Happy happy Tuesday!
On Sunday night, I dropped Kensington off to meet everyone for their long bus ride to camp in Colorado, and then I headed home, grabbed a little sleep, and then I was at the airport heading back to Nantucket bright and early yesterday morning. I was there by lunch and oh so happy to see my other four people 🙂 . I had MISSED THEM BIG!
So, I’m bACK and ready to stay put for a bit.
Since it’s Tuesday, it’s time for another TRAVEL post 🙂 .
This time, I’m sharing just a few pics from…
…my trip to Jamaica last week.
This year, I was finally able to line up my schedule with my host agency’s annual “university”, and I am SO HAPPY that I was able to attend.
I spent three nights at the Secrets St. James all-inclusive resort and had just a lovely, lovely time.
This was my first trip to Jamaica which made me doubly excited to attend…
How gorgeous was the view from my hotel room?
It’s not often that I get an entire hotel room to myself. I missed my people, but I certainly enjoyed all the space 🙂 .
The first night, we had a meet and greet reception which was festive and fun before our dinners (we had prearranged dinners each night with other travel advisors and suppliers).
Day two started…
…with me taking an early morning walk on the way to their gym.
I took A LOT of pics to share…
After my walk and lifting weights, I ate breakfast, headed back to shower and change and then by 9:00 AM…
…I was at my table in my conference for most of the day…
…after this first full day, I was texting with my team and sent them this selfie 🙂 . Geez, I LOVE my team!
I don’t think I made it back to my room that day until 3:30 or so, and at that point, I worked until my dinner at 7:00 and then was in bed watching The Office by 9:00 🙂 .
And I basically did the exact same thing on Day Three: Gym, Shower, Conference, Work, Dinner, In Bed Early…
I never once put on a swimsuit and got to do any of the amazing “Jamaica things”, so I certainly need to go back and visit again. What I did get to do though was learn A TON, make so many new connections with fellow advisors and suppliers and hone my skills even more as a travel professional.
We send clients to Jamaica often…
…and should you ever want to visit too…
…we would love to help you.
We would love to help you get to Jamaica, anywhere else in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Walt Disney World or Disneyland, Universal, on a cruise, to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia or South America too. We offer our services with individuals, groups, we can mix and match it into the exact trip you are dreaming about…every detail handled with no service fees.
I get excited to sit down and work every single day. I hope that whatever you’re doing, you get excited about it too. I really love my job…and if I’m being honest, I’ve really built up a FABULOUS travel agency over these last thirteen years thanks to YOU. Because of YOU, I get to work with nine amazing women who get to have fulltime jobs while also being home with their families. Because of YOU, we have been able to send so many people on vacation and be a part of so many wonderful memories. Our agency is built on this community, and I am oh so very grateful. YOU all allow us to do what we love to do which is create custom vacations for amazing clients. So thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank YOU.
I’ll see you tomorrow, friends. xx
Elspeth Mizner says
What a beautiful place and a productive time! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Maria Tkachuk says
Not sure about Jamaica being a nice place. We just recently visited with a family and I haven’t seen such rude people anywhere else. Not going back for sure.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well I hate that you had that experience, but I certainly wouldn’t ever want to paint an entire country’s by one vacation. I am POSITIVE there are amazing people in Jamaica. 🙂
Molly B says
Great reply!!!
M R says
Where did you go? Jamaicans are warm and welcoming, certainly there are rude people anywhere you go. Were you been rude and acting as though you are better than them?
Sometime when we get negative reactions we do need to inspect our own attitude.
Emi says
The hotel 😍
Paula Hobbs says
What a way to spend a work week!! I foresee a family Jamaica trip in the near future!! 🙂
Sarah DeWald says
What a beautiful resort! I love when work travel is to places that are just gorgeous.
Liz Proulx says
Hi Shay!
We used Mix and Match Travel Agency for our trip to Disney with our grandchildren! Jane was sooo helpful. Our trip was magnificent!
Thank you!
Liz Proulx
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwww! Thank YOU so much, Liz!!! We really really appreciate it!
