Punta Cana DR Club Med 2007

Tried to do a little research on the Dominican Republic beforehand to find out more about the country, but not too much luck. I knew it was poor, and one of my residents went to rural areas of the country on a mission trip to the north in the mountains. She said the power went out a lot, and it was very beautiful. I knew we would be on the eastern tip and at an all-inclusive resort—so I wasn’t expecting any trouble with the power or mountain sightseeing.

Day 1

I finished up RAing responsibilities on Saturday after finals week. Donnie, Dad, and Mom had left a day early with flight trouble so I got to the airport early. 10 minute check-in for me so I wait over 3 hours for a delayed flight. Despite the delay I make my connection and arrive at Club Med on time, which is only 5 minutes from taxi from the airport. Mom and dad come up to see if I’m there. Surprised how huge the resort is. Got checked in to our nice, air-conditioned room shared with Donnie. Snorkeled and played volleyball then had a great dinner (Seafood). The circus show later that night was great and my first introduction to “crazy signs”, basically a set dance you do every night before the show to get you pumped up, and at the AquaGym. They get you moving all the time, even at 11 at night. When I first saw it before the circus show I started cracking up because it is run by an over energetic French woman with a strong accent who all the GOs must join on stage We had dinner with all the tennis players that Donnie had met that morning. The snorkeling was OK, coral not too hot but OK fish: 2 eels. The resort is basically run by the GOs who sit down with you at every meal, start every activity, and talk to you whenever they can. They were a bit annoying the first day as I didn’t know why they sat down with us as a family…

Day 2

Ate breakfast before going to my first tennis workout this morning. Brings back the Boeing memories. Start to sweat instantly while playing due to heat and humidity. Snorkeled again, saw a porcupine fish and the eels, lion fish. Lunch. Dad and I left Club Med along the beach to try to find a better snorkeling spot. We walked out on onto an unkept beach with garbage and lots of crabs. We made it down to a golf course, but not a good snorkeling spot as the water was cloudy. Played volleyball again then had dinner (Italian). Relaxed with some Law and Order. Also tried the trapeze for the first time today (during ambiance) and met the awesome circus team (Kevin, Mona, PG, and Fabritzio). Donnie and I did the basic knee hang with them yelling on. Thankfully there was no line so we could practice 4-5 times. Legs were killing me that night from the knee hang. There are many different languages being spoken, mostly French, then English and Spanish. Makes me wish I learned a more useful one… Lots of French Canadians and bi/tri lingual GOs.

Day 3

Slept in despite going to bed early. Played morning volleyball and went on the snorkeling excursion. It was definitely better but still not amazing. More live coral. Saw a lobster, conch shell, queen angel. Did the trapeze again but no catch. There are people there that are clearly very practiced from previous visits and do crazy catches with flips, splits, etc. We didn’t do the catch today, but they got on us for mistakes, Mona calling Donnie an “old woman”. I want to go to Santo Domingo excursion the next day, but there is not enough interest so the tour does not leave. This night was Dominican cuisine and also the first night Donnie could “feel” his alcohol. Might as well take advantage of the free drinks right?

Day 4

Did yoga instead of tennis as it was rained out with Stephanie, the woman that does every fitness exercise at the facility. Then played volleyball for a long time. Getting used to all the usual suspects including an old French guy that loves to make fun of the kids and shout “Nice” only when the ball is clearly out. Lunch, then tried windsurfing after instructions from Mola. I didn’t do too well but Donnie and Dad did and we decided to come back tomorrow. Then went over to the tennis tournament. After beating Carlos I lost to Donnie in the 2^nd round who eventually won over the guy who had won two tournaments earlier in the week. I tried to catch the circus but it was too late and they said it would rain. Went to the beach bar before dinner (windsurfing dinner) and met Caitlin, Gale, Kent, Kyle (family) and Caitlin’s friend Maya. They were from Boston, and besides Maya had been to Club Med many times (12 for Caitlin), being experts on the Trapeze. Had dinner with them and found out they were both going into their senior year at a school in Maine. First people we really met that were our age besides GOs. The resort had lots of young couples and lots of kids (who could be taken ALL day long if the parents wanted by the energetic GOs that run the miniclub). It was Mexican night despite no flan or good guacamole. We went over to the bar with the girls and played “trapped” and kings/talked. Donnie learned some drinking etiquette and games. We went down to the beach bar to check out the dance but left them there and went to sleep.

Day 5

Tried windsufing again today and could get/stay up fine but couldn’t go anywhere. Apparently the wind was bad but Donnie and Dad definitely did better. Had a nice snorkel out to the shipwreck just offshore. Saw a nurse shark. Entered the ping pong tournament and lost to Donnie in the first round before he won and beat a good GO. Met Morgan from Arizona. Big guy that lived in France when younger, so was bilingual. His dad is an art dealer selling Monets in China. He wants to work for him when he is older so is doing international business and will learn Chinese. Played volleyball had dinner, then drinks, and got caught at the trapeze (finally), although not being in the show later that night. The outdoor show was great with more fun from the French woman… Had a upset stomach from dinner. Went down to the beach bar for pirate night. They had arm-wrestling and beer drinking contest—I did neither but the GOs were all over it.

Day 6

Played some volleyball and finally played “coffee games” while we got annihilated trying to guess prices from the boutique. Went snorkeling, not too hot today. Did the trapeze and got to try “hawks off’ catch twice but was unsuccessful. Went to the Gala dinner with huge pile of lobsters and all kinds of fancy food. Had a good last meal before going to the French dancing show which was pretty bad although the circus group was good. Then went to the bar for some additional crazy signs (Jessica) and drinks with Caitlin/Morgan at the beach bar before retiring.

Day 7

Got a swim in the pool in and bought stuff at the boutique before heading out on a long delayed flight back to Seattle