Dominican Republic
We had a wonderful time traveling with my Dad, Rosy, Izzy and my Aunt Marta to the DR. We haven't traveled since Mexico in February so we were LONG due for a vacation.
We flew first class the way there and of course I was delusional because I had just gotten off of a long stretch of work. Pretty sure I blinked and we were there!
We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel in beautiful Punta Cana and it was incredible. We had our private room with our own jacuzzi.
Madonna's Limo from the Grammy's a while back |
Hotel main lobby |
One of the first things we did was hit the ocean. We had our own private cabana and soaked up the sun as much as we could.
The food at our all inclusive resort was to die for. They had a Brazilian Steakhouse called Ipanema, Habachi restaurant called Zen, Italian, Mexican, All American, and another restaurant that rotated different styles of food like Dominican and Asian. When we went to the Zen restaurant the chef made us a little fried rice heart after we told him we were newly married. He also took turns throwing a piece of egg into our mouths. I'm happy to report we all successfully caught it. Jaime caught a piece from like 15 feet away everyone clapped and cheered.
Fajitas! |
Pizza! |
Best chocolate cake ever |
The Brazilian |
Fried Cheese |
Our heart shaped fried rice |
Probably went here every night......... |
Marta's Sushi |
One of the tours we went on was called the Buggies tour. We got set up with a mini Jeep and cruised through the jungle. There was a part with a muddy river and I got in trouble for flooring the car through it (both from Jaime for ruining his shoes and the Dominican dude because it was ruin the transmission...can't help it I'm a wild child). We took a pit stop and drank fresh coconut and jumped in the ocean to clean off.
Adrianna: "Jaime make a gangsta face" |
Jaime: "This is nothing like a gansta face...." |
Our buggy |
We jumped in the ocean on our buggy ride |
Fresh coconut |
Fun in the sun with my best friends.
Night time cruising & selfies.
Sometimes I order two entrees.... |
One night Jaime, Izzy, my Dad and I all played 18 holes of mini golf. Can you guess who the winner was!? Pretty sure I was the only one taking it seriously. Yes I did win but it was pretty close.
From crossfit to golfers...jk we will stick with crossfit |
Our favorite excursion was called the Dominican Country. We were paired with another family and traveled out in the country to see a traditional home. It was very humbling to see how little the families lived with and yet how happy they were. Our tour guide Sammy was very knowledgeable about agriculture, politics and facts about the country. He said there were no jails because there was no crime. He said everybody just trying to survive and helps each other out in the process. Can you imagine the US without correctional facilities!? The people in the DR have the bare minimum to get by yet they are content with life and appreciate what they have. They love their neighbors and help each other out. It's really pathetic to think of how much we have in abundance here and yet society always wants "more more more." Many people think the grass is always greener on the other side and are competing with their neighbors. It's very refreshing to travel the world and be humbled and inspired to see a culture where "less is more" in terms of happiness and peace. While on the excursion we were able to see how coffee is made from small coffee beans and how chocolate is made from cocoa beans. We got to taste fresh coffee and chocolate and they both were amazing! We bought some of the products from the women in the community to support the local economy. We also got to see how the locals made cigars from fresh tobacco leaves. Next we went through a little cave and got to see some early artwork. The cave eventually led us to a site that portrayed an old indigenous tribe and they had a little skit prepared for us and talked about some of the earliest ancestors from the DR. After we headed back to our car and talked a little more to Sammy. We asked him where people go to party and he said the car wash! We were so confused. He said the discotecas were only open during the day and everyone went to the car wash to party at night because it was free! He kept shouting to his friends "See you at the car wash!" It still sounds funny.
The kitchen |
Coffee Beans |
Hot chocolate toast |
The Cave |
We went to one of the beach parties and after about 5 minutes the rain started to pour and everyone ran for cover. It's funny when everyone wanted shelter Jaime and I wanted to start partying. He scooped me up and ran out in the rain and starting twirling me. People thought we were crazy. I love the rain.
We did some workouts in the hotel gym and Jaime even joined me and Izzy on a run. It really was a run if death because it was SO hot. The locals were looking at us like we were high. High on life people!
We had some resort credits and book a couples massage at spa. OMG this 5 star spa was amazing! We had a long massage and then a full body vitamin C treatment. We were cocooned in this wrap of lotion and I felt like a little caterpillar.
Dad won a Michael Jackson contest and as a result won about 50 credits to the casino to play. Jaime showed him the ropes of how to play the slot machines and in about 30 seconds Dad said "This is boring and stupid." He gave Jaime the credits and said "Make me some money." So in about 5 minutes Jaime made about $100 bucks and Dad got really excited. While we were on the slot machines there was an overhead page that Dad got a spot in the slot tournament. He got really excited but once again had no clue what it meant. Jaime explained the rules to him and said you have to tap the button as fast as you can for 5 minutes and the machine with the highest number at the end wins. It was hilarious because he started stretching his arms and fingers and getting all pumped up. He was shown to his machine and the time started. Dad was standing up and pushing the button so hard and fast for about 5 minutes. The casino employees were laughing and cheering him on it was such a sight to see, hilarious really. Unfortunately he didn't win but he was top five. This picture shows his disappointment and partially bruised finger. Jaime and I stayed a played a little longer then eventually headed to bed.
Dads purple finger |
While the vacation was beautiful flying home was another story. They held our plane in the DR waiting for two people which caused us to miss our connecting flight in Houston so we were stuck overnight. I felt so bad Jaime had to miss a big Crossfit Competition he was competing in and he was such a good sport about it! I think I was more upset!
Overall we were so grateful we were able to spend time with family. Little Iz is headed off on her mission soon and it was really special to spend time with her. Even though she joked about being the 5th wheel we made sure she had a good time. She's always a bundle of joy to be around and loved her company. We missed Garret, Cami and Cono but hopefully will travel together together in the future.
Overall we were so grateful we were able to spend time with family. Little Iz is headed off on her mission soon and it was really special to spend time with her. Even though she joked about being the 5th wheel we made sure she had a good time. She's always a bundle of joy to be around and loved her company. We missed Garret, Cami and Cono but hopefully will travel together together in the future.
Mug shots |
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