Dominican Republic

This was our first trip to the DR and we loved it. We landed in Santo Domingo and drove 3 hours across the island to Puerto Plata. We found a great restaurant on the way and enjoyed the countryside. We did have a little blip, but thank goodness for that extra $30 a day insurance we purchased ,when a huge log flew into our window and cracked it. No worries, it stayed intact and we kept going.

We stayed at the Senator Resort and it was stunning ! Great service, beautiful beaches huge pool and great spa (that is important me ) The specialty restaurants were top notch, especially the Zao Teppanyaki. The highlight of our trip off the resort was soaring 2,625 feet to the top of Mt. Isabel de Torres on a cable car. The only one of its kind in the entire Caribbean. At the top was a huge statue of Christ the Redeemer with outstretched arms welcoming visitors. Exploring the caves and the beautiful gardens , up and down lots of hills and steps was exhaustingly fun! Afterwards we walked around town and found Pink Street, yes literally pink in color and then Umbrella street...you got it hundreds of colorful umbrellas hanging like canopies in the street. That was a definitely a unique experience!

I'd have to say my favorite thing was the quiet mornings walking up the hill that overlooked the resort. sitting on the edge of the cliff, coffee in hand ,while soaking in the sun rise and the morning breeze. Great way to start the day!

We spent the last night in Santo Domingo and we really wished we had stayed 2 or 3 nights because their was so much to explore and so many restaurants we would loved to have tried. I had the best ice cream pops ever and even today that alone could bring me back to Santa Domingo.

Fun Fact: The DR is the oldest country of the Americas, the first place reached by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Santo Domingo houses the first Cathedral and the first Hospital in North and South America. I did not know this!