Last Day

Today was our last full day.  Can't believe the week has gone by so fast.  It seems like we just got here.
We spent the morning on the beach and played in the ocean then in the pool this afternoon. A lot of folks arrived  yesterday and Saturday so it is a lot more crowded.

Tonight we had dinner at the restaurant that serves the squash and tomato soup.  It is my absolute favorite.  Our waitress gave us big bowls and poured about 5 small spoonfuls of soup in it. All the other   waiters fill the big bowl. Not sure why she didn't.  Art kept saying I should order more and I probably would have but I ordered other stuff as well.  After dinner we stopped at the lobby bar and a Mentalist came by.  He was great and very entertaining.  We did several tricks. Just to mention a few, I got to bend a spoon with just my finger and Art wrote his name on a card while I had my hand on a box.  My hand was on it the whole time and Art's card ended up in the box.  Not sure how he pulled that one off but it was pretty good.

Tomorrow we say adios to Paradise for a couple more years.  Looking forward to returning.

10 out of 10 Day

What a great day.  The weather was great.  Art said today was a 10 out of 10 day and I agree. We lounged at the beach today and our loungers were right at the beach edge.  It was so pleasant.  We were  there all morning.  We ordered room service for lunch and watched the vikings vs lions game.  Then I went and had a stone massage.  Oh it was so heavenly.   There was a little mix up ...they had Art as the one having the massage.  I think it was wishful thinking as he was so entertaining the last time he was there.  

Tonight we had dinner on the beach again.  This time the weather was much better and we ate without the free facial.  

It has been a pretty relaxing week for Art.  Other than my seat on the plane he hasn't had to fix anything all week. I suspect he is getting ready to go back to being needed and getting things done  but this has been nice. Tomorrow's schedule is rest, eat, rest eat, rest.  Pretty busy so we better get rested up tonight.  

Day to Relax and Have Lamb Chops

Today was pretty relaxing.  The wind blew the clouds away.  Other than the wind it was a great day.  It did rain while we were at dinner but we were tucked indoors so we didn't care.  Since it was so windy we decided we didn't need another facial from the sand so we stayed up by the pool.  We got in the pool but it was really really cold so we got in the pool that is covered.  It was nice and warm.  Then we went in and sat in the hot tub and sauna.  We mostly just relaxed all day. Watched a couple of weddings today.

A  couple of nights ago, we were having dinner at the restaurant that served the lamb chops last time we were here. Art mentioned to the waiter that he missed having the lamb chops and had looked forward to them and was disappointed they didn't serve them any more.  He asked one of the other waiters to go ask the chef if he would make some.  The waiter said they would serve them on Friday night.  I said we were having the romantic dinner on Friday so it would have to Saturday.  We didn't realize the chef was serious.  Tonight I asked the hostess what the chef's special was and she said it was a chicken dish.  Art said to her "you had some chops for a brief time yesterday, I was hoping you would today"  She said no........and then asked what our room number was and we told her and she asked what our last name was and we told her.  She said the chef is cooking lamb chops tonight just for you and only you. WOW!!  When we  got there everyone welcomed us and the waiter told Art "oh Mr B I have your special main dish order".   They treated us like royalty.  Art was THE ONLY one served lamb chops tonight.  Pretty Cool!!!

After dinner we watched the BSU game.  Gotta love that sling box.    

Today we had chilly and I don't mean the food (chili)

Today is not sunny paradise.  We woke to dark cloudy skies and it rained a little this morning.  We decided since the weather was not the best, we would go to the market.  Our plan was to have lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in another hotel so we thought we would do the market and then stop and have lunch.  The only reason we went to the market was so I could get a Mexican creamer and sugar.  We did that and left. We got to the other hotel about 10:30.  Way to early for lunch so we had a quick drink and headed back to our hotel.  We tried getting in the pool but it was just too chilly.  We rested on the loungers and it was pretty chilly.  I had guacamole and chips for lunch and Art had a sandwich.

Today was the day we were suppose to move rooms.  But the little gal that helped us forgot to write it down so we were unable to switch. What are you going to do? We like the room we are in so it is ok.

