Friday, December 10, 2010

Punta Cana


I'm back, friends! My trip to the Dominican Republic provided just the downtime I needed. No more headaches!! It was pure relaxation. I guess the warm sun, turquoise water, white sand, and fruity blended cocktails will do that to you ;)

A quick recap: getting to the Dominican Republic from California is a pain! There are no direct flights so we laid over in Miami for five hours. Not many flights go down to the Caribbean island so the best travel plan we could do was leaving LAX at 10:30pm (traveling on the same plane as Patrick Dempsey), arriving in Miami at 6am, boarding a plane to Punta Cana at 11:30am, and arriving at 3:30pm. Whew, were we tired and hungry when we got to our resort. The four hour time change took a bit to get used to as well (Waking up at 8am local time was like waking up at 4am LA time.).

Unfortunately when we arrived at out hotel, they put the three of us in a two person room...looking at a fence. Not cool. The next room wasn't much better better as far as sleeping arrangements but it had an ocean view. We were all really disappointed with the resort. It's supposed to be the second best in Punta Cana but we weren't fans. Maybe it's because we had such a great stay at the Iberostar in Riviera Maya a few years back. I highly recommend that resort!

Our resort at dusk


So many palm trees!


Shops right on the sand


I think the fact that there were only like 15% Americans at the resort was hard, too. I know it's a culture thing but it's difficult to get used to ladies with no tops on...especially the really old and really large ones. You could tell we were American because our culture is WAY more modest. We wore cover ups and my dad had shorts on that went past his knees lol. I knew that the banana hammock thing was inevitable, but I even saw some dude take his tiny suit off! so.not.cool.

For the eight days and seven nights we had the same routine - we ate A LOT, drank A LOT, and hung out at the beach A LOT. I've only stayed at all-inclusive resorts and I wouldn't have it any other way. Our biggest worry all week was having to adjust our lounge chairs to point in the direction of the moving sun throughout the day.

Sunset in paradise


Warm, inviting water


So peaceful

Many of the pictures are on my dad's camera so I'll do a follow up post with more pictures, including our dune buggy excursion.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy to know you enjoyed your vacation!

KatiePerk said...

mmm vacay. Delightful!

Staley Mc said...

It looks so beautiful! Glad to hear about your vacation and glad you are back!!

Allison said...

You are so cute, sweetie! Okay, first of all PATRICK DEMPSEY? I die for him - he's ridiculously hot!
Ugh, I'm so sorry that the resort didn't live up to your expectations - don't you hate when that happens?!
Ha, I laughed out loud thinking of trips I've taken where I am just NOT even prepared for the culture shock - your descriptions made me laugh out loud though, girl! At least there was some comedy provided (though actually it may have been a breeding ground for nightmares!).
All in all, I'm glad you had a relaxing, worry free vacation - and you can't beat all inclusive! :)
Glad you're back safe, girl! xox

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

Glad you had a good time and that the relaxation helped the headaches!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy you had a great little get away and no headaches! Ugh.. naked people... ummm.... I think I would be uncomfortable.. hee hee. Did you talk to Patrick? xo

STYLE'N said...

oh looks like paradise indeed and love that last picture..so peaceful!

STYLE'N said...

oh right and Patrick Dempsey? Lucky you. A few months ago Mario Lopez was on my flight but seriously that doesn't top Patrick Dempsey!

Steph @ Thoughts From Cali said...

So glad your back and the headaches are done!

J said...

wow looks amazing!! looks liek a good time!

Unknown said...

Looks like fabulous fun! Love it, sorry the resort wasn't up to par, that's a bummer. XX!

Meghan said...

Holy cow, woman! It's truly paradise! These photos are perfect for the snowy afternoon I am having here in Chicago!

Gracie said...

Ohh this looks amazing! What a pretty place. At least you got a pretty view even if the sleeping arrangements were different.

I always find it a strange and uncomfortable when I see older women without tops on.

nomo wino daph said...

OMGosh.....that looks like Heaven on earth!!! How nice..... jealous...I am sitting her freezing :)

Mel said...

Sounds like a great time - minus the dudes taking off their little suits. Welcome back! ;)

bananas. said...

your dad took some great shots!

even though the arrival wasn't so smooth and the old lady tatas were out and about, it looks like a gorgeous place to relax.

welcome back!

Anonymous said...

I am so jealous. It is zero degrees here in Iowa!!

k said...

so glad it helped your headaches!!! and did you stare at patrick the whole entire time?? best in flight entertainment ever!!

Jules said...

I’m so glad you had a wonderful vacation! If anyone deserves it, it’s you. The fact that the headaches went away is fantastic.

Sorry about the travel pain in getting there, but being on the same place with Patrick Dempsey is super awesome. I heart him.

I’m glad you were able to get a room with an ocean view, but that stinks that the resort didn’t live up to your expectations. I’m with you on all-inclusive resorts though and think it’s definitely the way to go. That is nuts about all of the Europeans that stayed there. I didn’t know it was a big destination for them.

I am loving the photo of you at sunset! You look so happy and relaxed. The ocean looks gorgeous!

Valerie said...

It looks absolutely gorgeous there! What a fun way to relax before the holidays. Glad your headaches are better!

xo
Valerie

Couture Carrie said...

I love th DR!
Gorgeous photos, darling!

xoxox,
CC

thelayeredpancake said...

your resort looks rather out of this world!! how i love a good hotel.

Fashion Court said...

gorgeous photos! i totally need a vacation :p

ps: patrick dempsey?! AWESOME!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Did you get a Dempsey glimpse? YUM!

Stephanie said...

Beautiful pictures! Looks like you had an amazing time!

Eternally yours,
Stephanie

Cafe Fashionista said...

Welcome back, my love! I hear you on the resort front...I once stayed at a hotel that looked GORGEOUS in pictures, and ended up being more like a dungeon. Seriously. :P

Lovely Scribbles said...

Sounds like a wonderful vacation...aside from the naked nuts. ;) I'm so glad you got to getaway and relax!!

Leesh said...

The resort looks gorgeous! Where did you stay? I have been to Punta Cana five times and I love it there. The beaches are so awesome.