I bombarded Sherman with questions about any and everything, I kept changing my mind and my plans for about two years but finally I took the plunge. Partly because Sherman seemed such a nice and genuine guy. He was so patient, friendly and accommodating. I wanted to see y family but could not afford the significant expense that comes with a holiday in Jamaica. The cost for Rayann's place was affordable and paying through Trip Advisor the cost was paid at my pace.
So, Sherman gave me details of how to contact Carline and we made contact over a year before we arrived. On arrival she directed our driver and was ever so welcoming and charming. She had received my dad whilst we were on route and my father also purports that she was a good host.
As we arrived Carline showed us around and showed us how to use everything. There were a few little items broken by others before we arrived which she pointed out with care.
Rayann's place is situated just outside tower isle, away from OCHO RIOS. This is good, I preferred the location to be more family friendly and less intimidating( I am a village girl) We had the top floor and it was plenty of space for us to have our family reunion.. It was clean and breezy, and we felt safe too. We overlooked a nice garden both front and back. We had everything we needed, plenty of sheets and towels, plenty of plates and cutlery. Iron and ironing board, washing machine etc. Our three bedroom apartment, was pretty much a large house, it had its own private entrance and exit. We had our own keys and Carline left us to do what we wished.
Sadly our daughter fell ill the second night after we arrived and we needed to ring an ambulance. Panic set in, and I quickly learnt that the quickest way to a hospital is by taxi or private transport. Carline was around our house like a shot, as she heard the screams. She not only managed the property she managed the situation for us. Carline stayed with the boys whilst another guest took us to hospital. Even with helping us Carline had manners and respected our privacy asking if it was ok for her to come in.In that time we had to go hospital three times and each time Carline was there. She has shown us unbelievable kindness that we believe helped saved our daughter's life.
We owe her a debt of gratitude.
Carline is a fantastic cook, we had the opportunity to eat her cooking when we went to a social kept a the Rio Nuevo Battle site, where Carline was cooking, music was playing and everyone got together to enjoy Easter. We would have had more chances to try her cooking but we were at one doctor or another, that said, everyday you could smell her cooking something nice.
We did not have much of a holiday and much cost was was spent at the doctors so we did not have time to have the family reunion that we envisioned. Nevertheless, we saw our loved ones and we benefited from the kindness and generousity of others such as Carline, Sean and all those, who were instrumental in getting Olive urgent care or looking in on the boys. Something, that we feel is far more remarkable and will stick in our heads far longer than any holiday. Furthermore, when we left Rayann's place our hosts could not live up to the expectations with the bar you have set.
Well done Sherman and Carline. You created a home from home.
We don't know if we will ever have the opportunity to visit again but would love to stay at Rayann's place if the opportunity allows us, especially with all the things you have planned for it, e.g. your cook shop and the pool. We will most definitely recommend and if we can't come we will have pleasure remembering.