Our group caught a tour/speed boat to Isle Saona, the southern tip of Dominican Republic. We spent a splendid day tour of the National park. There are only 600 inhabitants live in a 1000K radius.
The trip there was taken by Speed boat (as you can see in the video, I was in the front and taking the bounce of every break we hit!)
I have never had much experience with boats/rafts/kayaks/catamarans or any other kind of water or seafaring vessel- so riding in a speed boat and a cataraman in the same day was quite an adventure! the dance party aboard the catamaran on the return voyage as also quite delightful.
While on the Island, the tour company provided us with lunch and beverages, buffet style, and it was lovely–I also picked up a couple of souvenir conch shells as well from a local man.
Enroute to the Island, the speed boat stopped at the lagoon. We swam on and near the sand bars was a splashing good time. According to the tour guide/captain, the area was used for some filming of the movies “Blue Lagoon” with Brooke Shields and some scenes in the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies staring Johnny Depp. Once we re-boarded the speed boat, we left for the Island.
Several hours of play and fun on the island required a 1.5 hour return to Punta Cana, for the end of a splendid day.
The boats are “docked” on the lagoon while we splash and playTrying to be fancy and fun in the sun with my sun bonnetTrying to be fancy and fun in the sun with my sun bonnetBouncing on the boat as I was placed in the front and bounced with every waveAll of us playing in the lagoon with the sandbarsOur arrival boatMe and my Sweetness on the islandI got a conch shell on Saona Island my second Conch Shel a Souvenir for my parentsMy sweetness with his UV blocking shirtPapa and Abuelita Sandra on the CatermerannSaona Island, Dominican Republic Speed BoatPapa and Aunt MargieSweetness on the IslandOur Group, including me, Papa, Aunt Margie, Ms. Sandra, and Mr. JED Horton and Sweetness David Jones Papa and Ms Sandra on CataramaranMe adn my Sweetness
A lovely fun filled day that started off by my sweetheart booking a special, day long tour for me with the concierge desk man, after viewing through some pamphlets and books, everthing was arranged by Thursday evening–so all I had to do was take my receipt and hop on the tour bus at 7 a.m this morning-with promises of a bilingual/multilingual tour guide (English featured.)
To start off, the tour bus stopped at several locations to pick up other adventure goers–and I was blessed to have a nice accountant from Argentian lady set next to me, as it was a very full tour. She only spoke spanish, with a very limited smattering of English and with the multilingual tour guide speaking in Spanish, German adn French and a few words of English, my day was started and finished in Spanish, the most common language of the tourists and German, the other language spoken on the bus-for a day filled with history and exicitement.
First stop was a the Tres Ojos Caves, so aptly named for the three caves, each bearing natural water pools with a different eye color in each. Cynthia, the lovely Argentian lady, and I became travl buddies for the day and enjoy walking up and down the 500+ stairs of the caving system and she assisted in simplifying the spanish for me to understand–reading spanish is easier but listening is a bit hectic when it’s fast!
Las Damas Cave–the legend goes that if you put your feet in the fresh water, make a prayer and a wish and a splash, the prayer and wish comes true
The next few stops included the Christopher Columbus museuem and the Presidental house, neither which are view-able at present for various reasons but still a site to behold–and the seeds are from the palm trees and they are prevelant everywhere!
Eating lunch in the old part of the city inside of ruin walls
The group walked through the aldstatd, the older part of the city with the pantheon ruins, a museum that once was a fortress (see photos) and then the St. Marie De Menos Cathedral and then a free period of shopping and enjoying the plaza and live music!
My Argentianian companion described the day perfectly, lots of really informative venues, many cool sites and it’ was so hot outside, we were the butter on the stove (we were melting!)
