Thursday Thirteen - My Trip to Puerto Rico
April 2, 2008 
In honor of our recent vacation to Puerto Rico, today’s Thursday Thirteen is all about my four day trip that we returned from this past Monday. Here are some of the highlights:
1. The Gran Melia Resort was stunning. The service was impeccable, the staff was beyond accommodating, and the food was out of this world! This is a perfect place for a romantic get-away. If you’re looking for a club bopping, 20 something resort this is not the place for you. However, if you want intimate settings, stunning views, and an off the beat resort this is definitely the place to unwind and relax.
2. The grounds were spectacular. The resort looked completely different during the day than it did at night. They would completely change the décor nightly adding statues, candles, pillows, vases, etc. The oils that filled the air were sweet and intoxicating.
3. The one hour deep tissue massage was heavenly!
4. It was amazing to get up and work out each day without rushing. Their gym was fully equipped with every state of the art work out machine.
5. My husband upgraded us to the Royal Service suite which entitled us to a separate pool off the beaten path of the resort. At anytime there was maybe three other couples using the pool so you almost felt as if you were the only one there. I was spoiled beyond belief by just waving my hand and having the waiter bring another cocktail while laying poolside.
6. I was able to read a book! One full book while I was on vacation. That alone made me smile ear to ear.
7. The daily warmth of the sun. It never got above 85, there was no humidity, and it rained a total about ten minutes during the whole trip.
8. We made friends with another New York couple. The gentleman happened to be an author with a book on Amazon’s best seller list for two years. You would never know he was a millionaire by how humble and kind he was to both my husband and I. We met them on the trip over from the airport to the resort. The ride was about 45 minutes and by the time we arrived to the resort we had plans to go out to dinner that night. We all clicked instantly. Laughing and spending time with our new friends only added to the beauty of the trip.
9. My husband was able to golf on the beautiful Coco Beach course. He said it was one of his top five courses he has ever played.
10. We spent 13 hours with our new friends in old San Juan visiting Fort El Morro, Plaza De San Jose, Plaza del Quinto Centenario, Plaza de Armas, Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, and Santa Maria Magdalena De Pazzis Cemetery. It was simply the best time I have ever had on vacation. We laughed, took in the sites, ate, drank coffee and took a million pictures.
11. Salsa dancing. Silly dancing. Slow dancing. We did a ton of dancing on this trip each night at the hotel’s main bar.
12. Sleeping. My husband and I are nappers. We were able to take a nap each day we were at the resort (except Saturday when we spent the day in San Juan). It was heavenly not to have a schedule.
13. Spending time with my husband. Getting to know him all over again made it feel like we were dating. We laughed, we held hands, and we really enjoyed each one another’s company. It is a really beautiful feeling knowing that after two kids and all the realities of marriage we were able to connect on a level we are not able to do at home.
This trip was the perfect antidote for this tired working mom and dad. It really tempted and fulfilled each one of my senses. While I am sad the vacation is over, I was ecstatic to get back and hug the kids that I missed every second of the trip. I am back at work, the kids have already given me yet another gray hair, but I am still sunburned and the memories are still fresh that I can wisk myself away quickly. Below is a link to my flickr account with the photos I took while on vacation. They are of the hotel, the trip to San Juan and some sunsets we saw together. I have not had time to edit them as yet, but I hope you enjoy.
Click here to see the pictures from my trip. (view as a slideshow-easier to view)
I promise to catch up with the blogosphere. I did not have internet access in PR so I am so far behind in reading posts!! I promise to catch up though!! :)
Reader Comments (31)
This sounds like an incredible vacation! What a wonderful trip. It's so important to take breaks and focus on yourself occasionally (and so hard to do when you adore your kids, I know) -- but what a rejuvenating time. I'm so happy for you. And a little envious, I'll admit. :)
Oh, I am vicariously living through you! Your descriptions of your trip make it just sound heavenly.
So glad that you had a great time, and you deserve some time to relax, and do some things just for you and the hubby.
Isn't "dating" and holding hands on vacation just the best of times?
Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation! I'm so happy for you! I've been to San Juan once, while on a cruise, and it was beautiful. I hadn't considered Puerto Rico as a resort destination, but you sure made me think that I should!
