Last week offered a truly special opportunity: an unforgettable escape to the sun-drenched shores of Jamaica with my beloved sister. While our family often travels together, this marked our very first adventure as just the two of us – a unique “Sister Moon” that we both cherished deeply. It was a chance to reconnect, relax, and create lasting memories in a breathtaking tropical paradise.
It’s a running joke that my sister, Shell, and I are often mistaken for twins. Typically, this happens perhaps twice a year, but during our recent five-day Jamaican getaway, the mistaken identity occurred at least ten times! Despite the frequent comparisons, we are unequivocally sisters, born just 12 and a half months apart. Interestingly, I’m almost always perceived as the older sibling, likely due to being two inches taller. But don’t let the height difference fool you; we’re two peas in a pod, ready for any adventure.
Many of you might be wondering, “Didn’t Shell just get married?” And indeed, she did! Shell tied the knot just three weeks prior to our Jamaican journey (you can find more details about her beautiful wedding here). Fortunately, she was in between jobs, which perfectly aligned with the timing of this trip. We affectionately dubbed our getaway a “Sister Moon,” a playful nod to her recent nuptials. Shell and her husband, Ben, had a charming “mini-moon” shortly after their wedding, exploring the serene Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota. Their grand honeymoon to Southeast Asia is planned for the upcoming winter holidays, promising another incredible adventure for the newlyweds.
The Purpose of My Jamaican Journey: A Funjet Vacations Partnership
This incredible trip to Jamaica was technically a work assignment, a fantastic partnership with Funjet Vacations. They were actively filming a documentary-style video series across Jamaica and invited me to participate as an influencer. It was an honor and a thrill to be chosen for such an exciting project! The best part was that Funjet only required my presence for a single video shoot on Friday, leaving the rest of our time completely free to relax, explore, and fully immerse ourselves in the luxurious offerings of Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. Yah, mon, it was truly a dream come true.
Funjet Vacations holds a special place for me, as they are based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – my home state (woot!). I was already very familiar with their exceptional services, having heard countless positive experiences. Funjet specializes in booking all-inclusive vacation packages to stunning destinations worldwide, including the captivating Caribbean. What truly sets Funjet apart, and something I deeply appreciate, are their convenient charter flights that depart directly from major U.S. cities, including Minneapolis. There’s nothing quite like the ease and efficiency of a direct flight straight to paradise, minimizing travel stress and maximizing relaxation time. The entire Funjet film crew was an absolute delight; their professionalism and vibrant energy made the experience even more enjoyable. It reaffirmed my belief that Wisconsinites genuinely make the world a better place!
Our Luxurious Sanctuary: Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Ocho Rios
As previously mentioned, our home away from home was the exquisite SANDALS Ochi Beach Resort, nestled in the vibrant town of Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This particular resort is designed as an adults-only, all-inclusive haven. While I’ve experienced all-inclusive resorts before, this was my first time at an adults-only property. In fact, it’s primarily a couples-only resort, which added a humorous twist to our “Sister Moon” adventure. Shell and I were almost certainly the only non-couple guests there, but by the end of our stay, everyone knew us simply as “the sisters.” It was a fun and unique dynamic that made our trip even more memorable.
The resort itself was nothing short of magnificent. We were privileged to stay in a stunning villa, fully equipped with its own private pool – a true luxury. Adding to this exclusive experience, we also had our very own personal butler. Yes, you read that correctly: a butler! Our butler ensured every need was met, from booking dinner reservations to arranging our daily activities, making our stay effortlessly enjoyable.
Sandals Ochi Beach Resort is truly massive, boasting an impressive array of amenities including over 16 distinct restaurants, a championship golf course, direct beach access, and countless sparkling swimming pools scattered throughout the property. Despite the vast options, we spent a significant portion of our time simply lounging on the pristine beach, a good book in hand. It might surprise some, as I’m not typically an avid reader, but the tranquil setting was perfect for it. Beyond relaxation, we made sure to indulge in a variety of thrilling water sports, which I’ll elaborate on further below.
Experiencing Jamaica: Culinary Delights, Adventures & Relaxation
Culinary Journey: Indulging in Jamaican Flavors and Global Cuisine
I honestly feel like I haven’t stopped eating for the past two weeks straight, and I have Jamaica and its incredible culinary scene to thank for that! Sandals Ochi offers a fantastic mix of dining experiences. While there were a few buffet-style restaurants on the property, we generally opted for these only at breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, I stuck to my comforting routine: a hearty bowl of oatmeal, sliced banana, and a dollop of peanut butter, all washed down with an abundance of coffee. A classic start to any day, especially one filled with adventure.
With an impressive selection of 16 restaurants, we were determined to savor as much of the diverse cuisine as possible. My absolute favorites were “The Manor House” and “Soy.” The Manor House captivated my taste buds with its authentic Caribbean and local Jamaican flavors. As a huge seafood enthusiast, I was in heaven! The vibrant spices and fresh ingredients were simply exquisite. My top recommendation from this restaurant would undoubtedly be the Curried Goat – a dish bursting with flavor and perfectly prepared. Soy, on the other hand, was a fantastic sushi house. Given the all-inclusive nature of the resort, it was essentially an all-you-can-eat sushi paradise. Can I just have this every day for the rest of my life? The fresh fish was impeccably sourced and expertly crafted, and the fried ice cream dessert was the perfect sweet ending.
During the Friday video shoot, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a cooking class led by one of the resort’s talented chefs. It was a truly enriching experience to learn how to prepare two traditional Jamaican dishes: Ackee and Saltfish, and Vegetable Rundown. I absolutely love bringing new recipes home from my travels, and these will certainly be added to my culinary repertoire, allowing me to relive a piece of Jamaica in my own kitchen.
