Christmas in Paradise - Santa in Swiming Trunks and Sandals

Traveling on Christmas is not such a bad experience as it's filled with holiday bliss from the seasonal activities; the celebration of the birth of Christ; and anticipation of arriving in a beautiful tropical location.

Shorts, swimsuits, sunglasses, and sandals neatly tucked away in a suitcase with only the essential electronics and camera packed in the carry-on. The auto-response "out of the office" message is set on both work and personal email accounts leaving only peace and relaxation for the next several days.

On Christmas day, the airports and planes are relatively quiet and uncrowded except for the hand full of travelers with the same idea of escaping the cold to seek warmth and refuge from the Caribbean sun.

Unfortunately, flying to or from Atlanta on Delta has recently turned out to be challenging at best; very different from the usual efficient services from this Atlanta-based Airlines. Today has been no exception. What would have been routine travel on a clear day turned out to be an exercise in patience due to more than an hour delay as a result of a “computer glitch”.

Nevertheless, the spirit of Christmas is upon us, and the anticipation of the sun on our faces and toes in the sand wipe away the gloom of announced delays in the F terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

After several hours of travel, the reward is the inviting Caribbean Sea and tropical warmth of the Jamaican paradise, Jewel Grande Montego Bay.

See you next year.