Dominican Republic Day 4

Jack and I are probably the only people you will meet, or at least one of very few, that come to a tropical island and don't really get in the water.   I put my toes in the ocean today and drapped my legs in the pool just to say I did but really we are ok just being. 

Today was more of the same - rest - rest - rest.  I've loved it though I may try to do something tomorrow on our last day.  It won't be an excursion though; they are cra-cra with their prices and none of them scream at me to do them, but we may do something.   So enough about tomorrow what did we do today you ask?  Other than rest?  not much...

I got up at 8 and ordered coffee and fruit.  We sat on the deck, and ate, I did some time in my Bible and enjoyed the beauty.   We then meandered down around 11 and spoke with the excursion lady. She said 1000 for a boat ride and I laughed in her face.. not literally but close.   Yea NOT happening.   We then went to grab breakfast but missed the window and the restaurant was closed while they swapped over for lunch.  I read on the app that the ocean bar served snacks so we wandered up that way to get a little something to wade off the hangries.   

Well, they were also in the shift swap and couldn't serve.  So... I texted our butler and he brought us fruit.   This butler thing is nice - I could get spoiled :)   We ate, danced to the radio, and relaxed.   We then meandered down to get a real lunch and sat under the vines watching the birds.   I had the prime rib and it was excellent.

We then went back to the room where we sat on the deck for a bit before deciding we were hungry again.  I swear all I want to do is eat down here ... so we went to the pool and got another one of those Yaniqueque like we had yesterday.  It's just enough to stop the hangries while still being light.   We then did the obligatory toe in the ocean, legs in the pool before deciding that really a nap was more fun.   So nap time it was and it was a great nap - like 3 hours of napping goodness.

After our siesta, we headed out to dinner at the steak house.  We got the Ribeye and a Skirt steak; both were excellent, but the skirt steak was amazing.   After dinner, we meandered around a bit, got some hot tea, walked and just enjoyed the night.   We were going to do the magic show but it was so loud - I'm really not a fan of loud at all; neither is Jack.  So we came back to the room, which if I'm honest is where I wanted to be anyway.  I just want to cozy up in bed - listen to the waves and read.  This is what I want and I'm on vacation so... it's what we are doing.  Both of us are happy as larks enjoying the moment.

So with that buenos noches dear friends; my book awaits.

Dominican Republic Day 3

 Today was rest - rest - rest and more rest.  It was such a great day.  

We got up around 9 and had coffee and some danishes while enjoying the outside.   We then read books and I did my prayer/study time before having a full breakfast sent over around 11:15.  I had the omelet - it was so good.  I decided after eating to take a nap and Jack went to use their gym.  

The nap was heaven; 2 hours of just downtime.   We got up and read a bit on the patio.  At some point, the guy that fills the mini bar came by and I asked him if he had any juices he could stock it with to which he said no but room service could bring some.  I said ok and went on with my day - no biggie.  Well, a bit later here he comes bringing us OJ.   I mean just so nice - it made me so happy.   We drink our OJ, read, and just enjoyed the day.   Eventually, we meandered down to the pool snack bar for a mini lunch.  I had a Dominican Yaniqueque which is basically a hard taco shell with toppings.  I had beef, guacamole, corn salsa, and cheese.  It was yummy - I also had a hamburger because apparently, the sun makes me hungry... 

After lunch we went to the buffet we went to yesterday for ice cream and went to sit at some swings and look at the ocean.   We then meandered to find how to get to this pavilion they have built over the ocean - we found it and set in the big cushions they had for a bit...  By this time I kinda wanted my book so we meandered back to the room and back to our patio.  I have made me a little next in the bucket chair out there and before I knew it I was dozing a bit.   ... I told you rest - rest and more rest is the name of the day.

We then went to the seafood place for dinner.  I'll be honest it wasn't my favorite  - I'm still a bit groggy from the nap and that may have played a factor but it just wasn't all that yummy.  I ordered fried calamari for a starter and it's the first fried food since I went off of the detox; within a few bites I was my head was hurting so I think that is a no go for me.  Plus they had tarter sauce but no cocktail - he tried to make me a cocktail sauce; it was a wine sauce and I give him a+ for effort but man it was horrible.   They then brought me this full fish with EYES.  If you know me you know I don't do eyes.  Can we say Alaskan Cruise all over again?  I promptly cut the head off while cringing and put it on the other side of the table but the damage was done - I just... I wasn't feeling it.  So Jack ate his shrimp and we left.  

