A Vision in Paradise

A Vision in Paradise 3: Roots, Reggae, and Revival will be held at the Half Moon Beach rustic retreat in Green Island, Jamaica, March 8-13, 2023. Let AVIP open your eyes and your mind to a Burn-inspired occasion, a magical immersive week right on the Caribbean. Tickets are just $500 through February 8, 2023.

Half Moon Beach and its warm staff welcome us and will be our Home. The campground is privately owned and the management appreciates the vibe that we bring. Our first event there in 2020 laid a solid groundwork that we built on in 2022, and your von Thyme Productions event organizers are working with the property owners and managers to make Round 3 the best time yet. Check out their website to see the beauty of this unique beachfront locale.

    
EVENT PHILOSOPHY: We will explore friendships -- established, new, and budding -- within this amazing property. There will be participant-led workshops and events, along with meals and entertainment to be shared and enjoyed as a group. Personal growth will be heightened by participation and commitment.   

This will be an Immersive Experience. Like a regional Burn, we hope most attendees can check in to the campground by Wednesday, and stay until "MOOP Patrol Monday". You may wish to make time for Jamaican tourism and other adventures before and after the event. The organizers and our hosts have scored all the good info to support you on that, but during AVIP, the focus will be our camp and our people!   

This is NOT a Burn or an official Burning Man event. While it is inspired by the 10 Principles and the ethos of Burnerdom, many significant differences exist due to the nature of the host property, and to the distance from our home bases.   

Participation is a key to AVIP. Each participant is expected to lead or co-lead one event. Past offerings have included yoga, relationship workshops, interactive coloring, group meditation, intention setting, story exchanges, and an effigy build and burn.

HOSTLY PLACE: We will again be based at a rustic campground set on a singularly beautiful private beach just over an hour from the major airport in Montego Bay. The property has been developed with events just like ours in mind and has hosted from 25 to 200 people. They are experienced and have the connections to make our Vision fly high.   

Getting there is very easy, as all it takes is to follow the coast road. We will arrange or recommend on-island transportation options that will cost about $25 U.S. one way. One can also rent a car but this is not recommended.   

FACILITIES: The property is large and private, set back from the main road.  There are cabins, and ample space for tenting. There are pavilions for meals and workshops and bathrooms with running water and showers. The cabins are available on a first-request basis, with the proviso that they will also be used as theme camp/entertainment bases. Staying in a "Theme Camp Cabin" will cost $80 extra per participant for the duration. Note that cabins sold out in the past, so make your plans early if you want to stay in one.  If you are interested in organizing or joining a Theme Camp Cabin, please contact Brewster. 

FOOD: A core element of many Burner community events is food preparation and sharing. We will prepare some meals ourselves and have access to the beach bar a la carte, but will have dinners prepared for our group (this is included in the event price) from Wednesday dinner through Sunday dinner. The advantages of this include having vegetarian or vegan options if desired and freeing our time from cooking duties. Past participants appreciated the fresh ingredients and healthy offerings.

SAFETY THIRD (also first and second): Jamaica has safety measures in place. The place we are staying is very isolated. All of our activities are planned to be outdoors. While our hope is to ensure nobody gets sick, vaccination reduces not only the risk but the potential severity of illness. If anyone has a medical or other reason for not being vaccinated that can be discussed with the organizers on an individual basis.

HOW MANY TICKETS WILL BE SOLD? Up to 50, followed by evaluation/waitlist.

COSTS: First tier tickets for AVIP were $420 through November 30. From December 1 through January 31, second tier tickets will go on sale, for $500. The third and final tier begins February 1 and are $600 and available until and unless we reach capacity. As noted above, a cabin space costs an additional $80.

Signing up early gets you a bargain rate and helps your organizers big time. We have payments due for the resort and many elements well in advance and so early payment is a win/win for all. The higher cost of later tiers cover added events and hires that a larger group of people will necessitate. 

