December 8th 2011:
Not a typical trip this time! Our annual Christmas trip with the family! We don't do the whole presents thing anymore, the past five years we have gone on all inclusive trips to tropical destinations! Mexico x4 and Jamaica! Off to a new country this year I've never been to: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!
Leaving out of Indianapolis for a seven night trip in the Caribbean! Greatly looking forward to this trip! I just can't seem to stay home! After checking into our hotel, we decided to grab a bite to eat and then do some shopping in the Metropolis area. Back to the hotel for a few drinks and then some sleep for our early morning flight!
Friday December 9th:
Travel and party day!
Flights were both good and before we knew it we arrived in sunny Dominican! It was very welcoming, great atmosphere unlike entering into the States.
We were on our bus to head to the resort, and these two girls were so excited to see each other, ran up to each other hugged and completely wiped out! HILARIOUS.
Bus ride to the Riu Bambu where we were staying. Before we knew it we were all checked in and where we needed to be! Andy and Bri arrived just a bit after us and it was time to start enjoying our trip!
Absolutely beautiful beach. Most palm trees I've ever seen on a beach! We started drinking and didn't stop for awhile!
Had dinner and saw the sports bar, they had an OSU flag all the way down there. Why am I not surprised?
Met someone from Munich and forgot how bad my German was! After a fun first day, we were exhausted and decided to get some much needed rest.
Saturday Dec 10:
Great sleep and all rested ready to enjoy another day in paradise. A guy outside our room asked if we wanted a coconut and then pursued to CLIMB up a palm tree and cut some down for us! Delicious.
Had breakfast and then walked down to the unbelievable beach.
Went for a walk down the beach and looked for some geocaches, but there were so many people around that I hardly even looked.
Back and had some lunch and relaxed on the beach! Pretty much did that seven days in a row!
Later in the afternoon it started raining, so we took cover by the pool bar and starting playing LCR- our favorite drinking game. Let's just say we consumed a good share of alcohol! The losers have to wear reindeer antlers or santa hats!
Had dinner reservations at the Italian Restaurant and then hung out by the lobby bar and watched part of the Las Vegas show.
Sunday Dec 11:
Breakfast again consisting of fruit and an omelet like every other day!
Back to the beach and went on a run down to the straw market!
Returned and swam in the waves before lunch. Took time to explore more of the resort. Went to the nearby Riu's as well (there are three) and saw the casino, shops, Caribe Street and the disco).
Back to the swim up bar and then decided to do an activity, we played ping pong! Mom ended up winning! As we were there we started playing volleyball too! I ended up losing every single game, but it sure was fun! Playing with so many international people. Our language barriers definitely cost us some points! Off to another activity afterwards- Bingo!! I can guarantee you Jeremy and I were the youngest ones playing. Dad ended up winning one of the games!
To the sports bar and then got ready for the International Buffet that evening. After dinner we walked to the other resorts.
Had to make sure we were back in time for Mom's award ceremony for winning Ping Pong!
She won a bottle of Rum and an award.
Karaoke night was next which was pretty interesting. Fun hearing international songs.
Monday Dec 12:
Another gorgeous day ahead of us! Breakfast of course and then to the beach where we jumped in the waves.
We took three bags of teenie beanie babies to give to the kids down there or to the workers to take home to their kids. We gave them away to people at the straw market, our maid, the spa ladies, people selling stuff on the beach. They were all very appreciative and we know it made their day.
We went to the straw market that day and bought some random souvenirs.
On the way back mom tripped on a rope and fell completely to the ground! Hysterical.
Time for a snack and then Andy, Bri, Jeremy and I decided to play horseshoes! Once again we were the youngest haha! Jeremy and I made it to the second round at least! Next activity was ring toss and and I WON!! We sure were active that day, we wanted to go and play some ping pong but everyone was already playing so we started playing 3-3 volleyball with Obama and then more people joined! Well the winning team was awarded shots, and even though my team lost, we still had shots at the swim-up bar! May have gotten drunk pretty quickly with too much Smirnoff! Jeremy tackled me in the pool and my favorite pair of Ray Bans broke!!
