7 night stay in private ocean view room

7 breakfasts

6 lunches

1 private dinner on your ocean view patio

1 private dinner in our romantic VIP Sunset room

4 dinners in our delicious pool side restaurant with 180′ ocean views

1 bottle of champaign

1 excursion package for 2 (choice of 3 tours)

1 in-room or balcony couples massage

OFFER IS AVAILABLE  FOR STAYS FROM MAY 15 2013, UNTIL JULY 31 2013.

$850 per person, based on double occupancy.  Includes private transfer from Quepos airport or commercial transfer from San Jose International Airport.

Well , as true Canadians we salute Mother Nature for restoring winter to what it should be, spring will soon come and all this will be a distant memory, so today we join the friends in declaring Build a Snowman/woman, family day, and don’t forget the Pink!

Jamaica was our first trip out of the country. We stayed at the Couples Resort in Ocho Rios. It is about a two hour bus trip from the airport. We were there from October 29th to November 4th. This is considered the off season. The upside to that is the resort isn’t over crowded and the rates are reasonable. The weather was perfect, mid to upper 80′s.

Jamaica is not a safe country to go off on your own in. The resort warns you to only leave with the resort or on a tour. We only took two excursions while we were there. We did Dunn River Falls. The waterfall showcased in Cocktail with Tom Cruise and Elisabeth Shue. You can’t go to Jamaica and not do this. The other was Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.  The Resort had a nightly show. One night was a beach party complete with a fire show. On Halloween night they passed out masks and put on a dance performance to all of the classic Halloween songs. There was even a night of Karaoke and Casino night with games and fake money.

The reason we went to Jamaica was to say “I Do”. Getting married with our toes in powder white sand and a blue ocean backdrop was my dream wedding.  Once the preacher announced us man and wife cheering broke out behind us. I had no clue that we had an audience but there they were. Everyone we had met since we arrived and a few that just stopped to watch.  Destination wedding are the way to go in my book. The only planning required was to pick out what to wear. The hotel took care of the flowers, cake, pictures and video. You are also treated to a couples massage when you get married at the resort. It was a dream come true.

Our room had a full view of the ocean. We slept with the doors open and the sheer curtain drawn to keep the bugs out. There is nothing like falling asleep to the sound of the ocean waves lapping. I was up at the break of dawn every morning. It was impossible to sleep in and miss the breathtaking sunrise.

Couples Ocho Rios set the bar for All Inclusive Dining as high as it could be set for us. Every bite of food we ate at the resort was delicious. The hotel offers three restaurants that require a reservation, one that is a buffet for all meals, and a beach grill that was open most of the time. We ate the buffet for most meals. There were tons of choices and everything was good. The Bayside Restaurant is over the water and very romantic. You are served a three course meal. I had a tomato salad, Clams and Artichoke in Cream Sauce and Broiled Lobster in Cream Garlic Sauce.  We ate at Le Gourmet on our wedding night. It was very classy with a gentleman playing a baby grand piano while we dined.  At the Beach Grill we were introduced to Jerk Chicken. It’s the perfect blend of sweet with a bit of spice. One bite and I was hooked. We make Jerk everything now.  Get ready to gain a pound each day of your stay. It’s worth every savory bite.

Couples Ocho Rios is a wonderful place for a vacation no matter what the occasion.

Then today we offer the perfect romantic vacation for you at an all-inclusive Jamaica Couples resort!

Enjoy your honeymoon, anniversary celebration, or just a romantic escape at one of four all-inclusive Couples Resorts—where world-class amenities, such as their wonderful spas, blend with beautiful beach settings and local charm. Enjoy the finest island-infused cuisine. Dive into a paradise of sports and activities. Or indulge in total privacy.  It’s all included!