GAH, soo sooo soooooo beautiful!
I am so glad that you got to take time for YOU and for you as a wife too. It sounds like you guys had such a blast! Welcome home! :D
OMG, I so need to take that exact same vacation! Our anniversary is in September, and this year I think we need to get out of the country!
I'm so glad you had a nice, relaxing trip, Kim! I just thought you'd be gone for longer. I'm terrible about actually using my reader!
Hugs!
i'm so glad to hear you had a fabulous time!! you definitely needed this trip!! i loved puerto rico, too! it's definitely not the wild and crazy party place the way mexico is but it is an amazing place!!
welcome back!
hmmmm... we can no longer be friends. i am way to jealous. your vacation sounds like a slice of heaven. :)
I had a deep tissue massage when I went to PR a few years ago. I'm pretty sure I'm still bruised from it.
PS
Someone has some sexy tan lines going on!
SO SO SO Glad you had a great get-away. It sounds awesome and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tad jealous.
KEEP BELIEVING
Okay I can't read that whole list right now. I swear I'll come back to it. Right now, it's just going to make me crazy (b/c I SO need a vacation). :) Sounds so awesome though!
OMG... what a beautiful trip. Gorgeous photos. How weird am I that my favorite was the lizard with the cherry? #6 - definitely jealous on that one.=)
I love reading about others vacations! I guess it's because I haven't had one in years. **sigh**
I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself!! From your description I picture a little piece of heaven on earth for you and your hubs to enjoy.
Now, I'm off to enjoy your photos!
That massage sure sounds really good right now! So glad you had a nice time! You so deserve it!!
Oh that trip sounds heavenly! So glad you and hubby had a chance to getaway to relax and recharge :)
Cocktails, massages, and salsa dancing??? It doesn't get any better than that!
Wow!!! Sounds like an amazing trip.
Hey, David and I just booked a two night getaway for July on Block Island. We are taking the ferry out of Montauk. Have you ever been there? Not nearly as awesome as your dream trip, but can't wait to be kiddie free for three whole days. Hoot-Hoot!!!
Girl you got some mad photo skills! Everything was so beautiful! And I think that I am going to go live at that resort now. So happy you had a great time!
OK... I was just teasing. We can be friends! I was only slightly jealous this morning. You guys look so refreshed in your pictures. UGH! I need a vaca.
Oh Kim!!!! What a gorgeous spot and your photos are spectacular!!! I'm so glad you had a wonderful time, to connect with your hubby and relax. The resort looks so luxurious. You look so happy, refreshed, in love. Good for you!
I MUST do something like this soon. Hubs and I hit 15 years this August; it's been a long while since we've held hands on the beach ... without a couple of little hands in between ;). We're floating around a couple of ideas but I'll have to show him your pics...
It would be totally worthwhile to just have #12: no schedule. But you got 13! nice...
OMG! What a breathtaking place! Thanks for sharing your pictures with us!
How absolutely beautiful was this TT? Totally beautiful! Off to flickr now.. XXOO
Absolutely spectacular! I'm glad you guys had such a great time!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Welcome back! So glad you had such a lovely vacation.
I am unbeLIEVEvably jealous. But in a good-for-you kinda way.
...going now to plan my trip to PR...
BTW - I can't email you. Your emails get kicked back. :(
Yay for you! Sounds like a wonderful trip. "We laughed, we held hands, and we really enjoyed each one another’s company. It is a really beautiful feeling knowing that after two kids and all the realities of marriage we were able to connect on a level we are not able to do at home." That is awesome!!! I love hearing stories like this. I'm such a romantic mush at heart (not many people know this . . . don't tell).
Wow. My husband and I haven't had a trip like that together in a long, long time. I'm jealous on so many levels, I don't even know where to start!!
Kim,
Came across your blog at BlogCatalog. Thanks for sharing your photos of Puerto Rico. I visited there a couple of years ago and your great images brought back a lot of enjoyable memories! You definitely captured the beauty of the area.
Aubrey
Gorgeous photos! Trip looks marvelous!
I love your photos. I think I am going to steal your toes by the pool idea for my upcoming trip. Do you mind? I promise I will credit you for the idea if I use the picture on my blog. This reminds me .... I need to schedule a pedicure!