I want to start by declaring that I’m grateful and that I was happy to be on vacation (most of which I didn’t pay for)!  I know it’s unusual to make this kind of statement but you need to know that this was not the vacation Steve and I would have chosen for us.  But it was impossible to say “no” when your name was randomly drawn to receive a prestigious award from your employer (that you qualified for) and the location was already pre-determined.  Our vacations usually include a rental car and good camera equipment, with the ability to tour around on our own, experiencing local history, vistas, food, and culture.

We are not “beach people”, yet we ended up on our way to Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.  Okay, so it was February and a lot warmer where we went than where we came from, despite our very mild winter this year.  And, it was a luxury, all-inclusive resort.  I know not many readers will feel too sorry for us.

My colleagues were so excited for me – probably, I’m embarrassed to say, more than I was so let’s not tell them – and they guaranteed I’d come back a convert, aching to vacation south every winter hence.  Aside from a cruise about 25 years ago, we’d never taken a Caribbean vacation so had no personal experiences to draw on.  Understanding that we’d been advised not to leave the resort for our personal safety, not to bring our expensive camera equipment at the risk of it being stolen, not to drink the water – not even to brush our teeth with the water – not to eat salads, etc., etc., we went with books and expectations of a lot of rest and relaxation.  And what’s wrong with that, everyone is now asking? It’s just that my perceptions were clouded by restrictions, plus I always feel I should be taking advantage of my vacation time by exploring.  You may be surprised by my conclusions of this five-day adventure.

As far as experiences go, I had two – one amusing, one a bit confusing and frustrating – before we even arrived!

To put the amusing one into context, we went on that cruise I mentioned above with neighbour friends, the wife of that couple being the most honest, law-abiding, and straight-up person.  When we disembarked in Jamaica for a day trip, she was randomly selected at customs to have her bag searched for drugs.  She was so embarrassed and equally outraged that she should be chosen instead of Steve.  Why she thought my husband looked more suspicious and likely to be a drug runner then herself, or her own husband, or me for that matter, is still something we laugh about.  Anyway, back to current day.  As Steve and I were approaching the security station at Pearson, I was randomly selected to be “sniffed” by an electronic device that checked my hands, my feet, and my waist area for drugs and explosives.  Steve was not.  He thinks it’s because I looked like an old hippy.

Completing the paperwork in preparation for our arrival in “the DR” was confusing and frustrating for us, the Caribbean novices.  There were two forms – one to complete as a family, another we each had to complete on our own.  We’ve filled out lots of customs declarations without any help but the family one required some assistance.  There were a few extra spaces to fill in surnames and husband’s surnames which, initially, we thought was for my maiden name and my married name.  Good thing we asked ’cause not so.  We learned that, in Latin cultures, it’s not unusual for someone (the person filling out the form regardless of gender) to have multiple last names (although we never ran into this problem travelling to Europe).  No harm done and forms were submitted correctly.  We were also each given a numbered Tourist Card and told not to lose it as we would need it in order to leave the country.  We joked about maybe not needing it by the time our five days were up!

The resort was huge, the service was beyond excellent, the weather was superb, the food was plentiful and delicious, the pools were great, the beaches were beautiful, the room was okay – like any other hotel room.

I started a tradition on day one (they have to start somewhere) by having the DOTD (drink of the day), a Blue Hawaian.  Other than coconut, I have no idea what was in it as Steve brought it for me, but it was a lovely blue colour and tasted very good.   I liked the lemon dacquiri I had on day two so much, I had two!  Frankly, I can’t remember what the DOTD was on the other days but I remember liking them.  Steve, on the other hand, stuck to his favourites – a beer for his thirst and a Cuba Libre (rum and coke) for his soul.

         

We are not early risers at the best of times.  Our typical day would start with breakfast at the buffet around 10 am and, by the time we were finished, the staff was starting the process of setting up for lunch!  But, on day three, because we were in the eastern Caribbean, we arose very early to catch a sunrise, which was awesome.  (Then, we went back to bed…)

    

And, because we were late starters, we settled each day by one of the pools, in a location we had found in the shade and not too far from the water.  At first, I was a little bored but then started to get into the habit of doing not much of anything.  Steve coaxed me into the pool, which is a feat but, as usual, once in it was difficult to get me out especially after we discovered the swim-up bar which, I have to say, is quite the feature.  We also read a few books each while away.

         

    

    

    

I almost forgot, we swam with the dolphins, too…

    

Beach time ended up being a stroll after dinner, which was a lovely way to end the day.  Heat, sun, wind, alcohol, and good food makes for sleepy children and some adults, like us.  Can’t say that we lasted too long into the evenings.

    

As I didn’t have my fancy digital camera with me, I was stuck with taking pictures with my iPad and our point and shoot, so quality suffered but I’m sure you get the idea of how tough this vacation was for us.

    

    

    

So, would we go back?  Are we aching to vacation south every winter hence?  I have to admit that I was surprised at how quickly I was able to relax.  The warm sun and ocean breezes were therapeutic and the hardest decision each day was which restaurant to eat in.  So when we returned home, I went online to investigate future Caribbean holidays and was dismayed at the overall cost for only one week, and not in an equivalent luxury resort either.  I’m all about value and, for someone who prefers being a little more active while on vacation, I don’t think Caribbean resorts are in our future (unless I win another trip).