Girl, we’ve been meant for this
Since we were born
No problems now (the coast is clear)
It’s just the calm before the storm

This must be just like living in paradise
and I don’t wanna go home

Just Like Paradise - David Lee Roth

Last year, in March, I was promoted to management with Aflac. From that moment on, my career changed. For five and a half years, I have heard about all of the trips that Aflac books for those who should qualify. For most of my career, I have watched many others go on these trips but have never had the experience. Well, last year was different, and I earned my ticket to one of the greatest experiences of my life. Even better, I got to take my favorite human with me! I was fortunate to have a family that liked to go on vacations. We went to many places and saw many things, but I have never had a vacation like the one I just returned from. I honestly didn’t ever want it to end. What follows is an account of our trip.

May 18, 2019

To say that the vacation started calmly would be a bit untrue. That’s 100% due to my obsessive-compulsive disorder (never been diagnosed, but who are we kidding here?) and my need to be early and right where I’m supposed to be at all times. I also thought that because I had traveled out of Shreveport Regional many times before, I hardly ever had to sit in line to get to the gate. That wasn’t the case this time, however. We watched the clock tick down until it was time for us to get on the plane. Now, I should say that Ashlie was calm the whole time. I, on the other hand, was not. She was right, though. The plane wasn’t going anywhere without us, and we made it with plenty of time to spare.

We flew from Charlotte to Punta Cana and The Hard Rock Casino and Resort.

After landing in Punta Cana, it was easy to figure out where to go because The Aflac signs directed us. Once we got on our bus, we knew we were in vacation mode as everyone was passing around cold beverages and having a great time.

I have never been to an all-inclusive resort before, but let me tell you, this is the way to go! All you can eat and drink anywhere you go is a fantastic thing.

Upon touching down in Punta Cana, Ashlie and I saw a rainbow, and then, walking through the doors of The Hard Rock, we saw the lyrics to Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles on the wall.

We decided that we wanted Mexican for dinner and so ended up at a place inside The Hard Rock called Los Gallos. I have to say that when I go to new places like this, I typically try to branch out, but Ashlie was the winner just about every time we went anywhere to eat. Her meal choices were way better than mine, and I ended up helping her finish off what was left of it.

After dinner, we were dead set, determined to find the ocean. So that’s what we did. We didn’t know where to go, and the resort was huge, so we just figured if we kept walking in one direction, we were bound to find it. So that’s what we did. Thank goodness they had these maps everywhere; otherwise, we may still be walking around trying to find our way.

Finding the beach at night was excellent, but it was nothing compared to the first time we got a beach view when the sun was out. However, we spent that first night walking down the beach and found a nice place to sit and listen to the waves. There is nothing like that ocean breeze and the sound of those waves. We already miss it! Of course, we had to write our initials in the sand too!

MAY 19, 2019

With so much to do, we decided early on that we wouldn’t stress anything. We had heard from friends and others about different excursions we should try while we were there. Each morning, we woke up and went to an extensive breakfast buffet called The Market.

Once we met with our travel guide and discussed our options for excursions and other extra things we wanted to enjoy, we decided upon a couples spa day and a beach cabana. I am so thankful for Ashlie asking if there was anything else we hadn’t been told about that might be fun. The guide told us about a buggy ride excursion. We both looked at each other and said, “Let’s do it!”

Adventure Boogie Excursion

The Adventure Boogie took us all over Punta Cana in a two-seater dune buggy. I was in Heaven! These things were fast, and we were roughing it on dirt roads, seeing unique forests, and observing the local scene.

We had so much fun riding around. The first stop was to a cave where we could get out and swim inside the cave. The water was super cold, but we did it. How often do you have a chance to swim in a cave with a waterfall in it? We even managed to get a few photos inside the cave.

Inside the cave, it was freezing but so much fun.

From there, we returned to the dune buggy and ventured to a little village called Higüey. This place was beautiful, with very pretty rock formations and plant life.

Cocoa Beans are one of the things that Punta Cana is known for. After our freezing cave swim, we were treated to some locally made hot chocolate, unlike any other hot chocolate I’d ever tasted. It was delicious. While sipping our hot chocolate, we were treated to a show by one of the local tribes. This was cool because of all the drums they used. I felt like I was on the show Survivor and that I had just won a challenge. I will never forget it.

