Headed for Toronto on Sunday afternoon. Arrived at the Courtyard Marriott where we had arranged reasonably priced park and fly. This also meant that we could get at least a few hours of sleep before having to be at the airport for 4 a.m. check-in. We had to wait a couple of hours before Julie and Mom & Dad joined us, so we treated the kids (read:Laura) to a bit of shopping at Sherway Gardens. She liked it...it contained 2 of her favorite brand stores that aren't available here. The late arrivals joined us & we all had dinner at Arizona's before an early bedtime.
Arrived at the airport & checked in with no problems. Discovered that our travel agent must have pre-assigned our seating, because we were all together. Uneventful flight & relatively fast flow thru the Punta Cana airport at the other end. Got on the bus that was waiting for us. Only one snag with the bus, they unloaded our suitcases to get other passengers' cases off at a stop before ours, in the same complex, but neglected to put all of them back on. We had to yell & dash for the front of the bus to get them to stop & retrieve our luggage. The three rooms on resort were all together which was nice & two of the three were ready on arrival so we took all our luggage right away & headed for the beach. Mix of sun and cloud, and then we headed for the bar before dinner. Lots of fun, altho I then skipped dinner & went directly to bed.
Julie and I tended to be the early risers, she walked on the beach every morning, while I did some stretching, some kenpo forms & sets and then a run. Jonathan joined me on 2 occasions. And Julie and I used the on site fitness gym to do some weights and I used the treadmill one rainy afternoon. We did get some sun every day, but the first few days were pretty rainy. I got soaked one morning on my run, because I was at the far end of the complex when the clouds unloaded. Probably a good thing, because the sun there is very strong, Dad got his legs badly sun burnt, sitting in the shade!!!!
Evening walks after dinner were usual as well. We walked around the 5 resort complex and on Wednesday evening, Jim & I along with Mom & Dad went to the casino for a bit. No big win, but we had fun. Mom thinks it was the first time that Dad played a slot machine.
Food was good & plentiful. We tended to use the main buffet for breakfast all together, lunch was usually at the open air restaurant, and then a return to the main buffet for dinner as a group. We only used the steakhouse a la carte, to celebrate Jim's birthday. The maid staff decorated our room on that day, they did the towel art to form numbers instead of swans, and there were bunches of balloons. Steakhouse was very good, much better than most a la cartes we've tried while travelling down south.
Mom & Dad took an excursion on Friday. They were gone for most of the day and saw what the country looked like away from the resort areas. They had their eyes opened as to how poor most of the population is, and how much the country depends on tourism. They really enjoyed the trip though.
Saturday we all trekked down the beach to the hut "mall" to give the local economy a shot in the arm. Bit of excitement...Laura picked out the necklaces she wanted to bring back for herself and her group of friends, and then wandered thru the shops with Julie, while we hunted with Jonathan. She was standing in the shade in one shop and fainted! The nice lady there got her some water. We thanked her afterwards and Julie bought an ankle bracelet from her. We think she wasn't drinking enough liquids for the heat & humidity.
Saturday and Sunday were the best beach days of the trip. We spent most of the day on the beach and all got tanned & sun burnt. Dad tried taking out a little sunfish late Saturday afternoon, but had wind problems getting off the beach. He tried again with Laura & Jonathan on Sunday afternoon with a catamaran, and they had a great trip. Jonathan described sailing as "awesome". They sailed all the way around the wreck.
We got spoiled Saturday and Sunday nights at the dinner buffet. Eddy and Antonio were watching for us, had a table all set up for 7 and saved just for us. They made sure we had everything that we needed...kept topping up wine glasses and clearing away dirty plates promptly. Saturday night all the tables were decorated with leaves & flowers, but Sunday we noticed that ours was one of just a few that were decorated. A second look determined that they were also reserved by the wait staff, just like ours. Buffet is always a good choice, lots of options and a chance to try new things. The stewed goat was yummy, lots of amazing seafood and the kids ate fresh pineapple with every meal.
The animacion staff was great. Mom laughed that there was a large group of people whose job entailed getting people up & out of their loungers. And then of course they also perform during the evening shows. We didn't use them much, I did water aerobics a time or two & danced once. Julie & Mom played horseshoes & Mom danced. We all watched one of the "silly games" one afternoon...an obstacle course around the pool involving some swimming, running, walking in swim fins, chugging beer & push ups. Jonathan played a game on the beach that basically amounted to "bowling for booze" and he won a small bottle of rum!
