10 days in paradise surprisingly was enough. We ended up with over 60 people at the resort, for our wedding. We were the big tippers, so they treated us like royalty. Champagne to our room every night. Endless bottles of top shelf and champagne during the wedding. Over the top decorations. Rack of lamb, filet, Mahi, snapper, lobster, etc for dinner, all cooked to perfection. Even the older folks were cutting rug at the reception. We were told many times it was the best wedding they've been to.
Beaches were amazing. Catamaran to an island, where we snorkled, volley ball, then a hog roast with all the fixings, then a speed boat to a natural pool half mile off the coast of isla saona, with those big Orange-red starfish. Swam with the dolphins where they launch you out of the water. Golfed at course that's on the beach with cliffs. parasailing, jet boats, casino's, pool bars filled with urine haha. Up at 6, to bed at never. Best time of my life. Ok bragging camp is over.
With all that said. These people bust there ass, and we contribute little to the people who live there. Almost all of their money is taken by force from politics and corrupt cops, and sent overseas to resort owners, as they live in poverty. The coast is amazing, inland not so much. They'd rob you the second you step foot outside your resort, alone. justifiably so.
We are destroying their land. Pics of 10 years ago where the ocean was hundred or so feet from where it is now, are on walls of ramshackle shops. Dead reefs from rising ocean temps. Over fishing to feed our endless gullets.
Mixed emotions from this trip, and I'm guilty, too. All hit home when I asked our catamaran captain if he was fishing for our lunch with fishing line he tied to the boat, during our ride to the island. He said no, it's dinner for my family....