As literal intrepid globetrotters, Hayden and I have some opinions about travel things. We like to explore local cultures, we don't mind a little roughing it if we have to. Of course, we also like beautiful and luxury places too, as our near residence at the Serena attested.
So when I was invited to attend the worldwide body of elections meeting in the Dominican Republic and got the all clear to bring the family, I said yes. It was to be held in an all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, the Paradisus Palma Real Golf and Spa Resort to be exact. The type of place we would normally shun and from the photos, it looked nice but in that Caribbean meets Disneyland kinda way.
When we arrived, however, our jaws dropped. The photos did not do the place justice. It was magnificent. The scale of the place is hard to describe. The main pool was several football fields, but so tasteful. Meandering sandstone and marble work, with little bridges, roman columns and beautiful shots of the sea everywhere. While I was off AWEB-Ing Hayden discovered the kid zone, over in the "exclusivo" section of the resort, with more meandering pools of marble, there with elephant fountains and slides.
After my work day I went to join them and panicked. "Where's Austin?!" "He's napping," Hayden replied from the stretch of his lounge chair, drink in hand. But the stroller was empty and my baby was nowhere to be seen. "Where?!," I cried and Hayden looked characteristically unperturbed. He slowly got up and sauntered into the kid zone, which was a giant indoor day care. There were about 20 kids spread across all of the rooms and as we approached the desk I saw Austin on the baby monitor, sound asleep. They had a nap room lined with cribs and pack n plays and Austin was passed out cold. Although I couldn't fully relax I did get used to this daily ritual. He would play and eat lunch there, and then Hayden would put him down and swim or workout or both.
Food options were pretty good. There was the main buffet with pretty decent food - literally anything one could think of. They also had a bunch of a la carte dinner restaurants. We ate at the sushi, Italian and steak restaurants for dinner.
My colleagues seemed a little envious that I brought the family. Other than the first morning, when I ran into and then joined the president of my company for breakfast we did interact too much. I approached the table with Austin slung under my arm, praying he would not fling Cheerios at him. Austin was cool, but I about died when in sauntered Hayden in his wildest bathing suit and slid in next to my president who was in a suit and tie. Neither seemed to hear my deafening internal anxiety, so that's good I guess.
The room was gorgeous. We had a suite, with a lovely living room and kitchen where Austin slept in a crib. There were two bathrooms - one with a jacuzzi and one with a shower. All was tasteful mahogany and sandstone. Finally, I have to say the staff where so nice. I mean they were unbelievable. They were so gracious and really made it special.
Despite having to work most of the time, I managed a few dips in the pool and sea and some QT with the family. I wish every work trip was at a five star all inclusive Caribbean paradise!
