We had 10 months to anticipate and dream about our luxurious tropical vacation. It was going to be so awesome to get away to somewhere warm and just relax and possibly explore the island life and some waterfalls.
The airport was welcoming with signs saying "you're finally here" and some live music from local musicians as well as the free sample of rum to start your vacation off right.
The cab ride was "cozy." Did you know those lines painted on the road to separate traffic don't actually mean anything??? Neither did I...but our cab driver was super intelligent, he used both lanes as he pleased to get around traffic, which consisted mostly of motorcycles with at least 3 people squished on the back while holding a child over the side. I regret the shock of the sight paralized me to the point that I missed the opportunity to get photo evidence, but trust me, it happened, 3 people, 1 tiny motorcycle and 1 helpless toddler being held (face-out) on the hip of the woman on the very back. Feel free to pause in horror as I did.
The accommodations and amenities were to DIE for! We were provided golf carts to drive around the resort...
We had an adorable villa with it's own pool and seriously UH-MAZING amenities! Oh and don't forget the private beach with our very own covered cabanas!
Now the food, that was something else. AND, all you can eat!!!
It was an ideal family vacation and we had an amazing time!
We'll have to do it again...because the trip you just saw was all part of our dream, you know, that dream we had about our vacation for the 10 months leading up to it. I hate when I forget to sort the photos I create in my head with what happens in real life!
This is what it was really like
We slept...
We ate...
It rained...
We got soaked!
(which is good since there wasn't water for showers)
I fell
(re-enactment for dramatic effect)
And we spent maybe a grand total of 2 hours in the ocean, but we did manage to find a WalMart
And we got to see most of the city of Puerto Plata through the windows of a van on our way back to the airport.
All-in all, we really did have fun. It would have been better if it were raining less, but we did learn a few things.
1. I apparently look Polish or Russian (first time I've ever been asked that)
2. Buy you souvenirs, especially vanilla, at the grocery store, not the little shops
3. If it rains every day of your vacation, and you get an hour of non-rain, you can run around and take pictures of all the cool stuff you could have done or that you did do and didn't take pictures of.
and lastly,
4. As long as you have great people to spend time with the time still flies because you're still having fun!
If you want to see a video of the rain, click here. It pretty much did this non-stop for 3 days. And the lightening will light up the video a few times where you'll be able to see more. The thunder was bone crushing loud but that doesn't really come through from this.
