Even the Clouds are sad……

 Today is our last full day.  Art scored us cabana loungers. It rained again last night so everything was soaked again. I was glad we had a couple extra towels to wipe things down with.

We went for a walk down the beach and picked up a a few small shells but for most of the morning we stayed by the cabana loungers.  The woman who was sitting across the pool from us decided she wanted to change her swimming suit top.  Sooooo she took off the old one and pulled a new one out of her bag.  We were shocked!  She didn’t care if anyone saw her topless.  Different cultures.  

Dark clouds moved in so after lunch we went back to our room and I got in the pool.  It was a little chillier today so I was happy when the sun peeked its head out of the clouds. We stayed out until the rain started.  It rained for a couple hours.  The sky knew it was time for us to leave and cried. 

We went back to the Rodeo restaurant for dinner.  It was so good. Now we are tucked in for the night.  Ready for travels tomorrow.  We are excited to see our family in Atlanta. 

A little Rain…….

 Today started out like the others.  We went to the buffet for breakfast then off to one of the main pools.  Art scored us a double lounger cabana.  We agreed it it was the best of all the places we have sat.  It was pretty comfy.  It rained again last night so everything was soaked.  Out neighbor told us they watched the storm and it was a doozie.  We slept through it.  The hot sun really wears us out.  By the end of the day we pass out.  Not even the storm kept us awake.

We enjoyed the cabana so much that after lunch we decided to stay,  Unfortunately, dark clouds moved in and we were sure it would rain again so we thought it would be best to pack it up in early afternoon.  We did get in our little pool for a little bit before  the rain started.  It rained for a few hours.  We were lucky enough that it stopped in time to walk to dinner.

We walked to the sister property for dinner. Art always says everything in life is either a good time or a learning experience.  The entire dinner experience was a learning one. We were seated at probably the worst table in the entry walkway and then the waiter moved it even further into the walk way for us.  He was super rude.  It was obvious he didn’t want us there. The food was not very good but we made the best of it.  Poor Art isn’t use to how other cultures deal with mother’s nursing  babies.  A young couple with a toddler ( 2 or 3.) came in and sat at the table closest to us.  As soon as the mom and little girl sat down the mom whipped out her boob and the girl started to chew on the nipple.  She wasn’t all that interested in nursing but was using the boob as a pacifier. I didn’t really think too much of it but poor Art…… it was one of those times where you turn your head but your eyes just wouldn’t go. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing…….especially while he was eating. 

After dinner we stopped off to get a drink to get over the entire crappy dining experience.  The place is usually really full and busy but there was just one couple there.  We soon found out why…..  There was a trio playing.  There was a snare drum, an accordion, and a loud shaker type thing.  They were a little like the tuba band as none of them were playing the same song. And one of the guys was yelling and moaning like a stuck pig. They were so loud you could hear them most of our way back to our room. At one point on our walk back to our place I said to Art “hit me again, I can still hear them”. We got a good laugh.  What a crazy evening.  

We are now sitting on our deck giggling about the evening.  Everything smells nice and fresh from the rain.  

Hot Day…..

Wow was today hot!  The temperature wasn’t any higher that other days but for some reason the sun was a lot hotter.

We went back to the buffet for breakfast. On our way out the door I almost stepped on a helmet crab.   He was right at the door. It was so strange seeing him.  Art said if he wanted in,  he should have knocked.   We met our neighbors at breakfast.  They were sitting at the table next to us.  They are from Canada.  Seems like a really nice couple. He reminds me of someone but I just can’t place who.  It drove me crazy all day.  I know it will eventually come to me. 

Art got us a double lounger by the pool today.  We thought we would give it a try.  It rained last night so everything was pretty soaked but Art wiped everything down so it would be nice for us.  And with the warmer weather it didn’t take long for everything else to dry.  We even got in the pool.  It was chillier than our private pool but it didn’t take long to adjust to it.  We stayed in that area until after lunch.