Bus was late on Monday morning, but we got to the airport in time. Seats were again together, and we had time for the kids to grab some Wendy's before the plane ride. The pilot advised us early in the flight that we would make better time than expected, because we were on a Boeing 757 instead of an Airbus 380. That meant we had a lighter load comparitively...larger plane. We also were on the first plane either just in their fleet or maybe even in Canada with these neat winglet additions to the plane wings. Lovely trip and a good time was had by all, but it's nice to be home.
Pictures can be found here: http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/MrsNose/Punta%20Cana%20trip/
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Balance
Just to make everything even, Jonathan was the last one in the pool this season. He & I went in after karate class on September 25...water temp was 76F.
Friday, May 25, 2007
May Activities
Pool was opened on Wednesday, May 16th. Water temp on opening was 56F.
Victoria Day weekend didn't have the greatest weather, but we got a lot done outside in the yard. Coolish weather, but ok. Went to the drive-in with the Tymos on Sunday night to see Shrek 3 & Blades of Glory. Shrek was good, the other just had a few moments. Very cold though, even with the back of the van loaded up with pillows, blankets & sleeping bags. Hard frost the next morning.
Jonathan was the first one in the pool this year. He entered on Thursday, May 24th...water temp 72F. Bit of a heat wave got the temp up nicely.
Add on: Just to note that for the 2nd year in a row, the pool temp was sufficiently warm to allow adults to enter the water in May. I was in last night with a temp of 77F!!! Jim was working, otherwise he would have gone in himself as well.
Victoria Day weekend didn't have the greatest weather, but we got a lot done outside in the yard. Coolish weather, but ok. Went to the drive-in with the Tymos on Sunday night to see Shrek 3 & Blades of Glory. Shrek was good, the other just had a few moments. Very cold though, even with the back of the van loaded up with pillows, blankets & sleeping bags. Hard frost the next morning.
Jonathan was the first one in the pool this year. He entered on Thursday, May 24th...water temp 72F. Bit of a heat wave got the temp up nicely.
Add on: Just to note that for the 2nd year in a row, the pool temp was sufficiently warm to allow adults to enter the water in May. I was in last night with a temp of 77F!!! Jim was working, otherwise he would have gone in himself as well.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Updates
I guess I should try to remember this kind of stuff. :-)
Anyways, the pool became ice free this year on March 26th. That seems really early to me, I guess I should check back to see from last year if I can determine by pictures.
The important bit I guess is that people here were able to golf up until New Year's, we didn't get winter set in really, until mid-January. And then we had a really long, very cold stretch with temps in the -20s.
Anyways, the pool became ice free this year on March 26th. That seems really early to me, I guess I should check back to see from last year if I can determine by pictures.
The important bit I guess is that people here were able to golf up until New Year's, we didn't get winter set in really, until mid-January. And then we had a really long, very cold stretch with temps in the -20s.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Poetry By Son
BUGS
crawling on the ground
some are flying to the sky
bugs oh bugs oh bugs
LOGS
some were little trees
some were once big mighty trees
you can sit on them
LEAVES
falling from the trees
some are pointy some are not
they make good compost
WIND
blowing everywhere
sometimes wind is relaxing
even blowing hair
crawling on the ground
some are flying to the sky
bugs oh bugs oh bugs
LOGS
some were little trees
some were once big mighty trees
you can sit on them
LEAVES
falling from the trees
some are pointy some are not
they make good compost
WIND
blowing everywhere
sometimes wind is relaxing
even blowing hair
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Puerto Plata trip
Great vacation! Started out on Monday morning. Laura & I went and picked up Julie. Came back home, rearranged some luggage and packing and were on the road by 11 a.m. Two important stops before we left town, first at the community centre to vote, and then the obligatory stop at Tim Horton's. No problems on the 401, we got off just before the traffic started backing up with an accident. Pulled into the Park N Fly and unloaded the baggage. Had just walked up to the pickup shelter, and before we had a chance to push the call button, the shuttle arrived. Quick trip over to terminal 3 and we were ready to "hurry up and wait". Walked up to the Sunquest counter and got our tickets (no line-up). Over to the SkyService check-in, and right up to the wicket, again no waiting!!! Through the security check, no problems except Julie got beeped by her watch & bracelets. Walked over to our gate, and then looked at each other, "Now what? That was too easy!" Kids did some of their homework while we were waiting to board. Plane left on time, and flight had tail wind. Off the plane, filled out the form, through customs & immigration, down the hall and our luggage was ready! Found the Sunquest rep and right on the bus. 40 minute trip and we were on resort. Arrived at 10 p.m. Rooms were of course ready at that hour, so we headed right in. Laura was bunked in with Julie, and Jonathan with us. Had to ask for an extra bed for Jonathan, so we took advantage of the wait time to unpack. Kids went for a walk with Julie, and by 11 p.m. Jim & I were sitting at the bar enjoying the warm breeze and the rum. Julie & the kids found us there at around 11:30.
