August 3, Sunday, Excellence, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Our final day at the Excellence we meet for breakfast at the buffet.  Chuck met his goal of having caviar for breakfast everyday!

We head back to our rooms and finish last minute packing.  We meet in the lobby at 10:30 to meet our shuttle back to the airport.  There was a little confusion with the name "Taylor"  and the shuttles, but we got that all figured out and were on our way to the airport.  Everything thru the airport went smoothly and we had time to have a pricey snack before boarding.  We had a late take off and were late getting in to Charlotte, but the Charlotte to KC was also delayed so be we have plenty of time to get thru customs and to our gate.  Even had time for another pricy snack before getting on the plane.

We arrive in KC and called for our shuttle from the hotel.  The bags had not even started to come on the belt, so Chuck took the shuttle to get the van.  Brian and Lois collected the bags and Chuck was back from the hotel by the time we got outside with the bags.  When we arrived back home, Laurie and Brian's children was waiting to take them home.

A great time was had by all!

Drink of the Day:  Honeymoon:  Pineapple Juice, lemon juice, orange juice, rum, cherry liquor and triple sec.

August 2, Saturday, Excellence, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

We had our usual breakfast buffet and head for the cascade pool.  This is our pool of choice.  We spend the morning floating and try the drink in the coconut, the coco loco.  For lunch Lois goes to the sports bar for a sandwich and fruit cup, while the others go for buffet.  Lois heads for the beach after lunch, has her chair, drink and kindle all set up and is all settled in for the afternoon when she notices the cabana boys collecting the cushions and chairs.  Next the lifeguard is blowing his whistle and motioning for all to leave the water and beach area.  Then the rain starts and the wind.  It was a drenching rain but didn't last long.  So it is back to the pool for Lois, Chuck and Brian.

We meet at our usual location before dinner and head to Toscana for Italian cuisine.  Laurie had good rosemary chicken.  Brian had breaded steak and , not impressed so ordered the We had a lovely dinner and the waiter was very attentive.  We catch the Michael Jackson Show, again it was all canned music, but Michael did a great job of dancing.

Brian, Chuck and Lois go to the Alegria to "laugh and dance" the night away.  Really we went there to complete our goal of drinking at all 10 bars and eating at all 10 restaurants.  We did not close the place down, but we did open the place up!

Drink of the Day:  Excellence Island: Pineapple juice, Orange juice, rum, blue curaçao and triple sec liquor

August 1, Friday, Excellence, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

We were up at the crack of dawn again, and still clouds on the horizon.  We walked around again and went for early breakfast and then Brian and Laurie met up with us and we ate some more.

Roberto spots us and asks about our dinner plans for the evening.  He tell us he will make a nice table for us. 

Friday is a beach day.  Great waves, but too high for Lois and she has to dive under.  Her sunglasses are probably in Cuba by now.  Chuck and Lois walk thru the surf, while Laurie and Brian rest on their chairs.  Chuck and Lois have pizza for lunch and head to handicrafts.  We string bead necklaces and hear about all the other resorts where the others have been.  It was an interesting lesson.  Chuck and Lois remain for Bingo and Chuck wins a romantic dinner for two.  Laurie and Brian are off for their horseback riding experience.  We all end up in the pool before going back to the room before dinner.  

We meet up at the Martini Bar again and go to dinner at Barcelona, Mediterranean cuisine.  As promised, Roberto had a table reserved for us.  

After dinner, we head to the Burlesque Show.  It was not a favorite, more canned music and a lot of break dancing and acrobatics.  We returned to our rooms to discover Roberto had sent a special treat.....chocolate covered grapes and a bottle of champagne in each room!!

Drink of the Day:  Tropical:  Orange juice, mango juice, rum and banana liquor.  None of us liked this drink, so we had to be creative with other options.