And if any one has an opprotunity to try it. Mamanhuana is worth drinking! I also drank coffee and enjoyed the live music from an elderly musician on the Parque Colón, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
My siblings and I always love to watch the pigeons (which we say “PIE-GONES” beause my brother mispronounced when he was a kid) and so if I see pigeon in the plaza, i got to take photos Drinkingcoffee on the plaze
A day excursion first to Higuey for a bit of local shopping, and yes, I picked up some goodies, and then our chauffer drove us to one of his favorite locations to eat a late lunch–I never caught the name of the venue but it was amazing with fresh catch of the day–under a thatched dining area overlooking the “Goonies” style cove–absolutely stunning and lovely get away from the resort and it was tourist free (besides us) and my bilingual boyfriend was able to talk for all of us–what a splendid experience! Well worth the efforts to get there@
Boca De Yuma CoveMr. Horton and Ms. SandraOur GroupGoonies looking coveMs. Sandra and Mr. HortonMe and my SweetnessNatures Best at the coveThatch roofing is so common hereFresh Caught Shrimps in a creamy sauce in a Plantain bowl, a local favoriteFresh Catch of the dayFresh Caught Snapper
The group of 8, myself included, arrived yesterday, via ways of Newark, New Jersey airport! We arranged this vacation some months ago and it has come to fruition! I am the youngest of the group and my grandfather is the senior adventurer at a few months shy of 90!
Yesterday, upon arrivel in the evening, we all checked in to our prospective rooms and got ourselves set up and met up for dinner at the all inclusive resort.
The “first” day on the restort, I spent the bulk of it on Tortuga beach at the enclosed resort–which included playing with a local Macaw and got a beach side pedicure–from a beach pedicurist–an absolute delight and much needed–which inspired my grandfather to also get his feet worked on–we both were calloused and crunchy but when our lovely lady was finished, we became beach worthy!
The other’s in my group decided to spend the day in the pool with the swim up bar and live entertainment, about 1 block away–and enjoy the full amnenities of the resort.
Listed below in the Gallery are just a few of the beautiful pieces for sale on my eBay, all kniited and painted by myself, Anna Potthoff. I am selling my art and knitted crafts (plus other odds and ends) on eBay to help support my adventures and 10% of each sale also goes to the Wild Life Sanctuary in Keensburg, Colorado!
I have a special trip to Scotland coming up in a few weeks and would love to have fun spending money while I am there–you get a great item to hang in your home, give as a gift for a friend or loved one or to simply treat yourself while it’s the gift that keeps on giving as it helps others in the process! Happy Shopping!
Hand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfOriginal art, hand paintd canvas of autumn, halloween/withes Flower cake painting with original art by Anna PotthoffPotraits of ancient man at Rosemarkie Firth
Yes, it’s true! It has officially been 2 months since I have quit smoking–and yes, I am fully nicotine-free the whole time–sans the time it took for the residual nicotine to detox/leave my system–
Admittingly, the first week was extremely unpleasant, but as with all good things, it takes time, practice, effort and in my case, some assistance for a great thing to occur.
Often, the first question, well, the first two questions when I express to someone that I recently quit smoking, are the following– When did you start smoking (or why) and what prompted to you quit smoking?
I started smoking 20+ years ago in college (shame on me!) and I was simply ready to quit and was tired of smoking–which is odd to say as I still get an oral “hankering” for a smoke/cigarette (referring only to tobacco products here, I have never smoked the other stuff!).
I don’t know which was more difficult in the beginning, even now, training myself to know that I am a non smoker or telling/sharing/remdinging those whom are around me/know me that I don’t smoke anymore. There are people in my life whom have only known me as a smoker and a person whom gets a bit “tense” if she didn’t get her break at someone point to light up–now I can go an entire shift at work without even noticing that I didn’t smoke or have that quick fix break–which is kind of nice and an adjustment as well–and it works the same way at home, I work through a list of chores and more and realize when I sit to enjoy my cup of coffee/herbal tea that I knocked out a lot more because I didn’t want or need to stop for a fix.
A perk I didn’t see coming was that my parents sent me a treat/reward for quitting cigarrettes, which was super sweet of them–I used the reward to book a special tour in Octobeber when we are on vacation, which is awesome–quitting literally has its pay off and another perk? I won’t miss anything on the tour because I won’t have to find a “smokers hole” or other approved spot and to enjoy the tour without jonesing for nicotine–and if an oral craving does pop up? I will chew on a piece of my trusty spearmint gum and be minty fresh all day–something that hasn’t happened in 20 years, being fresh breathed all day!
Is it easy? Nope, but it has been worth it and the small benefits and perks just keep popping up everywhere! Everyone whom wants to quit and has quit has their own ways and reasons for doing it but it is possible, and while this is an adventure blog in food and travel, quitting smoking only allows me to enjoy both aspects more!
