Punta Cana: Travel Story Part 2: Dominican Republic
For part 2 of our Dominican Republic travel story, we’re going to focus in on the photos from our resort, Dreams Palm Beach, and the other excursion we went on, the Marinarium, which you can read the official travel story here in the Home & Away Travel section of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Part 1 of the travel story pictures focused on the Caribbean Buccaneers excursion. So below are a few behind-the-scenes stories for some of the pictures that were featured in the paper as well as a few extras. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @LuxePhotoSTL for behind-the-scenes as they happen!
Above: Of all the pictures I got on the trip, I thought this one was the most dynamic and guess what? It wasn’t taken with my camera. Well, it was taken with my iPhone. Can you believe that? Ugh. LOL. We had been there for a few days and I decided to just put the camera away for the rest of the day. I’m headed back to the beach and I notice a mob of people headed to the beach. What a sight. And of course no camera…but wait, I do have my phone. The fishermen passed the marlin around to a few brave souls to take a picture with it and in doing so, I witnessed about half a dozen people almost get speared. I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more often. After a few minutes, the cooks took it to the beach side grill and served it up to the guests.
Above: Our accommodations at Dreams Palm Beach. Our suite was very nice. This is usually the first official set of pictures I take when we go on a trip – obviously before we destroy the room. I’m always yelling at the kids to just stay in a room until I get the pictures done.
Above: A little surf and turf. I always try to get a few food pics on a travel story. It’s usually kind of a hassle as most places you’re dealing with indoor lighting and I have to bring a tripod. Everyone is always looking at me and the food has to sit around a few minutes until I’m satisfied with the shot. Then, of course, I’m always apologizing to the wait staff as they trip over my gear under my chair.
Above: I always enjoy spending one evening taking night shots of the place. I think it offers up a different view of any location than most travel pics you get. Plus, it’s usually a calmer side of the place vs. during the daytime. I wanted to try to take some night sky shots there as well, but ever night was overcast.
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Above: Beach peddlers. This was discussed a bit in the travel story online in the Post-Dispatch but I will say it makes for some pretty good photos. Watching people work their negotiation skills is quite entertaining. It does get annoying though, I will admit and I think the resort staff tries to keep an eye on the peddlers to make sure things are going ok. Sometimes they tell them to get moving. Sometimes I wonder if they are all working together. If you buy something early they usually leave you alone the rest of the time you are there. They also like to give away small trinkets to children and women I think in hopes of a guilty conscious coming back later on to buy something else.
Above: Evening is always calmer. I think everyone has had their share of sun and are either napping or going out to dinner. This was also the location where they had the NBA finals watch party on the beach, but sadly, no one was there except us to watch the NHL finals, so they didn’t have it on except the bar.
Above: Our Marinarium excursion. We only did two events, this and the Caribbean Buccaneers and both were well worth the money. We partied a bit on the boat on the way to snorkel and then spent a good hour or more swimming with sharks and sting rays. Back on the boat, they took us along the coast to an area where everyone could get back out in the water and have a little fun drinking and tossing empty cups. Lots of dancing and Coco Loco drinks – my fave!
Above: The opening day for the World Cup, and they had a big party for everyone with dancing, music and a mini game of soccer/futbol. There was something I really liked about this picture. Maybe it’s just the sparkly hat.
Above: So back to the Marinarium excursion. Every beach/island excursion always has that one couple that makes you want to suck your stomach in a little extra. This couple I believe was from Texas. Everywhere they walked on the boat, eyes followed. I felt like they were contestants on the Bachelor/Bachelorette. They great part throughout the whole afternoon is that no matter what they were doing, they seemed to pose PERFECTLY for the rest of us. I mean, they look like they could be selling .