En famille

Deciding on the perfect part of paradise to visit, en famille, is no easy task. But it is one that was tackled head-on, this past weekend, over the course of a fun and food-filled family reunion at the cottage.

First there are the two grandmothers who, despite being fairly adventurous (for 80-something-year-olds), have certain requirements that absolutely need to be met. So while my cousin and I have no problem riding a bus for an hour or two after landing, they’d rather be much closer to our final destination.

“What about Cuba?” asked my aunt, excitedly. “I’ve heard Cayo Coco is absolutely beautiful, and tourist-free, relatively speaking.

“It is,” I replied, “but I was there last year.” And while the picture-perfect Flamingo Beach, renowned for its powdery white-sand, turquoise waters and blissful tranquility is definitely a spot I want to return to one day, I feel like dropping anchor somewhere new, and undiscovered (to me, at least).

“We can go back to Punta Cana. The grandmothers really liked it there,” hollered out my niece, excited to go anywhere where all-day sand castle making replaces school and ukelele lessons. “Mmm, the food was sooo good there,” added my uncle. “Remember the lobster at Captain Cook’s restaurant…” he said, as he drifted into a seafood reverie.

“There’s always Mexico,” contributed by cousin’s husband. “The culture there is so fascinating, and the people are so welcoming.”

I’ve been to Mexico a few times, but am always willing to go back. “Maybe we could try somewhere different—like Cozumel or Zihuatanejo?” I added.

“Wait, I’ve got it… Costa Rica!” exclaimed my mom. To which we all replied, almost in unison, “Costa Rica!”