• Tower Isle in Ocho Rios – This was the playground to Hollywood celebrities in the 1950s!  This resort offers breathtaking sea views, a wide sandy beach, and century-old palm trees.  You can snorkel among the reefs, go windsurfing, or sail into the sunset, complete with your rum punch in hand!  Their spa has been recognized as “Best in the Caribbean” by Travel + Leisure.
• Sans Souci, nestled on the cliffs of Jamaica’s emerald coast – This resort offers secluded stone pathways, healing natural mineral springs, and private cabanas at the cliff’s edge for your signature spa treatments!  You’ll dine on authentic Jamaican fare, as well as five-star international cuisine.  All included, of course!
• Couples Negril – Couples Negril sits on a secluded stretch of pure white sand and beautiful turquoise Caribbean waters.  They offer a central cluster of restaurants, grills, and bars for you to enjoy tropical drinks and freshly prepared local specialties. You can immerse yourself in an endless array of activities such as snorkeling, sailing, scuba, tennis, and yoga.  Their spa offers massage treatments on the beach, as well as late-night bonfires under the stars!
• Swept Away in Negril – This resort is truly a paradise!  It encompasses seven miles of white sand beach, complete with tropical gardens, open-air cafes, small pool enclaves, and fresh fruit oases.  You’ll love the tranquility and seclusion.  They offer a 10-acre sports complex, as well as a superb spa to serve as a haven of relaxation.

Here is an example of a romantic getaway for 2 people:

February 14-18 (4 nights)
Couples Tower Isle in a Deluxe Garden room
Round trip air from Chicago to Montego Bay, Jamaica
All ground transfers in Jamaica
$2,852.94* including all taxes

If you are interested in this romantic couples’ vacation, please email me at Rhonda@travelonadream.com or submit a request here and we’ll be happy to provide a customized quote for you!

* Prices and availability are not guaranteed until booked.  Other departure cities available, prices may vary.

On arrival, it was a Monday, we stayed at the Candlewood Suites while we waited for our apartment to be ready.  We had also organised the purchase of some furniture back in July but all we arrived with were a couple of cases of clothes each so we spent the next few days going backwards and forwards to what was to be our new favourite store, Target!  We went backwards and forwards to this store picking up what we felt were essentials: vacuum cleaner; bedding; towels; electric kettle (this was not an easy find); and so on.  We moved into Terra Vista apartments in Cave Creek for the next 14 months.  Why Cave Creek I hear you ask.  I knew no one outside of my boyfriend and he was to be doing a lot of travelling.  Phoenix is a sprawling metropolis and the only person I knew slightly was John’s boss and wife.  They lived with their family in Cave Creek.  It is located in North Phoenix and creeps up against the mountains and has that slight elevation which means we are always those few degrees cooler than downtown Phoenix, which, in the heat of the Summer make all the difference.

The next 9 months were going to be difficult.  As John and I were not married we had been told that I was not eligible for a long-term visa and would have to continue to use the visa waiver scheme meaning that I could stay no longer than 90 days in the US and had to go back to the UK.  We booked a return flight for November 5.  We had been told that our personal items that we had shipped out from the UK would take about 6 weeks maximum which would give us plenty of time.  We thought we had done all our homework with vast quantities of reading through books, internet etc and then the world changed!  September 11, 2001! Need I say more. Everything we thought we new was no longer.  Our shipping didn’t arrive until November 3rd our monies, paperwork etc were all held up and processes for visas, Green Cards and so on changed.  They change continually and it is up to you to make sure you always know what is going on.

On April 15, 2002 John and I were married at the Couples Resort (known as Tower Isle), Ochos Rios, Jamaica.

Just Married

We opted to have no family or friends present, but did then have a wedding reception back in Highworth, Wiltshire (where my parents live) at end of May.  This would allow me the opportunity to go back to the UK to sort out my visa paperwork, update my passport and then for John to come over and we could celebrate with friends and family alike.  I took the opportunity to get family wedding photos and so got to wear my wedding dress twice.  The reception was held at the local rep and anyone that we knew who made something participated.  My Mum sells at Cirencester Farmers Market and my father is a beekeeper so between them I think they know anyone and everyone.

October 2002 saw us selling John’s house back in Burford and purchasing our own not too far from where we had been in the apartment.  Yes, we had decided to stay.

During our time here we have had so may guests.  My mum has been out too many times to count whereas my Dad has been out I think 4 or 5 times.  John’s parents have been out at least half a dozen times.  My English Grandmother came out to visit at the ripe old age of 87.  My mother flew out with her and then my Grandmother flew onto Chicago to stay with an Aunt there.  We’ve also had my mother’s best friend from Oslo, Norway with her daughter, Margrethe, come and stay with us for a few days too.  So many family members have made it out and we thank you all for wanting to spend holiday time with us.  OK, the fact that we have so much sunshine, a pool and a spa may help too.