I came back to the room, grabbed some painkillers and we meandered the shops for a bit before going to the show for the evening.  We seriously considered skipping it and I'm so glad we didn't.  It was a singer and there was dancing.  Jack and I sat at the back and danced where no one could really see us as at the beginning no one was really dancing.  By the end, I thought about going to the floor as many people were out there but we had our spot and it was great.   We danced and made up moves and just had a good time.    I'm so glad we stuck it out ...  

Tomorrow we may look at excursions - or we may just stay here again.   This private patio is worth every penny  - it's so nice.  

Dominican Republic Day 2

Oh, today - it's so hard to recap in such a way that will make an interesting read, but at the same time, it was perfection encapsulated in a day.   We woke up super early - like 7:45 am; if you know me that is insane.  Now granted that is 8:45 EST but still.   I got up ordered a prebreakfast (coffee and fruit) and just relaxed.   I went outside and moved some cushions so I could enjoy the sun.  It rained last night apparently so most of the cushions were soaked.   

The guy came with the fruit and coffee - Jack and I sat in the dining room inside and ate while watching the water out the window.  Jack then went to lay back down to rest/read and I decided to spend some time with the Father.  I restarted, for like the 4th time, my study of Ephesians and just rested in him.  It was nice.  

Jack then got up, got a shower, and then we did yoga on the patio to Beachbody on my laptop.  I had asked the butler to have a second,  real breakfast arrive around 10:45 and we finished yoga just a few minutes before - it was a nice start to the day.  Breakfast was yummy and restful to just sit and relax in our little house by the beach.     We then shifted from inside to outside to sit/rest some more.  I know riveting reading, huh?  But it was so nice...

We then asked our butler to take care of a couple of things with the house.  The fans weren't working and we wanted them to come while we went out.  He also had the cleaners come.... so they came and we left.  We wandered around the property and explored.   We found hidden alcoves; places with amazing views and restaurants we want to try.  We smiled at the water or a bird sitting on a float - we just enjoyed it.

We then stopped at the buffet restaurant and ate.  She wanted to sit us in the sun and I asked if we could sit in the shade outside... she didn't have a table in the shade set up with dishes - no worries.  She moved and set up a new table.     Just so nice and accommodating.   The buffet was a little stressful in I wasn't sure what I wanted or what much of it was... and people were milling around and the wait staff looked at me expectantly like I should know what I was doing, but I got through it - ordered me some pasta with red sauce and peppers and went to sit at my table in the shade.   We watched the birds play in the vines overhead, watched them drink from the fountain, and just enjoyed... The view was stellar. 

We then meandered back to the room where I took a nap... Jack set outside and read.

Around 5 I got up and we went down for a salsa lesson.   They do it a bit differently here in that he instructs to start with the right instead of the left so that was a bit odd.  I think Jack and I will go back to our US version, but it was fun and a good little workout.

We then headed back to the room to rest and clean up a bit before dinner.   

Dinner was at the Italian restaurant and can I just say it was the best meal I've had in quite some time.  

We started with:

• Fresh Burrata - not so great... they swapped it out for the antipasto which was yummy.
• Dried Fruit and Shrimp Couscous - this was so good!

We then had the main course.  Jack had filet milanese which he enjoyed.  I thought it was ok.  I on the other hand had a sea bream filet and oh my!  it was amazing.  It was served with onion, chickpeas spinach with fennel raises, and pine nuts.  I'm telling you this is the best dish I've had in; well I can't remember when.  It beat any food I had in southern Italy last year.   It was so good! 

We then ordered desserts.  They were a little rich for me, but no worries - they have an ice cream shop nearby where we got sherberts at that were just light enough.   We wandered down - got the ice cream and then went back to the area overlooking the pools/ocean to eat and spend some time before the evening entertainment.

