"If you like pina coladas..."

In December, we went to paradise. Literally, paradise. I am in awe of just how amazing this vacation to the Dominican Republic really was. We went with Trisha and Adam, whom I adore, and we had the times of our lives! We laid on the beach everyday, drank fruity drinks, local beer and smoked cigars. We also went zip lining, on a safari through the country, to a local cigar factory for a tour and fresh cigars and took long walks on the beach [insert cheesy Bette Midler song here].

Tommy and I had never been on a plane together. In eight whole years! We didn't take a honeymoon because I started the job from hell days after our wedding (I'm talking about my CPA days, not this job...I lovelovelove this job!). We never went anywhere in college because we're savers and wanted a down payment for our house and other nice things to put in it...like furniture, food, hair products (Yeah I spend a lot on hair products), etc.  We would take stay-cations which were a week or so off work to build a deck or paint, thus, no real vacations ever.

I worked my butt off in 2010. I started a successful photography business [toot, toot]. It was a year for learning and growing personally and professionally. I seldom talk about Tommy's job much on this blog so here it goes...he works his ass off. He has done very well in his company and has been promoted despite his young age. He loves his job and works hard at it, so this man deserved this vacation as much as anyone. (And he is totally Chandler Bing because I have no idea what he really does. I know he sometimes works from home, takes conference calls, flies to KC and Chicago for the day sometimes and dresses very cute for work, but aside for that. Not 100% sure.) That being said, we decided to reward ourselves for a successful year in a big way.

Alright, so I'm sure no one read all of that anyway and just moved on to the gorgeous photos.

Disclaimers:
1. There are a lot of pictures.
2. I was overly paranoid and didn't bring my big fancy camera. Instead I brought my Flip and my baby Canon.
3. Oh and some of the photos were taken in a moving safari bus and most some were taken while under the influence of Dominican rum. Just sayin....





The tiny airport



Our hotel room









First night out







My husband



The next day we were up bright and early to get our spot on the beach





Little overcast but still gorgeous...



This was my view for the next week! 10 bonus points if anyone can name the book I'm reading :)





Does anyone watch Sunny? Adam was saying "I can go wider"





Out for dinner and drinks







The next day we went on a Safari around the country. It was 8 hours in a Safari truck, driving around, drinking rum and Presidente. It was absolutely my favorite thing we did down there. To see a country like that was amazing. Everyone had to little (by American standards) and were so happy. Just happy to be alive and well. I thought I would feel sad seeing their small, open homes but I didnt feel bad for them at all because no one felt sorry for themselves. Everyone worked hard and lived like it was their last day...it was amazing! The only thing that really brought tears to my eyes were the amount of stray dogs. It was heartbreaking. Some were so thin and looked just sickly and that is something I cannot handle well.







A Dominican gas station











Cigar factory





Tommy thoroughly enjoying a fresh cigar



Of course drinks that evening





Our favorite waiters at the Japanese restaurant!





The next day we drove around the country again only this time it was to go zip lining. If I look scared like I'm going to shit my pants in the before photos, it's because I was. I was so nervous to go on the zip lines.





















All four of us on the bus on the way back. This was one of the my favorite parts of the trip. We were drinking rum and coke and had to drink them fast because it was so bumpy. Everytime the cups were empty, they'd refill...it was so much fun!



This is our Russian friend, Ivan.



No, I dont really know his name but I took a picture of him because we thought he looked like Kenny Powers from East Bound & Down...





Later that afternoon, we went back to the beach! I have to say that the Dominican had the softest, whitest sand. Oh and the water was that beautiful, teal-ish blue you see in the movies!



Some impressive works the kids at the resort next to us did









Dinner. Tommy insisted on wearing an obnoxious Charlie Sheen shirt circa Two and A Half Men. Eh..it's vacation afterall







Pipes





The next morning we were at the beach bright and early to see sunrise





My current computer background...



The pool we only visited once when it was raining. We just sat under the bar and drank until it passed. We sat on the beach every other day!



With my gorgeous best friend!



with my husband...











Instax fun at dinner




My cigar of choice for the trip








On our last day in the Dominican, we walked out to the beach before we headed out to the airport for one last bit of sun and the ocean



Note the European in the speedo to the right...








That's our trip in a nutshell and a photo dump. It was amazing and I am very happy to announce that we are going BACK to the same resort with 3 other couples (Trisha and Adam included) this July! Yahtzee!

Cheers,

Lynsey



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