2003 saw John bringing a previous work colleague, Steve D, out to work.  They had worked together in 2 previous companies so had known each other for far longer than I had known John.  Steve brought his wife, Joy with him and I believe she is still enjoying the fact that instead of working full time she is spending vast quantities of time birding (a true passion of hers and if you ever need any information she will always have the answer for you).

What I have learned during my time here, and continue to learn even after 10 years, is although we both speak the same language, English, it is still very different.  My work prior to coming out was as an administrator and I have to admit I still find it difficult to switch my spelling to the American way whereas John, who has spent much of his working life working with Americans spells and says things differently to me.  Of course, Kirsten, in my mind, is not only a dual citizen but is bilingual too.  It is quite a regular occurance that the teachers have to ask what something means or, if Kirsten explained it herself, they find it cute.  We’re going through the phase of using plasters at the moment, but of course here, they are bandaids.

So where are we. Oh yes.  2003 saw us with our first addition to the family, Mohawk, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel purchased from a local breeder, Hurricane Dogs.  I think I’ve shared pictures recently showing that Mohawk is now 8 years and 4 months and instead of being the few pounds he was when we got him is now 30lbs and definitely becoming a grouchy old man.  We added to the brood with Charlotte around September of 2006.  We purchased Charlotte from the same breeder but she was purchased as an adult (3 years old).  She turned 8 this month and is still the petite female that she was when we purchased her although has gained a healthy few pounds.

Next came Kirsten Greer Wilcox.  She arrived May 30, 2007 and what a change she has made to our lives!  Now she is an extremely tall, extremely active 4 year old.  She is now at full time montessori in order to keep her in check and she loves it.  She is also sleeping a full night’s sleep for the first time ever.  Last, but definitely not least, we added Marblesto the brood in January of 2010 as a 2 month old American Cocker Spaniel puppy!  Thankfully he has calmed down except for when Kirsten is chasing after him.  What will the next 10 years bring?

Celebrated end of May 2011

While there, Jenn also got to experience first hand the fantastic artistic abilities of Gertrude Sorenson. Gertrude started the resort in 1967 as what was then known as the Bear Trail Inn. Guests at the resorts can view Gertrude’s work in her art studio located on site. She also takes the time to teach painting.

Of course at Couples Resort, you can spend the day relaxing in the beautiful accommodations complete with the jacuzzi tubs and many that have private outdoor hot tubs as well. The food is phenomenal and you never have to leave your room as you can have your meals provided by room service.

To view the clips of Couples Resort click these links:

Part 1 http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/1063866317001.000000/couples-resort-pt1of3/

Part 2 http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/1063861565001.000000/couples-resort-pt2of3/

Part 3 http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/1063885864001.000000/couples-resort-pt3of3/

“If saving money takes too many steps, then I’m. the Lincoln. Memorial. *wink*”

Hello my dearsss and deariesss! (Kristen Wiig? .. SN..L.. No?? Nobody? Well.)

WHAT is it about February that just makes people in a service position want to be UGLY to you? Don’t worry, I’m not just saying this to draw you in with no hope of fulfilling your expectations; after all, this is the Spain blog post.

As you know, Ole Huckleberry and I will be leaving for Spain this September to live and study for a year. To accomplish this we need:

• Valid U.S. passports
• Blind faith
• Year-long Student Visas

These seem like simple enough items to accrue, right? WRUH-ONG. I have found and will attest to the fact that if you want to accomplish ANYTHING related to the Spanish and American governments working together, give it double the maximum amount of time you think it should take. Warning: The following is very specific and hopefully not boring information about the steps we’ve taken toward Spain so far.

This next part may seem a little complicated and I feel like I will draw it out if I don’t break it down into bullets, SO here goes:

What could be better than a Free Honeymoon to Jamaica with Huckleberry?