Went back to the room to get ready for dinner since we had reservations at the Steak House restaurant. Had a giant chicken breast which was pretty good. I was exhausted after all the days activities, but I had to stay up for my award ceremony.
Jeremy and I were the only ones to stay up for my award and then immediately to bed afterwards!
Tuesday Dec 13:
Breakfast and beach again in the morning, can you believe it?
Andy, Bri, Jeremy and I decided to go kayaking!!! You have NO idea how fun this turned out to be!
Turned out to be one of the best parts of the trip. Giant waves way out there past the reef! Jeremy and I only ended up capsizing once which came behind us unexpectedly. We would come up on the wave and the front of the kayak would smack down. I took some massive waves in my face! Jeremy and I managed to ride a wave for quite some time- literally about 30 seconds! We just kept going on and on and on! Such an awesome experience! I had never done that before!
Had some lunch after that fun experience and then walked around the shops. I finally found my Dominican Republic flag patch!
Back to the resort to play some more LCR which was hilarious as always.
We then decided to play another game at the resort: Frisbee. Guess who ended up winning? Jeremy!
Back to LCR again and Jeremy managed to push me into the pool with all my clothes on! But you think I went in alone? Heck no! I took him in with me!
Then it was Bingo time again and Andy ended up winning! I guess we are just pretty lucky or that good! Andy Jeremy and I stayed around to play some more LCR while everyone else got ready since we had reservations at the Japanese Restaurant that evening.
Had some good veggie sushi and I talked to the waiter secretly to let them know we were celebrating Bri's birthday! They all came out singing a song and brought her a giant cake!
After dinner was over, I sat on a couch in the lobby and met a girl named Sammi from Toronto! She asked me to watch her iPhone while she was charging it for a second and then we started talking forever! She's awesome. It was her 22nd birthday at midnight too! Met her mom and we all hung out for awhile until Jeremy accepted his award for winning frisbee!
We watched the show and met a guy from Slovakia; Titus. He also studies hospitality management. He's been to Innsbruck before and studied in Vienna and Graz! He's going to do an internship in Montanta for four months on a dude ranch. Anyhow, the four of us all hung out and had a blast. Always fun meeting new friends. We drank some more and met Mama Frida who is the older lady from Switzerland that was at the resort for 3 months! She has been there 22 times so far! Insane.
It was officially disco time! I was surprised we even made it since we had been going to bed aroudn ten each night! We had to stay up until at least midnight to celebrate Sammi's birthday! Let's just saw we danced A LOT! Saw Andy and Bri there and had a blast.
After the disco, we went to the beach and went swimming in the middle of the night. Went onto the pool after to wash off and eventually made it to bed around 3 am! Best night so far for sure!
Wednesday Dec 14:
Andy and Bri fly back to Ohio today. We didn't quite make it to breakfast today! Said goodbye to Andy and Bri, had lunch, and met an older couple (Jerry and Jerry) from Ohio! They were absolutely hilarious, nonstop comedy! They met while at the VFW! They are both from Cleveland Ohio area! After lunch we obviously headed to the beach.
Jeremy and I went boogie borading!
Another game of LCR and went back to the lobby bar and talked to Jerry and Jerry some more! Seriously so funny!
Got ready for dinner once again and met Sammi and her mom just in time to have Champagne to celebrate her birthday and dessert!
After dinner was the Michael Jackson show which was entertaining to say the least, Titus and his sister (Zuzana) showed up and a fun night was to ensue!
Eventually made it over to the disco and let's just say A LOT of dancing happened despite us being the only ones dancing. Lots of photos were somehow taken too!
I requested one of my favorite dance songs; LMFAO Party Rock Anthem! It played the next song and not too many songs after I was going crazy dancing to that, it came on again! I was in heaven- felt like I was back in IBK with my European friends!
Back to the room for much needed sleep after a lot of dancing.
