The Best Birthday Ever in the Dominican Republic! - My Family Travels

What a trip! What a Journey! The Dominican Republic is certainly an interesting place to go on vacation. One of my best friends since third grade invited me on yet another one of her amazing summer vacations to the Dominican Republic for a week. And the best part, it was on June 16th 2012, my 17th birthday! What a present! Of course we'd be flying there and I'm not a fan of flying but I survived and I must say the trip was worth it! When we first landed it was quite a view. The airport you see was completely outside with huts, it was so fascinating, questions ran through my head. How did they get so many palm branches? How did they deal with the heat!? I'd only been outside for five minutes and already I was sweating. Luckily we weren't there for long a quick check of the passports and picking up our luggage and we were to the cab. The drive to our resort was longer than I excepted, 30 minutes in fact. What I saw on the drive shocked me, the land was so impoverished. Most of what I saw was plants and few homes, most looking like shacks. The tiny towns we drove through were the same little shacks with little inside them. The pictures I had seen of the Dominican Republic certainly didn't resemble what I had seen thus far. It pulled at my heart strings, I was worried that the resort would sadly seem the same as the rest of the country.  We arrived at the Gran Bahia Principe Esmeralda Resort in the late afternoon and what met my eyes was a huge relief, it didn't look to be in the same shape as outside the gates, in fact it looked just as the website had shown(http://www.bahia-principe.com/en/hotels/punta-cana/resort-esmeralda/). Not long after arriving I learned that the resorts had helped a lot in the development of the country and continued to help it grow.  

Once in our rooms I found out that my friends lovely parents had told the hotel that it was my birthday and I was greeted with a plate of fresh fruit and a bag of goodies which consisted of two hotel t-shirts . Not too long after that it was time for dinner. Dessert was my favorite with a buffet of all the sweets! I took one of everything and made it my mission to try every dessert throughout the week. Also at dinner I was served a scrumptious chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry cake and had happy birthday sung to me in Spanish, French, and English! What a day! The rest of the week consisted mostly of swimming at the pool. We did however do one thing that was quite nerve racking to me, we walked on the bottom of the ocean.  They had special helmets that allowed you to breath normally under the water but I was still nervous. Of course I was the first one to the bottom and even though the helmet allowed me to breath normally I was breathing fairly sporadically. Overall it was an experience that was only worth doing once. By the end of the week I was glad we were going back home, I missed my family. One thing stuck with me most though as we drove back to the airport, I wouldn't forget the land outside the resort for a long time and it has certainly impacted me to know that the resorts help a lot with providing jobs. 

Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.

0 Replies to “The Best Birthday Ever in the Dominican Republic!”

  • yaz

    The content here is well-researched and very informative, making it a valuable read. This site continues to be a great source of useful and engaging articles.

  • Abdullah Ibna Jafar

    This blog does a great job of highlighting the rich Black history in St. Augustine. It’s informative and well-structured, making it easy to follow the timeline of events. The details about Fort Mose and the Civil Rights Movement are especially powerful. A must-read for anyone interested in history and culture!

  • Chithra K B

    These holiday light displays look absolutely magical! I’m especially drawn to the ‘Las Noches de Las Luminarias’ in Phoenix with all those glowing cacti and lanterns – what a unique and beautiful way to celebrate the season. I also love the idea of the Enchanted Forest in Pine Mountain with its millions of lights. It’s amazing how many incredible places there are to enjoy the festive spirit! I’ll definitely be adding a few of these to my holiday bucket list. Happy holidays to all!

  • Adaline J

    I did a fall road trip through New England, and having a Zetexa eSIM was a lifesaver—no dropped signals, even in remote areas! It made navigating scenic routes so much easier. What’s your favorite fall foliage spot?

  • hotel

    Hi, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this post. It was practical.
    Keep on posting!

  • namakepcib

    Very nice post. I definitely love this website.

    Keep it up!

  • Social

    I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog.

    I really hope to view the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own site now 😉

  • tlov

    Just wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.

  • tlove

    I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

  • JUDI ONLINE

    Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot.
    I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.

  • Dream

    I really like what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and reporting! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.