1. Chase and I need Schengen student visas to Spain. To receive a visa, you must send off your passport. Your visa is like a sticker that is permanently placed in your passport. The minimum recommended amount of time to allow for visa processing is 3 months. Three months from today is May 28.
2. A new rule requires that all visa enquiries to Spain also submit an FBI Background Check (fingerprints). The FBI Background Check can take up to 12 weeks to process. May 28 + 12 weeks= August 28.
3. Chase and I will be getting married on August 20 and leaving for our honeymoon to Jamaica the following Monday (August 22). You need a passport to travel to Jamaica.
4. When Chase and I return from Jamaica, our Certificate of Marriage should be ready/close to being ready. My name will be changed to Janna Elizabeth Schmidt. I will have two weeks to expedite my passport for a name change.
5. We will leave for Spain on/around September 19. I will have in my possession an expired passport (Janna Elizabeth Baldwin) with an up-to-date visa and a new passport (Janna Elizabeth Schmidt) with no visa.

Although I may sound calm and concise when explaining these details, let me tell you, I AM TERRIFIED!! Just WHAT are we going to do if everybody takes the maximum amount of time they say they are going to take?? All of this worrying takes me to our first service-related incident..

Once I realized just how long 12 weeks really is, Huck and I hopped in the Jetta and scooted up to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to have our fingerprints done. I compulsively carefully scoured read the instructions, taking note of every *required field* and specific instruction laid out by the FBI. One specific part of the form listed required fields that, if left blank, would receive automatic rejection including one field labeled ORI (Originating Agency Number… don’t ask me, I don’t make the FBI acronyms). With our forms we printed off of the FBI website, we waited to have our fingerprints done. One at a time, we were called back. To my disappointment, many departments no longer use ink for fingerprinting (I wanted a cute picture for the blog :/ ); instead they use a type of scanner that you place your hand on.

ANYWAY, I get all the way through the process with the help of a woman whose name rhymes with Beborah, and realize that (among all the other information missing) she has not filled in the box marked ORI. “Oh, don’t I need to have this box filled out for my form to be eligible?” “Oh. I don’t really know. No, I don’t think so. That box is for the job who’s asking for your fingerprints.” “We’re just getting these to apply for a visa, what do you think we should put there?” “Hmm, I don’t really know, but we don’t write in that box.”

Reeeeeallly, Beborah? Really??

Next, Chase heads back. I’ll let part of his fingerprint form speak for itself:

A partial print, two prints bleeding into the wrong boxes, and half a pinky :/

After Beb finds out that she’ll have to start from the beginning to fix the flub, she winks at Chase and says, “I’m not gonna do all of that over again. It’ll be fine.” WEDONTHAVETIMEFORTHIS, Bebster!! We just DON’T! Unfortunately, Chase will have to go back to the Sheriff’s Office this week (which is only open for fingerprints from 1-4pm) and have his fingerprints redone (a process which took 40 minutes the first time). On top of all this, I found out today that I do need the Sheriff’s Office to fill in the ORI box..

On to the next one, On to the next one… It would be perfect if I could put a Jay-Z sound clip here so that when you scrolled past, he would get you pumped up for the next story.. On to the next one! On to the next one!

As you could see from the list above, some of our dates overlap a bit. Unfortunately, the Spanish Consulate listed as serving Alabama is New Orleans–which shut down 2 years ago. Although every number listed has been shut off, I couldn’t find any information on which consulate currently serves AL. So one day, I decided I would just start calling; San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Houston, and soooo oooonn.. Finally, I reached someone at San Francisco who was extremely nice, but had no idea how to answer my question. He gave me an email address–didn’t seem too promising. I continued calling around and, after navigating the automated answering machine, I was finally connected with an operator in Houston. “Hi, my name is Janna Baldwin, yaddayaddayadda.” I spill into my explanation and end with, “Do I have any options? How should I get a visa with my married name?” She gives me a generic answer like, Oh you need the same last name on both your visa and your passport. Aware of this, I try to pose my question in a different way (still sweet as I can, mind you). “Listen, it’s whatever you want to do!! All I know is, I can’t give you a visa unless it has the same name as your passport!!” Allllllriiiiight. “Well, I was just wondering if you had any advice. Thank you so much for your help.” *Click* Aaaaand… wait for iiiit……

Reduced to Tears, Part I.