Paige E says
I love traveling through your posts! Thank you for taking the time to take pictures and share here. Beautiful!
Lynelle says
I was at this resort in March! Too bad you didn’t have time to sit on the beach. It is lovely!
Katie Compton says
We celebrated our 15th anniversary in Jamaica and absolutely loved it! We were in Montego Bay and I appreciated being so close to the airport. Which part did you visit? This resort looks beautiful!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I was in Montego Bay too! The airport was super convenient, and it was really nice too. I love that you celebrated your anniversary there!
Barb says
What’s a host agency? Can you explain please? Also, what are suppliers that you were referring to? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
A host agency is a group that provides the necessary training, certifications, technology, suppliers, etc for independent travel agents. They help us make our businesses legitimate and fabulous. Suppliers are the vendors we use to create the vacations so it could be small excursion companies to big airlines or cruise lines, hotel groups, resort chains, etc. It’s any vendor we use when creating a vacation (and it runs a very big gamut).
Kari Miller says
What a beautiful resort! Thanks for sharing your pictures. I missed you ACK content while you were away, tho. 😂😂 I’m glad you are back!
https://karimillerblog.com
Marisa Patel says
So beautiful! We took a cruise that had a stop there but I did not get to see all the beauty you just shared so hopefully I can return!
Faith says
After a busy summer of my daughter getting married and my husbands big work deadline, I would like to escape somewhere like this !!
Megan Perkins says
That resort looks lovely! It’s such a bummer you didn’t get to enjoy it more, though it sounds like a great few days where you were hopefully able to enjoy the ambience. You’ll just have to go back with your family some other time.
Mary says
We stayed at this exact Secrets 4 years ago and had an amazing time!
Kristen says
Love that the work aspect of the trip was so energizing and productive! It shows that you’re doing something you love!
Jenny N says
I have been to Jamaica a few times on cruises but driven to zipline and have not been able to enjoy their beautiful water…..need to do that.
Where is your cute blue and white striped dress from? It is so cute!!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s from Abercrombie! I would buy it in a million more colors if they offered it. It’s my favorite! https://shopstyle.it/l/crO1N
Jenny N says
Thank you!! I bought a red dress from there that you recommended a couple of months ago….I’m going to get it right now!!
Debbie Dehrer says
That’s a beautiful resort. Can you explain a little bit about how your agency works if you don’t charge service fees?
I hope Kensington has a great time at cheer camp. Enjoy being back on Nantucket.
Mix and Match Mama says
So many travel advisors charge fees for their planning services to cover the time it takes for them to create vacations since so many of the details are non-commissionable. I would prefer to just go above and beyond and tackle all of those details regardless of being compensated for them in order to create excellent vacations at the best pricing.
Jenny N says
I love your blue/white striped dress in your selfie! Can you tell me where it is from?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s that tried and true favorite from Abercrombie! https://shopstyle.it/l/crO1N
Anna says
Jane and Erika helped our family with our first Disney cruise last winter, and they are so sweet and helpful! We had a wonderful time, and everything went so smoothly.
I was wondering, do you get nervous staying at a hotel by yourself? Any safety recommendations/tools you bring with you?
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwww, thank YOU for letting us be a part of your vacation. We are so blessed by it. I am not naturally a nervous person, so no, I don’t worry about staying in hotels by myself.
Tanya Madden says
My husband and I went to that exact resort and loved it! Such fun memories!!! So glad you got to go!
Carrie C says
We honeymooned in Jamaica in Montego Bay and loved it! We hope to go back again sometime!
Dannielle H says
I might be in the minority here, but may I suggest including a couple of photos of the gym next time? I know it’s not everyone’s priority, but I’m one of those people who actually choose all-inclusive resorts based partly on their fitness facilities! That said, I absolutely loved reading about your trip. Jamaica is such a beautiful place—the food, the culture, the warmth of the people, and the laid-back vibe are unmatched. I’m so glad you got to experience it too!
Mix and Match Mama says
Of course! I actually thought their gym was pretty good. Resort gyms can be very hit or miss, and this one was a “hit”!