.50

Original Price: $3,910.00

Book today and save $1,677.50

Description:

Large beachfront room with a patio and views of the beach and or pool. Located on the first floor in the French Village.

Room View:Beach and or pool

Here are some air schedules:

$691.38 for 2:

AA #1773	Dec 01, 2008 06:00AM - 07:00AM	Depart: Tampa/St.Petersburg (TPA) Arrive: Miami International (MIA)
AA #469	Dec 01, 2008 09:40AM - 11:10AM	Depart: Miami International (MIA) Arrive: Montego Bay (MBJ)
R E T U R N I N G
AA #1812	Dec 06, 2008 03:50PM - 05:30PM	Depart: Montego Bay (MBJ) Arrive: Miami International (MIA)
AA #1831	Dec 06, 2008 10:55PM - 11:55PM	Depart: Miami International (MIA) Arrive: Tampa/St.Petersburg (TPA)

Click here: Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa - All Inclusive Vacation