Yangkyu and I were looking through photos we took while in Punta Cana with our patchy tans and even patchier sunburns and while we miss the sun and the beach and the endless amount of Virgin Miami Vices {me} and Pina Coladas and El Presidente beer {him, although he cannot drink for his life}, we're pretty happy about our 3 night/4 day trip. While initially we thought it would feel ultra short it actually ended up feeling pretty right.
We stayed at the
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in a beautiful king suite that had a jacuzzi right smack in the middle of our room. That ended up being a blast but only for the first night because we were too tired to use it in the nights following. I remember saying every night, "Oh let's use the jacuzzi again!" and then falling right to sleep afterwards. {The other thing I remember is being super cold all the time while inside the resort. People were walking around in skimpy dresses and tank tops and Yangkyu and I were in long sleeves and hoodies because it was so cold!}
Our first day there was a little crazy and hectic and tiring with multiple complications that ended up really testing our patience, but the following days we were able to do what we originally set out to do -- relax. We had a
similar opportunity last year when we flew to Montego Bay, Jamaica to just enjoy the sun and slow life down a bit.
At Punta Cana we took long walks on the beach, read books poolside, slept under the sun, jogged, went on a bike date, played mini golf {which ended up being an extreme sport for Yangkyu because I kept whacking him with my golf ball}, gambled - roulette {I always betted on #17 and it
never came up} and a slot machine called The Dog {can you guess why we chose to play that one?} - and received a couples facial treatment and hydrotherapy for our bodies. We had also wanted to see if we could head out to Santo Domingo and also go on a small expedition in one of those all terrain vehicles but there were some complications and we ended up passing on those opportunities.
This trip was wonderful in every way and I'm so thankful for the chance to have gone, especially during a time when it was freezing cold in Northern Virginia. But you know, at times I got so torn with seeing so much excess and food being half eaten and thrown out and darker side of things we probably don't know about these places travelers like to call paradise resorts. I wondered about the workers, especially the ones we don't get to see who work the kitchens, clean and patrol the outer grounds. I also wondered about the animals too.
One day by the pool a monkey, an iguana, snake and parrot were taken out and greeted by eager and smiling kids {and some adults too} who wanted to take a picture with them. So one after another, the animals were put on top of their heads for a few shots and then into the hands of another and then on to a shoulder of next. The whole time I just couldn't help but feel sorry for those poor animals. Part of it was a worry I had about their well being inside the resort but most of it was a sickening feeling that vacationers just saw them as accessories to a photo.
And then of course you have the occasional d-bag tourists who just feel they are entitled to act like Class A a-holes and think everyone should kiss the ground they walk on. We sat next to one of them during dinner one night and it irritated me to no end. I get so angry and discouraged when I see things like this that sometimes I let it ruin my day.
It's a funny world we live in. Sometimes it seems as though someone's luxury and relaxation comes at the expense of another. For me, it's hard to justify it or think otherwise.
Oy I always do this don't I? Ruin a perfectly pretty vacation with mindless heavy thoughts.
All in all, it was a great get-away for me and Yangkyu. While we missed Piri, we are also thankful for this time to recharge. Thank you Punta Cana. You sure are pretty and pretty nice, too.
PS - Happy Lunar New Year! So long Year of the Horse {my year} and hello Year of the Sheep {Yangkyu's year}!
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