Punta Cana - Part IV

 

Last full day at Ziva Cap Cana - make it count! Started with breakfast of champions - french toast, bacon, hash brown and, finally, my mimosa! 

Beach time! 

Pretty boats in the distance! There is a barrier wall about 3/4 mile from the shore that blocks the waves. The boys were bummed there were no big waves to jump! 

And we learned from Brent that this is sargassum seaweed. I recognized this same stuff washing up on the Long Island sound - I loved "popping" the bubbles. 

Alas, they were done with the beach - another kids club drop off and more quiet time for me to finish my book (with another drink). 

Let's do what the boys love best - back to the water park!

Kade has no fear - he was the first one in our family to go down this terrifyingly steep water slide. Different country, different rules - a similar slide in the USA would have a height requirement far taller than Kade. 

Funny guy - he rode it twice the day before and then the last day as he went to ride again, he was stopped by the lifeguard at the top and told he was too little to ride. He responded he had already ridden it twice and sure enough, the lifeguard shrugged and let him go again!! Although that was true, it just seemed so funny - you'd believe what this little kid said? 

The blue tube slide was their favorite. 

Right before we were ready to leave, Brock decided he was going to be conquer his fear and ride the yellow slide too. 

    

Goodbye water park!

Get cleaned and dressed - and do something other than tablets. We had a room with two double beds and a pull-out sofa. Brock got a bed and Kade got the sofa bed. They liked having picnics on Kade's bed. 

Last dinner - opted for Italian again. Chicken parm for Brent and lasagna for me. Delicious!

We were treated to chocolate covered strawberries and champagne in our room when we returned from dinner!

Below is a map of the hotel grounds. Ziva is the family side and Zilara is the adults-only. Absolutely beautiful - very clean and safe. For example, I felt just fine letting Kade go to the pool restroom by himself. I think I set the bar high for us as far as all-inclusives go! 

We knew this going in, but this was definitely not a trip for Dominican culture (besides the bit of Spanish we used). It was a much-needed family bonding and relaxation trip after the last few years we've all had dealing with Covid, virtual school, and other stressors. Yes, there were some fights between brothers and little boys not doing as they were told... but overall, I think this trip was a success. Looking forward to planning the next one! 

Punta Cana - Part III

Brock's gift shop purchase - a baseball with a map of Dominican Republic

Another beautiful day in paradise! And.... would it be a trip without Kade getting a dab in?!?

Lobby Bar - we frequented this one a bunch on our way elsewhere. Here we are actually sitting around on our "day off" from the sun, waiting for lunch. Picture compliments to Kade!

Sit down lunch at The Chinola. Best restaurant view, hands down! Club members only for breakfast and lunch!

Brock was a little hangry. He wanted a kids meal, but we told him to order the adult meal - he'd love it. He fought with us, but alas - here's his empty plate. "Mahi Mahi filet with crispy garlic in a citrus sauce paired with grilled squash" - delicious. 

The colors are so bright and vibrant, it almost doesn't look real!

After lunch, the boys checked in to the kids club, Brent went off to the gym, and I found one of those egg pods to read my book. 

Here's a little video of the view of our room. 

Time for dinner! Headed to Navigators, the seafood restaurant (don't worry - they had steak for Brent). 

Since I had the great view at lunch, I made sure Brent had the ocean view at dinner. I think he thoroughly enjoyed it because he got to watch a storm make landfall! We were directly center under cover and could still feel the rain from all the wind. Very cool storm watching - dinner & a show!

Calamari starter for Brock.

Round 1 (of 2) of chicken and french fries for Kade. Funny note - the entire hotel has packets of ketchup.... we had to keep asking for more and more for our ketchup loving family. I'm not kidding when I say that if we come back, we'll just pack our own bottle to bring! The waiter thought he was being helpful, so finally came to the table with a big bottle of ketchup to squirt on Kade's plate (no more leaving it on the table due to covid). We didn't say anything, but Brent and I both noticed the brand. The meal goes on and we notice Kade isn't dipping in the ketchup any longer and inquire why. Kade's response: "I don't like the ketchup anymore. The packets are better." Yup, he's our child. #onlyheinz

My starter - Raw Tuna. 

After the delicious dinner, we made our way to our dessert place, passing this art on the stairs. It was too memorable - had to capture.  

Kade and I picked out the "Chocolate Mouse" (made with mousse). Lots of good eating on this trip!

Punta Cana - Part II

We are early dinner people - mostly because the boys are in so many activities, we have to eat early to get to practices or games! We were ready when the restaurants opened at 6pm for dinner! 

Get out all that energy waiting for dinner!

We loved these big egg pods! Don't know what they are called, but they were scattered all over the hotel grounds in different sizes for lounging and they were so much fun for the boys to hide out in!

Every lunch/dinner at the buffet, Brock would pick out a new fish to eat - watching them cook it right in front of him! One night, Kade wanted to join in and selected Blue Marlin as his first "real" fish to eat (besides fish sticks). We all tried it as it's not typically served in the USA - Brock said it best - it's like a tougher, stronger, king mackerel. 

After dinner, we opted for the 7:30 family show - a magic show! The boys played a little corn hole while we waited for the show to start. (Also - not real grass - all turf) :) 

Tried to get both boys to sit up front with the other kids, but only Kade was brave. 

And wouldn't you know it - the magician selected Brent to accompany him on stage for an act! Brock and Kade looked both excited and terrified for their Dad! They weren't sure what he was going to do! 

He was all smiles and enjoyed the spotlight!

The next day was a pool day! About three weeks prior to arriving, we reserved one of the Cabanas for the day for an added fee. Gorgeous view from the Cabana, front row seat to the action at the pool (the cabana sits a few inches above the the water actually!) and super relaxing under the shade!

I mean, this view!! :) 

We took a break from the sun at lunch and headed to our favorite buffet - El Mercado!

More pool and finally took a walk down to the beach! Powder white sand!

The boys were not impressed with all the seaweed. There was a "line" of it about 3 feet in and then a few floating around after that, but they wouldn't give it a chance to go farther. 

Alas, back to the pool we went. 

By mid-afternoon, the boys were getting a little too toasty, so we headed in for showers and down time. There was a big night ahead of us! The boys were eating early at the Sports bar (hot dogs and hamburgers) and we were going out for a date night! 

They had to try out the punching bag while they waited for their food. 

We hired a babysitter from the hotel to come to the room and watch the boys. It was.... interesting. 

Brent took Spanish in high school & college and besides a few conversations with co-workers, he hasn't used it much.  I was very impressed with his ability to carry on conversations with all the locals and when the babysitter sent us a text about the boys, he immediately spotted the word for blood - "sangre"! She messaged us "Children are fighting" [motto of the trip] and the rest in Spanish - Kade had a minor bloody nose. With a little help from Google translate to write how to respond, we helped settle the situation and the boys were "tranquilos".  

We stayed out late talking by the bar and it was so nice to have a kid-free conversation! Actually, every night after the kids went off to bed, Brent and I met out on our patio with a night cap and talked. 

Apparently didn't take a picture of our patio furniture, so posting one from the hotel site. It was sooo relaxing!