Also, especially in the beginning my knitting has also been an aid to quitting!
Success does come in many forms! Happy Quitting!
Quitting smoking concept. Hand is refusing cigarette offer.
My Sweetness, along with his mother and abuelita (little grandmother) have a delightful garden at their house this year and have bestowed upon me a lovely variety of garden fresh produce and “farm” fresh eggs (yard fresh really with their awesome flock of ladies.) So, what is a girl to do but make a veggie meal out of it!
1 bunch of scallions, large bell pepper, large eggplant
1 jar of Marinara sauce (if you can make it from scratch, kudos!)
1 cup of Cornmeal flour
4 eggs
1 bag of shredded mozzarella or sliced provolone
Coconut or olive oil
Seasoning/spices of your choice
Slice up the scallions and bell pepper into “spears”
Have and slice the eggplant into 1/3-1/2 inch slices, trying to make the thickness as uniform as possible for even cooking
Layer bottom of baking dish with a bit of marinara and half of the bellpepper and onions with about 1/3 jar of marinar
Dip each piece of eggplant into egg wash and cornmeal flour twice and lightly fry on both sides until lightly brown in olive or coconut oil
Layer eggplant on top of first layer of veggies, top with cheese
layer another round of veggies, marinara and eggplant
Top with remaining marinara, a bit of salad and remaining marinara sauce, bake for 30-45 minute as 350 degrees Fahrenheit, until cheese is toasted and melted on top and dish is hot completely through.
If you prep this in an aluminium take away dish or baking tin, you don’t have to bake it immediately but can freeze it as a meal prep for later–bakes nicely from frozen or can be shared as a welcoming dish, a freezer meal for the expectant parents, a warm meal for a loved one recovering or just as a special treat for someone and the aluminium toss pass never needs to be cleaned or returned! (No need for the church ladies to write their name and phone number on the bottom anymore!)
I like to lightly sprinkle McCormick Grill Mates “roasted garlic and Herb” seasoning between each later for a little extra pizzaz. Happy Cooking!
It’s true! After more than 2 decades (21-22 years) of smoking cigarettes, I have finally quit! 😊😊
Yes, I started smoking years ago, while in college in North Carolina. Why did I start? Silliness? Stupidity? The convenience of smoking- in restaurants, hotels, practically everywhere a person attended or walked into, a person could smoke (even most McDonalds had a smoking area!)
Alas, times have changed but it has been know for quite some time that smoking is not good for one’s health or pocket book/wallet–and I felt it long overdue that I quit.
I sought assistance from my GP, though, as I tried in the past to quit cold turkey or with gum/lozenges or patches, none of which suited to what I need to quit–but with a prescription from my GP, I am 30 days nicotine and cigarette free (and not using vape or anything else!
While there are challenges and more, it feels great to quit and to celebrate, my Sweetness and w I went on a 2 mile (total, round trip) mini hike to a waterfall!! While quitting smoking isn’t a traditional adventure for me or others, this is a lifelong changing adventure for myself and my well being for now the future!
P.S. To aid in my quitting, my knitting has exploded as it helps to keep my hands busy, so check out the new goodies on my ebay!
Sweetness is happy too! I made it to the waterfall without wheezing!Playing in the waterfall, of course, shoelessMe and my SweetnessSweetness DavidI finally quit smoking
The heat and humidity are high and will only continue to rise as the summer goes–especially here in the South East United States–but every year, the summer sunshine beckons us to be outside, to explore, do and see!
Naturally, this isn’t an all inclusive list or know it all, merely some suggestions for you, your friends, kids and family!
Getting a library card for summer reading, many libraries offer book clubs or reading competitions for youth
Local Swimming Pools, doing laps or water aerobics or swim clubs
Work from home versus sitting in hot traffic
Walk your pet in the early morning or late evening–no membership fees required and Rexy benefits too!
Go on a vacation to a cooler climate–mountains, cabins, or the like are very attainable at last minute
Eating/Prepping cook-free meals are great and don’t warm up the house–salads, garden delights, sandwiches and more!
Picnics are a wonderful way to get out and about and enjoy a day-cation
Waterfalls! Need I say more?
Check out my eBay! Every purchase helps support this blog and adventures!
My Travels 