500 Things to do in the 500 Days until the Big 3-0: 69. Caribbean Paradise

7th March 2014, Now Larimar, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

After being greeted with champagne upon our arrival at the very gorgeous hotel in Punta Cana I knew we would get on just fine there. Never mind that the ‘champagne’ was reduced alcohol cava from Spain....

The deal we got when booking our trip to the Dominican Republic seemed way too good to be true so I entered the hotel with a great portion of suspicion and expected to find myself in a hot and humid version of Fawlty Towers.

Imagine my surprise when we enter an amazing and massive room with one of the comfiest queen size beds I have ever slept in (or jumped on). Fully stocked free mini bar, huge balcony perfect for wine and gossip and our very own Jacuzzi in the bathroom.

At first, the rose petals on the bed raises very little suspicion – maybe it was just Caribbean custom or I guess Hell’s Bells and I could technically be honeymooning… In separate beds. Plus I may have told them we were engaged so I would get myself some freebies. No, I have no real morals and single people are suffering discrimination every day not getting any romance related free gifts.

The bottle of champagne, fruit and chocolates, however – seemed a bit over the top perhaps. Then we realised that neither of us are called Natalia and neither of us turned 40 that day. But we were hungry and thirsty. Sorry Natalia. Later on in the week we also ate Anna's birthday cake. Sorry Anna.

(I'm not really that sorry)

Heading down to the beach for a late night stroll, the excitement at finally being in the Caribbean took over from the jet lag just a little bit, with Hell’s Bells dancing around the beach like the mad woman I already knew she is.

-Can you believe we are actually in THE CARIBBEAN??

-Yes, Hell’s Bells, we just spent 12 hours on a plane.

-But can you believe it?? We’re in, like, THE CARIBBEAN!

-Yes. Again – I was on the same flight.

-Shut up and be excited bitch.

In spite of nearly dying from the jet lag, we managed to make it to dinner. Seated on the patio, being served wine, fresh seafood and a mountain of little cakes, we were getting more and more convinced that we had arrived in Paradise.

The following morning as we wake up to glorious sunshine and the sound of the ocean, we get the final confirmation that this is actually Paradise. The breakfast buffet has an actual Bloody Mary and Mimosa station.