As usual, I didn't write my last days trip report before we got home, didn't take any notes, and so I don't have many details left in my old brain. I know we pretty much alternated between Dreams, La Playa, and Kakao during the day, and had fantastic meals at all three.
One memorable evening, six of us went to Mario Bistro's new location in Porto Cupecoy for dinner, and it was absolutely fabulous. The Benners and the Langstons were accompanied by Sharon (the Queen) and Jeannie (Shop and Drop). It's always fun to spend some time with folks who live on the island, and to hear the stories about what's really going on behind the scenes. Sharon is a good friend of Mario, and coerced him into leaving the kitchen for a few minutes to chat with our table about his favorite spots to eat on the island. I couldn't tell you what everyone else had, but I had his famous duck, and it was everything I've heard it was. This will definitely not be the last time we dine there!!
Our last day tradition is to spend the day at Kakao, and this trip was no exception. I had posted my plans on Facebook, and sure enough, when we arrived, Karl had our front-row chairs reserved, and Julien had reserved our special table for lunch. We sat at the bar and chatted with GP over drinks, walked the beach a time or two, and just thoroughly enjoyed our last full day. Lunch was a pizza especiale with the pear and endive salad and a bottle of rose'. After lunch we relaxed a while longer on the beach, and took one last walk along the beach before we packed up and headed back to La Vista Beach.
Upon arriving there, I dropped our towels at the front desk and let them know we were checking out on Friday instead of Saturday (which we always do to avoid the Saturday chaos at the airport). When I got back to the room, I unpacked the beach bag so that I could plug my phone in to charge, and it was nowhere to be found <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />. I looked high and low, went back to the front desk to see if it had been wrapped up in the towels, looked on the road where David had dropped me off, turned the car inside out, and no phone. I messaged GP, who checked with the beach guys, bartender, waiter, and even went into the ladies room to see if I had left it there, but it was gone. I guess I left it on the chair when we went to walk (damn wine and rum!). Fortunately I had it locked with a pin, and when we called it, it went right to voice mail, so whoever picked it up probably tossed it when they couldn't unlock it. Since it had my island sim card in it, I contacted Sharon, and she told me I could have the sim cloned so that I could still keep the number and the old one would be deactivated so that no one else could use it. I also used the app that allows you to erase the phone the next time it's connected to a network, just in case. I had been wanting a new phone, but not this way!
Our traditional last evening dinner is at the Palms, and this time Bill and Elaine joined the fearsome foursome. David and I were pretty full from lunch, so shared a couple of apps; I love the pao with tamarind sauce, as well as the hummus. Sadly, Greg and Jo were too busy to sit and chat with us, but a busy restaurant is a good thing!
Friday morning the six of us had breakfast at the Yacht Club, another last day tradition for us. We got there in time for the 9:30 bridge opening, and were treated to some pretty big yachts passing through. After a couple of bloody marys and some Norwegian eggs, it was time to say farewell to our friends and head for the airport. Flights home were on time, we cleared immigration in Charlotte in minutes with Global Entry, and waited half an hour for our checked bags.
We've been home a couple of weeks now, and it's Christmas Eve. Looking forward to next year's trip already!
