Most Ironic Family Trip: Dominican Republic
- LoAroundTheGlobo
- Oct 28, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: May 3
December 2010
I say "ironic" for a reason. We --Mom, who'd planned and orchestrated everything plus my brother, then-stepdad, and me-- were all set for our Christmas vacation to the Dominican Republic until about 48 hours before we were supposed to leave when my mom realized that her passport was expired. We checked, double-checked, panicked, and triple-checked that little stamped date...only to confirm our hysteria. We scrambled and strategized but our only option became clearer and clearer: we had to go without her.
And so, our parents penned consent notes allowing TK to take Timmy and I out of the country and we set out. The three of us arrived to our picture-perfect resort in Punta Cana where the 5-star hotels are walled off like fortresses. TK's main motive was to play golf as often as possible on the trip, which worked out well for Timmy and I because we were able to book adventures for ourselves each day. The first day, we went parasailing, where we soared high above the crystal-blue waters of the Caribbean as we dangled beneath a multi-colored, checkered flag, getting spotted by tourists all along the thin white coastline.
Having been certified that same year, we were eager to go scuba-diving, as well. We hopped aboard that boat with the confident facade only a rookie can exude. Timmy and I had gone through our dive-instruction course in Richmond, promising to always be each other's "dive buddy." Part of the course was in a classroom setting, some parts in a pool, then an open-water certification, and we were lucky enough to do ours at a shipwreck in Grand Cayman with our dad. Anyway, we made our descent that day like the semi-pros we were and floated along the vibrant coral reefs of the DR. At the surface, we snorkeled along, blending in with schools of fish and scaring each other with fake sightings of eels and sharks.
Another day, we went zip-lining. This was the first time that we'd left our resort property and it was eye-opening. The DR, and Caribbean generally, struggle with extreme wealth disparities... there are very, very rich people and very, very poor. It's humbling, but more so unsettling, to leave those fortressed gates only to witness townspeople and children wandering around aimlessly, presumably struggling to find work beyond the tourism industry. The locals I encountered didn't seek pity, just a fair chance, and they'd each picked up a trade, a craft, a competitive advantage to make ends meet... it was inspiring really.
After zip-lining through the lush green jungles of Punta Cana, we went on a go-carting adventure. We were instructed to bring coverings for our eyes and mouths, and that was a good call. We spent hours racing around the bumpy dirt roads, sandy beach paths, and sharp rocky trails of this little slice of paradise. We explored this cave/grotto area where we jumped into and swam around the the cold, dark pool of water. Then we zoomed around some more, getting splattered with mud and petrified with dust.
In the evenings, the three of us roamed around our resort, stumbling into one of the delicious restaurants or dinner-shows, spitting Spanish and exchanging smiles with employees and locals. On the final night of our vacation, Timmy and I attended a beach party, which contained all the ingredients of a magical night: bumping Reggaeton music, soulful dancers, fruity drinks, limbo contests, and an infectiously-happy host. But just like that, our week in paradise was over and we trekked home to a snowy Virginia winter and a Mom quite eager to hear all about the trip.
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To Do or Not To Do?
Yes, go! It's a beautiful place, especially if you're interested in the Caribbean or enjoy warm weather generally. If you do your research and are patient, flights and accommodations can be found at a reasonable price, too, but note that staying at an all-inclusive resort is probably the best bang for your buck. Once there however, leave the resort, chat with locals, and explore beyond the cookie-cutter spots as much as possible because Punta Cana is a gorgeous little town with scenic mountains that melt into beautiful beaches and colorful city blocks that buzz with animals and people.
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