Honeymoon in the Dominican Republic

It's now been almost 2 weeks since Andrew and I returned from our honeymoon, and I'm missing the beach and fresh Caribbean air. We were fortunate enough to be gifted an amazing honeymoon as our wedding gift and we are so thankful for it. We chose to go to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and stay at the resort Shannon and Ted stayed in for their honeymoon. They had rave reviews and nothing but positive comments, so it sounded like a fit for us!

We decided to leave first thing Monday morning so we could get there early. Unfortunately catching a 9:45 flight from Atlanta meant leaving Birmingham at about 4:00 am. Yea. This is after a crazy busy weekend where I had almost no sleep, and Andrew was pretty exhausted himself. We got about 3 hours of sleep the night after the wedding, so we were pretty spent and ready for a week in paradise. Andrew drove for about an hour and started getting heavy eyelids, so we pulled off for donuts and switched seats. Of course once I took over it started sprinkling, but whatever, Andrew got to nap for a bit and I got us right into Altanta city limits before I woke him. After a slight disagreement in where we were going and which parking lot we were supposed to be in we finally made it.

Turns out our flight boarded at 9:00, and thanks to a very friendly and fast Delta employee we made it through security and got to the terminal just in the nick of time. We boarded up, got going and I fell asleep pretty immediately. I slept until we got to the Dominican shoreline and then I was wide-eyed with excitement.

The Punta Cana airport is really cool. It's modeled after straw-roofed tiki huts with outdoor boarding and a 3 man band playing music as you walk in. Very cool. Customs wasn't bad and we were on our bus and on the way to the resort within about 30 minutes. Yay!

After arriving at the resort, checking into the 'Elegance Club' (adults only side of the resort), and getting a tour from our butler, Orlando, we made it to our room to settle in. Andrew likes living out of his suitcase, but I like to unpack and get comfortable.

Honeymooners!!

The room! 3314

View from our balcony

We decided that after a crazy, busy weekend and a long morning of traveling we would have lunch and take a nap. Great plan. We ordered room service (included in our all-inclusive package!) and watched tv for a bit then vegged out on goodies. After eating I don't think it was more than 5-10 minutes before I was in a deep slumber. It was probably about 6:00 when we laid down. At 3:30 am I woke up haha! I could have gone back to sleep but in getting up to use the restroom Andrew woke and he could not go back to sleep. So we got up, showered, got dressed and decided to watch the sun rise on our first full day in paradise.

This is what it looked like as we were first walking outside

 

 

 
















After the sun was up we walked the beach a while, decided to have breakfast, and then headed down to the pool. This is where things get hazy. Since we were up at 3:30 am, by 10:00 we were ready to go. So we had a few drinks in the pool. And then a shot of 'Mama Juana' or Dominican Power, as the locals call it. This shot consists of: rum, red wine, and honey that then sit and soak with tree bark and herbs. Guys, this was one of the nastiest tasting things I've ever drank. But it's a local thing and we gave it a try. I learned about 10 years ago that I cannot drink rum. It just does not agree with me and I get straight up black out drunk. Off like 3 drinks. We don't drink a whole lot, but my tolerance is higher than 3 drinks. Not where rum is concerned, unfortunately.

So we meet a few other couples on honeymoon, have fun, hang out, I got locked in a bathroom and thought I was going to die in there (it was a pull, not push situation), and by about 11:30 I was done. I inform Andrew that I'm wasted and need to go pass out. Technically I don't remember anything past being locked in the bathroom. I'm told that I stumbled my way upstairs, face planted on the bed and was snoring within minutes. Sounds about right. Andrew wasn't so straight himself after drinking in the heat like it was no big deal either, so we both passed out and woke up about 6 feeling a little worse for the wear, but sober.

Up we were and decided to eat at Asadito Steak House, one of the 7 restaurants on the property. We still didn't feel all that great so we had dinner and went back to the room.

 

 Wednesday was pretty rainy and overcast so we took it pretty easy. Got up and had breakfast, explored the resort. We found some pool tables in desperate need of repair and decided to play a game. I beat Andrew (woohoo!) but he will talk all around it about how the stick sucked, the table was uneven, whatever he can think of to try to discount it. I think it makes it more of a win b/c my stick was just as bad and I still won!

