The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[Goofyernmost]

View attachment 352153

That is so true for me as well. I always liked to go and walk along the ocean. I didn't realize until I was going through a lot of uncontrollable changes in my life, like divorce, retirement, relocation plus others that I used those walks along the surf to think clearer about what I should do with my life and what direction I needed to take. There was a two year span while going through the divorce, loss of my business, bankruptcy, my girls getting married and moving out (as they should have) that I was in a deep, deep funk. I made a number of trips to the coast.

Now I have a spinal column, pinched nerve problem that won't let me walk on a sandy shore, so how do I work that out. I tried running the bathtub and pacing back and forth, but, that didn't seem to help at all. How does that saying go... To paraphrase T.S. Eliot, "We arrived from the sea and to the sea we will return".

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

He really likes snowshoeing, and if you move, it would not be fun. He has the right idea.

I like figgy's version of the post. Actually, hubs tolerates snowshoeing, I'm more into than him. However, if I could walk the trails in my tennis shoes instead of snowshoes that would be okay too.

 

[21stamps]

WWYD-

A. Choose more personalized service and more amenities and activities.

Or

B. Ocean view room.

It’s so crazy that I can’t both at once, when traveling with a child!!

 

[21stamps]

I haven't stayed at Meliá hotel, sorry. I have been to Punta Cana and didn't enjoy it. This was over 10 years ago and I only went once to an all inclusive resort with little villas spread out along the beach but it was boring and felt a bit like a luxury prison since it had a huge fence around it and guards patrolling.

I have been to Punta Cana a couple of times before T was born. We stayed at adult-only all inclusives, but we did a handful of excursions off property, including a day in Santo Domingo.

I try to seek out resorts that aren’t full of Americans. . It’s one of my pet peeeves with Atlantis.. I always feel like I’m in Miami, with better scenery.

Hard Rock has a hotel in Punta Cana, I have no desire to stay there, at all. In Hollywood Florida or Universal, sure, but not in the D.R.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

We got about 6-8 inches supposedly last night but with all the drifting it is tough to tell. Right now it is sunny but the wind is whipping around so much, 40-50mph wind gusts. I tried to let the dog out this morning but all her paths were gone and she couldn't go very far so her time was quick out there. I had to shovel a path which was tough with it blowing back in my face but I got a small path cleared for her to her spot in the far corner of the yard. We will have to do more, but no sense doing more now. Our county issue a travel ban and many churches closed for today. Hubs still went in but put out a post that he would facebook live worship. He texted that 13 people showed up. Winter can end now.

@figmentfan423 I thought of you this morning as I was scrolling facebook, our sheriff's departments put out an arrest warrant for the groundhog!

This was their post...
Good morning --------County Wisconsin! We currently have an arrest warrant issued for the Groundhog. Something about lying about an early spring. With that said we are still under a blizzard warning. Road are completely impassible in some areas. We have been taking calls all night of vehicles stuck in the middle of the road. The winds are causing drifts 3 feet high or more on some roads. Please Do Not Drive. If there is anyway to stay where you are that is the best course of action. If you do get stuck make sure you keep your exhaust clear so you avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Stay in your vehicle buckled in. We are trying to get to people as fast as we can. There are very few tow companies available due to the weather. Stay safe!

So officially the groundhog is a wanted man!

 

[Rista1313]

WWYD-

A. Choose more personalized service and more amenities and activities.

Or

B. Ocean view room.

It’s so crazy that I can’t both at once, when traveling with a child!!

When I've had to choose, I've choice more amenities, knowing I would still be able to see the ocean all day. Just not from my room.

 

[Rista1313]

I have been to Punta Cana a couple of times before T was born. We stayed at adult-only all inclusives, but we did a handful of excursions off property, including a day in Santo Domingo.

I try to seek out resorts that aren’t full of Americans. . It’s one of my pet peeeves with Atlantis.. I always feel like I’m in Miami, with better scenery.

Hard Rock has a hotel in Punta Cana, I have no desire to stay there, at all. In Hollywood Florida or Universal, sure, but not in the D.R.

We do that too....no offense to anyone including myself, but americans can be idiots and jerks. Sometimes I'm embarrassed for us. We stayed at a resort in Jamaica that was mostly canadians and various other europeans, and had a much better time.

 

[21stamps]

When I've had to choose, I've choice more amenities, knowing I would still be able to see the ocean all day. Just not from my room.

Thanks! It’s such a tough decision. I’m considering 4 resorts.. 3 are a boutique family section within a resort.. comes with its one pool, dedicated family concierge (which would save me a lot of time and stress when booking dining reservations and excursions), it’s own family lounge and 2 special restaurants, miscellaneous awesomeness including stocked kid’s mini bar, turndown service with milk and cookies, rose petal bath preparation, kid’s bubble bath preparation, etc. Tons of children and family activities including rock climbing wall, trampoline, nightly theme parties etc.
BUT, all 3 of these enclaves were built away from the beach , all reviews say 10 min walk.. one of the resort’s does have complimentary bicycles though.
10 minute walk is doable., but I always want a view!

