Our Trip to Jamaica with Ivan
Butch and Kathy at Grand Lido Braco
September 4th – 15th, 2004
Butch and I arrived approximately 7:00 AM September 4th at MBJ, collected our luggage, went through customs, then on to the SuperClubs Lounge to wait for our transportation which didn’t take long. We arrived at Braco, greeted with a cold, wet wash cloth as usual, and enjoyed the breakfast buffet and the pool while waiting for our room to be ready. After getting our room and through Thursday, the 9th at 10:00 PM, we were enjoying Braco and all it’s amenities. During this time we had the pleasure of meeting Martha. She is such a sweet and hard working woman. She was not on a vacation, but in Jamaica helping the children as usual.
We received our first notice under our door September 8th, that Jamaica was under Hurricane watch and that Ivan was currently a category 4. The second notice arrived later that day advising us that the National Hurricane Center predicted a track directly at Jamaica. September 9th we received our third letter advising us that Hurricane Ivan was coming our (Jamaica’s) way and was currently a Category 5 Hurricane. Ivan was scheduled to reach Landfall midmorning, Friday, September 10th. Guests were all advised for their safety to gather inside the Court House in the Town Square at 9:00 AM for breakfast with our Important Docs and valuables as we would remain there to wait out the Hurricane. We all packed up our luggage and left it in our rooms to await our return we hoped. Many tried and managed to get a flight out on the 9th, but about 25 guests were not able to.
In the afternoon, Ron gave us the option to go to Starfish, as it is on higher ground and a bit more away from the ocean than Braco. Butch and I didn’t know what to do, but the more we thought about it, we figured if it’s a category 5, it would be the safest place for us. We felt we were abandoning so many by leaving, but because I was scared to death, we chose to go. Ron personally drove us and 6 others to remain there throughout the Hurricane. They gave us a room there, but at dinner we were to all gather in The Great Hall to wait out the Hurricane. They did a great job there keeping us updated, fed, and also entertained with games, movies, music, and various activities for the Children. We were able to go out for fresh air now and then before midnight to watch the wind and rain. When we remained in the Great Hall the rest of the night during the worst of the storm, we could not hear the winds or rain, which probably was a blessing for us all. I understand it was quite loud in the Court House at Braco. But they had a Great General Manager in Ron. He sat up all night outside watching out for everyone, in case they needed to move to higher ground.
By afternoon Saturday, September 11th, we were able to return to the room they had assigned to us at Starfish, although we had no water until Ron picked us up in the Lidosine and safely delivered us back to our Friends and Family at Braco on Sunday.
Upon returning we saw the destruction Ivan had caused, but it could have been so much worse. Ron and ALL his staff worked hard getting everything cleaned up. Some of the guests were pitching in alongside the staff to get Braco back to it’s beautiful self.
As far as I know no one started flying out until Monday or Tuesday. The guests slowly dwindled down to only six of us Tuesday night. When we left Wednesday, the 15th with another couple, only two guests were left who were leaving Thursday, the 16th.
I cannot say enough about Ron and ALL His Staff. I’d love to name them all, but I’m afraid I’d forget someone and I don’t want to do that. They made sure we were safe, comfortable and well fed even though they had their own concerns over their own Family members, Friends, and their homes. And when I say well fed…..I mean the most delicious food Chef Joseph and his crew could have prepared. Chef Joseph pampered us……wellllll..… I should say he pampered our tummies.
I don’t know if you could say we’re crazy, but we will be returning again next year, same time, same place.
Below is the url for the pictures I have uploaded and a brief description of groups of the pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/butchandkathy
Date Pictures Description
9/4 – 9/9/04 1 – 73 Pre Ivan
9/9 – 9/10/04 74 – 115 Ivan Preps and Court House
9/10 – 9/11/04 116 – 130 Starfish
9/12 – 9/15/04 132 – 253 Braco after Ivan
I cannot express how much we appreciate what everyone did at Braco for us!!!! Love to All!!
Butch and Kathy Willerford