I spent the afternoon in our pool.  Art was in the pool for a while then went in where it was cooler for a rest. 

We went to a restaurant called the Rodeo Steakhouse for dinner. It was pretty good and the service was really fast.  They had a couple pictures of the old west and the rest were of the New York skyline and of the Nation’s capitol. You know because nothing screams old west like the capitol and New York skyline.  HAHAHA.  They did play old country music.  I am talking country music from the 60’s and 70’s.  It was like a huge blast from the past.  Art and I new all the songs.  At one point, Art asked what music track is this?  It is was pretty fun.  We are going back on Sunday for dinner. 

We tried to sit out tonight but it was really buggy out so we came in.  This is the first night we couldn’t be out because of the bugs.   

We are still having trouble with the hot and cold water.  Not sure why they can’t fix it but it keeps us guessing. 

Here is a crazy thing.  I went to trade out our wet towels for dry ones. Unfortunately they were completely out of clean towels.  There was another man there at the same time and he said he was told more towels would be available in 10 minutes and it had been more that 20.  Our concierge was there and when I started to walk away he asked me what I was going to do with my towels.  I said keep them til new ones were available and he said oh if I didn’t want to use them I could give them to the other guy.  Ewww….. I told him I didn't think he wanted to have my used wet towels. Crazy!           

Time Is Going So Fast

 What a beautiful day today was.   We went to one of the other restaurants for breakfast.  I loved it…..my food was completely cooked.  Art on the other was not as happy with his.  His was over cooked. We will go back to the buffet tomorrow. 

Art scored us a couple loungers on the front row on the beach.  It was great!  We were front row until a group moved their loungers in front of ours so they could be closer to the water.  It was ok … it didn’t take away anything from our view or enjoyment. We stayed there until lunch time. Which seemed to be about 30 minutes as the morning went by so fast. 

We decided to go to the buffet at the sister property for lunch.  It was ok but I think our buffet here is just as good.  After lunch, we swam in our pool.  Art took a little rest on the deck lounger and I continued to float on my floating in the pool the rest of the afternoon. 

We discovered our hot water was out again so we went to the main desk to report it.  More folks had arrived so the lobby was busy.  They said they would send someone but no one came.  It was a cold shower for me tonight,  It reminded me of the showers at girls camp.  Brrrrrr.  Anyway,  about 1/2 way through Art’s shower the hot water kicked back on.  We are hopeful it will stay on this time. 

After dinner, we walked back over to the sister property to the casino.  They had a lot of slot machines two card tables and two roulette tables.  There were only three people there so we decided not to stay. Now we are enjoying the beautiful evening on our deck…….and trying to stay awake until bed.  The pool looks so inviting I am thinking a night dip  might be fun.

Photos From The Tour

We are in the black razor

The beautiful beach

Our Safari Truck

Me and Thomas

Art and the iguana

 

What The Fetch Tour

 Well today we had quite the adventure.  To begin with let me go back a couple days. We talked to a guy who said he worked for the hotel. He talked us in to doing a tour. It was easy to talk us into it as we had already planned to do something similar.  This is what he told us. 

You will be picked up at the front gate.  We will take you in a nice safari truck.  You will be given a nice  Polaris razor.  All their razors are maintained and in great shape not like the other companies that are worn out. It will be a two seat 1000cc’s.  Then you will go learn the Dominican culture.  We will learn about the area, how cigars are made, how coffee beans are produce, how chocolate is produced from cocoa beans. We will then sample them if we want.  And no obligation to purchase anything. Learn about mamajuana and sample it.  We will go past the school and all the children come out and wave.  They love Americans because they toss candy to them (to which Art said I don’t have candy and our guy said no worries they don’t expect it.  Jokingly Art said we could through dollars and our guy was adamant not to do that.).  We would go to a cave with crystal clear water.  But the water was only waist deep.  Then we would go to the most beautiful beach in the country and swim a couple of hours.  We need to wear our clothes but bring our swimming suits, towels,  bottled water sunscreen and sunglasses.  There would be lockers at the beach and a place to change our clothes.  There would be a nature center to take pictures with birds and monkeys.  And to be sure to pay for the pictures before they take them or they will charge $20 for a picture.  He said he had already signed up 15 Americans for today.  The group would only consist of folks from our hotel to keep the group to a small number.  He would be there with us the whole time.  Sounded great!  Here is how it went.

