Trip to the Dominican Republic 8: Friday, Going Home

Friday, Nov. 24th - there's no place like home!

Our last day. It was so heart warming to see greenery, palm trees, and flowers. A marathon 8-day, 7 nights.
  

Last shuttle trip in the sunrise at 7:00 a.m., having set the alarm.


After a painful wait in the lobby, from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., we made it onto the packed tour bus, which took us to the airport. It was a crowded, dog-eat-dog line-up. The girls were tired and sat down while we stood in line to get on the bus.



The countryside was amazing. The small towns, through which we traveled, gave us a sense of the country. Staff were bussed into the resort compound in the mornings. All to serve the rich tourists. It was a strange feeling for me. We didn't see the city, as we roared to the airport.


This was a tourist stop, they let us off to take photos. The travel staff accompanied us, the women wore lovely dresses to help us ID them in the crowds. They were so helpful.


Back on the bus, we headed from El Limon (red pin = the resort) southeast to Samana, the capital of the country, across the island.

There were mountains, tricky roads, rock cuts. All of these are through the tinted window of the bus. Not so bad photos, considering this is all we saw of the country!


The airport. Sniffer dogs! Jos was overheated, and tired. I sat with the girls while Momma lined up.


After 40 minutes on the bus from the resort to the Samaná airport, 4 checks of our passports to get to the airplane, we made it into the airport waiting area. There was a long line-up to buy water. I was surprised to see a woman on the ramp.


We arrived early in YUL Montreal from Samaná, 3:04 p.m., we were due in at 3:40. There was a 4:40 flight to Ottawa, but it didn't work out to jump the flight. Instead, we were booked on the 5:30 p.m. flight. Then shlep to the plane gate to YOW Ottawa.


We waited several hours for our 20-minute plane trip to Ottawa. We had some snacks, including smiley oranges.


At YOW Ottawa there was a gingerbread house made of real gingerbread. The smell was amazing!


I had asked hubby to meet me, we talked on Caitlin's cell phone in Montreal. He brought treats for the girls.  It was so good to arrive home.


Finally, a 90-minute drive from Ottawa to home, 86 km. I drove, as hubby doesn't like night driving. I was energized and ready for my own bed. Snow had fallen!

Home was spotless, as hubby cleaned anything that didn't move. He looked after home and hearth. He even washed the bathroom floor with a Swiffer, while Daisy watched, quite interested.


I did well to simply leave my blog, announcing my trip was a good idea, as hubby was home, and the house was safe. I hope I didn't bore my faithful readers. I wanted to save all these memories as this was a trip of a lifetime.

What to pack for a Caribbean trip – a debriefing

• dress in layers ready to peel once you arrive, or on the plane,
• two swim suits, they seldom dry and putting on a wet suit it awful,
• several cotton or linen cover-ups, large scarves or wraps (people wear them over swimsuits to make it to the beach early, and for lunch), 
• beach bag as a carry on (with a change of clothes, you can change in the rest room upon arrival, it was really hot on the tarmac),
• a sundress and top/skirt/capris for nicer restaurants, nothing skimpy, nothing in synthetic materials (too hot),
• you can buy a UV protection shirt to prevent sunburn (excellent for the kiddies),
• comfortable sandals (flip flops gave us blisters),
• sunhat, sunglasses,
• sunblock, lip balm, moisturizer lotion, anti-itch cream for bug bites,
• US dollars, the hotel with make small change for tips,
• inexpensive camera (Caitlin had a protective cover, which allowed her take photos underwater),
• a suitcase, on wheels - lots of airport walking.
• P.S. DOn't get your hair coloured Nov. 3rd for a Nov. 17th trip. It didn't hold up well!

Trip to the Dominican Republic 

1: Getting there(TH/Fri)

2. Saturday

3. Sunday

4. Monday

5. Tuesday

6. Wednesday

7. Thursday