Welcome, Foolish Muggles! IoA/US/MK/SW *July 2013 Trip Report Link*

[HockeyMomR]

Dee,
A beautiful picture to start! So glad you had the opportunity to get away just the two of you. We will have our 25th in 2014 and hoping to do the same. Of course I would love a vow renewal at the YC!!!

Look forward to reading.

Rebecca

 

[mickeystoontown]

Happy 25 years together! You two look so adorable in both your wedding and your anniversay pictures.

 

[natebenma]

Dee,
A beautiful picture to start! So glad you had the opportunity to get away just the two of you. We will have our 25th in 2014 and hoping to do the same. Of course I would love a vow renewal at the YC!!!

Look forward to reading.

Rebecca

Hi Rebecca-

Thanks for coming over to read!

A vow renewal at the YC gazebo sounds wonderful! Any other contenders for location for a a getaway for the two of you?

We actually considered a trip to BC for our anniversary get away, but we didn't for a couple of reasons. First, Ben would be mad, and rightfully so. Nate and I have the class trip to Disney in June, and if we had a Disney anniversary trip, Ben would be the only one in the family without a trip scheduled there this year. Also, a trip to Disney would not be relaxing for Mark and me. It COULD be, but the way the two of us tour, it WOULDN'T be.

Puerto Rico was just the right pace.

Happy 25 years together! You two look so adorable in both your wedding and your anniversay pictures.

Thank you so much, Lisa!!!

Guess what? The backsack I got from you made it to the rainforest! The pattern fit right in!

I made Mark take a picture of me with it. It didn't come out great, but I'll post it anyway.

This picture was taken at night at the resort.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Happy Anniversary! I'm looking forward to reading all about your getaway.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Looks like a great start to well deserved kidless vacation!!
My Marc and I did go to Disney for our anniversary getaway. I could have gone anywhere I wanted and chose to stay at the GF- is there something wrong with me? (this was before I ever stayed at BC and it was my dream resort- especially w/ out kids)

Deb

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm glad to hear that the backsack is getting some use. I made myself several and take them all over the place. They're great 'cause you can cram so much stuff in them.

 

[natebenma]

Happy Anniversary! I'm looking forward to reading all about your getaway.

Thanks for reading!

Looks like a great start to well deserved kidless vacation!!
My Marc and I did go to Disney for our anniversary getaway. I could have gone anywhere I wanted and chose to stay at the GF- is there something wrong with me? (this was before I ever stayed at BC and it was my dream resort- especially w/ out kids)

Deb

Hi Deb! Wouldn't be the same without you here!

I'm glad to hear that the backsack is getting some use. I made myself several and take them all over the place. They're great 'cause you can cram so much stuff in them.

* This trip report brought to you by Lisa's backsacks.

Seriously if any of you need a really cute backsack, contact mickeystoontown. She has the cutest fabrics, a lot of it Disney and she can customize a really great sack for you.

And if you have read some of my past tips, using a backsack is my favorite way to avoid the Disney bag check lines. I travel light, fold the backsack to put in my pocket, carry everything else in (camera, travel mug, whatever) and once through the gates, I put it in the sack. *

Commercial over!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Just a word here from your official sponsor: Thanks for the plug!

 

[natebenma]

Why Puerto Rico? Why midnight?


Since this was the first time we were leaving the boys, we wanted this to be quick trip. We preferred to keep travel time to 3-4 hours so that we could enjoy as much time as possible AT the destination, not getting there. The number of tropical locales offering direct flights has really decreased since those carefree days when Mark and I traveled solo. St. John, or any of the Virgin Islands, would have been our first choice, but most flights went to PR first. Bermuda- close, and we understand it’s beautiful, but would probably be too cool for our taste.

We had looked at El Conquistador resort for a family trip because of their water park. When we priced out trips, there was a really great deal through Travelocity to Las Casitas, the sister resort right next to El Con. The rooms are (mostly) villa style, with kitchenettes AND BUTLERS and although the resort was not right on the beach, it has private island, Palomino, accessible by ferry.

The resort is about 40 minutes from the rainforest and very close to some of the bio bays where you can kayak with bioluminescent critters. Reports on Trip Advisor were very complimentary of the resort and the private island. We thought this would be a good chance to scope out the resort for a future family stay.

Originally, we were going to drop off the kids Sunday night, fly out Monday morning, arriving at the resort sometime in the afternoon, then return on Thursday. We priced it out and were just about to book it when Mark said

“Since we are dropping off the kids Sunday night anyway, what if we flew overnight?”

I am an early riser. Getting up at 4 am- no problem. I am awake by 5:30 every morning. Weekends, Holidays, Vacations, whatever. But by 10 pm most nights I am toast. I have never been able to sleep on a plane. Took one red-eye to London after being awake for 20 hours- no sleep. So I didn’t have much hope I would get any rest on the overnight trip.

