Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Our second get-away and really our first vacation was in May during my summer break. (If you can't tell my/I/me=Jai... I will probably be writing 99% of these updates.) Anyways getting the old passport stamped is always a good time! The resort was beautiful and the seafood was so fresh, and each and every meal was... well simply put some of the best food we had ever had. The whole staff and all the locals were extremely friendly to us and so helpful in recommending places to go and ensuring we get there on time and safely. After a day on the resort we determined we needed to rent a golf cart for ourselves... expensive but so worth it, we explored every inch of that place! We stayed at the Punta Cana Resort which is a very nice gated area with several resorts, restaurants, and a golf course to check out.
Our own little piece of heaven - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
While on this trip David took me snorkeling.... which was the first time I had ever been, and it was so beautiful and amazing! We had a terrific guide! It was a private tour with just us and the guides which made it even more hands on. The guide caught a sea urchin and let us hold him (like a porcupine but he didn't hurt us), and he gave me a very beautiful shell while we were snorkeling David was a pro... me well let's just say I will rock it next time now that I know how everything goes down.
That week we also went on a off-roading Segway tour (yes with jungle tires and everything), and hiked back to a 25 foot deep, fresh water lagoon. This was amazing... hiking into the rain forest was so neat and the guide knew so much about the land and showed our group poisonous trees and how some areas have deteriorated over time. At the end of our hike in we came to the lagoon where a single duck calls home, and the guides are friendly with him by bringing him food. The crystal clear water was so amazing, and although it looked shallow and like you could touch the bottom, the water was actually 25-feet deep! The water was cold but it was so amazing and such a great experience. Along the tour we were also taken to a private beach area where we could relax and take a quick dip. This is where we had photographers with us the whole time taking pictures, so if you were wondering where our super corny beach pictures came from.... well it was here.
The Lagoon - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
We went swimming in the ocean and had a few of those umbrella drinks that are totally required in this type of environment. ;-) The picture up top shows you our own little private area that we occupied before everyone else, and laid in the sun. While we were in the ocean one day all of these tropical fish came up to us and we actually played with them. I know this sounds crazy but it was so cool. Every time we would sit in the water and stir up the sand they would swim around in it (we think they were eating something in it). They hung out with us for a very long time. I have to say overall we thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip, and would recommend it to anyone thinking of going. We went in mid-May which is still off season.... the privacy and romance was well worth it!
Umbrella drinks - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
... From the Dominican we flew into Atlanta for one night, then woke up and headed straight to Branson, MO... time for me to meet the sisters!
Memorial Day Weekend in Branson, Missouri
This was the first time I had ever been to Missouri and the first time I got to meet David's sisters and their families. I do love the mountain scenery in Branson! David and I flew into Branson with John Schilling, David's brother-in-law's brother (whatever he's family in my book) so interrogations started early. Just kidding the flight was great with the exception of me slamming my head into the overhead luggage compartments in front of the whole plane, and John not getting a bottle of vodka that the flight attendant forgot to give him and then interrogated him like he gave it to some kid hiding out under the seats.... but other than John and I being hot messes, it was a flawless flight. ;)
That weekend I got to meet everyone and they have been so nice and accepting towards me since. I am truly happy and blessed to be marrying into a family like David's, and that they actually like me (or at least I think they do).... haha.
John, Me, & David - Branson, Missouri
.....Also during this past summer David met my family and they all absolutely love him as much as I do! A couple of them give him a hard time for being a "Yankee" (yes they know Missouri is a Mid-western state, but you know us southerners if you from anywhere but Georgia you're a damn Yankee). Just kidding. We also went to my cousin Christy and Tyler's wedding where he got to meet more of my extended family. During the week of the fourth of July we stayed in the Isle of Palms and Charleston, South Carolina with friends. This was the first time either of us had been to Charleston and we fell in love. Pretty sure we both said we would love to live there but then would probably grow to hate the tourist ha ha. While we were there we watched the fire works on the beach, did some shopping, ate some more really awesome food, and toured The Middleton Place which was an old rice plantation (you must check it out). I'm telling you now if I wanted a real deal wedding with 487654687 people it would totally be at this place!!! It was so beautiful! Anyways I do believe that wraps up our summer!
The Middleton Place - Charleston, South Carolina