Up early the next morning, and after a quick breakfast, we headed to the beach. Warm, sunny, not a cloud in the sky. Julie & I did the stretching class in the morning, felt good after travelling. Had lunch and then moved over to the pool area. Pool water was COLD! Not really, but it felt that way. Lots of palm trees around the pool, so it's hard to get sunny areas. You have to get up early to stake out your deck chair. After dinner, Jim & I walked down to the casino and spent an hour playing video poker. Broke even, so we counted it as good.
Wednesday I was up at the crack of dawn. Actually before the sun rose. Walked down to the beach and then along to the gazebo up on the western cliff of the resort area. Played around with the camera to try & get some sunrise pictures. Seems I figured it out. Got some pics of the foliage on the way back to meet up with the rest on the crew. To the beach again, other than walking around a lot, the exercise for the day was aquafit in the ocean. That was difficult! Not only do you have water resistance, you have to deal with the strong waves. And the footing is questionable. Fun anyways, and there was group dancing on the beach afterwards.
Thursday Julie, the kids & I went on a half day snorkelling trip. When they came around to sign us up the day before, they had told us to grab bananas and bread from the buffet for fish feeding. We had a long boat ride to the reef, over an hour. Reef was neat, fish came swarming when we pulled apart bread for them. Lots to look at. Went to another location a short way down the coast, and there were different fish. Julie got bit by one, trying to get them to eat from her hand, rather than letting the bread float free. Cold boat ride back, we were on the shady side of the boat. The driver pulled into the harbour at Puerto Plata and we hailed a sport fishing boat just coming in. We all asked them if they had had any luck, and they held up a 5 foot marlin! Wow! Joined up with Jim near the pool when we got back, and relaxed for the afternoon.
Friday was a mix of sun & cloud and very windy. We took advantage of the cloudy morning to get Laura's hair braided. Ladies were wearing light parkas and huddling in their little hut, while we were wearing shorts! Were down on the beach for a while, but very windy. Tried to make wind shelters on the treed upper area, but got cold after a while. Kids entertained themselves knocking coconuts down out of the trees, and cracking them open. Got spaces near the pool, got some sun. Wandered over to the pool bar & staked out a corner. Ended up spending 3 hours + there with Jill & Randy from Illinois. Kids stayed with us for a while, ordering cocktails without alcohol, and spent some time back in room. After dinner, there were tables set up in the main building, and Jim got bracelets for Laura & I.
Saturday was cloudy most of the day. We relaxed by the pool, was too windy to stay on the beach. As we did every day, we went for long walks through the resort complex. That was the nice thing...although our resort was the smallest, the three RIU resorts were all linked with nice pathways. Walked all the way down to the watersport area at the far end of the complex and the kids found nicer shells there than on the main beach. Kids & I went down to the internet cafe & checked email and the kids MSN'd for a bit. Went to the Steakhouse for dinner, nice meal.
Sunday the sun came back. We spent the whole day on the beach. It's nicer than the pool, and the kids played at the water's edge the whole day. We got ourselves organized with packing, so we wouldn't waste any of the last day.