But the idea of getting to the resort first thing in the morning and having that whole day ahead of us to enjoy was just too tempting. Of course, we realized that we might not be able to check in at 7 am or get a room until later in the day, but if that was the case and we had to drop off our luggage and sleep on the beach, so be it!

Book it!

Sunday March 4 Boston to San Juan 11:55 pm to 5 am (time change) to Thursday March 8, 2 PM


Next up:
To Sleep or Not to Sleep
THAT’S our transport?!? and
Check out the Check in annoyance (and rapture)

.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Thanks for the warm welcome- you're the best!
Looks beautiful!!
I can't sleep on planes either.

Deb

 

[HockeyMomR]

Dee - Sounds relaxing and your are so right about trying to relax at Disney. But maybe we could.....maybe Puerto Rico will be the place for us.....

More beautiful pictures please

 

[natebenma]

To Sleep or Not to Sleep
THAT’S our transport?!? and
Check out the Check in annoyance (and rapture)

We arrived to a very empty airport around 9 PM. I have never seen Logan look so dead, even in the wee hours of the morning when we usually fly. We had dinner at Legal Seafoods- crab roll for me, seafood trio roll for Mark- delicious rolls and rolls, the fries were amazingly good- no food porn.

We checked in through security and the TSA agents were almost jovial. One spotted my Jimmy Buffett shirt and asked me if I go to the concerts and where. Gate area was crowded but we found seats. We saw a couple carrying pillows. We laughed a little, but not for long.

As suspected, sleep proved to be elusive. I just couldn’t get comfortable. We had our raincoats in the carryon and tried to use them as pillows, but it didn’t help. Very quiet flight- I read, listened to music, tried to rest.

We landed in Puerto Rico, waited for our baggage. Momentary panic when one person immediately grabbed a bag that looked like our bright pink suitcase, I was going to follow her but she disappeared. But our suitcase and our dive bag of snorkel gear arrived and I went off to find the transportation we had arranged with Las Casitas.

When I came back to find Mark and showed him our ride, he said

“That’s our transport?”

We had a bus. For 2.

Ride was mostly uneventful. It was dark. We sat across the aisle from one another and tried to stretch out and sleep.

“Slam” “Slam” “Slam”

The shocks on the bus were Bad, Bad, Bad. Bad, Bad, Bad. Bad, Bad, Bad!

The door to the stall went Slam, Slam, Slam. Slam, Slam, Slam. Slam, Slam, Slam!

All through the town.

I tried to get the bathroom door to stay closed, but I had no luck.

No sleep on the bus.

We arrived at the Manor House (lobby of the resort) around 7 AM. I joked, like I always do on ME, I’ll race ahead to get to the front of the check-in line.

A few minutes later, we stopped laughing.

There were 3 women seated talking to the woman behind the desk. Looked like they had been there awhile. Looked like they would continue to be there awhile. We plopped into a couple of comfy chairs and listened…

Seems like it was a group of 5 couples sharing a reservation or two. These 3 were trying to check out, just paying the resort expenses they had detailed out to the penny. The other 2 were checking out later, so they would come by and pay what they owe.

Some of the actual resort stay had already been paid. There was something about time share credits. There were charges between midnight and 2 am that weren’t showing up on the folio yet, but they had accounted for that. The one lady doing most of the talking must have said she owed $545.89 about 10 times and “Do you see what I’m saying” about 20 times.

After about 20 minutes, the woman peeked around back and asked Eddie to come and help us check in.

Would we have a room, or do we have to wait?

We requested a room with a king bed. Unfortunately, our room would not be ready until this afternoon when the guests occupying it checked out.

But they would give us another room for now, with 2 doubles (no queens available) to use, then transfer our luggage to the new room when it was ready.

That will work!




We left with Eddie and our luggage.

The women were still there.

 

[natebenma]

The room:

There were two balconies- one with a view and a balcony out back that was private. I think that is the second balcony behind Mark.

0

I should probably mention at this point that we booked the lowest category of room at this resort.

This was a great room! The view was amazing! Should we just keep this room or take what is behind door number 2???
Actually Door 5075.

Eddie says the view here is better, but the other room is a "penthouse suite" overlooking the water, top floor and has a king bed.


Next up: Let's Take a Walk

 

[ddluvsdisney]

There's nothing worse than being tired and having to WAIT!!!
How long was your flight?
Too funny- a bus for 2.
The view from that room was Gorgeous!!! I would be afraid to move too. How could that view be better than a "penthouse suite"??? Sounds fishy.

I posted on BC/YC thread yesterday or day before I think you missed it b/c you ALWAYS reply. Check on that will you (just kidding)

Deb

 

[natebenma]

Sorry for missing the replies! I read them, then moved on to my updates.

Thanks for the warm welcome- you're the best!
Looks beautiful!!
I can't sleep on planes either.