Sweet CynCyn had flowers waiting for me on my bathroom counter

Although I have since recovered, thanks to about a week’s time of licking my wounds coupled with a trip home I still didn’t have an answer to my question. I talked with my Dad about the small window of time I had left to address this visa problem and included an outpouring of stress that I’m sure wasn’t the number one thing he wanted to deal with on a Saturday night. Buuuut, he really calmed my nerves, helped me talk through everything, and assured me that we would get everything worked out even if we had to fly out to Houston (which as it turns out, is the new consulate servicing Alabama).

I sat down, made a plan of action in my little, black book, and put it into play this morning. I called Houston again and got a hold of–believe it or not–a human being with an actual heart! I know God put this woman in my path because she was so calm, helpful, and easy to talk with. She explained everything so simply, answered my questions, all while speaking with a beautiful Spanish accent. For now, all of my worries about the visa are solved–if we can just get the ball rolling!

MAN, what is it with these long posts?? You must know that if there is a Reduced to Tears, Part I, there MUST be a Part II (at least).. Well, I am saving that story for my next post. Hopefully by then, it will have a Houston ending. Love, Janna.

Nothing sets the mood quite like a great meal and a good bottle of wine.  The Niagara Region certainly offers plenty in the way of romantic sites and plenty of wine tasting opportunities and exquisite culinary. If you have never toured this wine region, we suggest a stay with White Oaks Resort and Spa, Pillar and Post or Inn on the Twenty; each conveniently located to several wineries and offering superior luxury. In Prince Edward County, you can stay at the Claramount Inn and Spa overlooking picturesque Picton Bay, partake in the culinary classes offered at The Waring House Inn or enjoy the private beach offered at Isaiah Tubbs Resort.

If your romantic getaway needs to be something a little more intimate, then how does a private cottage or a room that includes a fireplace and maybe even a personal hot tub sound? Your loved one would be so pleased to stay at a place like Couples Resort which offers fantastic dining, private hot tubs (in most rooms,) scenic surroundings and a wide array of activities. Beauview Cottage Resort is another fantastic option that offers the peace and solitude of the country. When you stay at Beauview, you wake up to the sounds of the birds chirping unlike the typical big city noise.

If you are into history, consider staying at one of our resorts that has been in operation for over 100 years. The Gananoque Inn and Spa main building was once a carriage factory. Throughout the summer months, you can take in a cruise of the beautiful 1000 islands, take in a show at the theater or visit some of the mueseums. Westover Inn began as a limestone Victorian Mansion in 1867 and throughout the years has expanded to now offer 19 acres including private cottages located on the Thames River.

For the true “Northern Feel” Northridge Inn & Resort is one resort that would be a sure fit for your romantic escape. A stay at Northridge Inn is animated throughout the seasons with an array of activities, and serenity of wilderness calls all night long.  Also with the northern feel is Trillium Resort and Spa which is nestled in amongst 86 acres of forest. Trillium offers waterfall viewing, a private lake and a truly indulgent experience through its 5,000 sq. ft. spa facility.

Ontario offers so much to experience and the resorts mentioned above are just a sampling of the romantic escapes that await. For a complete list of resorts catering to romance visit us online.

The movie is really funny and fun. It is not too deep to get you uncomfortable, but there is an edge of truth throughout each scene. The pace is good, the dialogue is sharp – my husband and I watch it all the time now. It is a favorite!

Three couples accompany a fourth who is seeking help with their marriage. As you can predict, they all learn a great deal about how challenging being with the same person for an entire lifetime can be. Each couple is unique and the combination of them all probably reflects many marriages. A piece from this couple, a little of that couple, and you start to see your life in theirs.

Sometimes I can just watch the introduction and feel like the cold of winter has melted – just for a moment. In this fast paced, hectic world, this is a true retreat worth welcoming!

SUGGESTION: Rent it – buy it – watch it – over and over!

1. SWIM WITH STINGRAYS!

2. SWIM WITH… ERMMM, SHARKS. =))))

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When I was a kid, the worst part about watching Baywatch was when that small triangle thingamajig comes out of the water and starts circling around some innocent human enjoying his time on the beach. I haaaate sharks. While it’s impossible to swim with sharks, the Bahamas makes this possible! Look at that! Shark to humans: “Keber!”