Wednesday night we set up our 'romantic dinner for two at Sea n See' that was part of our honeymoon package. Since it had been rainy we weren't able to eat on the beach, but they had a few tables set aside away from the rest of the business and we had a quiet, 5 course meal. The outdoor, semi-rainy weather was not kind to my hair.

Main course from Sea n See

After dinner our butler set up the hot tub with bubbles, flower petals and candles. So many bubbles.

Thursday was Halloween and the Majestic decorated to suit the theme. There were weird, creepy statues all over, the staff wore hats, everyone played their part. I had a little fun with a few of the statues. Grandparents, please disregard the Medusa picture. ;)

After posing with a few statues we headed out to the pool for a little sun. We swam around, relaxed a bit, then I decided it was now or never if Andrew was going to be able to golf while we were there. We hadn't planned on doing any excursions, but he was really hoping to play golf. The weather had been hit or miss and Thursday was just beautiful. So, we ended the pool early, met with the consierge and arranged to be picked up at 1:00 to go golfing! Turns out the summer tank top I was wearing was inappropriate for the golf course, so some fast thinking by the driver led to me wearing Andrew's undershirt for the afternoon.

The course was 18 holes of beautifully manicured golf. I'm not a golfer, so I drove the golf cart while Andrew did his thing. I played some music through my phone and worked on my tan and watched my handsome husband sweat his butt off in the hot sun. It was hot, but perfectly sunny and beautiful.

Wife as caddy, workin on my tan!

I think he enjoyed himself.

Sweaty after golfing, but happy :)

After we returned we took our daily, afternoon nap. Definitely a requirement when you've been out in the sun all day! We awoke rested and ready to try out the Japanese restaurant, 9 Doors.

Our Hibachi chef made us a beating heart of rice, and a flaming pineapple. He also set the entire area on fire (on purpose) and had me scooting back in my chair. This was one of our favorite restaurants.

Not the most beautiful meal, but very tasty.

Friday came and while the weather was decent, we were pooped. We ordered room service and stayed in bed for almost the entire day. We watched the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a few episodes of wildest police videos, took a nap, watched another movie. It was a totally lazy day and it was awesome. We may have been in a beautiful setting, but it was still vacation and a lazy, do nothing kind of day was right up our alley.

Rocking the purple robe Shannon got me :)

After a day of laziness we decided to get up and clean up to go try the Italian restaurant, Il Botaccio. I had a lobster ravioli and Andrew had a carbonara pasta of sorts. The food was ok, but it wasn't very filling and we ended up ordering room service again :) After dinner we caught a magic show in the theater. It was terrible, but got us out of the room and gave us something to do for a bit.

Saturday we woke up to beautiful weather and our last full day in the Dominican. So, we got ready and headed down to the pool. We found our usual spot open, dropped our stuff off and got comfy at the swim up, pool bar. Saturday was pretty slow since lots of couples were leaving, so we had awkward conversation with the bartender who didn't have the best English. No worries, part of the deal.

We got back to the room to find our towel creation for the day was a swan heart (I think?).

 And because he's a good sport he let me get some pictures of him with it after I moved it from the bed. He tries :)

We had one restaurant left to try and that was the French place, Limited Gourmand. We had our reservation for 6:30 so we would be finished in time to watch the Florida State vs Miami game. This was definitely the fanciest of the restaurants, so I did not break out my camera mid dinner. haha.

After dinner we came back to the room for College Football Saturday as it's called in our house. Florida State killed Miami and I had a happy husband.

Sunday came and we were up and eating breakfast earlier than I'd have liked. But, we got a good meal in, took a nice long walk on the beach, finished packing and headed to the lobby to wait for our bus.

 
Last pictures in the room before heading down stairs

We had such a great time and loved our stay. As much fun as it was though, it was time to go home!
 The return trip wasn't nearly as smooth and we even got to see the Homeland Security office of the Atlanta airport. Yea. 

A big thanks to Peggy and Chip for making our trip possible!! And another thanks to Mom and Kristina for watching our Sidney Lou!!