We Made It!

Yesterday was a long day but we are now in the DR!  Our flight was scheduled for noon out of Miami but we got to the airport about 9:00 a.m. so we'd have plenty of time to take care of our paperwork for Hermann.  Ryan and Brandee came into the airport with us to provide moral
support!  All went pretty well, we had everything we needed, it just took about 30 minutes for the gate agent to get is processed.  But it was sad leaving Hermann at the check in!

When we arrived into Puerta Plata I was anxious to get through immigration so I could get to baggage claim....and there was Hermann's crate sitting there waiting for us!  We did have to go into the officina to process his paperwork and the agent there spoke no English...but luckily my bad Spanish was enough to get it completed.

And our driver, Juan, was waiting for us!  He took us to the supermercardo and the money exchange shop before we got to the condo.  Our property manager, Juan Luis, got us checked in.  The condo is very nice, a little dark in the kitchen but that's ok. We did have  a few glitches.  We couldn't figure out how to start the gas stove so I decided to use the grill at the pool, but couldn't figure out how to light it.  Luckily, the security guard, Juan, was there to help.  Do you get the impression every man in the DR is named Juan?  Then this morning there was no hot water in our shower.  But luckily the gardener, Bennie, helped us with these little problems and now we are in business.

Matt is not crazy about the location, it's much more remote than he would like.  There are some condo complexes around us.  But there are also two large resorts that have gone belly up.  These means that a lot of bars and restaurants in the area also have gone out of business. 

But here's what I like!  Check out the view of "our" beach this morning when we took an early walk:

Later in the day we went down to the beach and sunned and swam.  We only saw a handful of people in either direction.

We met a couple, Andre and Michael Lynn, who own one of the condos in our building.  They only visit a couple of times a year and are here until Wednesday.  They took us on a tour of the area in their rental car and we really saw some incredible places:  a cool little snorkeling spot near the mangroves, a beautiful little beach and some cool outdoor restaurants and bars..  We're thinking about checking into buying a motor scooter so we can get to these places.

More pics tomorrow!

Yes...we do have time for Hermann!

One thing I've discovered is it's crazy expensive to take a pet out of the country.  Before we left KC, Matt took Hermann to our local vet to make sure he was healthy enough to receive his International Health Certificate (as in no parasites!).  He was fine but we also got him a bordatella (sp?) vaccine so we could board him in Ft. Lauderdale when while we were in Cancun.  Bill for that $70.  The health check in Ft. Lauderdale ran $75.  The fee to have the Dept of Agriculture stamp his health certificate is $38....plus a trip to Miami.  Then $165 to get him on the plane.

Matt and I did have a pretty intense conversation yesterday as to whether or not this was all worth the trouble.  Well....you see who won!  Herm will be on the flight with us Saturday.

Looking forward to Thanskgiving with Ryan and Brandee...they even bought us a real (as in not tofu) turkey breast.  Brandee is making the entire meal except that Ryan is hanndling dessert.  Me....I get to do the dishes.  Not a bad deal.

Missing my usual crew for Thanksgiving.  First time away from my sisters for this holiday! 

I did enjoy meeting Bryce's new girlfriend, Jennifer.  Her mother is Dominican and Jennifer recently lived in the DR for about a year very near where we will be.  She had some good advice and pleasant things to say about the area.  Of course she's bi-lingual....so wish I could take her with me!

A week in Cancun (Riviera Maya).  Last week we went and stayed at Palace Resorts Aventura Spa in Mexico.  It really was a great time because our dear, dear, dear, dear, dear friends (did that for you Karen) Mike and Karen met us there and we enjoyed living in the lap of luxery for an all-inclusive 7 days.  It was also special for Karen and Mike as they ask us to help them celebrate their committment ceremony, I got to officiate.  That was such an honor and I felt so privilaged.  Syd took pictures and held the rings.  

