Serendipity Under Caribbean Skies

When we travel, it is often the people we meet who leave the deepest imprint, transforming a simple journey into a lasting memory. After all, it is human connection that enriches our lives far beyond landscapes and monuments. That is exactly what happened here, in the condo where we are staying.

Thanks to Loraine — our resident social butterfly — we were instantly swept into a circle of joy and laughter. Through her, we met three wonderful couples: Pam & Sep, Don & Vicki, and of course Loraine & Tony. Later, Cheryl and Morley joined us for dinner. In one of those delightful twists of fate, Loraine had met Cheryl and Morley on the plane to the Dominican Republic; they had rented a house not far from our condo. Soon enough, she discovered they were also friends of Vicki and Don. Life has curious ways of weaving threads between people who are meant to meet.

Loraine is the proud mother of six children and seventeen grandchildren. Three of her sons live in far-flung corners of the world — one in Australia, another in Malaysia, and one in Florida. Vicki and Don, happily married for thirty years and parents of four, have traveled extensively throughout Asia and Europe. It is such a pleasure to meet people who radiate happiness and share strong humanitarian values — people who genuinely love people.

Soon we made plans for a dinner in town. All eight of us squeezed into one car — including two brave souls in the trunk! I cannot remember laughing so hard as when Tony and Sep climbed in without hesitation. In the Dominican Republic, anything seems possible. There is a kind of beautiful chaos here — and yet, somehow, it works. There is little fear, only a sense that life is meant to be savored. The people carry a natural joy that is contagious.

Sylvain chose a wonderful venue, Toscana, where the food was absolutely delicious. Upstairs, to our surprise, there was a cigar bar displaying a chair said to have belonged to Al Capone. We took photos and soaked in the atmosphere, reflecting on legendary cigar aficionados such as Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore.

It was one of those evenings that reminds us: destinations matter, but it is people who make a place unforgettable.

At the Cigar Bar in Toscana Restaurant - Al Capone's Chair

At Toscana with our friends - Don & Vicki

Cigar aficionados