Thursday Dec 15:
Our last full day here in Dominican! How does a trip go by so quickly! Breakfast followed by a long walk on the beach- tried to find some more geocaches with no luck! Although we didn't look too hard, but so many people around it wasn't ideal. There were really rough waves that day, so no scuba, snorkeling, sailing, or even kayaking!
Back after our walk to relax. Played blackjack despite the crazy winds! Hung out with Jerry and Jerry some more, did a bit of shopping and saw a completely full perfect rainbow!!
Then it was time for went to dinner.
Decided to go to the casino which probably wasn't a good idea. Afterwards, Jeremy and I tried to go and find Sammi and began yelling her name in her hotel building. We weren't sure which room was actually hers. After a few callings of her name, Jeremy managed to SCREAM Sammi's name and eventually a door opened and there she was! She agreed to go out with us even though it was quite late! Decided to go to the other resort to find Zuzana and Titus! Asked the front desk, they gave us their room number and we woke them up!
After some drinks in their room they were awesome enough to wake up and go down to the sports bar with us!
There we met Patrick and Eric and we played beer pong with them for quite awhile. Let's just say it ended up being a really late night! Didn't even go to bed until 5 am! Had to go out with a bang I guess!
Friday December 16:
Travel day back to the states!
Believe it or not we were up just in time for breakfast! Obviously not much sleep, but that's what flights are for. Hung out with our gang for the last morning and then took our shuttle to the airport.
It was fun leaving the airport, has such a good vibe there! Didn't want to leave at all!
Slept on the flight, went through US customs who are so rude. I never enjoy returning to the US and going through all that. Other countries are so much more welcoming! Anyhow, I had some chinese food before our last flight back to Indianapolis. Oh and you know that green palm hat we had been wearing all the trip? Guess who brought it all the way back to Miami only to leave it on the plane? Jeremy!
Slept on that flight as well. Landed, walked to baggage claim where our bags were coming out right then, walked across the street and our hotel shuttle was just pulling up. Couldn't have planned it any better! Drive back to home to end our unforgettable, amazing trip!!
Not a typical trip this time! Our annual Christmas trip with the family! We don't do the whole presents thing anymore, the past five years we have gone on all inclusive trips to tropical destinations! Mexico x4 and Jamaica! Off to a new country this year I've never been to: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!
Leaving out of Indianapolis for a seven night trip in the Caribbean! Greatly looking forward to this trip! I just can't seem to stay home! After checking into our hotel, we decided to grab a bite to eat and then do some shopping in the Metropolis area. Back to the hotel for a few drinks and then some sleep for our early morning flight!
Friday December 9th:
Travel and party day!
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| Excited for our trip to begin |
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| We arrived! |
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| Amazing airport |
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| Finally! |
Bus ride to the Riu Bambu where we were staying. Before we knew it we were all checked in and where we needed to be! Andy and Bri arrived just a bit after us and it was time to start enjoying our trip!
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| Bri opening up a gift! |
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| The beach! |
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| Perfection |
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| Happy to be here! |
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| The pool! |
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| It's everywhere! |
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| Drinks in hand! |
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| The whole gang! |
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| And again! |
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| The infamous hat! |
Saturday Dec 10:
Great sleep and all rested ready to enjoy another day in paradise. A guy outside our room asked if we wanted a coconut and then pursued to CLIMB up a palm tree and cut some down for us! Delicious.
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| Climbing up.. |
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| And up.. |
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| AT THE TOP! |
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| Coconuts! |
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| Yumm! |
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| Enjoying my coconut! |
Had breakfast and then walked down to the unbelievable beach.
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| 528 Meets A1A! |
Went for a walk down the beach and looked for some geocaches, but there were so many people around that I hardly even looked.
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| The guys |
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| Perfect beach! |
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| So many palm trees! |
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| Of course I climbed one! |
Later in the afternoon it started raining, so we took cover by the pool bar and starting playing LCR- our favorite drinking game. Let's just say we consumed a good share of alcohol! The losers have to wear reindeer antlers or santa hats!
