In my job there’s never a dull moment. I had a real blast recently when I got to meet and hang out with 60 of the world’s most cutting edge social media journalists at the amazing White Nite Fantasy Party, which Sandals hosted at Sandals Cay, the private island off Sandals Royal Caribbean.
 

The journalists, who were from industry leading organizations like ABC, AOL, Newsweek, the New York Times, Cosmo, Esquire and People Magazine, were all down in Jamaica as part of the top secret JetMystery Weekend trip organized by JetBlue Airlines, the Jamaica Tourist Board and the online magazine, Thrillist.
 

The White Nite Party was one of the highlights of the whole weekend. Over 300 people dressed in white came out to eat, drink, dance, see and be seen. The music was jumping, with dancehall beats from Craig “Serani” Marsh. The food was delicious, provided by our incredible Sandals chefs. The drinks never stopped flowing. And all the while, all the action was being tweeted and facebooked in real time. It was an unbelievable night!

Check out all the smiles as I pose with John Lynch, Chairman of the JTB; Ben Lerer, the CEO of Thrillist; Chad Myerson, the Head of Caribbean & Latin American Sales; and Adam Rich, Editor in Chief of Thrillist.

Ciao Bella’s Michelle Rousseau and interior design stylist Gillian Henry show the rest of us how to look really cool in white.

Stilt-walker Errol Rowe gives a big thumbs-up, as he soaks up the party vibes with Unique Vacations’ Executives Ryvis Sierra and Yoni Epstein and Sandals Lifestyle’s Lisa Lake.

People Magazine Editor Amy Keith looks like she’s really enjoying her evening on Sandals Cay!
 

Here I am giving everyone a warm welcome and inviting them to let go, take in the chic, tropical vibes and enjoy the party!

Serani wows the crowd with some of his most smokin’ hits.

All of my life I’ve had a strong connection to and love for the ocean. I’ve spent countless hours and days swimming, fishing and boating in the waters of the Caribbean. Without the incredible crystal-clear seas and white-sand beaches of the islands, there would be no such thing as Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Basically, the very success of entire populations across the region relies on a healthy and strong marine environment to help sustain a whole slew of industries ranging from tourism to fishing.
 

That’s why the Sandals Foundation, in conjunction with the Jamaican government and with the cooperation of local fishermen and community members, has been working so hard to create a series of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) throughout the island. By prohibiting fishing within their boundaries and allowing the fish population to rebound from decades of overfishing, these MPAs will eventually cause a chain reaction that will restore Jamaican coral reefs to health, which will build up the beautiful beaches and spawn even more fish for the fishing industry. So, in the long run, this will benefit not only the environment, but also the economy of the local community as well.
 

After all the hard work and planning, we just officially opened our very first MPA in Ocho Rios. Everyone who attended the official launch ceremony at Beaches Boscobel for the very first of what we hope will be many MPAs was excited about this project. For those who were instrumental in bringing this first sanctuary online, including Christopher Tufton, the Agricultural Minister of Jamaica, and Heidi Clarke, the Senior Coordinator of the Sandals Foundation, this was a very proud moment. It’s taken a lot of blood sweat and tears and required a ton of cooperation, but now that we’ve established this first MPA, I am convinced that we’re on our way to preserving our marine ecology and rejuvenating our coastal communities. Great things lie ahead!

It was a great honor to say a few words to officially kick off this very first Marine Protected Environment in Jamaica.

Looking out towards the new marine sanctuary, with a plaque marking the area and describing the project in the background.

I look on with a big smile, as Jamaican Agriculture Minister, Christopher Tufton, gets ready to cut the ribbon officially opening up the MPA.

Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton and I read the plaque that sits in front of and explains the MPA. It felt amazing to finally see all our effort paying off.

Jamaican Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton, Sandals Foundation Coordinator, Heidi Clarke, and I commemorate the start of this amazing project with big smiles, as we stand next to the MPA plaque.
 

There’s been a lot of buzz lately around the opening of a brand new adventure tour operation in the Caribbean, Island Routes, which offers excursions designed by natives of these islands—like myself and my family—who grew up finding and playing in the best and most beautiful spots in the whole region.
 

Since I first told you about the formation of Island Routes—an independent company that is affiliated with Sandals and Beaches—earlier this year, I’ve been truly looking forward to the moment that we could get the ball rolling and officially kick off this incredible venture. And that’s just what we did earlier this week with a three-day extravaganza of touring, dining and celebrating throughout the North Coast of Jamaica. We invited local and international members of the press to come and participate in Island Routes’ grand opening events and it definitely seemed like a good time was had by all.
 

During the days, people could choose from a whole range of unbelievable excursions, like swimming with the dolphins, deep sea fishing or river tubing. And at night we all got together and had a blast. One of the evenings we all took a sunset cruise on a catamaran and ended up dancing on the beach to some totally authentic Caribbean vibes. At the end of the three days, I think everyone was blown away by the range of choices and the quality of the thrilling adventures that Island Routes has to offer. Island Routes really allows us to show off the magical sights and experiences of the Caribbean—something I never get tired of doing. You should definitely come and check it out for yourselves!

Carmen Munoz of Casa Naranja Media Group in New York and James Ruggis, Executive Editor of Modern Agent, wave to the camera as they enjoy one of Island Routes tours—being poled down the Martha Brae River on an authentic bamboo raft.
 

Here I am pointing out something interesting to Peter Zaremba, the travel writer from the New York Daily News, as we sail along on a sunset cruise.

Striking a pose and sharing a laugh aboard the sunset cruise catamaran with Dominique Peterkin, the General Manager of Island Routes and Roberta Garzaroli, the President of the Atrebor Group, the PR Agency that’s representing Island Routes.
 

Island Routes General Manager, Dominique Peterkin, shows off some stylin' moves, as she shares a dance on the sand with Walter Greene, the Travel Editor for Carib News.

Showing some real commitment to her job (and some impressive rhythm), Island Routes GM, Dominique Peterkin and a group of Island Routes Team Members lead the whole crowd in a traditional Jamaican dance during the launch party.