It has been 14 years since Chris and I have taken a real vacation. We just returned from a magical week in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We stayed at the Hard Rock Resort with my sister and her husband. While there we did a lot of sitting in the sun, (the weather was flawless, mid 70's at night and mid 80's during the day.) When we got hot we'd swim in one of the many pools, or more often, the incredible sea. The beaches were powdery sand, the crystal clear water warm and the surf wild enough to be a thrill to play in.
The scenery was just stunning. We took a tour of the local area and rode up into the mountains, through jungle. We toured a plantation where cocoa, coffee, bananas, plaintains, vanilla beans and pineapples were grown, harvested and prepared. Fascinating! We also went to a place and saw cigars being hand rolled.
There were memorable meals, talk, laughter, good books and an embarrassement of richness in the rest department.
I had much time be very still and reflect.
And when it was time to leave our view of river and ocean, rainbows and clear skies, I gratefully came home to embrace my "real" life. Refreshed and grateful, with new goals and dreams to pursue, and new energy to tap into. A time of quiescence has left me filled with memories and joy.
