Nicole and Chris got married on December 6th in the town of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. What a great time for all of us. Bill, Derek and I left China on December 2nd. We left our apartment at 630am to catch the train from Nanjing to Shanghi. From the Shanghi station we had to taxi to the Pudong Airport which took two taxi’s to get us and our luggage. Bill seemed to think that it would only take one but the drivers had no interest in creative packing of our suitcase so two it was. No biggie. I didn’t double check all the flight information so we extremely early, Bill said the flight was United at 3pm. It was actually American at 6pm, we spent a long afternoon in the Shanghi Airport, advice to future travelers – don’t do this. Our flight was uneventful, a little sleep and a couple movies, 13 hours of dull. We arrived in Chicago at 500pm, but our bodies told us it was 7am in China, Dec. 3rd – 24 hours of travel.We had a 12 hour layover in Chicago were we meet up with Nicole and Chris, Warren and Teena, Jeanelle and Uncle Dicky, Andrew, Kimmers, plus Rob and Journey. It was a dinner at the hotel and a 
330am wake up call. Into the freezing morning we all go – back to O’Hare, next flight to Miami. I am exhausted but excited about seeing Travis and his girlfriend, Areka. Land in Miami and find the rest of our traveling group. Danie and Chad, Travis, Areka, Scott, Patty, Lindsey and Kayla, the gang is all here. Quick snacks and then back into yet another plane, next stop, Punta Cana. I am a little delirious by this time, sleep deprivation and vodka does not mix. By the time we landed in the DR, my body clock was going on 48 hours of travel. I don’t know if I am coming or going.
Customs was a cake walk and the travel group met us at the airport, loaded us on to the bus, let the games really begin. The resort was beautiful. Lush and green, water features everywhere, statues of various Caribbean gods and goddess. I love this place, The Paradisus.
The next few days were filled with fun on the beach. The sun is blazing, the drink
s are frosted and the food was great. It is so nice to sit on the beach beds, listen to the waves and just be in the moment. Derek got to do many of the things that he had requested parasailing, boogie boarding, golfing, speed boating. Some of the group went horseback riding, brave girls, lots of bruises but they all had fun.
Sat. was the wedding, what a perfect day. Weather was spot on, sunny and 80, the wedding started at 4 on the beach. Nicole wore a white dress in a Grecian/Roman style. The bridesmaids wore complementing styles in white and clover green. The groom wore white linen shirt in a panama cut over tan linen pants. The groom’s men wore sage green colored linen shirts over tan linen pants. All the party and guest were barefoot. Everyone looked great. The three piece band was softly playing in the background as the service 
begun, I was walked down the aisle by Derek, followed by Chris’s parents, then the bridesmaids, Journey, Kayla, Kim and followed, Lindsey, the matron of honor. Finally, our bride, Nicole was walked down by her father, Bill. Such a heartwarming site, the band played the bridal march as they entered through the gazebo to the beach. Teena, Nicole’s grandma, was the officiate to the service.
After the ceremony, snacks were served at the gazebo as the three piece band played for the guest. Photo
s were taken on the beach and I am most eager the see the results. Once photos were done we all loaded into the trams for a ride to the front for the bus that awaited us for the ride to the marina. The reception as on a two layered catamaran, the captain met us at the shore to ferry us to the boat, were the crew was eager to help us get settled for the wonderful meal they had prepared. The boat went out and cruised the coast line while dinner finished. The dinner was a surf and turf theme with lobster, prawns, mahi mahi, chicken and beef kabobs followed by the cutting of the cake, 
which was three tiered in white with tropical floors. Classic and beautiful. In addition to the wedding cake we had a second cake for the day was also Warren’s, Nicole’s grandfather, 70th birthday. Happy Birthday Warren!
After dinner, the crew took a few moments to reorganize the lower level for dancing…..as they cruised us back to the shore. Everyone went to the lobby bar for drinks and more dancing. What a great way to finish a wonderful day.
More to come……..
