Dominican Republic

Jeff and I have been good about taking a vacation together most years, usually to various beaches in the Caribbean. This year, we were excited to be asked by our good friends, Tom and Jennifer, to join them on their 20-year anniversary trip to the beaches in the Dominican Republic. They had invited two other couples from their home state of Minnesota, so we would have four couples in total to hang out with on vacation.

I have to admit, Jeff and I were a little intimidated to sign up to travel with (1) couples we didn't know, and (2) couples that surely partied harder than us (haha!), but we are so glad it worked out because we had an AWESOME vacation!

We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana, and it was a great resort. In addition to the usual all-inclusive package, there was an amazing spa, huge resort grounds with pools and activities, beachfront access, and even a world class casino on site. So much fun!

Here's a summary of our trip in photos.

Arrived in Punta Cana and already needed a beer.

Our hotel room with Jacuzzi. Never had a room like that before!

Jeff and I posing after dinner in front of an old car of Madonna's. There's a story behind this pic...

First night at the casino. I almost got kicked out for taking this photo. Oops.

Selfie.

Another selfie, this time before our 4-wheel-drive excursion on the beach.

We used "borrowed" napkins for our handkerchiefs so we wouldn't have to pay for them.

4-wheel-drive selfie in front of the hotel resort grounds.

This was the view on part of the trail.

Jeff LOVED the rocky trail.

We came around a wooded bend to see this, the gorgeous ocean!

Our first beach selfie of the trip. Gorgeous water!

Our group on our mid-excursion break.

Pool time! Loved all the sun.

Me and my honey.

Beach selfie.

A shot of the girls with the guys relaxing in the back. So fun!

Later that night, back to another spot for dinner.

Here we are with Tom and Jennifer, the 20-year lovebirds!

Jeff and I -- it's actually our 10-year anniversary this year so we celebrated, too. :-)

The whole gang at dinner.

 

The next morning, Jeff and I were the first on the beach with our drink of the week, Beach Boys!

Jeff was soon building his usual Houston Texans logo in the sand.

Another night, another dinner.

Here's a group shot of the guys.

Now for the girls.

Entire group. Love these couples!

The next day, we headed off resort with Tom and Jennifer for some shopping and lunch. And more drinks - this time they weren't free so they were delicious!!

Girls pic on our last night in Punta Cana.

Jeff and me before dinner.

Our last morning, say it ain't so!

One last Beach Boy for the road.

Before I close out this post, I couldn't resist sharing this story from our trip.

On our very first night in Punta Cana, we all went together for dinner and enjoyed getting to know one another. Afterwards, we were walking around the resort shops and I stopped to get a picture with Jeff in front of this cool car that was formerly used by Madonna. (The Madonna car became our meeting spot for the rest of the trip!) Anyway, Mike and Tammy apparently tried to photo bomb our pic with a makeout session behind the Madonna car. We didn't think it turned out, but upon closer inspection...

What started it all...Mike and Tammy and their makeout photo bomb.

Well of course the other couples didn't want to be left out, so Jeff and I spent the rest of the trip trying to avoid the makeout photo bombs in every other selfie. Too funny!

Tom and Jennifer managed their makeout photo bomb in the casino.

Jay and Gennifer didn't want to be left out so they managed theirs on the beach.

We had an AMAZING vacation in the Dominican Republic and enjoyed every moment together and with our group. What a fun way to hang out together and make new friends at the same time. Can't wait to see what we plan for next year! (Assuming us old farts are still invited, ha!)

Our final view of the Dominican beach. Gorgeous!