We were up early Monday morning. Down to the beach until 11:30, then went and gathered our suitcases and checked out. Back to the beach until 4 p.m. then we headed up to clean up for the trip back. Decided that a quick rinse in the pool would be fine for travelling, and that was quicker than waiting in line for the shower. Back to the bar to get a couple more drinks and to say "choo choo" to Tito. That was his greeting to everyone. Shuttle picked us up at 6:30 and we were off to the airport. Plane was a little late arriving from Toronto, but they got it ready to go back quickly and we arrived on time in Toronto. Immigration was quick, and the only waiting we did on the whole trip that was annoying was the wait at the baggage carousel in Toronto. Caught the shuttle and we were back to the Park N Fly in no time. Dropped Julie off at home and we were all in our own beds shortly after 4 a.m.
Up early the next morning, and after a quick breakfast, we headed to the beach. Warm, sunny, not a cloud in the sky. Julie & I did the stretching class in the morning, felt good after travelling. Had lunch and then moved over to the pool area. Pool water was COLD! Not really, but it felt that way. Lots of palm trees around the pool, so it's hard to get sunny areas. You have to get up early to stake out your deck chair. After dinner, Jim & I walked down to the casino and spent an hour playing video poker. Broke even, so we counted it as good.
Wednesday I was up at the crack of dawn. Actually before the sun rose. Walked down to the beach and then along to the gazebo up on the western cliff of the resort area. Played around with the camera to try & get some sunrise pictures. Seems I figured it out. Got some pics of the foliage on the way back to meet up with the rest on the crew. To the beach again, other than walking around a lot, the exercise for the day was aquafit in the ocean. That was difficult! Not only do you have water resistance, you have to deal with the strong waves. And the footing is questionable. Fun anyways, and there was group dancing on the beach afterwards.
Thursday Julie, the kids & I went on a half day snorkelling trip. When they came around to sign us up the day before, they had told us to grab bananas and bread from the buffet for fish feeding. We had a long boat ride to the reef, over an hour. Reef was neat, fish came swarming when we pulled apart bread for them. Lots to look at. Went to another location a short way down the coast, and there were different fish. Julie got bit by one, trying to get them to eat from her hand, rather than letting the bread float free. Cold boat ride back, we were on the shady side of the boat. The driver pulled into the harbour at Puerto Plata and we hailed a sport fishing boat just coming in. We all asked them if they had had any luck, and they held up a 5 foot marlin! Wow! Joined up with Jim near the pool when we got back, and relaxed for the afternoon.
Friday was a mix of sun & cloud and very windy. We took advantage of the cloudy morning to get Laura's hair braided. Ladies were wearing light parkas and huddling in their little hut, while we were wearing shorts! Were down on the beach for a while, but very windy. Tried to make wind shelters on the treed upper area, but got cold after a while. Kids entertained themselves knocking coconuts down out of the trees, and cracking them open. Got spaces near the pool, got some sun. Wandered over to the pool bar & staked out a corner. Ended up spending 3 hours + there with Jill & Randy from Illinois. Kids stayed with us for a while, ordering cocktails without alcohol, and spent some time back in room. After dinner, there were tables set up in the main building, and Jim got bracelets for Laura & I.
Saturday was cloudy most of the day. We relaxed by the pool, was too windy to stay on the beach. As we did every day, we went for long walks through the resort complex. That was the nice thing...although our resort was the smallest, the three RIU resorts were all linked with nice pathways. Walked all the way down to the watersport area at the far end of the complex and the kids found nicer shells there than on the main beach. Kids & I went down to the internet cafe & checked email and the kids MSN'd for a bit. Went to the Steakhouse for dinner, nice meal.
Sunday the sun came back. We spent the whole day on the beach. It's nicer than the pool, and the kids played at the water's edge the whole day. We got ourselves organized with packing, so we wouldn't waste any of the last day.
We were up early Monday morning. Down to the beach until 11:30, then went and gathered our suitcases and checked out. Back to the beach until 4 p.m. then we headed up to clean up for the trip back. Decided that a quick rinse in the pool would be fine for travelling, and that was quicker than waiting in line for the shower. Back to the bar to get a couple more drinks and to say "choo choo" to Tito. That was his greeting to everyone. Shuttle picked us up at 6:30 and we were off to the airport. Plane was a little late arriving from Toronto, but they got it ready to go back quickly and we arrived on time in Toronto. Immigration was quick, and the only waiting we did on the whole trip that was annoying was the wait at the baggage carousel in Toronto. Caught the shuttle and we were back to the Park N Fly in no time. Dropped Julie off at home and we were all in our own beds shortly after 4 a.m.
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