Then we went to the show. The staff did the 60s, 70s, and 80s musical show.  It had moments of cringe-worthy things - like you are embarrassed for them and trying not to laugh at them.  Think - people lip-syncing Grease and trying to emulate the famous Sandy dance with the black pants and cigarette.   Then it had ones that were really good and others that were just fun - it's raining men was just - I laugh and cringe thinking about it.  I gotta say - there were 3 guys dancing around shirtless and only 1 of them really should have been, but the other two were all confident and owned it.   It was all in good fun and you couldn't help but grin.  Oh and on some dances, there were 4 guys and one guy was really new - you could tell.  He kept watching the others and was a little delayed on all the moves.  It was so sweet; I wanted to put him in my pocket and check on him like a teddy bear.   

Most of the people in the show were armatures and probably do other things around here.   There were two thought that you could tell were professionally trained.  This one woman was amazing - her frame in her dance was solid and we've been around dance enough to know she had training.   It then became obvious when she and he stepped out to do a ballet number to the song from the movie, The Body Guard by Whitney Houston. They were truly talented. 

All that being said please don't hear me wrong - it was great.  I'm writing most of the little nuance things so I remember it personally; not to make fun or criticize.   I grinned through 90 % of it and Jack said he loved watching my expressions.   Their intent was to bring us joy and give us memories - they 1000% succeeded.

We then came back to the room and are about to go to sleep.  As I said, not the most riveting day to read about I'm sure but such a great day to live.   I'm grateful for this time of rest and rejuvenation.  I pray I carry it with me when I get home.

I pray that you all are well and that the Lord grants you a good night's rest and that he gives you joy in the morning that is unbeatable.   Sleep well, friends. 

Dominican Republic Day 1

Jack and I have escaped the winter and to just get some rest.  We are both on fumes for some reason.  So off to the Dominican Republic, we came.  In actuality, this trip has been planned since March or April of last year, but it came at the best time.   We are both just - tired.   I'm hoping a few days of paradise, mental resets, and quiet can help to put some more wind in our sails.

We are at a resort in Cap Cana called Sanctuary and it's beautiful.  Today was mainly travel with a 2-hour delay in ATL (the co-pilot was sick and they had to call a new one in on his day off), but it was a good day.   The Augusta Airport staff were absolutely amazing this morning - so friendly and kind.   The Atlanta staff kept us in the loop and were also kind.    The F concourse in Atlanta is so unique and I can't help but laugh now.   Jack went to get me some coffee while I got us seats... well I changed seats no less than 4 times to find the perfect one that didn't spike my anxiety, have too much light, have the best view, etc... Sometimes I'm so neurotic I can't help but laugh at myself.   

We got here, at the resort, today around 5 and were exhausted as we got up this morning at 4 am so we haven't explored too much, but tomorrow I am looking forward to getting out more.   So far it's super nice though.   We have a private villa next to the ocean with a balcony large enough to waltz on to relax - it's amazing!     

We arrived at the resort and they immediately met us at the bus with eucalyptus cool towels to refresh ourselves while they checked us in.  We then met our amazing butler Carlos and he gave us a brief tour while taking us to the villa.    We settled in; unpacked and then headed to grab some dinner.  There was a tiny wait so we walked around and then sat to listen to a Sax player while we waited.  I wanted to dance but no one was as I would have felt awkward - maybe tomorrow.    As far as food we didn't want a new experience tonight - save those for when we aren't so tired so we just did the steak house.   The food was ok - the appetizers and dessert were amazing.  Jack had this empanada that was really good and I had a tomato and strawberry glaze salad that was delish.  The main dish was just ok, but then I had a lime sorbet for dessert that was so refreshing.     Jack also had a virgin cocktail with watermelon, apple, cinnamon, and lemon - it was so yummy.  And they made me an unsweet tea (had to make it special) but they put a lime in it - oh .. it was amazing.  I'm going to start adding lime at home; it was so good! 

We wandered down to the beach party - they were playing limbo and while fun, we both voted for sleep.  Now we are sitting in bed, with the door open listening to the ocean; it's heaven.    I can't wait to experience it tomorrow without the fatigue of a long travel day.   

For now, though - sleep well dear friends. :)