From the moment we first saw The Dominican Republic we knew we were going to fall in love with it!
From its beaches...
To its mountains...
Approaching the airport was very exciting! We were in for an adventure...
Through the windows we could tell this would be a different kind of airport experience...
The fire station gave us a clue...
The walk across the tarmac to the gate gave us another clue...
This was the size plane you would expect to see at the Punta Cana airport...
This was similar to the size plane we landed on...
The open air terminal was a whole new experience for us!
I must say my experience at the Punta Cana Airport was one of the most memorable airport experiences ever. Some of you know that I am not an American Citizen. I am still a Brit. I have a green card. I've been in the States since I was 8, but my Dad and Grandparents live in England along with my Aunts and Uncles and Cousins. One day I'll become a citizen, but I'm not ready to give up my ties yet. Anyway...As we were leaving the Dominican Republic I lost my green card. I dropped it on one side of security and realized once I had passed through with my things. The guards didn't speak English and I didn't speak Spanish. I don't think I've ever been in such a panic. My heart raced faster than it had ever before. My hands shook. I'm sure I was turning green! I thought I was going to get sick. They found another guard who understood the term "green card" and "lost on the other side" and he went to look for it. A lovely female guard came over with a big smile on her face and handed me my green card. I almost collapsed in relief, then the tears started to flow. My dear husband pulled me to the side to try and help my get it together before we went through customs...YIKES, what an adventure....I'll never forget the Punta Cana Airport because of its beauty and because of my travel adventure!
What airport will you never forget?
That's the best firestation I've ever seen!! I love it. Same with the airport terminal. How cool!
ReplyDeleteLove the thatched roof fire station and open air terminal. Hope you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was both scary and gorgeous. I'm glad you had such a great/surprisingly frightening time! I would love to visit there some day.
ReplyDeleteOh Sharon, thank goodness you got your green card back. I would have been in such a state. It's funny seeing yellow fire engines. I'm use to red ones. Welcome home :o)
ReplyDeleteI tend to want to forget the airports I've been in!! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteAwwww but not the one here!! How lovely!! I'm so glad it turned out ok - that the lovely staff were most kind and helpful!!!! But what a shock to discover your card missing!! Good grief!! Yay for fabulous personal costumer care!!!
The airport and landing and scenery are just amazing!!!!! And I love that there was a band to greet y'all!!! Take care
x
This all looks so exotic... love love love the roof!
ReplyDeleteThe shed pretending to be the reception terminal on Lanzarote. That was many years ago, they've moved on since then, but not as much fun. Oh, and the tiny airport at Livingstone where the heat cooks you in what used to be Northern Rhodesia.
ReplyDeletehi miss sharon! wow cool pictures. i love that one from up in the air where you could see that pretty beach and that neat airport. for sure you got to a tropical place. i cant wait for more posts. yikes! im just real happy you got that card back. sorry that part wasnt so much fun.
ReplyDelete...big hugs from lenny
Oh. My. Sharon! I can vividly imagine it all with miming and simple English. So glad you were able to find someone that was able to understand you and that you were able to get it back.
ReplyDeleteLove you pictures....can't wait to see more!
My experience was with the Taipei airport. My husband is not a US citizen either..and they had just started the new system of getting pre-approved online visa (it's not the visa, just a pre-approval to get it when you arrive...he doesn't have a green card). Anyway, we were just starting the boarding process. The attendants were looking at Uwe's ticket and wanted to see the visa document, so I had to let go of my daughter's hand briefly to pull it out. When I looked up she was gone. (This is the daughter that is special needs and doesn't communicate verbally). I ran down to the plane and she wasn't in the line, she wasn't anywhere. I finally went back to the plane(at this point a bit frantic)and looked on board. Sure enough, she was sitting in Business Class. Backpack under the chair, seatbelt on and looking out the window. How she got past every flight attendant is beyond me.
To say the least, I now never let go of her hand at any airport...even for the briefest moment.
Wow--what a story. I'm glad it worked out! Those pictures are so cool--a good reminder of how big the world is. Looking forward to seeing more!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteWow what amazing fortune to get your card back!
The place looks beautiful! Oh my, it's so good that the green card was found!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun start to your trip! Looking forward to hearing/seeing more!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found your green card! Yikes! And I did not know you were still a citizen of England. How wonderful you had a great trip. You missed some cold weather here!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics!!