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| LCR! |
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| Staying dry! |
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| Yup... we lost! |
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| Pouring down! |
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| All of us! |
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| Ready for dinner |
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| Group photo! |
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| Show |
Breakfast again consisting of fruit and an omelet like every other day!
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| Delicious fruit! |
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| Passion fruit! |
Back to the beach and went on a run down to the straw market!
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| Best beach I've ever been to. |
Returned and swam in the waves before lunch. Took time to explore more of the resort. Went to the nearby Riu's as well (there are three) and saw the casino, shops, Caribe Street and the disco).
Back to the swim up bar and then decided to do an activity, we played ping pong! Mom ended up winning! As we were there we started playing volleyball too! I ended up losing every single game, but it sure was fun! Playing with so many international people. Our language barriers definitely cost us some points! Off to another activity afterwards- Bingo!! I can guarantee you Jeremy and I were the youngest ones playing. Dad ended up winning one of the games!
To the sports bar and then got ready for the International Buffet that evening. After dinner we walked to the other resorts.
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| Titanic stairs! |
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| The other RIU |
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| Short santa! |
Had to make sure we were back in time for Mom's award ceremony for winning Ping Pong!
She won a bottle of Rum and an award.
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| Watching the show |
Karaoke night was next which was pretty interesting. Fun hearing international songs.
Monday Dec 12:
Another gorgeous day ahead of us! Breakfast of course and then to the beach where we jumped in the waves.
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| One of my favorite photos of the trip |
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| Mom and I |
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| Enjoying the view |
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| Not staged at all... haha |
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| SMILE! |
We took three bags of teenie beanie babies to give to the kids down there or to the workers to take home to their kids. We gave them away to people at the straw market, our maid, the spa ladies, people selling stuff on the beach. They were all very appreciative and we know it made their day.
We went to the straw market that day and bought some random souvenirs.
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| Love this |
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| Mom and I |
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| More beach photos! |
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| Straw market down there! |
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| Pretty close to the water! |
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| Hope those sand bags hold up! |
On the way back mom tripped on a rope and fell completely to the ground! Hysterical.
Time for a snack and then Andy, Bri, Jeremy and I decided to play horseshoes! Once again we were the youngest haha! Jeremy and I made it to the second round at least! Next activity was ring toss and and I WON!! We sure were active that day, we wanted to go and play some ping pong but everyone was already playing so we started playing 3-3 volleyball with Obama and then more people joined! Well the winning team was awarded shots, and even though my team lost, we still had shots at the swim-up bar! May have gotten drunk pretty quickly with too much Smirnoff! Jeremy tackled me in the pool and my favorite pair of Ray Bans broke!!
Went back to the room to get ready for dinner since we had reservations at the Steak House restaurant. Had a giant chicken breast which was pretty good. I was exhausted after all the days activities, but I had to stay up for my award ceremony.
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| Hendrix's |
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| Jeremy and I |
Jeremy and I were the only ones to stay up for my award and then immediately to bed afterwards!
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| Accepting my award |
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| We are the champions |
Breakfast and beach again in the morning, can you believe it?
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| Clear blue sky! |
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| This guy was on drugs or something... He kept rolling in the sand |
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| Fun times about to happen! |
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| Already laughing |
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| Off to take on the waves! |
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| Going far out! |
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| Sunken ship out there! |
Had some lunch after that fun experience and then walked around the shops. I finally found my Dominican Republic flag patch!
Back to the resort to play some more LCR which was hilarious as always.
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| LCR time! |
Back to LCR again and Jeremy managed to push me into the pool with all my clothes on! But you think I went in alone? Heck no! I took him in with me!
Then it was Bingo time again and Andy ended up winning! I guess we are just pretty lucky or that good! Andy Jeremy and I stayed around to play some more LCR while everyone else got ready since we had reservations at the Japanese Restaurant that evening.