We are back in Ft. Lauderdale now getting ready for Thanksgiving with Ryan and Brandee as well as rushing around taking care of last minute details to get ready to head to Cabarete, DR on Saturday at noon.  We did have dinner with Bryce, Ryan, Brandee, and Bryce's new Girlfriend Jennifer last night at Kitchenetta http://kitchenetta.com/ very nice Italian.  Jennifer was a real hit with Syd and we all enjoyed meeting her, a keeper Bryce.  If you ever plan on taking a pet with you internationally do your research very carefully.  Hermann is going and we thought all we needed to do was get an international certificate from a local vet here but as it turns out we have to make a rush trip to Miami Friday morning to the USDA office so they can certify his travel documents,  we don't really have time for this but he is part of the package.  All for now except a few more pictures from Mexico.  Next entry, I hope, will come from the Dominican Republic. 

 

Today, thanks to Ryan's suggestion we headed to the Everglades to the Shark Valley Loop which is in the heart of Everglades National Park.  This is a 15 mile loop trail that can be taken by Tram ($17) or like we did by Bike.  This is an amazing experience to be up close to wildlife (alligators, snakes, and many species of birds and fish).  At the 7 mile mark there is an observation tower that is very easily accessible and provides a birds eye view of a huge amount of the Everglades.  We had a very easy ride to the observation tower but, the headwinds on the 8 mile return to the visitors center almost did us in.  The trail is very level just like most of Florida but the constant wind in your face today made it more of an exercise then an adventure.  All and all we were very glad to take this bike adventure and enjoyed the whole experience.  As a catch up from the last couple days, the beach of course and Syd and I did have a really nice round of golf at the Inverrary Country Club course.  I can't hardly believe that it has already been a week since we left KC.  Now it's time to start getting ready to head off to Aventura Spa in Cancun next week with our great friends Mike and Karen. 

Here are a few pictures to go along with Syd's post today.

Busy few days!  We had our retirement party on Thursday at Hoopers.  Lots of fun!  But sad to say goodbye to so many good friends.  Then a luncheon at my work before we headed out of town.

We made it to Florida on Sunday.  Staying with Ryan and Brandee for a bit....or till they boot us out!  So far so good! 

Monday we went to the beach; today we voted (glad we registered in Florida!) and then took Hermann and Buster to Jupiter for Herm's first beach visit.  He's not much of a water dog...but he did like digging in the sand.  Tomorrow Matt's going to take me to the golf course so I can break in my retirement present from him...new clubs!

Yikes!  Almost time to shove off!

This last month has been full of good byes!  I've had one last get together with my bunco group, my GNO group, my bowling friends, my old friends from high school, old work friends, etc.  Last weekend was a great time with some of my dearest friends at Cher's house in Arrowrock, MO.  Beautiful time!  And two of my son's (Bryce and Marshall) and Marshall's fiance Alix were able to join us at LeBourgeois winery.   All of this has slightly dampered my excitement....but only slightly.  I think our greatest blessing is that we're genuinely going to miss (and hopefully be missed) by so many.  This makes our return visit in September even more exciting!

Our saddest good bye was, of course, to Matt's dad.  Russ died on October 14th and yesterday was his memorial service.  He was an incredible man.....one of the kindest sole's I have ever known.  When we would talk with Matt's parents about our plans to travel, Matt's mom was always saying "don't count on me to visit", but Russ was very quick to pipe up "well, I will!".  Matt believes that now his dad will always be traveling with us...in spirit.

Our retirement party is Thursday, so that likely will be very bitter sweet as well.  We'll be saying good bye to a lot of friends and family that we won't see for some time.  And this afternoon we're getting together with Bryce.  He has received a job offer with a company in North Carolina and leaves for that on Wednesday.  We do hope to see him in the DR though sometime this winter!

The apartment is starting to clear out.  We've already hauled off some furntiure and Matt has repainted our accent walls so it doesn't really look like home anymore.  Tomorrow we have friends picking up our sofa and entertainment center.  Tuesday we loose our bedroom furniture!  Tuesday night will be spent on an air mattress but we will be checking into the Sheraton Suites on the Plaza for Wednesday and Thursday night (shout out to Kevin for helping us get a great deal on that room!)

Today Matt is "test packing" the Mariner to make sure we have room for everything we're planning to take.  I'm wondering what the neighbors will think when they see him load up all our stuff.....and then unload it?