Beyond the abundance of food, Shell and I primarily stuck to vino when it came to beverages. I initially tried to stick to red wine throughout the trip, but the tropical Jamaican heat quickly swayed me. There’s really nothing like a crisp, chilled chardonnay on a sweltering day! We did venture out to try a few of the resort’s signature cocktails at “The Rabbit Hole,” arguably the coolest and most uniquely themed bar on the entire property. Its speakeasy vibe was a delightful surprise. And how could I possibly forget to mention the soft-serve ice cream? Let’s just say “two-a-day” became a standard part of our routine!
Staying Active: Fitness and Adventure at the Resort
The resort boasted an excellent fitness facility, which Shell and I made sure to utilize. We managed to squeeze in workouts on three out of our five days, which I consider pretty good for a vacation! We pulled two workouts from my The Summer SWEAT Series program, each session starting with an energizing one-mile jog/sprint. Many people often ask why I bother working out while on vacation, and my response is always the same: because I *am* on vacation! Working out is an integral part of my lifestyle; I feel my best when I incorporate daily movement, so why would I stop when I have all the time in the world to focus on my well-being?
Conquering Heights: Rock Climbing Fun
I haven’t attempted rock climbing since I was probably ten years old, so when it was included as part of the video shoot, I was a little nervous but secretly excited! I crossed my fingers, hoping I’d manage without too much trouble. To my pleasant surprise, I discovered I’m not too shabby at it, and I actually really enjoy the challenge! My first attempt involved relying too heavily on upper body strength instead of leveraging my legs, which was a bad strategy. However, with each subsequent climb – my second, third, and fourth attempts – my form significantly improved. I’m pleasantly surprised that I didn’t wake up with sore forearms or wrists, especially considering how much they were shaking after tackling the rock wall four times in just 30 minutes!
Paddle Boarding Paradise: Stand-Up Paddle (SUP)
If I could, I would live my life on a paddleboard. Seriously, I absolutely adore it! There’s something incredibly peaceful about gliding across the water, and it’s a fantastic way to achieve a full-body tan while you’re at it. The resort’s all-inclusive package included an awesome selection of water sports, and we definitely took full advantage of the unlimited stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) usage. We went out on two separate occasions. The second time, it was incredibly windy, which made covering any significant distance quite a challenge – a true test of balance and endurance! Even so, it was immensely fun, and I’m proud to report I only fell in once!
Unplugging and Unwinding: The Joy of Reading
I READ A BOOK. Can someone please give me a gold star sticker?! I often joke with my sister that I “can’t read” because, honestly, I haven’t enjoyed it much in the past. However, this is something I’m actively trying to change. I often find myself so consumed by technology that I struggle to disconnect from my phone and simply get lost in a story. Shell, on the other hand, reads at least a book a week, a habit I greatly admire. I’m starting small, challenging myself to read one book a month, and I genuinely believe I can achieve this goal.
For this trip, I picked up “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell, which proved to be a fabulous and easy read. I even managed to finish it in just three days, a personal record!
Oh, young love! I’m an absolute sucker for a good love story and still get butterflies reading about the initial sparks and tender feelings between two people in the early stages of a relationship. Shell spent her reading time with “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a compelling narrative about a Nigerian couple navigating life as they move away from and then back to Nigeria over two decades. This book delves deeply into the complexities of young love, the immigrant experience, and issues of race. Shell highly recommends it, giving it two enthusiastic thumbs up. Currently, my sister is engrossed in “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline and has suggested “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes (the author she meant) as my next read. Has anyone else read either of these fantastic books? I always appreciate her thoughtful recommendations and her “dirty work” of finding great reads!
Underwater Wonders: Snorkeling Adventures
Snorkeling was another exciting activity included in the video shoot, making the experience even more special. It was incredibly cool to see three underwater video cameras capturing all the action throughout our time in the water. I genuinely cannot wait to see the finished footage!
We boarded a boat and took a short, scenic five-minute ride down the coast to a vibrant reef. Once there, we quickly donned our flippers, goggles, and breathing tubes, and plunged into the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea. I can’t recall the last time I simply floated in the water, observing the bustling underwater world around me. The reef teemed with an incredible array of marine creatures. While I hoped to spot a majestic sea turtle or a graceful stingray, those sightings didn’t materialize. However, I was very successful in avoiding sharks, which was a relief! Whew.
Does anyone else suffer from seasickness on boats? Man, it gets me every time! Before each boat ride, I tell myself to just suck it up, that it won’t happen this time. MERRRRR. Once I’m in the water, I’m perfectly fine, but I turn into such a baby when it comes to boats! Interestingly, both my sister and I are quite prone to motion sickness, especially on buses or in the backseat of a car. It’s a shared struggle that often leads to pre-trip dramamine discussions!
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Overall, our “Sister Moon” trip to Jamaica was an absolutely fantastic experience! I won’t lie, it was a little amusing being the only non-couple guests at a predominantly couples-focused resort, but we thoroughly enjoyed our stay nonetheless. The staff at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort were absolutely phenomenal – a special shout-out to our incredible butlers and the general manager, O’Brian, who went above and beyond to make our visit perfect! The resort’s atmosphere was incredibly friendly and undeniably romantic, offering an abundance of activities, sights, and culinary delights. It truly was a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
This post is proudly sponsored by Funjet Vacations. All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own, reflecting my genuine experiences. Thank you for supporting Fit Foodie Finds and the amazing partnerships that make these adventures possible!