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| Group photo before dinner! |
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| Japanese Restuarant |
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| Surprising Bri! |
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| Photos! |
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| Amazing fruit displays. |
We watched the show and met a guy from Slovakia; Titus. He also studies hospitality management. He's been to Innsbruck before and studied in Vienna and Graz! He's going to do an internship in Montanta for four months on a dude ranch. Anyhow, the four of us all hung out and had a blast. Always fun meeting new friends. We drank some more and met Mama Frida who is the older lady from Switzerland that was at the resort for 3 months! She has been there 22 times so far! Insane.
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| Celebrating her bday with champagne! |
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| Mama Frida! |
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| Shots at the sports bar |
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| Dancing at the disco! |
After the disco, we went to the beach and went swimming in the middle of the night. Went onto the pool after to wash off and eventually made it to bed around 3 am! Best night so far for sure!
Wednesday Dec 14:
Andy and Bri fly back to Ohio today. We didn't quite make it to breakfast today! Said goodbye to Andy and Bri, had lunch, and met an older couple (Jerry and Jerry) from Ohio! They were absolutely hilarious, nonstop comedy! They met while at the VFW! They are both from Cleveland Ohio area! After lunch we obviously headed to the beach.
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| Long night! |
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| Had to do it! |
Jeremy and I went boogie borading!
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| Riding waves in! |
Another game of LCR and went back to the lobby bar and talked to Jerry and Jerry some more! Seriously so funny!
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| Swim up bar |
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| Mom and Jerry! |
Got ready for dinner once again and met Sammi and her mom just in time to have Champagne to celebrate her birthday and dessert!
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| Another fruit display! |
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| Our new friends! |
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| Being crazy already! |
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| Party foul! |
I requested one of my favorite dance songs; LMFAO Party Rock Anthem! It played the next song and not too many songs after I was going crazy dancing to that, it came on again! I was in heaven- felt like I was back in IBK with my European friends!
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| Being crazy |
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| Group photo |
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| Ahh! |
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| We were taking far too many photos! |
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| One of my favorites!! |
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| Yes you! |
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| Saluting to...? |
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| A lady kept taking photos for us! |
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| Dancing dancing! |
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| No!! |
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| Love this one |
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| Still going strong! |
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| THE END! |
Thursday Dec 15:
Our last full day here in Dominican! How does a trip go by so quickly! Breakfast followed by a long walk on the beach- tried to find some more geocaches with no luck! Although we didn't look too hard, but so many people around it wasn't ideal. There were really rough waves that day, so no scuba, snorkeling, sailing, or even kayaking!
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| Rough night Jeremy? |
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| Our sand castle! |
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| Rainbow!! |
Then it was time for went to dinner.
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| Dinner |
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| Monkey! |
Decided to go to the casino which probably wasn't a good idea. Afterwards, Jeremy and I tried to go and find Sammi and began yelling her name in her hotel building. We weren't sure which room was actually hers. After a few callings of her name, Jeremy managed to SCREAM Sammi's name and eventually a door opened and there she was! She agreed to go out with us even though it was quite late! Decided to go to the other resort to find Zuzana and Titus! Asked the front desk, they gave us their room number and we woke them up!
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| Waking up our friends! |
After some drinks in their room they were awesome enough to wake up and go down to the sports bar with us!
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| With the Slovakians! |
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| Beer Pong |
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| Wake up Sammi! |
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| Other sports bar! |
Friday December 16:
Travel day back to the states!
Believe it or not we were up just in time for breakfast! Obviously not much sleep, but that's what flights are for. Hung out with our gang for the last morning and then took our shuttle to the airport.
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| The entire gang! |
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| Jerry and Jerry who I mentioned before! |
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| Last photo with Sammi! |
It was fun leaving the airport, has such a good vibe there! Didn't want to leave at all!
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| Ready for our fight back |
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| Mom and dad boarding the flight |
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| View out my window |
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| Goodbye Dominican! |
Slept on that flight as well. Landed, walked to baggage claim where our bags were coming out right then, walked across the street and our hotel shuttle was just pulling up. Couldn't have planned it any better! Drive back to home to end our unforgettable, amazing trip!!
