JillMelancon Travel

10 April 2023

Got up at 630am and showered, then had breakfast at O’Sheehans.  Headed back to room until I saw on the bridge cam we were approaching the Dominican Republic.  I went back out to the aft part of the Waterfront to watch, and a kid came up to me crying because he had “lost his mom”…he was at least 10 years old. I just kept trying to keep him calm, but at one point he just walked away.  Saw him a few minutes later with his mom…and he ignored me.

Ran into Pat again, and we just hung out, waiting to get off the ship.  Not even sure how it works yet.  How do people who don’t research in advance even figure things out on a cruise ship?  Very little info is helpful.

Finally got off the ship after waiting in a very long line and then walked all the way to the Puerto Plata sign which was our meeting point, and found Kamryn…we did intros and then headed down to the beach to look for sea glass.  She was very cool—her sister went to GA Tech—she came here knowing no one so she could learn more Spanish, and now she works at Caitlyn’s school teaching Haitian refugee kids English and other subjects. 

After Caitlyn picked us up, we drove to the school (I’m wondering how I get back to the ship).  I met a few of the kids and they were very cute.  They gave me a lime/water/sugar juice drink that was tasty, and then I made a cool necklace out of one of the pieces of sea glass I found.  Also a load of other cool rocks to take home.  Kamryn told me she was really lonely in DR and pretty tired of all the catcalls from men here.  There aren’t a lot of folks her age that she’s been able to meet or bond with, so she thought she’d head back home when the school year ends.

We sat in their treehouse school finishing up my stuff, then Kamryn pointed me in the direction of the historic area.  I was sort of surprised they didn’t take me back.  Walked around a bit and took pictures, then headed to the Taino Bay area at the dock.  Bought a hat because it is getting REALLY hot here and I need to cover my face!

Finally back on the boat, having a light lunch—meatballs, some bad mac and cheese, and some cucumber salad at the buffet.  While I had a good experience today, I’m still not sure about cruising and if I like it.

Dinner at La Cucina—delicious gnocchi with pesto sauce, bread, and antipasti.  Lemon cheesecake for dessert.  Lovely people work there and the food is good—this is my one specialty restaurant experience.  First time seated by the window, but still at the dock.

After eating, I went outside to read, then back to room for a jacket—first time I’ve felt chilly on deck.  Room had been made up by Delmar (finally learned his name) so I got ready to head to the comedy show at Headliners.

Cory Michaelis was the comedian…and he was pretty good, but for some reason he kept making fun of GA and UGA.  Had a pineapple drink that was (finally) good, and a caipirinha on the way back to my room.