The 4th option is the best room imo.. 2 stories with second story as pictured-



Downside- none of the exclusive amenities listed in the first 3, and less family and kid driven amenities. This one does have a kids club like the others, but I’m not looking for my child to be off in a kid’s club all day.. I want a good mix of activities we can enjoy together, and a few that he may want to do on his own.



I would have been ok without an ocean view if a swim up suite was available in one of the first 3 listed, but none are available for our dates.

 

[Rista1313]

Thanks! It’s such a tough decision. I’m considering 4 resorts.. 3 are a boutique family section within a resort.. comes with its one pool, dedicated family concierge (which would save me a lot of time and stress when booking dining reservations and excursions), it’s own family lounge and 2 special restaurants, miscellaneous awesomeness including stocked kid’s mini bar, turndown service with milk and cookies, rose petal bath preparation, kid’s bubble bath preparation, etc. Tons of children and family activities including rock climbing wall, trampoline, nightly theme parties etc.
BUT, all 3 of these enclaves were built away from the beach , all reviews say 10 min walk.. one of the resort’s does have complimentary bicycles though.
10 minute walk is doable., but I always want a view!

The 4th option is the best room imo.. 2 stories with second story as pictured-

View attachment 352177

Downside- none of the exclusive amenities listed in the first 3, and less family and kid driven amenities. This one does have a kids club like the others, but I’m not looking for my child to be off in a kid’s club all day.. I want a good mix of activities we can enjoy together, and a few that he may want to do on his own.



I would have been ok without an ocean view if a swim up suite was available in one of the first 3 listed, but none are available for our dates.

Bummer! I've never been to Punta Cana.... I have a friend who loves it. My heart is in Jamaica... we love it there... and we were married there =D

 

[21stamps]

We do that too....no offense to anyone including myself, but americans can be idiots and jerks. Sometimes I'm embarrassed for us. We stayed at a resort in Jamaica that was mostly canadians and various other europeans, and had a much better time.

I understand completely!!

 

[21stamps]

Bummer! I've never been to Punta Cana.... I have a friend who loves it. My heart is in Jamaica... we love it there... and we were married there =D

Wow, what a perfect place for a wedding!!

Punta Cana was a cheaper flight from SoFla. I typically chose places that had the lowest airfare when vacationing. This is the main reason I don’t want to go back to Turks & Caicos or Curaçao right now, the airfare just kills me.

T really wants to go to Jamaica, we’ll do that someday! His list is too long and my vacation time is too short.lol

 

[21stamps]

Well, I just ruled out one resort. Didn’t realize that room tax wasn’t included in the quote. 23%!!!! Adds $900 to what I thought it would be.

Nope.

 

[Rista1313]

Wow, what a perfect place for a wedding!!

Punta Cana was a cheaper flight from SoFla. I typically chose places that had the lowest airfare when vacationing. This is the main reason I don’t want to go back to Turks & Caicos or Curaçao right now, the airfare just kills me.

T really wants to go to Jamaica, we’ll do that someday! His list is too long and my vacation time is too short.lol

I've only been to Turks & Caicos once.. for a weekend about 25 years ago... it was a travel agent trip. Back then there were only 2 all inclusive resorts on the main island. I remember it being beautiful. I've never been to Curacao.

Just sent our passports in for renewal though. Hopefully going international next year!

 

[21stamps]

I've only been to Turks & Caicos once.. for a weekend about 25 years ago... it was a travel agent trip. Back then there were only 2 all inclusive resorts on the main island. I remember it being beautiful. I've never been to Curacao.

Just sent our passports in for renewal though. Hopefully going international next year!

I’ve only stayed at Beaches in T&C.. Curaçao is incredible, definitely put it on your list!


T is considered an “adult” at an all inclusive or on a cruise.. (because of double occupancy rates.) I feel a little more justified in spending money at Beaches or similar, anywhere where I feel like at least I’m getting partial value on the provided kid/family activities.. obviously T’s not utilizing the night clubs or alcohol.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Leaving tomorrow via bus as its late and even if we wanted, we would arrive late night AND not be able to give my mom the stuff she needs..

I'll be thinking of you and your family.

 

[FutureCEO]

but americans are idiots and jerks

Fixed your sentence

 

[Gabe1]

Early shopping day here in hopes of beating the wind home. Wish us luck

Feel your pain. 65 mph wind and dropping temp to single digits this evening. Downspouts gone. Bath roof vent has a new shape. Bathroom leaves and tiny sticks this morning all over as it blew in through the ducts and out fan. Who expects to step on sticks on floor first thing in morning?

Joy Joy.

 

[21stamps]

Fixed your sentence

To be clear about my post.. it’s not that I don’t like Americans.. I just don’t want to feel like I’m still in the US when I leave the US.

That, and i don’t want to stay somewhere with too many drunk partying young 20-somethings.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Feel your pain. 65 mph wind and dropping temp to single digits this evening. Downspouts gone. Bath roof vent has a new shape. Bathroom leaves and tiny sticks this morning all over as it blew in through the ducts and out fan. Who expects to step on sticks on floor first thing in morning?

Joy Joy.

That sounds pretty awful and not a good way at all to start your day.

 

[21stamps]

I’ve emailed a travel agent. I think that’s the best way to go. I’m getting a headache from combing thru reviews.