Shell Game

Our trip to the Dominican Republic was great because of the people who accompanied us.  The group ended up having four men and four women.  The men were fun.  The women were amazing.  There was so much sisterhood going on we should have been issued traveling pants.

In addition to Angie (whom I've mentioned here before),  we were joined by Katie and Tamara.  I had met Katie when I lived in Iowa but didn't know her well, and Tamara was new to me.  By day two it was as if we had been besties for years.  It would have been weird except it was so damn cool.  When I got home I was filled to bursting with warm fuzzies, and I wanted to make something for these extraordinary women.

I decided on crocheted necklaces because I could use some of the pretty sea shells I picked up on the trip and because these necklaces are sturdy and wearable enough for SCUBA girls.

Shell Game Crocheted Necklaces

Better than selling sea shells by the sea shore, these were free.

Materials:

• crochet thread
• sea shells
• glass seed beads

Tools:

• Drill with 1/16" bit
• flexible beading needle
• 1.4 mm crochet hook

I carefully drilled a hole in each of the four shells I chose for the necklaces using the 1/16 inch bit.   I drilled into a piece of scrap wood so I didn't damage the table.

After drilling the holes I added a small stainless steel split ring to make it hang nicely on the string.

Assembling the necklace couldn't be easier because the only crochet stitch you need to know is the chain stitch.  The most labor-intensive part of the process is stringing the beads.  Strining the beads is much easier using a flexible beading needle.  I used approximately 130 seed beads on each of the four necklaces.  I placed the shell midway through the beads

I simply joined the ends and tied them off when the necklaces were the length I wanted.  These  necklaces are very long, so they can be worn at a number of lengths depending on how many times you loop them.  I wear my crocheted necklaces on their own or layered with silver and gold necklaces for a different look.

Dominican Recap

Once again, our trip to Cabarete, Dominican Republic wasn't what I expected.  Is travel ever fully what you expect?  We stayed at the Coconut Palms Resort.  It was a five to 10 minute walk to Playa Encuentro, and a five minute cab ride into Cabarete.  

This was the view from our balcony.  You can see the beach!

The resort had a lot going for it.  The price was very reasonable.  The rooms had kitchens including microwaves, stoves, ovens, and refrigerators.  Some of my normal conveniences were missing, however.  We did not have air conditioning, and the water pressure in the shower was so low I had to stand in the (unheated) water for an eternity to even get my hair wet.  Some others in our group had better luck with the water pressure and temperature.

Lucky for me I have a reptilian enjoyment of heat, so the lack of A/C wasn't too much of a problem even though the temperature was in the high 80s to low 90s.  Others in our group had it worse.  I just had to tough it out with the shower though.  I'll have to take extra hot showers for the next month to make up for it.

The vacation ended up being a lot more laid back than our normal vacation.  The beach closest to our hotel is more suited to surfing than swimming or snorkeling, so we went elsewhere to swim one day and snorkel another.  Usually I'm the type of gal who could spend all day in the ocean swimming and snorkeling.

Snorkeling self-portriat.

This fish mush be camera shy because it
promptly bit me.

 I read four Terry Brooks books from start to finish during the trip, mostly while relaxing by the pool.

• Armageddon's Children
• The Elves of Cintra
• The Gypsy Morph
• Magic Kingdom for Sale... Sold!

Obviously I've been getting my fantasy geek on.  I have to read something until the next Song of Ice and Fire book comes out.  I checked out the books through the Georgia Download Destination on the Over Drive ebook lending system.  It was great to get to fill my Kindle for free, just like I'm used to checking out printed library books.  I love the library, and I don't think ebooks will ever fully take the place of printed books in my life, but it was great to carry so many books with me so easily.  Check the Over Drive system for a library near you!

As usual on vacation, I dropped the ball on outfit photos.

This is a cover up and running tights/leggings ensemble.  You can tell by the look on my face that it had been a long day of walking around and the Bohemia is strictly for re-hydration purposes.

This is one of my scandalous dresses.  It is originally from Victoria's Secret (Moda International), but I got it at Goodwill.  It has great flow and it's very comfortable, but it is very low cut.

This is what I wore on our last night there.  I paired the low-cut dress (which also has a large key hole in the back) with an athletic top for additional coverage and support.  Win-win.

Sunset, our last night in Cabarete.

I may or may not return to the Dominican Republic.  The snorkeling is a lot better in Cozumel, Mexico, and there are other places that are much higher on my travel list than a return trip to DR.  That being said, I loved the trip in large part because of the great company. We went with a group of friends, and Stephen and I are the only ones in the group who don't SCUBA dive.  Stephen and I spent the days doing our own thing and the evenings laughing with the group. We all cried when it was time to say goodbye.  At times like that it doesn't matter if you have air conditioning or hot water.  Friends like the ones we have are more than enough.