Tonight was the romantic dinner on the beach. We did it last time and loved it so decided to do it again. Now let me explain how this is on paper.  You and your special loved one have a 4 coarse candle lit dinner on the beach.  The waves are lightly crashing in the background as you and your special someone make googly eyes at each other. The moon and the stars and a candle create a special romance.  As you toast each other and look deep in each others eyes you have that unspoken "I love you".  The meal is delicious and you anticipate each coarse and make loving small talk.  Now let me share the reality of tonight.  The meal was delicious but it was very windy and cold.  The waves were huge.  It was so windy that the sand was blowing up in your face.  Pieces of my salad flew off my plate...... twice. Art's napkin blew right in to my lap. Art told me the sand in our face was micro-abrasion..WHAT?!  I get a meal and a facial?!?! Wow!  Is this what you call a full service meal? A spa treatment with dinner. Sweet.  Our googly eyes were more of a popeye/pirate eye as the sand blew into your eyes.   Nothing says I love you more then looking at your loved one with a stink eye.  Instead of I love yous being said you hear "arg matey! You scurvy dog" with a reply of  "You filthy ox".   Each coarse was met with much anticipation, it was good yes but it just made it that much closer to getting in where it was warmer with no wind or sand. I curled my hair for the night but by the time the wind whipped it around, it was a whole new do. A wild do. But my Art said I still looked beautiful.  Aww, he was so sweet and yes I thought that was romantic and no I am not blaming it on the sand in his his eyes.

Overall it was a good day..... Wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Today's Activies

We didn't have a lot of out door time today but we had fun none the less.  After breakfast we took a taxi out to the Moon and Sunrise for the presentation.  The upgrade they offered us was a good deal but we decided to keep things they way they are.  But they have updated the Sunrise.  They have a nice new nightclub.  The hope is to keep folks from going into town to the nightclubs.  They also have a place for teens.  It is really cool!  It is set up like an arcade. They have computers, pool tables, foozeball tables, kinect, rock band, and xbox games and all kinds of arcade games. Also a little cafe style room serving popcorn, cookies, brownies, candy, ice cream and a whole lot more.  They had these round tube things you could climb in and play xbox.  After the presentation, Art and I went in and played.  It was pretty fun. We took a taxi back and let me tell you, some of the taxi rides are a bit scary.  The speed limit and stop signs appear to just be a suggestion.

After we got back we sat on our balcony and I feel asleep on the lounger.  It was a nice little nap. Tonight we went to the Chef's dinner.  It is for about 14 couples.  The chef prepares a 5 course meal and does a little presentation. The General Manager was the chef's interpreter and he was pretty funny.  The chef would say something and he would look straight ahead and say "I don't know what that means" or something different.  The chef talked for about a minute straight explaining.  The translation was "it's veggies".    It was really funny.  Each course of the meal was excellent with the exception of the dessert.  I wasn't a fan of the dessert.  It was really rich and it tasted like marshmallow cream and black licorice.  But the rest of the meal was devine. They matched all the courses with the appropriate wine.  Because I don't drink they gave me sparkling cider. I am so full, I hope I don't dream of the devil.  I don't think I can put one more thing in my stomach. 

The activity tonight was Karaoke.  Since I am not musical and cannot sing in any shape or form and Art isn't a fan we listened to one song and left.  The guy singing the one song was a pretty good singer but his moves.............his moves were hilarious.  Now to bed.

What Did Today Bring

Today was a fun day but I do have one regret.  First let me tell you about today and maybe you can figure out my regret.

I woke up about 4:30 this morning. I went out on the balcony and laid on the lounger.  It was kind of damp and that made it a little chilly.  Could that be my regret?  No.  Then I went back in and crawled back in bed.  I fell back a sleep.  Art woke me up at 6:30 and we got up and headed to breakfast.  It was pretty good.  I do like the food here.  Then we met with the  concierge  and made some arrangements for the spa and a couple of special dinners.

After that we headed to the beach.  The lifeguard set up some nice loungers and an umbrella for us.  Then it got cloudier and cloudier.  Soon it was sprinkling on us.  We refused to go in.  Was this my regret? no.   It didn't last too long.  The sun then came back out and it was a beautiful day.  We ordered lunch on the beach.  It was so relaxing.  We met some nice folks.  Art wore his Vikings hat and that seemed to be a great conversation starter.

