Feliz Navidad from Dominican Republic

While I was looking forward to a home exchange in New York for Xmas, my daughters had a different idea. If they were going to have to spend a week with me, they preferred to be on a beach. Since they enjoyed Cuba last year, this year they suggested another Caribbean destination....the Dominican Republic.

Wandering around our large immaculately maintained resort, it is hard to believe that at the western end of this island is Haiti in its tragic state of chaos and disrepair. We will not attempt to cross the border, but do plan to explore some of DR and Santo Domingo, the oldest European settlement in the Americas.

Christmas in the tropics is not really Christmas, as far as I am concerned. It is hard to adjust to sand and swimming pools instead of snow; but wandering around our resort Christmas Eve, I did come across some interesting sights. While resort staff posed in a colourful nativity scene, one very handsome gentleman enjoyed being elevated to the status of angel.

Half naked Santa’s little helpers were everywhere...pouring drinks and posing for pictures, while some resort guests didn’t need any local props to let you know it was Christmas. At the buffet, Christmas was on display at the bread table next to the un-Christmas like mountain of local crab.

To celebrate the occasion, I wore a Xmas tie hand made by my daughter Claire. Following dinner, while we both expected a special Christmas pageant in the theatre, instead we found a show featuring Janet Jackson, Elvis Presley, Britney Spears and Cher.

We had been told there was a Christmas Mass service, but when we found it, we did not stay long since it did not compare with those we had enjoyed in small charming English churches. So we headed off to bed in anticipation of a busy Xmas day... on the beach and perhaps the golf course.

To all our friends and colleagues back in Vancouver....Feliz Navidad!