Deb

I'm pretty jealous of people who can sleep on moving vehicles. My son Ben is one of them. He once fell asleep on the Kindergarten bus ride home. And the trip is less than a mile!

The resort and Puerto Rico were beautiful.

Dee - Sounds relaxing and your are so right about trying to relax at Disney. But maybe we could.....maybe Puerto Rico will be the place for us.....

More beautiful pictures please

I'll have a photo-palooza post of the resort coming tomorrow!

There's nothing worse than being tired and having to WAIT!!!
How long was your flight?
Too funny- a bus for 2.
The view from that room was Gorgeous!!! I would be afraid to move too. How could that view be better than a "penthouse suite"??? Sounds fishy.

I posted on BC/YC thread yesterday or day before I think you missed it b/c you ALWAYS reply. Check on that will you (just kidding)

Deb

Flight was around 4 hours. Will the time change it was midnight to 5 am between Boston and San Juan, and 2 pm to 5 pm on the way home.

I find it hard to believe that they didn't have a smaller vehicle they could send for us! A van or something. We had to signup and give our times, so they knew it was just us. Probably cost more than we paid for the transport ($74 per person, round trip)

Mark and I debated about making the room switch. Did we make the right choice? I'm not sure even now.

 

[Missyrose]

Yay! Puerto Rico TR! The photos of the resort are beautiful. I used to be terrible at sleeping on planes, now I can't ever seem to keep my eyes open.

I loved your own personal DME from the airport.

The view from the first room is incredible, but I don't know if I could pass up a room that is described as a penthouse suite.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip. I'm so glad you and Mark got to celebrated 25 wonderful years in such a beautiful locale.

 

[natebenma]

Yay! Puerto Rico TR! The photos of the resort are beautiful. I used to be terrible at sleeping on planes, now I can't ever seem to keep my eyes open.

I loved your own personal DME from the airport.

The view from the first room is incredible, but I don't know if I could pass up a room that is described as a penthouse suite.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip. I'm so glad you and Mark got to celebrated 25 wonderful years in such a beautiful locale.

I'm so glad you are here!

Not exactly DME- no video, no luggage delivery, no other people...

That was exactly our thought. Penthouse suite???

A couple of times during our trip it occured to me that you were enjoying Disney with your gathering! I look forward to hearing about that trip.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Congrats Dee!! What a wonderful way to celebrate. My DH and I started dating my last year in H.S. The prom picture is next to a wedding picture on our piano

I hope you went for the penthouse!
Pam

 

[natebenma]

Congrats Dee!! What a wonderful way to celebrate. My DH and I started dating my last year in H.S. The prom picture is next to a wedding picture on our piano

I hope you went for the penthouse!
Pam

Thanks, Pam and

Mark and I helped plan the Junior prom at our school and we attended the Senior prom together too. I should dig out those pictures and post them.

Maybe not!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Listen, my children, and you will see
The midnight flight of Mark and Dee
To Puerto Rico we did flee
For our 25th Anniversary


July 19, 1986

Mark and I met in Junior High. Can you believe that? From 8th grade on, we were in all of the same classes at school. We didn’t really start connecting until our Sophomore year, in Biology class, when Mr. Dailey decided to alphabetize the seating in class because we were all so chatty. Mark and I were both “C”s, so we were placed at the same table. Throughout the year, we discovered our Chemistry was really compatible, and we started dating at the end of 10th grade.

We finished High School together, worked together at a local seafood restaurant and attended the University of NH together. We actually got married in between our junior and senior years of college.

Fast forward 13 years, and our son Nate was born. Three years later, Ben joined our family.

And although it seems like just yesterday when we were married (or maybe the day before yesterday…), 25 years have gone by. And I am blessed to still be spending every day with my best friend!

But there was a problem. Since Nate was born, we have not spent any time away, together, alone. Not one night! We have had a couple of nights at home here and there when the boys have had sleepovers with friends, but I can count those on one hand and still have my thumb left over.

Well I am happy to say that Mark and I were able to plan a quick getaway to Puerto Rico from March 4/5 (We had a midnight flight, Sunday night) to Thursday March 8. We stayed at Las Casitas Villas in Fajardo, which is on the east coast, about an hour from San Juan. We had such a relaxing, amazing time! Hope you will join us as we enjoy some sun, some sand and some other stuff that begins with “s” (Snorkeling, people, this is a family discussion board). Although I can't guarantee that you won't be exposed to a little (food) porn along the way.

March 5, 2012

Hi Dee
Just popped in to see how you got on on your anniversary trip (we are 25years next year but no trip planned-yet). Love your opening photos. Very cute on the beach
Room views are amazing but I'm kinda hoping you choose the penthouse so that I get to see what 1 looks like Might be my only chance

Hope you're still on track for your summer school trip (fingers crossed for good grades for Nate)