We get a back massage, pedicure and manicure with our reservation.  Art doesn't enjoy these services  so he always gives me his.  Well he decided to do it this time.  His back has been bothering him a little so a few weeks ago, he mentioned he might just do the massage.  Cool!!!  I wasn't sure he would do it but he did.  We had a nice couples massage.  It was so relaxing.  Art even enjoyed it. Not only did he do the massage........he did the manicure and pedicure. Yes he did, it was the first and maybe only time he will ever do it but do it he did.  The manicure was no big deal but the pedicure well, it was a big deal. Art always wears shoes and he has very soft and tender feet.  You can only imagine how this must have been for him.  I just loved the fact that he was willing to do something like that so we could do it together.  I always wanted to do a couple's massage and he went above and beyond that.  I told him he didn't have to do the pedicure but he was a trooper and did it. Here is my regret.......I didn't have a video camera for this event.  Imagine Art, if you will, sitting in the pedicure chair and looking at the tools they use to scrub and trim your feet.  His eyes were huge.   He warned the girl who did his pedicure his feet were sensitive and he might scream like a school girl. I sat directly across from him. I could see he was struggling.  He kept stroking his hair, holding his cheeks and stifling a giggle.  Then it happened. I am not sure what she did but he let out a squeal.  I lost it.  The girl doing his pedicure, the girl doing mine, Art and I all started to laugh.  Honestly, I laughed til I cried.  I am laughing now as I write this.  His girl was really sweet and cute and kept apologizing to him as she scrubbed his tender feet. But the upside is they look pretty good. They didn't look bad before but they really look good now. What a guy.  I just love him all the more for giving it an honest effort.  He is the best.  Will he do it again?  Well.... let's just say never say never.  

We ordered room service and had guacamole, chips and shrimp cocktail. ummm good.  We had a nice dinner and then went to a magic show.  The magic show was pretty good. It lasted about an hour.  Now it is time for bed and get rested for more relaxing tomorrow.

So We Got Here

Man oh man was it an early morning,  Up at 4:00  am.  The Buddy came about 5:25 to pick us up.  Art had put the suitcases on the porch and the Buddy just quickly loaded them up in his car.  It was super thoughtful.  Off to the airport we went.  We breezed through security and since we went first class, we were among the first to board the plane.  While waiting for the rest of the passengers to get on, we were given a beverage.  I thought I would never be able to drink it before everyone got on but as luck would have it, I had alot of time to drink it.  The plane had mechanical problems.  we were about 40 minutes late taking off. First class is definitely the way to go.  Way to go Art for getting us tickets.

Because we were late taking off, it didn't leave much time to catch our next flight. And of coarse we landed in the B gates and our connection was in the A gates.  We walked swiftly and purposely.  We arrived at our gate, had our passports checked and immediately boarded the plane. Timing is everything.  The flight was good.  We had a little turbulence over Texas but overall it was a good flight.  Customs wasn't too bad.  We made it through in about 30 minutes.  I pushed the red green buttons fully expecting it to be red but nope it was green so we got right through.

Now for the crazy part........we always request the same room.  Art contacted the reservations department months ago and requested our room.  He tried a couple times to follow up but never could.  So we arrived hoping we got our room.  Well.........we didn't.  Dang!  The sweet girl working the check in desk said they never received the request.  She said we could have it on the 9th.  We said OK we would take it then.  She offered us another room but we would have to use an upgrade to do it so we decided to just take the room they had assigned us. So we went to our room and got unpacked and settled in. Then we met with our concierge person and she said we could upgrade using our credit.  Hey why not.  We decided not to do any tours or go anywhere so we may as well use the credit for that.  Back to the reservations desk we went.  The girl gave us a couple of rooms to look at to see which one we would want.  We really wanted the big balcony. Soooooo we went back to our room and packed up and moved.  Only until the 9th, and then we move again.  It ended up being pretty funny.  After all that we went and had some dinner.  Sweet!!! They still have the tomato squash soup. Yummy!! And yes I had it.  Sad for Art though.  They no longer have the lamp chops.  A lot is the same and a lot has changed.  Looking forward to the beach tomorrow.  As for tonight, we are having a hard time keeping our eyes open so to bed for these kids.