Our guy Gabriel doesn’t work for the hotel, he works the beach at our hotel.  Our concierge said he was a good guy and we were good to go with him.  Hmmmm.  They are also friends. And worked together at other hotels together.   We had to walk by the other close by tour pick up places to go just outside the front gate of the hotel to be picked up.  It was quite the hike toward the end we hitched a ride on a golf cart  as it was to long to actually walk it.  Our guy was waiting for us as promised. He made sure we showed up, collected his commission and left.  It was us, two other couples and a single gal going on the tour.  They ALL spoke Spanish not English.  Just a guess but I don’t think any of them were American.   The safari truck was an old worn out truck I am sure they bought used from one of the other companies.  Our first stop was at the gas station. Yep… we need gas.  We took this worn out contraption out on the highway, wind blowing in our face as it was open on the sides with worn out bench seats down each side. At one point I thought it was so funny, I burst out laughing,  Maybe I was in shock but I just giggled away as we drove down the highway in this fine ol heap. 

We got to the place to get our razors.  We had to wait for some other folks to arrive.  Four girls from the UK joined us.  They were interesting.  Every other word it of their mouth was the F word.  Now in their defense, several times it was actually well deserved. More on them in a moment.  They told us to go inside their shop while we waited.  They said they would give us great deals on their stuff.  That was the first trap. Our guide assigned everyone a beat up dune buggie type vehicle.  We thought  oh boy these are terrible and exactly what our guy Gabriel said we wouldn’t get.  True to his word the guide took us over to the only Polaris razor they had and said it was the vehicle we would have.  It wasn’t a two seater it was a four seat beat to crap 900 cc Razor.  Because we had the “nice” vehicle we would bring up the rear in the line. I thought our road back home was bad or the road to the cabin was bad but not compared to the roads we took.  Art said they were “ass beaters” for sure.  Our first stop was a little market type place.  The second trap.  They didn’t share anything about their culture but they did let you smell and try their coffee, tea and chocolate.  And you could try the mamjuana (a liquor made here) But they really wanted you to buy it and of course they had the same stuff for sale that the dune buggie place had.  Of course the have staff on hand that are all over to get you to buy their stuff.  Then off to the cave.  It was indeed crystal clear water but it was more than waste deep……. It was 25 feet deep.  No we didn’t get in.  But they did have more stuff to sell there.  Third trap.   While we were climbing back up the stairs from the cave, I sat down on a rock to wait for the others in our group and avoid the hawkers a guy with an iguana ran up to hand Art the iguana, grabbed his phone and started to take pictures.  He kept telling Art to kiss the iguana.  Of course he wasn’t about to kiss it.  But then said that will be $20.  Art said I give you $5.  Handed it to him and we walked off.  He wasn’t to happy but accepted it.

Then to the fourth trap.  The beautiful beach.  We had to park the vehicles I think a half mile from the beach and walk in. The road went all the way to the beach but we couldn’t take it like the other groups.  So walk we did.  We got there and the vendors were on us like locusts.  Same stuff for sale. It was a beautiful beach.  But the only place to sit was part of a bar and they wanted you to buy a drink or food to sit there.  A coke was $11.  Pina Coladas were $25.  Our time at the beach was 30 minutes.  There were no lockers or places to change clothes.  But there was no time the vendors would leave us alone.  But!!!!  I did get to take a picture with a cute monkey.  A female name Thomas.  She was awesome. After I had pictures taken, her handler took her back. All of a sudden she leapt back on my shoulders and grabbed my head and kissed my ear then stuck her tongue in my ear.  It took me by surprise and I shrieked.  The handler said oh wow she really likes you she only does that to people she knows and loves.  He went to take her back and she hurried and wrapped her tail around my neck so she wouldn’t have to go.  I liked her too.  A true highlight!!!!!  The handler saw Art’s wristwatch and flipped.  He wanted Art to sell him his watch really bad. Too funny!!!!