Pack Rat: Dominican Odds and Ends

After I published my first post about packing for the Dominican Republic, I realized that I left out some of the things that helped me really enjoy this vacation.

I brought two cameras: my trusty Pentax Optio RZ-18 and my new Pentax Optio WG-1 Rugged Waterproof Digital Camera.  Stephen and I used to have a waterproof Kodak, but it bit the dust on our last snorkeling vacation.  I got the Pentax Optio WG-1 because I've been so satisfied with the photo quality of the Pentax Optio RZ-18 and, with a 33-foot rating, you can take the WG-1 deeper in the water than most waterproof cameras.  I love a waterproof camera for beach vacations.  I took photos in the pool, walking along the beach, and, of course, while snorkeling.  Pentax doesn't have as much name recognition as Canon or Nikon, but the cost is lower too.  I am very happy with both of my Pentax cameras.

I took this photo while treading water, up to my neck in the ocean.

I didn't worry about dropping the Pentax WG-1 in the sand

You just can't take photos like this without a waterproof camera
(or an often-expensive housing).

The remote compatibility allowed me to be in photos too!

I usually have a problem with breaking out on vacations like this, but this time I planned ahead to combat the effects of sweat and sunscreen.  I brought Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes to use at the end of the day.  I like the towelettes because I was tired at the end of the day, and I didn't feel like taking the time to wash my face.  I also used my skin secret weapon: Shea Moisture African Black Soap.  I've used this for the past month couple months, and it has made a huge difference in my skin.  I had given up on acne products because they leave my skin dry and irritated and often stain my towels and clothes.  My skin is sensitive, so I have to be very careful with what I use.  This soap smells nice, is non-irritating, and has made a big difference in my acne.  I got mine at Target, and I will keep using it as long as I can find it.

Snorkeling equipment is worth its space
in the luggage.

Stephen and I have done quite a bit of snorkeling together, and a group of our friends purchased a set of fins and masks as a wedding present.  Having our own equipment is great because it means we can go out on our own without having to find a tour group and, whether we're with a group or not, we know who has been sucking on these snorkels.  Rental equipment is often uncomfortable and not necessarily well-maintained, so, if you love the ocean, I highly recommend bringing your own equipment.  You can find it online at reasonable prices.

I also used a couple of Covergirl products that worked really well. CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara and Lineblast 24 Hour Eyeliner.  I am vain, and I just feel prettier when I'm wearing a little masacara.  Both of these products held up to a lot of abuse.  I wore them in the pool.  I wore them in the ocean.  I wore them walking around all over in 90 degree heat.  I never had a Tammy Faye Baker moment.

* This post contains affiliate links... a whole bunch of them... but they are all for products that I use and love.

Pack Rat: Dominican Edition

I've never packed so
light.

The wardrobe for my trip to the Dominican Republic could hardly have been more different than it was in India.  In India I focused on modesty, and this trip will include a lot more typical beachwear.

I used the opportunity to pack light with the intention of washing some of the clothes in the sink during the week.  All of the clothes and shoes I packed for the week fit in one carry-on bag.

I planned on wearing running capris or shorts during the day and dresses at night, with swimsuits interspersed at all hours.  I also intended to keep up my running during the week, so I needed supportive tops and running shoes.

I brought four tunic-length tops.  I wore them as swimsuit cover ups at the pool and beach and also wore them around town with running capris standing in for leggings.

I brought five dresses (one not pictured).  The bottom two dresses are ones that are a little on the scandalous side for most of my real life, but stepping outside of real life is what vacation is all about.

I brought four swimsuits (three bikinis and a tankini), and I wish I had more.  I spent a large part of the days in the water.

I brought two pairs of running capris that I also wore as leggings, three athletic tops, and my one pair of shorts.  I don't wear shorts, and I really don't like them so owning one pair is more than enough.  I bring them when I go on this type of vacation, but that's about it.  Next time I might leave the shorts at home and bring an extra pair of running capris.

 

The two areas in which I failed to pack light were shoes and jewelry.  I brought two pairs of walking sandals, a pair of flip-flops, a pair of heels, and my running shoes.  I wore the flip-flops, the running shoes, and the heels (once).  It's only because the rest of my packing was fairly light that the five pairs of shoes didn't present a problem.  

I make no apologies for the jewelry.  It takes up so little space that it doesn't really matter that I didn't wear most of it.

Choosing clothing that can multi-task and washing clothes in the sink allowed me to eliminate a lot of baggage, but I learned things that will allow me to pack even lighter next time.  Now I just need to plan the next trip!