What is included in that wad of American dollars? A place for your tent for six nights (also see cabin info above); group dinners every night plus additional food; running water and electricity; memorable entertainment; an event shirt; and other special treats.   

What is not included (what you have to tend to, with the organizers' enthusiastic support): airplane to Jamaica; ground transport; cash bar and grill on the property; tips; gear (e.g. snorkel equipment); materials for events you may lead.  

HOW TO PAY?

The best way to reserve your Vision is by PayPal to BrewThack@gmail.com; alternate options available, just ask. Payment plans may be possible.

PAYMENT PLANS & SCHOLARSHIPS: If you cannot swing the full amount up front, we can likely do a payment plan and lock in the tier for the date when you commit. Just ask. Contingent on ticket sales we hope to do partial "scholarships" for participatory folks and event leaders and performers who need them. Glad to put anyone on a list for consideration.  

Additional information:

BEACH: The beach and parkland are available for all of our use. The beach is always open. The water will be warm enough for swimming at all times (we prepaid to heat it). Plan to bring snorkels and masks, as there is a coral reef nearby that will enchant you. Bathing suits are optional most of the time. Fires will be possible in designated areas that are established by the property owner. Fire spinning is encouraged. 

CLIMATE: Jamaican weather is very predictable in this season. Daily highs will be between 82 and 86, and nightly lows will be in the 70s. You can live in shorts and a t-shirt. There is no air conditioning. Breezes and shade make it very pleasant, and you don’t need any heat at night. We will be ahead of the rainy season will be coming, but there may be a few hours of precipitation any day -- rarely more. It is not hurricane season.

    
Bring a jacket or raincoat if concerned. Bring sunscreen (lots of it!) and bug spray just in case.   

ALCOHOL AND INTOXICANTS: Per our hosts, we may NOT bring alcohol for public consumption, nor set up a bar. Alcohol in our cabins is fine. Some alcohol may be provided in the event cost at specific events, and alcohol will be from a cash bar. This ensures cost fairness for those who drink (or don’t drink) in varying amounts. Prices will be lower than we are used to at events in the States. Marijuana is decriminalized and widely available in Jamaica. Smoking in the campground is acceptable. We caution against consuming edibles – they are quite strong and have been known to ruin a day. Other narcotics are illegal in Jamaica and should never be publicly discussed or used. (Don't get kicked out of Paradise!) Cigarette smoking is permitted in designated areas. 

RULES AND EXPECTATIONS: We will follow the rules of the property out of respect for our hosts. Beyond that we will follow the 10 Principles. Other rules and expectations will be posted as determined and needed.   

KIDS & ANIMALS: This is not a kid-friendly event. Small children (under 6) may be considered on a case-by-case basis with close supervision. The event will not be appropriate for kids 6-17. Service animals will be accommodated to the best of our host's ability.   

PRE- AND POST-EVENT OPPORTUNITIES: If you would like to arrive a day or two early (Monday or Tuesday) and stay on site you can, for just $50 per day additional per person. You’re flying all the way to Jamaica – tack on a few days if you can! 

Negril is within 10 miles and is an amazing town of beaches and cliffs and reggae music. Your organizers have scouted and can help you plan the extended vacation of your dreams. For those on a budget, lovely hotel rooms for two can be had on the beach for under $100, and house rentals are a possibility for larger groups. There are hostel-type accommodations or AirBnB options for under $50. If you prefer to splurge, there are numerous resorts in the area, some all-inclusive, including the legendary and wild Hedonism II. von Thyme Productions will be glad to play travel agent and help you figure out your best plan before or after AVIP.

WHAT IF THE STATE OF THE WORLD DOES NOT PERMIT TRAVEL AND EVENTS IN MARCH 2023?

If things take a turn for the worse and this event has to be cancelled, von Thyme Productions will provide a full refund to all who have registered. The final decision will be made by February 1, 2023, whether an event can reasonably and responsibly be held one month from then. Stay optimistic, and root for this year to be better! 

For more information, and to make your reservation: Please email Brewster,  or call 703/508-4418.

See you in Paradise!!!