I failed to mention we never once passed a school but strategically placed along the route we took were school aged children.  They would run along side your vehicle and beg for a dollar.  They would try and hand you a flower or a picture they had drawn so you would have to pay them.  They didn’t want candy they wanted dollars.  

The poor girls from the UK vehicles kept dying.  We would be going along and their dune buggie would just stop.  I felt sorry for them.  But as a result our guide gave them a ride to the beach on his 4-wheeler so they wouldn’t have to walk the half mile. 

After we returned to the hotel, we hitched a ride on a golf cart and the sweet guy took us to our room instead of dropping is off a the lobby.  Art called the tour the “What the Fetch is this Tour” I said it was for sure an Adventure.

I spent the afternoon in our pool and Art took a rest on the couch where it was nice and cool. 

We did get the hot water resolved.  So much so we now had no hot water. They had to come back and fix it.  It is all fixed now and our showers were great. The toilets in our room and the neighbors room were a problem all night but they seem to have gotten resolved……. Hopefully.

We had a lovely dinner and enjoyed the deck and now it is time to call it a night.

First Full Day In The Books

 OK I am going try this again.  For some reason my last post deleted.  I signed in to the blog to post pictures and it flashed a few times and then the post disappeared.  Arg!

We had breakfast at the buffet this morning.  Art rated his as a solid nine and I rated mine as a solid four.  I rated mine so low as I am not a fan of raw eggs and vegetables. With CPR and a little help the bacon could have survived.  Yep it wasn’t cooked to my likening…… hardly cooked at all.  But the juice and the donut were really good. And as you can see from the picture, we had a guest.  He doesn’t look that big in the picture but he was about the size of my hand.

After breakfast we went to the beach.  It was well after nine so I was worried we wouldn’t be able to get a lounger.  I but I had no need to worry.  There were several open loungers. They also have really nice hanging chairs all around the resort.  We stopped and enjoyed a couple this morning. All the seating and loungers are nice.  Not like the last resort where everything was so worn out.  As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, the resort is really big and it is pretty full.  Whenever you are walking along the path, there are always a lot of folks walking.  But it doesn’t seem like it is over crowded or like people are on top of you. The restaurants have open seating for breakfast and lunch but you have to have a reservation for dinner.  They don’t allow walkins.  

The beach is on the Atlantic side.  It doesn’t have waves like of the Caribbean side but it is still very nice.  We didn’t get in today but a lot of folks did and seemed to enjoy it.  I did have a foot massage on the beach and it was simply heavenly.

Most of the folks on the adult side are around our age.  Several folks stopped Art to comment on his shirt. It was a big hit.   It says “ Don’t piss off old folks.  They older they get, getting a life sentence isn’t much of a deterrent.”  I even heard some younger folks laugh and say “love that shirt” as they passed. 

We skipped lunch and spent the afternoon at our private pool.  It isn’t huge but big enough to splash around and have fun in.  We really enjoyed it. There are a couple of bigger pools around but I doubt we will get in as we have a great private pool.  The weather was perfect for getting in the pool.  It was 81 degrees and cloudless.  After the pool, Art managed to take a nice nap on the couch where it was cooler. 

