PUNTA CANA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MARCH 2000

PHOTOS TAKEN WITH NIKON COOL PIX 700 DIGITAL CAMERA
THE LARGEST SWIMMING POOL IN THE CARRIBEAN
AT THE MELIA CARIBE AND THE MELIA TROPICAL ALL INCLUSIVE BEACH RESORTS.

THE POOL HERE REALLY WAS FANTASTIC.  IT COULD TAKE OVER A HOUR TO SWIM AROUND IT OR LONGER IF YOU STOP AT THE BAR FOR A DRINK

ENJOYING AN ICY DRINK AND A BEAUTIFUL POOL

PRISTINE PALM STUDDED BEACHES ARE WHAT MAKES PUNTA CANA SO MEMORABLE

ALMOST PARADISE FOR A BEACH LOVER LIKE ME

THE MELIA CARIBE NEWLY OPENED IN THE FALL 1999
THE CARIBE AND THE TROPICAL ARE JOINT RESORTS WHICH ARE BOTH HUGE AND BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED 5 STAR RESORTS.   YOU CAN ENJOY THE AMENITIES OF BOTH RESORTS INCLUDING 10 RESTRAUNTS, CASINOS, LIVE SHOWS, BARS, SPAS, GOLF COURSE AND BOTH HAVE HUGE SWIMMING POOLS.

A SULTRY EVENING BY ONE OF THE SMALLER POOLS

THIS IS THE TRANSPORTATION AROUND THE RESORT OR YOU CAN JUST TAKE A LONG WALK BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A BIG RESORT!

GORGEOUS SCENERY FOR A FABULOUS LAST MINUTE DEAL THROUGH APPLE VACATIONS.  IT WAS ABOUT $1000 PER PERSON FOR ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT FOR 7 DAYS, INCLUDING ROUND TRIP AIR FARE, TRANSFERS AND TAXES.

THE SUITES WERE BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED AND CAME WITH A STOCKED REFRIGERATOR.

EARLY MORNING VIEW OF THE POOL AT THE MELIA TROPICAL.  THE BUILDINGS ON THE RIGHT ARE BIG BEDS WITH DEEP CUSHIONS FOR A NICE AFTERNOON SIESTA.

SHOWING OFF HAND PAINTED TEMPORARY TATTOOS DONE BY NATIVE DOMINICANS BY THE POOL FROM FIVE TO TWENTY DOLLARS EACH

MIKE AND LEESA, FRIENDS WE MET AT THE RESORT

A PLEASANT WAY TO ENJOY AN AFTERNOON SIESTA
(I'LL TAKE ANOTHER MARGARITA WITH THAT!)

AN ARTIST AT WORK AND LOVELY PAINTINGS FOR SALE
 
 

SAILBOATS ARE ONE OF THE MANY AMENITIES AVAILABLE AT THE RESORT

BEACH ACTIVITIES INCLUDE EXERCISE CLASSES ON THE BEACH AND IN THE POOL.
THERE ARE ALSO LOTS OF GAMES IN THE AFTERNOON!

AS USUAL I'M AN EAGER PARTICIPANT OF THE EXERCISE CLASS
(I'M ON VACATION..ARE YOU KIDDING?)

CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THAT GOLDEN SUNSHINE WHEN IT'S SNOWING BACK IN MICHIGAN!

ONCE YOU'VE PARASAILED..YOU HAVE TO DO IT EVERY TIME!
A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS TIME THOUGH, WENT OVER THE TOP OF PALM TREES ON THE BEACH BEFORE SAILING OVER THE BEAUTIFUL CARRIBEAN SEA!

ON OUR BALCONY BEFORE DINNER AT THE FRENCH RESTAURANT

A DELICIOUS DINNER AND A BOTTLE OF WINE
ARE SIMPLY DIVINE

DOING WHAT I DO BEST...WORKING ON THAT TAN!

OH NO!  SOMEONE MUST HAVE HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK...WAIT THAT'S MY HUSBAND!!!!

A FRIENDLY T-SHIRT VENDOR ON THE BEACH TALKED ME INTO THIS CRAZY OUTFIT!

A VIEW OF THE BIG POOL AT NIGHT...TOO BAD YOU CAN'T SWIM IN IT AFTER 6:00 P.M.

THE LAST DAY AND THE BEST TAN OF MY LIFE!

IT'S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE...(THE LAST DAY)

THE ONLY OPEN AIRPORT WITH A THATCH ROOF  I HAVE EVER SEEN!
A REFRESHING CHANGE AND A NICE CARRIBEAN BREEZE BLOWING THROUGH IT