Punta Cana (Domincan Republic) December 2012

Hotel: Ocean Blue and Sand, Punta Cana

After winning the 2 week game of Uno and being able to decide the next holiday, I was happy to choose the destination for our honeymoon.

The two options were Cuba or The Dominican Republic.  After the hectic year of wedding planning, I opted for a more relaxed holiday rather than a sight seeing one and Dominican was decided.

Still buzzing from our wedding and loving the fact we were now Mr and Mrs Davies we arrived at the Ocean Blue and Sand, an idyllic resort hotel and spa, all inclusive with 7 Al a Carte Restaurants. A Steak House, Italian, American Diner, Dominican, Seafood, Mexican, and Buffet, the choice for food every night was delightful.

Days consisted of waking and going for breakfast buffet, sitting by the pool all day drinking Coco Loco's and other cocktails, having a little bite to eat for lunch, returning to our room to freshen up and then out for our evening meal followed by cabaret entertainment, it was heaven.

On our second morning, we rose slightly early and went to the beach to watch the sun rise.  As I sat there with my wife, looking out into the ocean waiting for the big red ball of light to rise from the depths, I was in awe, life was perfect.

After a couple of days in the glorious sunshine, Clare retired for an afternoon siesta, but a few moment later returned as white as a sheet.  I rushed back to the room with her to see what had caused the initial shock.  A packet of cigarettes lay on the bathroom counter, however the contents were not tobacco.  After trying to explain to hotel security that the drugs were not ours we were quickly moved to another room within the complex.

We partook in a couple of excursions whilst here to break up the long relaxing days of doing nothing much at all.  Our first trip was a swimming lesson with Sharks and Stingrays, a booze cruise and then a Seal Show.  The Sharks were quite subdued as they may have eaten the previous group, however the Stingrays that effortlessly passed underneath you casting a huge black shadow were frightening enough.  Once one of these behemoth creatures had passed beneath Clare she was slightly reluctant about being in the water with them and started to panic a little.  I wouldn't admit it at the time, but I think I was feeling a little the same.

Our second trip was Dune Buggies and a relax on a beautiful white sand beach before venturing to a cave lagoon, again with a few Cuba Libre's on hand.  Whilst we were at the lagoon, I was getting ready for a little dip and realised someone was already in the pool swimming around, that person was Clare.  The water must have looked that inviting that she just jumped right in.

Our final trip was a booze cruise with a difference, like no other.  Our destination was an Island off the Dominican called Isla Sona.  For those "non-geeks" out there, Isla Sona is the second site used in Jurassic Park: The Lost World.  We were joined on this cruise by Papa & Mama Venezuela and their lovely children, a couple from Sweden who had moved to live about 5 miles away from us (small world), a couple from Portugal and the "happiest" couple on the planet who had come along from our hotel.  It was like a world summit on one boat with Cuba Libre.  At the start of the journey each country stuck together due to language issues, on the return journey it did not matter, the power of Cuba Libre had resolved all language barriers and the dancing ensued.


It was whilst in the Dominican Republic and chatting with Clare that the 40 before 40 was born.  I had seen the sunrise, cuddled a monkey, swam with sharks, been married for over two weeks and life was just full of great things to come.