Oh, wait. We had mild weather while you were gone! I was thinking the week before. But either way, I'm sure you got lots of warmth and sun and wonderful experiences there!
ReplyDeleteThat would have been scary trying to get someone to understand you that you had lost your green card ~ so glad it was found.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a memorable airport story as I hate flying, though I have flown 4 times. My first flight where I got back home to the Regina airport and practically kissed the ground as I was so happy I had landed safely. I am afraid that I can happily stay home and travel nowhere. :)
xo Catherine
Wow, great pictures. So glad to hear your green card was found.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteFirst, thank you for sharing those great pics with us. Second, what a relief you found your card, you were lucky! I've never seen an airport terminal like that one. WOW! Talk about unique ;)
To answer your question, I don't think I have a favorite airport. I just have good memories of my trips, including my first trip to Spain in 1995 when some gypsies stole my bag with all my travellers cheques, passport, and cash :( I was petrified not to mentioned annoyed but in the end it turned out to be a WONDERFUL and memorable trip. I loved Spain so much (despite that experience) I went back six times ;)
Wonderful pictures, Sharon. Losing your green card is indeed a very good reason to feel stressed and sick. I'm so happy you found it. I'm anxious to see the next set of pictures and read more about your holiday.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots, particularly the ones from above. Glad you found your green card.
ReplyDeleteOoh, great pics! Thanks for sharing! I'm glad someone found your green card right away. That would be so scary!
ReplyDeleteI have a blog award for you. :)
I'm usually the one on the inside, watching alla' the planes take-off with my loved ones. I've flown a couple of times, but I much prefer to keep at least one foot on the ground; thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got your green card back. An' wasn't it nice that hubby was so unnerstanding? It's nice to have our heroes along, ain't it?
Welcome Home! We're glad you're back.
~ Yaya
I'm so glad you got your green card back - that would be so scary!
ReplyDeleteI probably most remember landing in Tel Aviv because it was a foreign country where I didn't speak the language and I was travelling by myself. Luckily, a very wonderful woman that I was going to be working with was there to greet me and get me to my hotel.
Hi Sharon .. DR looks gorgeous .. and I hope we're going to hear more .. but glad the Green Card came home!!
ReplyDeleteCheers .. and what a lovely hubby - taking time to sort his dearly beloved wife out ..
PS - good to hear you're British .. just like me!!
Landing strips in Botswana .. in the middle of a Delta, or in the middle of Namibia on a hard sand-dune ... lucky me! Hilary
That would be my worst nightmare! I'm so glad you found your card! The pictures are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI loved the pics but when you said you were a brit all I could think of was: “How cool!” Haha, sorry I’m just a bit obsessed with all things England! Glad you enjoyed your trip (except for that whole green-card scare)!
ReplyDeleteWow that was lucky! I hate airport 'adventures'. They always scare the hell out of me!
ReplyDeleteThe photos are gorgeous. I am craving a beach :-)
Oh wow, wow, wow. I must go someday.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found your card.
That must have been such a fright. What a happy ending, knowing that someone helped you, and with a smile too! I'm so glad it ended well.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you weren't a citizen. How scary to lose your green card. When we're in another country, it's all easy because of a little piece of paper. If we lose it, we're in trouble.
ReplyDeleteI love the open airport.
My most memorable airport experience was in Dublin when I couldn't find my terminal and had gotten separated from my family.
Beautiful pictures, Sharon! No wonder you fell in love with the place. I'm glad you found your green card; what a fuss it would've been otherwise!
ReplyDeleteThat's really scary -- I used to have a green card, and can definitely imagine how heart-stopping it'd be to lose it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the beautiful pictures!
What an amazing adventure! So glad you got your green card back! Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures. Makes me want to go there!
ReplyDeleteGoodness, I would have been in tears with you! I love the airport, but not your scary moment.
ReplyDeleteMonastir airport many moons ago, is one I would like to forget. Oh, and Gatwick, London in the height of a full security check. Manic.:)
Sharon - Lucky you - great destination for a holiday!
ReplyDeleteBy the way I like your visual for the house in Leek, very British. Well done. And your first version of the text is better. Simple.
I'm at that stage you are at with my own novel ie. time to look for an agent. I'm excited. woo woo xx