We did have to get our shower fixed. At least I am hoping it got fixed.  It only has hot water and I mean it is hot.  I like a good hot shower but I don’t like a scalding shower.  The maid stopped by (not sure why) and Art told her about the shower.  She checked it out and agreed.  She called someone to come and fix it but we had to leave for dinner so we aren’t  really sure it got fixed.  We’ll know tomorrow when we shower. 

We had a nice dinner and are enjoying our deck.  There is a lovely band by the main lobby and we can enjoy it on our deck.  No it is not a tuba band….thank heavens.  They are actually pretty good.  It has been a great day!  To bed soon. 

Pictures

The ugly spider.  You can’t tell from this picture how big he really is

The stairs to the bedroom

The fun hanging chairs

Table on our deck

The view from the bedroom

Our private pool

The beach
 

Guest for Breakfast

 I forget to mention in today’s post.  This morning while eating breakfast, Art looked up and said WOW that is a big one.  I turned around and there was spider about the size of my hand.  Yikes!  Art told the waiter and he looked at it and said yep he is pretty big and went on wiping the table next to us.  He was totally unphased.   It was like the spider was a frequent guest.  As soon as I can get it to post, I will post a picture.  

Fun Week Then Off On A New Adventure……….

 We just finished spending a fun week in Atlanta.  Honey Bunch was in a play.  We attended every show and hard to believe but every show was better that the last.  I know this will sound bias but truly everyone said it…… Honey Bunch was spectacular. She deserved to win a Tony for the play. The whole cast did such an amazing job.  My favorite line in the whole play was delivered by Honey Bunch and she delivered it like no one else could have.  Imagine in a southern drawl “Oh Honey….. Bless your heart”.  Just thinking about it makes me giggle.  There were some really funny lines but in the end in was a tear jerker. Mrs Dr was busy gathering items to sell and working the concessions. They had great treats for sale to support the drama department.  I even bought a sweatshirt that was made for the play.  Dr took care of us chauffeuring us to each show.  

It was fun spending time with the family in between times.  We learned some fun new games and had an absolute blast playing them.  We even got to watch Mega man compete in a track meet.  He is doing splendidly pole vaulting. He has only been doing it for a couple weeks so he is amazing. Princess came for over night.  It was fun to spend some time with her.  Dude cooked us some steaks. Everyone said they weren’t his usual but I thought they were delicious and I certainly ate a lot.  It is always so fun going and spending time with everyone there.  Can’t wait to see everyone again. 

Up early today…..and I mean early we were up at 4 am.  Yikes that is early.  We flew to Punta Cana.  The airport was pretty busy which I guess I am surprised how busy it was that early in the am.  But we got through security pretty quickly.  We couldn’t use the airline’s lounge because we didn’t have the right credit card and our destination wasn’t complementary.  Oh well.  We did go and have a little breakfast at one of the restaurants open at that time. 

We arrived safe and sound. Customs was really really busy.  We managed to get through fairly quick all things considered.  We gathered our luggage and were headed to the long line to have our luggage scanned to get out and a guy snagged Art and said come with me.  He grabbed our luggage and by passed the X-ray machines hollered something to the employee and she waved us through,…….hmmmmm.  Not sure how that worked but it did.  We got to our shuttle stand  found our name and checked in.  Art had made arrangements for a private shuttle.  That was great.  Our driver was hilarious!!!  We so enjoyed him. He said his name in English was Joel and his last name was.“little Ass” in English.  He showed us pictures of his wife and kids and sang to us and was just a really fun guy. 

Out hotel is great.  We wandered around a little.  It is a big resort.  When we checked in our concierge was waiting for us.  After we got our room he asked what our room number was so he could arrange to have our luggage delivered.  When we told him the number, his eyes got big and and he grinned and said oh that is a very nice room.  I am sure he always does that but it is a very nice room.  It is a two story with the bedroom upstairs.  And the fun part is we have a nice deck with a table and chair, two loungers AND….a pool.  Pretty sweet.  I will post pictures later.  

We had a lovely dinner and our back to our room enjoying the deck.  Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.