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What is the honeymoon equivalent of stepping in gum? Stepping in gum wearing new shoes, but, on the upside, in a really lovely locale. Because that’s what our honeymoon was.
We stayed at the Majestic Elegance in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The grounds were beautiful and our room was wonderful: a hot tub, comfy bed, and a balcony where we enjoyed breakfast nearly every morning.
The beach was beautiful and the water was bathtub-warm. The sun hid behind clouds, but we didn’t care. We spent the first few days lazing about under umbrellas, floating in the pool, and, during rainstorms, enjoying no waits at the swim-up bar!
There was a tropical depression of some sort during our week. When a storm rolled in, we’d huddle under our umbrellas with drinks and books. I accomplished some quality napping.
And on the upside, rainy weather = empty beaches.
By midweek, however, I wasn’t feeling so great. Mr. Potato Head was just recovering from a particularly nasty case of salmonella that he got in May; he was especially careful not to drink tap water and to stick with blander foods (margaritas not included).
Things went from bad to worse. We got there on a Saturday. By Wednesday we were eating mostly bread.
The end of the week also marked my thirtieth birthday. I’d planned to celebrate the big 3-0 in honeymoon-tastic style: we had booked a dune buggy off-roading tour followed by an afternoon in the spa. I anticipated that it would be my best birthday yet!
At 11:59 p.m., one minute before I turned 30, I was inducted into adulthood. Initiation: food poisoning (severe), Pepto (copious), ginger tea (not helpful).
We woke up that morning to beautiful skies: the sun had finally come out!
Outside our room, paradise.
Inside our room, hot mess:
In lieu of dune bug adventures, massages, and aromatherapy, we spent the day watching NCIS marathons, booting, and begging room service to please, please, just bring us a bowl of cereal or piece of bread, please (no dice).
I kinda lose track of time after that day, but I do know that the sunshine returned… the morning we left. Getting home was another matter entirely. For some reason we found ourselves with a canceled connecting flight, the meanest Delta customer service people ever (I’m looking at you, CrankyPants at JFK!), and, after much haggling and a few tears, staying the night in a barely-opened NYC hotel room. By “barely opened” I mean the hotel had no sign (we had to use our cell phone GPS to get the cabbie there), there were no towels or washcloths of any kind, no trash baskets, and a restaurant with one poor, frantic waiter and one menu which the diners passed around to one another while complaining about Delta.
Eventually, Toto and Dorothy made it home to Boston and eventually starting eating real food again.
We learned many things from our honeymoon!
Was your honeymoon a little (or a lot) rocky? What happened?
This scares me, we are going to Punta Cana in October. How was Magestic Elegance other than your gut rot? We’re staying at The NH Royal Arena. Any tips for me?
Aww, sorry to hear about the food poisoning, PChips. It could be worse, though, I guess - my friend’s mom spent the first night of her honeymoon in a hospital (after having to leave mid-ceremony to puke) because she was so sick. And at least you were in beautiful Punta Cana!
Also, I’m writing this from my hotel room when I should be on a plane. Delta canceled my first flight this morning, and apparently they don’t even have ONE empty seat today, so I’m not getting home until tomorrow. Sad face. And boo Delta.
Mishaps are funnier in hindsight, eh?? Glad you’re able to see the humor in the situation 
Oh goodness! I actually got streph throat on our honeymoon, but luckily the nice mexican doctor gave me antibiotics immediately (unlike American doctors.. don’t get me started!) and I got better within a few hours. I’m usually careful not to drink the water whenever I leave the country, but honestly it’s almost impossible to avoid!
I hear a lot of people get sick when they go to the resorts in Dominican Republic.
I have personally traveled all over the world (Thailand, South America, etc )and Punta Cana was the first time I have ever been wicked sick. Same things with my friends who went there for their honeymoon. Her husband usually eats from street vendors in Mexico and thailand, and some how managed to get the bug in Punta Cana.
All PChips. I feel for you. Our honeymoon was screwed up by a tropical storm last November also. I got hurt ziplining.
So sorry to hear about the stomach issues, but I think it’s great that you can see the funny side of things!
Oh no! I’ve never been sick like that on a trip, but when Mr. G took his first trip to America he had some bad mucous and a fever and couldn’t enjoy anything- especially the food! I am glad you’re seeing the positive and learned some lessons!
oh my goodness–that’s certainly an adventure! i caught the flu the last day of our honeymoon, and i did get food poisoning from a bad fried clam during one of our vacations (on the upside i’ve never had such a flat stomach). oh but i’m sorry you two got so sick!
Delta is mean. My fiance and I have had more problems with them than any other airline recently. I have vowed to never fly them again if I can help it.
@speulie: Other than that it was beautiful! I’d be wary of ice cubes. I probably drank too many frozen concoctions.
@mareundarum: Me too! I get that things happen and I’m a very patient flier. But everyone we spoke to was just…so…mean!
I’m so sorry! My last developing world trip left me with 12 hours of pukies on a flight half-way around the world. I look at it as travel karma. You have a bunch of really good trips and then the universe has to pay you back with one really bad one and then you’re in the clear again for a while. You should have a slew of really good vacations ahead!
Sorry about the troubles on your trip. I’m glad you can find the humor in it now, and good luck on your amazing anniversary trip. I swore that I would never fly Delta again after they bumped my FI off a flight because he was standing in the wrong line (the line they told him to stand in at JFK). And after my grandfather passed unexpectedly, we had no choice but to fly Delta and we experienced the worst customer service ever starting from the lines you described at JFK to sleeping on the ground in Rome’s airport. I’m sooo done with them.
The pic of you on your birthday is hilariously sad. You DEFINITELY have an amazing anniversary trip headed your way.
You poor things! Way to have a positive attitude - I especially love the “just laugh because….what else are you going to do?”
Bummer, being sick while on vacation is the worst! I’m so sorry to hear that.
Also, I know exactly what you’re talking about with regard to rude Delta people at JFK - they’ve made me cry, too!
Sorry about the rough time. We stayed at the Excellence Resort in Punta Cana in June and I got ill one night as well. Luckily, it wasn’t nearly that bad, just some nauseau. Excellence made a point of saying that the ice they served was made with filtered water and we didn’t know of anyone that got sick on the frozen drinks.
However, don’t expect to donate blood any time soon. I got denied last night because they apparently have malaria in Punta Cana. The nurse was surprised we weren’t encouraged to take pills to avoid the malaria. And I certainly got bitten by plenty of mosquitos while there.
We are going to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon as well but will be staying at the Paradisus. So sorry to hear about your misfortune!
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Ms. Potato Chips, Boston/Narragansett RI Age and Occupation: 29, PhD Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Personal Trainer/Business Owner/Physical Therapy Assistant Engagement Date: January 1, 2009 Wedding Date: June 2010 Venue: The Narragansett Towers About Me: A semi-professional bookworm, if I could be a literary character I’d be a cross between Jo March and Jane Eyre, only better accessorized and much lazier. My hobbies include sleeping in, seasonal brews, running, Trader Joe’s, and watching Unwrapped and Good Eats with Mr. Potato Chips. I harbor an irrational fear of tulle, crafts, things that are fussy, and overuse of the phrase "Your Special Day". After a year or seven together, down the aisle we go, slouching toward adulthood and planning a Rhodie party with equal parts whimsy, cheer, and pizza.
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