Jay’s Life

We’re just waiting in the lobby waiting for our shuttle to the airport. Today was nice, we sat and relaxed. Staysea’s cough is back in full force so she can’t wait to get home, where it’s not so humid and she can be in her own bed. We had to check out by noon, but they kept our bags for us, and gave us a courtesy room to shower and change for the trip back. We managed to pick up a photo album for our trip with the last of our pesos. See you all soon.

Today Staysea’s cold that we managed to leave behind caught up with us. So we spent a good portion of the day sitting in the shade. We found a perfect spot in among some trees that had grown over to provide a nice little cave of leaves. There was a tiny yellow breasted bird that came and ate the bugs for us.

In the evening, we went for our Dominican dinner. I had a Cocochco soup which was chicken, beef and pork in a vegtable broth. Very good. Staysea had the chicken, which was much you would expect it to be if the Sweedish Chef went crazy with a cleaver on a whole chicken. The staff gave Staysea some sort of drink that was supposed to help her throat and cold, she drank most of it as we really where not quite sure what it was. Tomorrow we head back, but late so we should be able to get a bit more sun before we leave.

Today was our excursion. We went to the Marinarium. It’s an oceonographical conservation area where they teach conservation and enviromental protection. We where picked up at 1pm from our hotel in a nice air conditioned bus for a 25 minute drive to the Marinarium.

When we got there we where greeted with drinks and waited for a few more people to show up. Then we headed out on a catameran to the coral areas, and the padocks. Since we’re both excellent swimers, we went on the advanced tour which was 45 minutes of snorkling around the coral where we saw LOTS of fish. Schools would come right up to you. I saw a small stingray grey with black spots, about the size of a dinner plate. Staysea and I had lost touch with each other until we made it to the podocks where we swam right next to nurse sharks and sting rays. I think Staysea was expecting pet store sized sharks and sting rays, but the sharks where a good 8 feet, and the sting rays where a good 5-6 feet long. I dove down and swam along side one of the nurse sharks on a couple of occasions, as well as the sting rays. Staysea got caught up when someone was chasing one shark and it met up with another 2 sharks, who then swam up to avoid each other and grazed her somach with it’s tail, very exciting for both of them the shark and Staysea. After the sharks and sting rays, we headed along the coast to a bay where the water was only 4 feet deep, and we where treated to a good round of drinks in the water and Bob Marley music. We were told that the local school childen get to take the same trip we did, minus the floating bar, to learn about local marine life and how to better take care of it for the future.

After a shower back at the hotel, a few of the local vendors where setup in the lobby. Staysea managed to haggle an amber necklace down from $95 USD to $15 in one shot. Good job honey. Another fantastic day.

Today was of the lest exciting days, as we woke up, ate breakfast, had a nap, had lunch then sat in the sun. Staysea did get to hold an iguana that was quite lovely and wierd feeling all at once. I saw a pelican while I was out for my daily swim in the ocean.

We did have dinner at the Italian restaurant, had a very nice bottle of wine we paid extra for. Staysea made a new friend, a little white kitten with patches of black and brown. She tried to pick him up, but he would have none of that, so she ran into the buffet to grab some tuna for him. He had her number pegged though, he was waiting for her when she came out and ran once around her legs before accepting her gift of fish. There is a slight but little chance we will actually make it to the disco tonight. Hopes are high that one day some time we will be awake past 10pm and willing to travel.

Today, since we burned our legs so well yesterday, we decided to spend time in the shade. We got up a bit later, had breakfast and headed beach side to sit near the ocean and watch the waves.

In the afternoon after lunch we headed into the little village next to the resort. It really is just a shopping area, with a number of little places setup. The people were very nice, not too too pushy, but eager enough to show you what they had to sell. We went down the road to the end of town, about a 5 minute walk to buy some cigars from a shop that the tour guide recommended. They were the best cigars I’ve ever had very smooth and nice. I bought 10 of them at full price, which I feel quite good about. Thirty-five USD for 10 cigars is an excellent price, and will get a lot further purchased locally than back home. We also stopped in at the grocery store to purchase 2 bottles of rum and sun screen. Our bill came to 600 pesos, or about $20 CND, the lotion was the most expensive 300 pesos.

When we got back to town I played a round of water polo, had one good save as the goalie and 2 goals playing forward. Staysea watched from the deck of the pool. Then it was back to the beach for some shade and Bana Mamas for Staysea and cervesa for me.

Staysea also got us a pet for about 5 minutes, a little gecko named Murphy. His is very small. There are LOTS of geckos running around all over the place.

We had a wonderful dinner despite our now burnt legs. The Spanish restaurant was excellent. We were not able to finish al of our dinners as we were so stuffed by the portions. I had a braised rabbit, and Staysea had a spanish omelet and garlic shrimp

We went for a walk on the beach, down to the end of our resort. There is a small village just off the beach at our end that we are going to visit tomorrow.

Staysea has discovered Bana Mamas, a bunch of rum and some frozen fruit slush. Quite tasty. Today is a good clear day to sit next to the pool and drink, read, play DS and enjoy the nice weather.

Tonight we have dinner reservations at the Spanish restaurant. One of the three dinners as part of our package. I’m looking forward to trying the Dominican dinner on Friday.

It snowed last night in Animal Crossings on my DS. That’s so cool. I wonder if I can make a snowman.

Update: I can make a snowman but he’s not very happy.

We did get to the airport a little early, 5pm for an 8:45 flight may have been over cautious, but we did make our plane and have a few drinks before hand.

The flight was more like a sardine can. They added two extra seats on th Aribus 310, to make it 3×3. And too hot. Plus wicked tubrulance, left us both feeling quite queasy and grateful to land.
Customs was a brease, the split the line right in front of us which put us at the front.

The trip into the hotel was fairly short, but heroing, as the roads are muddy and wet, and the small van we where in with 2 other couples going to the same resort, being a little less than off road capable.

It was all worth it though, our room is very nice, with a jacuzzi tub and shower. It took us 3 times of the room going dark before we figured out to leave our room key in the small swipe pad next to the door. That leaves the power and AC on in the room while you are there.
This morning we had a nice breakfast with quick service and wonderful coffee. Then an orientation of the facilities, and some time in the pool next to the bar. While we where there two gentlemen with a little monkey came around, and had the monkey posing for pictures. He was very cute, his name was Punta. He would sit on your shoulder then lay on his back when you cradled your arms. Quite the charmer.
Now off to lunch and down to the beach for some ocean.

So today I tried to buy a new Palm TX from Best Buy. I had found a lower price at TigerDirect, and wanted to take advantage of their price match policy. Best Buy had the TX listed at $399. Tiger had it listed at $324.
I went in and the only one in BB was an open box, and after standing around for 15 minutes while they tried to get someone at the brick and morter TigerDirect, because apparently the online store isn’t good enough, I was told they didn’t have it in stock, so I was out of luck.
On the advice of my buddy Nick, I pulled into Staples to give them a shot at it. Not only was the sticker price $365, but they looked up the online stock, and matched the price, adding their 110% on the difference between the two prices. So $322 later, to Staples not BB, I have a new TX and plans to continue to take my business to anywhere but Best Buy from now on.