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3.  ADULTS-ONLY RESORT IN JAMAICA

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Adults-only resorts are more popularly known as “couples resorts” in Jamaica. As its name implies, couples resorts are for couples only — not for groups of friends, not for relatives or families. How about Jamaica for a honeymoon? It would be so nice to witness a beautiful morning and wake up to this sight with the man I want to spend the rest of my life with:

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Trivia: Couples resorts in Jamaica are under one management, and they have only four couples resorts in the country: Couples Tower Isle, Couples San Souci, Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away. Ah, I can’t wait for the future!

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4. AROUND BARBADOS IN THREE DAYS

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Sounds impossible, but isn’t. There are tour operators everywhere in Barbados anyways. The reason why I am eyeing at Barbados excursions (which may sound boring to a lot of people who want to do things their own way), Barbados has tour services that specialize in just about every type of trip! There are submarine tours, nature activities, arts & crafts tours, black culture tours, home and garden tours and custom tours! I especially want to experience submarine tours and black culture tours. Sounds exciting!

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Look Ma, I'm in a submarine!

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So those are the four things that I wish to be able to do before I die. No, make that — before I get too tired to travel, get too old for a swimsuit, too busy to want to fly, or too accomplished to want something like this.

One day, Chemae. One day…

You pay for your flight, and fly out to the land of your dreams. Most resorts arrange for airport pickup, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy the drive. You don’t work the day of travel, so make the most of it! Enjoy the beaches, the food… the booze… read a book by the water or get in a swim.

The day after your travel (and in most cases, the resort will pick you up directly from the airport), you’ll be expected to teach up to three hours. Now, if your day is ten hours long, that leaves seven hours to soak up the resort atmosphere. And we know you love your job – you wouldn’t be doing it if you didn’t.  Enjoy your classes and use them as an excuse to meet some of your fellow guests. Maybe you’ll make friends over a martini afterwards?

Check out your options for your dream working vacation on the site, but don’t forget to sign up and send in your certifications – you won’t be able to view any available trips that you aren’t qualified to teach. Without your certifications on file, it’ll look like there are no opportunities available, although that couldn’t be further from the truth!

You should expect to spend $100 – $200 as a thank you gift to the resort, plus an administration fee to cover FitProTravel’s costs. The fee is usually in the $300 area, and there are frequently specials and discounts to lessen that expense. But I wouldn’t worry about that too much – since you’re allowed to bring a guest (and sometimes your whole family) with you free of charge, you can make them pay the $300, since you’re working your way!

So kick back and enjoy the vacation… and don’t forget your sunscreen!

My honey-bunny and I should go to a couple’s resort and work on our issues.  Not that we have any issues.  Well, we have one issue and it’s a big one.  We have different politics.  His is on “Might Makes Right,” and my politics are of “all that is good.”  He keeps picking on my politics and purposely trying to irritate me which works.  I can only take so much and the next thing I know I’ve turned from a quiet, easy-going person to a raving shrew.  He gets up on his high-horse and acts like he won, but he didn’t win because what he doesn’t know is one way or another I always have the last word.  Always.

Yeah, maybe a couples resort would be a good idea.

But if you’re in a mood for a movie about keeping a marriage together, Serious Moonlight is so much better.  It is darkly comedic and you see Meg Ryan and Timothy Hutton work on their stage marriage.  It’s better because there is a burglary and potential for rape, murder and mayhem — but only the burglary happens.  Meg Ryan looks different in that movie…I think it’s a face lift or botox.  She looks okay, just different.  Why can’t actors and actresses accept who they are and allow themselves to look the way the look and age the way they’re supposed to?  Their quest for eternal youth is not making them look better, it’s making them look goofy.  Betty White allowed herself to age, and her career is doing great.

So what if an actor’s career ends at age 40 because of a little facial sag?  Most actors never even had a chance at a real acting career at all, so if a big star is no longer a big star — it’s time to retire and enjoy all that money they made when they were young and hot.  It’s time to discover something else.  They don’t have to be forever young and forever beautiful.  They can act and be their age and bring some dignity to Hollywood which definitely some.

Where The Wild Things Are helped make this weekend the highest grossing October weekend in history. The top 20 films altogether helped haul in a record breaking $135 million.

