I did not have to think twice about where I needed to be in the next few days. Flight arrangements were made, it was a coincidence that we could fly the weekend of Easter; this made it all the better as we did not want to break the news of what the doctor had diagnosed and the recommendation was to make his remaining days as pleasant as possible.

The days before my visit, all I could do was remember with fondness the treasure he had given me: the wonderful memories.

Riding with him on his horse while he rustled the cows on the farm. On many occasions I enjoyed sitting atop his leg while he allowed me to shower him with kisses. I followed him everywhere I could and made myself busy so as not to be ’shooed’ away. Feeding the chickens and the pigs. Carrying the little pail of milk to help out with the cows (of course, dipping my finger in the molasses barrel any chance I could). On Sunday mornings we’d go to church and he would smell of Old Spice and look sharp with his dress hat. On the way home we’d make our social visits and stop by relatives… he’d always brag about his favorite grand daughter (at the time… I was the only one and so totally enjoyed being the star of his show). The sweetest gestures I so enjoyed, he always had a treat for me when he came home from his adventures.

>>> Papaito, I love you. Thank you so very much. (It’s wonderful to choose the memory to cherish)

While cherishing the past is wonderful, it is also important to remember to live in the present to create the future. Mom is so amazing and gifted at living in the now… and saw to it that we create a few memories to take with us. We visited two beautiful local rivers.

Rio Fula had a wonderful swimming spot; at the base of the river they had a restaurant and they brought you food to whatever spot you chose to set up camp. Bachata and laughter permeated the zone.

RIO FULA:

The next day we hiked through the beautiful canape of cocoa trees of Rio Jima, this was a magical place with the sounds of running river, songbirds and crickets all about (a contrast from the music of bachata); it is said that there are 12 waterfalls as one ascends up the mountain, we only made it to the first waterfall and it was breathtaking.

RIO JIMA:

My parents are from the province of Bonao in the Dominican Republic (one of the 3 Spanish Caribbean islands)
Bonao borders to the north with the province of La Vega, east of the province Sanchez Ramirez, on the south by the Municipality Piedra Blanca and west by the town of Constanza.

About Bonao:
* It is the capital of the province Monseñor Nouel and has vast natural and mining resources. Bonao is also known as the “Villa of Hydrangeas”, Hydrangea is the flower of this town.
* Its name comes from the Cacique Bonao, named after the chief who ruled this city at the arrival of the Spaniards whom had the highest rank in the area.
* It is a town with a large eco-tourism potential that is associated with its people, characterized by being very hospitable, Bonao is one of the areas of the Dominican Republic that has plenty of rivers including Yuna, Blanco, Masipedro, Jima, Los Quemados, Fula and Maimon.
* Bonao known for good weather, good soil for planting, accessible mountains, rivers and clear streams and constant rainfall.
* The ninth largest reservoir of ferronickel in the world is located in Bonao, exploited by the multinational Falconbridge Dominicana since 1970.

Climate: It has a tropical rain forest climate and average temperatures range between 18 ° C and 26 ° C throughout the year.

How to get there?
By Air: The nearest airport is the Cibao International Airport (STI) located in the province of Santiago.
Other nearby airport is the Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo.

By car: Direct access by the Duarte highway an hour from Santo Domingo towards the North.

Daisy Says: (as quoted by grandpa) Life is but an exhale.

As my parents now cross over the 60’s threshold I too cross another stage of life with them. Choosing to understand them. It is a decision based on love, gratitude and compassion. All relationships must be nourished and that nourishment comes with investing time. Time.

I spent the next three days listening, talking, laughing and sharing with my parents. We made plans to start construction of the outdoor room. This project is truly a gift of Love from me to them; it’s giving them a reason to travel around town and meet with people. I even taught belly dance to my moms friends, it was delightful and fun: Habibi!

Daisy Says: Love starts at home.

Come, I invite you to peek into my California experience.

Daisy Says: When your heart meets nature it remembers Peace.

We ventured out to the Bahamas and stayed at the Atlantis Resort Hotel and Casino. From the moment we landed til the last minute of departure the hospitality of the Bahamian was truly a warm experience. We had a private care pick us up at the airport, the chauffeur pointed out various landmarks on our way to the hotel.

The Atlantis Resort is a beautiful oasis within an oasis. The Atlantis water theme is in every detail of the decor: seashells, mermaids, fishes and ocean spray can be captured in the mosaic of the floor to the tapestry covering the windows. The staff pampers you with their hospitality. You can enjoy dining at exclusive top rated restaurants like Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill or the scenic sophisticated dining at the Dunes with its panoramic view of the expansive Atlantic Ocean.

This can easily be considered a true get away for a family vacation, both young and old can easily find hours of relaxation or pleasure – be it by the beach, various pools or casino.

The Bahamian sand has a beautiful cream color and a grainy cake feeling (as opposed to the coarser darker sand in Fort Lauderdale Florida). The Atlantis Resort offers many pools to lounge and lazy rivers to float on, as well as water slides for the daring. Yes, I did plunge down the Abyss ( a 50-foot near vertical drop, 14-second, 200-foot-long body slide through waterfalls in and out of a dark tunnel ends with an exhilarating splash in an underground grotto surrounded by large fish tanks embedded into the walls).

If gambling is your fancy, the Atlantis offers a wide variety of casino games from Keno, Slots, to classic table games like Blackjack and they even have a Poker Room. *Interesting how they put the casino en route to the water park.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better you can spend a day at the Mandara Spa, as you walk in you are greeted by waterfalls and towering bamboo at the entrance, you can enjoy an outdoor massage and then head into the spa to take in the ‘water experience’ of warm and cold plunge pools as well as steam and sauna rooms, you can cool off your body with aromatic cold mint towels and relax in the aroma therapy room.

What I enjoyed the most was the time I spent at the Dolphin Conservatory, a 14-acre dolphin habitat— supposedly one of the largest and most sophisticated of its kind in the world. What a magical experience to swim underwater with the dolphins and touch their smooth skin – an experience that will stay with me for a very long time. After everyone was gone, we stayed behind to lounge by the shore and watch them peacefully swim around. The beautiful sun shining overhead and sweet music of Enya set the tone at the Atlantis Dolphin Cay.

The Atlantis Waterscape is a 34-acre tropical marine habitat, said to be home to 50,000 fish and sea animals. It has many lagoons throughout where you can see starfish, manta rays, sharks and many other underwater creatures.

Truly you can get lost in and relax in this beautiful aquatic getaway.

Daisy Says: Live in the moment, take it all in.

Island hopping in the Bahamas!

Sweet Bahama Breeze
Warm Kind Hearted People
Sun and Fun All Day
Where Relaxing is: No Problem

Bahama Breeze recipe

serve in: Highball Glass

1/2 oz apricot brandy
1/2 oz banana liqueur
1/4 oz grenadine syrup
1/4 oz honey
1/2 oz lemon juice
1 oz orange juice
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz dark rum
1/2 oz coconut rum

Combine all ingredients in a blender with 2-3 ice cubes. Pour over ice cubes in a tall glass. Garnish with an orange wedge and a cherry, and serve.

Daisy Says: Revitalize your soul and escape.