  • news

    For most recent information you have to pay a quick visit world wide web and on web I found this web site as a best website for latest updates. https://www.traillink.com/stateactivity/nv-hiking-trails/

  • anna

    thank you for sharing with us

  • Raymond

    Fantastic blog!

  • Damon

    We offer pick up at Washougal port and drop off at Portland Airport, with a private tour of the city to fill your time until your flight! See our website for more information.
    https://www.peaktoursandtransit.com/americancruiselines

  • h

    Yourr style is really unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.

  • Travel Agency in India

    Starting the New Year with such vibrant celebrations sounds like a fantastic idea! This guide offers great inspiration for planning a memorable First Night. For anyone looking to experience similar festivities abroad or even within India, the Best Travel Agency in India can make your travel dreams come true. Cheers to a year full of exciting journeys!

  • polygon

    Nice i really enjoyed reading your blogs. Keep on posting. Thanks

  • Nicolas Baillieu

    Would you like this New Year to be the year you let go of your hurtful past? Make the resolution to make the change to become your Best Self.

  • dro

    I am impressed with this website , really I am a fan.

  • atomic

    This excellent website truly has all of the information I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

  • Emily Williams

    Travel Tuesday is such a great opportunity for families to lock in incredible vacation deals! The Caribbean all-inclusive offers and luxury cruises caught my eye this year. For anyone planning trips in 2025, now’s the time to grab those discounts. I’ve found that setting up airfare alerts and exploring flexible travel tools can help extend the savings even further. What’s your favorite way to find hidden travel deals?

  • MasumINTL

    Bokeo is truly a captivating delight located in Thailand!

    The blend of unspoiled nature, rich culture, and serene landscapes provide an unforgettable trip.
    From hidden waterfalls to genuine experiences, every
    minute in Bokeo will feel like a voyage of discovery.
    You must visit Bokeo if you are looking for authentic Thai appeal and
    undiscovered adventure!

    ADMIN NOTE: The province of Bokeo is actually in Northern Laos.

  • gsc

    Informative article, exactly what I was looking for.

  • cr

    Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of information on your
    site. Im really impressed by your site.
    Hey there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll definitely
    digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends.

    I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site.

  • tlo

    Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care

  • LeeCRORM

    How do family-friendly hotels like the Regency Bar & Grill balance a casual atmosphere with upscale dining experiences? Can such venues successfully cater to both adult tastes and children’s preferences without compromising on quality?”,

  • vor

    I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i?¦m glad to convey that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I so much unquestionably will make certain to do not fail to remember this web site and give it a glance on a continuing basis.

  • vor

    I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again!

  • vor

    Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write once more soon!

  • JaninaRuime

    I’ve been really impressed

  • bra

    It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of info. I am happy that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  • LeeCRORM

    Is it possible for a hotel to truly cater to both adults and children without compromising on the dining experience? How can establishments like the Regency Bar & Grill balance sophisticated culinary offerings with kid-friendly options, and do you think this duality enhances or detracts from the overall atmosphere?

  • LeeCRORM

    What unique dining experiences can families expect at hotels in the Upper East Side, and how do these experiences cater to both adults and children? Are there any hidden gems or unconventional menu items that truly set these family-friendly hotels apart from the typical offerings?”,
    “refusal

  • Shayne Dilorenzo

    TY for posting, it was unbelieveably informative and helped me a ton

  • JUDI ONLINE

    Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
    There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your
    content. Please let me know. Thank you

  • smo

    Very interesting information! Perfect just what I was looking for!
    “The most wasted day of all is that on which we have not laughed.” by Sbastien-Roch Nicolas de Chamfort.

  • smorter

    I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  • Jhoney Bairstow

    Las Vegas has so much to offer beyond the usual attractions! If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider exploring the local art scene or taking a day trip to the nearby Red Rock Canyon for some beautiful hiking. It’s a great way to balance the excitement of the Strip with some natural beauty!

  • JOHN

    I appreciate the practical advice you’ve given here.

  • GROW

    Thank for your sharing. That’s good to take children to this places.

  • Abde Ljalil

    i like this article , it was useful

  • drovers

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…

  • drover

    I truly appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!

Comment on this article

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.