MAY 20, 2019
Cabana Day

The next thing we wanted to make sure we did while on vacation was to book a cabana on the beach. So that’s what we did. This day was pure paradise.

That evening, we had reservations at Zen, a Hibachi-style Japanese restaurant. It was delicious.

MAY 21, 2019
Spa Day

The next day began with all the days with us having a great breakfast at The Market Buffet. Today was spa day! From the first moment I learned that I had qualified and earned this vacation, Ashlie immediately knew she wanted to do a spa day. I, on the other hand, was pretty much indifferent. Seeing her excitement, though, was worth the whole experience. I was a little nervous going into it for a few reasons. The first was that I knew that they were going to separate us and that I had a hard time understanding what most of them were saying as Spanish was the local language, and even if they did speak English, it was sometimes hard for me to understand them.

That said, I was ready and wanted to experience it all with an open and enthusiastic mind.

The first room was a steam room, and Ashlie and I were separated. I didn’t like this room too much. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t like to sweat, and this room was hot and full of steam. It was not really my cup of tea, but I did what I was supposed to and sat there in the heat and steam. I waited for God to reveal himself because the room was vast, white, and full of steam clouds.

The next room was the Ice Room. Now, this is what I’m talking about! This room was much smaller and super cold. I was given a bowl of crushed ice, and the guy told me to pour it over my head. I later learned from Ashlie that I was supposed to use the ice to scrub over my body to cool down from the hot steam room. Oh well. I didn’t do that, but I was happy to cool off.

From there, I went back into what I call The Oven Room. This room was ridiculously hot and tiny. I did not like this room at all. I felt like I was being cooked. I was getting tired of being put in hot rooms. It seemed as though each room was hotter than the next and that whatever was supposed to be happening to relax me was not working on me. I laughed and shook my head while sitting there because my honest thought was, “Why do people pay to be put in ovens?”

After spending ten minutes in each room, they put me in the last room, where I was given a mud bowl and told to bathe it all over myself. Sure, no problem. Wow, this room is even hotter than the previous hot room. This room frustrated me. It was hard to breathe because it was so hot in there. I also was worried because I didn’t know if I was supposed to wash the mud off or if I would be taken to another room for that.

Rinsing the mud off was what I was supposed to do, and from there, I was taken through the spa and sat on a huge leather couch, where I was told that Ashlie would be coming. Yay, finally!

Ashlie came walking in, grinning from ear to ear. She didn’t mind being put in an oven and then an ice box.

A funny thing, too, was that when she and I were talking about what would happen before the massage, Ashlie told me that everything was relaxing and that there were no sudden movements or anything that would cause anyone to jump or feel stressed in any way. Well, once we were led to the massage room and told to get ready for our massage, my clumsy self kicked the stool by the massage table, making a very loud noise and causing us to jump. Yep, leave it to me to ruin everyone’s zen.

The massage was 80 minutes long and was completely amazing. I let the music and the aromas take me away. I almost fell asleep. It was so peaceful.

After that, we got to swim in an oversized jacuzzi and eat fresh fruit. It was nice.

I would do the spa again but skip the oven rooms next time.

The locals love a drink called Mamajuana. This stuff was everywhere. It tasted like cough syrup, but we still had to try it.

MAY 23, 2019
Pool Day

With all our excursions done, we decided not to have any agenda on this day and chill by the pool. With 13 pools to choose from, we found one that was just right and most certainly never felt as though we were being crowded.

This trip was one that we will never forget. We laughed till we cried and then we cried when we had to leave.

Aflac Gathering

That evening, we met with our Aflac friends at a restaurant with a great ocean view. It was a quick two-hour meet and greet with drinks and appetizers.

On our last whole night at the resort, Ashlie got wild hair and decided to get a tattoo. Okay, she didn’t get a tattoo she got a fake one, but she wanted to try and trick her mom and others, so off we went to get her temporary tattoo. I have to say; I hope she goes and gets this thing for real. We both love it on her.

We are both in post vacay depression. We had the time of our lives and will never forget this fantastic experience. I have to thank Ashlie for being the incredible human that she is. She is hands down the best travel partner ever! This would not have been the same without her. We both are determined to get back here no matter what. It’s completely worth doing whatever it takes to experience it. Thank you, Punta Cana; we love you.

Thank you LORD for the amazing experience that we will never forget!