Where the Wild Things Are came in at number one with reportedly $32.5 million. The Spike Jonze directed film is the highly anticipated adaptation of the children’s book of the same name. The story, which was originally told in 9 sentences, is about a disobedient boy who is sent to his room where he creates his own world, a forest full of wild creatures who make him king.

Law Abiding Citizen starring Gerard Butler came in second place with reportedly $21.3 million. The action drama, also starring Academy Award winning actor Jamie Foxx, is the story of a man that plots a series of assassinations from behind bars in retaliation for the murder of his family.

In its first week in full release the horror film Paranormal Activity came in third with $20.2 million. The story follows the lives of a couple in their suburban home being traumatized by something paranormal. The movies total gross now stands at $33.7 million. Paramount plans to expand the release next week to compete with the debut of the horror film Saw VI.

Rounding out the top five were Couples Retreat and The Stepfather. Couples Retreat dropped 48% from last weekend, collecting an estimated $17.9 million. Penn Badgley of Gossip Girl fame seemed to not be enough to make the horror film The Stepfather a success. The film debuted in 5th place with $12.5 million.

The weekends top ten:

1. Where the Wild Things Are – $32,470,000
2. Law Abiding Citizen – $21,250,000
3. Paranormal Activity -$20,163,000
4. Couples Retreat – $17,949,000
5. The Stepfather – $12,300,000
6. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs – $8,100,000
7. Zombieland – $7,800,000
8. Toy Story & Toy Story 2 (3D) – $3,011,000
9. Surrogates – $1,922,000
10. The Invention of Lying- $1,905,000

And we have met some of the most interesting and genuine people on those nude beaches because you can’t really be a phoney when you’re standing there in your birthday suit!  The people we’ve met there just wanted a place where they could enjoy the sun, sand and water in peace and quiet!  The party animals were nowhere to be found – and it was the most relaxed we’ve ever been!

Our first experience with a nude beach was on “the island” at Couples Resort in Jamaica.  We went there to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. The island sits offshore and a little skiff taxis you out there (or at least that’s the way it was 15 years ago).  We decided to give it a go, and discovered that it was one of the most peaceful places at the resort!  Away from all the games and partying on the main beach and pool areas, the only sound was the waves breaking on the rocks.  There are little huts with shady hammocks, and a self service, fully stocked bar (remember, Couples is an all-inclusive resort, so you don’t have to try to find a place to carry your money   Once we discovered it, we did our “off resort” activities in the mornings, and spent every afternoon in the calm of the island. 

Our next experience was a trip to a private island in the Bahamas.  After flying into the main island, we took a small 4 seater plane to the island.  Visitors each had their own little villa on the beach, and there were several nude beaches to choose from – so sometimes we had the whole beach to ourselves.  The ”main house” supplied all meals and snacks, etc.   Each night we all dressed and went up for dinner and the tables were all set as tables for two, but Robbie, the owner, gladly helped us pull all the tables together so we could all chat with each other over dinner.

Among the people we met on that trip were a plastic surgeon, an investment banker,  and a nurse who served on one of those flying hospitals that goes around the world helping people in need of special surgeries, and couples from all over the world.  Talk about fascinating dinner conversation.  And each of them was one of the nicest people that we’ve ever met.

The amazing part for me, was how easily I adapted to sitting around a pool or on the beach chatting away with no clothes on.  It actually becomes something you don’t even think about.  I think the reason it is so comfortable is because everyone is nude, not just you!  It kind of evens the field, because everyone is putting themselves out there – literally – and that makes the part of us that might normally criticize something about someone in even the most innocent manner, disappear.  What you get, in every sense of the word is genuine.

So, we’ve had some of our most relaxing vacations naked on the beach, and I say if you have a chance to take it all off and spend a day naked on a beach somewhere – go for it!!

I have sent many a couple to the Couples Resorts for destination weddings, but the most recent is Tabitha Durkee and Kirk Arneson. They are planning their destination wedding to the Couples Swept Away on April 1, 2008 for about 30 guests. Take a look at their website

http://www.kirkandtabitha.com/bonusone.asp

If you are thinking about a destination wedding and want some great location ideas, check out this site with the top ten destinations!

http://www.amtweddings.com/destination-wedding-top.html

As always, I am happy to answer any questions about honeymoons or destination weddings!