This was the big 5-0h birthday trip! I gathered 15 of my crazy friends and we took flight. Most of my international trips are taken in April (my birth month) or mid to late March (to kick off the birth month). By far, this was the biggest group of friends to travel with me at one time, and I'm so grateful they jumped on board for this milestone. We partied like rock stars, ate like queens, danced like pros, and drank like fish! This trip was memorable in so many ways, and I'm grateful to those who were down for the cause.
We went to Mount Isabel de Torres to view the botanical gardens and the Christ the Redeemer statue. It is sister to the famous one in Brazil. I was excited about seeing their statue; however, I got to see the real one in Brazil last year. Both experiences were all I thought they'd be! The only difference is that the one in Brazil is always crowded and it's hard to get good pics like the ones I got here. By the way, yeah that's me dancing to the live music with the cable car worker before we boarded :) Just living, just loving, just enjoying...life!
Afterwards, we went to a cigar factory to watch them make cigars by hand. It was interesting to watch the process from beginning to end. Although I'm not a smoker, I had to try my hand at the free puff sample they allowed (when in Rome...) Remember me tasting that guinea pig in Peru???? Whew, I digress! The rum distillery stop was a hit with everyone, as the prices were unbeatable. Had to bring some of that back to the States.
When the sun went down, we partied! Because favor follows me, we were blessed with a front and center VIP table. Ironically, I had already planned a white night with masks for the group and it fit in so well with this wonderful event! The show was top-notch. We grooved to live jazz and impressive singers, enjoyed the dance performances, and then joined them on stage for a bubble disco party. After all that, the night ended with fireworks (ours and theirs)!!!
And when the sun rose, we sailed, we swam, we snorkeled, we tubed, we played pool games, and we watched the tides roll away . Water, water every where and we enjoyed it every day, in every way . Laying on a bed right on the ocean just does something to the soul. Add to that unlimited drinks brought to you at your command, PRICELESS!
I left this place empty and full. Empty from pouring myself out in prayer and girl talk, and full from being able to experience these types of moments at all, especially with friends!
I realize I have way too many pictures to post even half of them in my blogs, so I just try to choose a few to give you a glimpse of the travel life I have enjoyed. I wish I could have located the video of us in the pool playing all the silly games I "created". It was a pool of craziness with onlookers wanting to get in on the fun.
Well, you know I've got to talk about the food and provide some pics. We had all kinds of dinner options. We had a culinary tour each night...Mexican, American, Italian, Dominican, you name it! To say the least, I'd go again (after I get some more bucket-list countries marked off my list...Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Portugal, Japan). The coco loco drinks were on point; it was the drink of choice!
I hope you are enjoying my travel blog as much as I'm enjoying re-living all these wonderful moments! Until next week...
#letsgettrekking #trekking4life #travel #justgo #letsgo #blacktraveljourney #blackvoyageurs #blacktravelmovement #blacktravelsummit #dominicanrepublic
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