The Teppanyaki Experience at the Majestic Colonial

So we did have a free evening for dinner. I got together with a few travel agents and suppliers to go to dinner. I have never had the opportunity to eat Teppanyaki before. I had hoped to the have the opportunity last year on my Norwegian cruise but the opportunity did not present itself. So needless to say I was very happy.
This dinning show is very much made by the chef and his ability to perform to his audience. We did start with the unlimited Sushi bar as you have to wait a while for the chef. They had six stations with three chefs. Each station seats twelve so depending on your party size you could be eating with strangers. We were a party of six so there was another party of six with us.
When the chef comes over he heats up his grill. The first food he adds is eggs. Once the egg is cooked he takes turns throwing it to the guests to catch in their mouths. Our suppliers Aubrey and Michael both did this. Aubrey did require more than one attempt. The rest if us declined.

The sushi. I just had to try one of everything

Once he finished the egg he added rice and veggies. He then served us each a giant bowl.

 The pictures do not do justice to his knife skills

fried rice made fresh right before our eyes

While we were eating this he continued his show. He cooked veggies which included my favourite water chestnuts, chicken, beef, shrimp and salmon. It tasted so good but there was just too much food.

 our chef

 some of the yummy food

I just loved the noodles and they were so simple

After all of this they offered dessert. I took a picture of someone else's as I had to pass on dessert. It was just too much. Especially starting with so much Sushi. We did not feel rushed at all. However we had a later reservation time at 7:45 pm and it was closer to 8:00 pm when we got seated. Some colleagues who booked earlier did feel rushed to get in and out faster so I do recommend having a later start time if possible.

chocolate mousse

You can find me here

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Web: www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.com

TICO 50021282

55 York Street Suite 803

Toronto, On 

M5J 1R7

Giving Back

The Travel Agent Next Door head office and agents along with Travelbrands and Am Resorts had the awesome experience of giving back to a school in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Many agents brought along with them backpacks filled with school supplies. On the Tuesday which was our free day many of us loaded on to buses for the drive to the school. The school is made up of 4 complexes and has 1800 students. Complex 1 is a preschool, Complex 2 is an elementary school and complex 3 and 4 are the high schools divided between boys and girls.
We were divided into two buses, one going to the boys school and one going to the girls school. We were further divided into four groups from there. One group painted the newly refinished basketball courts, a second group painted newly refinished benches and tables. The third group did crafts and the fourth group did board games.
The painting groups brought paint brushes with them. The craft groups brought craft supplies and the board game group brought board games. When we got to the school we were taken on a tour of the school

welcome to the school photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith

They are very dependent on teaching trades such as hotel, restaurant as they rely heavily on tourism revenue in the country. They also have health care as well.

 Sewing room

 health classroom

 computer lab

 Industrial Kitchen

Service classroom

Once the tour was done we broke up into groups. I met a bunch of girls my daughters ages and we played many rounds of Connect four and we got to know each other. Some girls had more English than others. Unfortunately my Spanish is not good at all.

photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith

After games we had a break and we more time to interact with the girls. They were very much like my daughters. They were teasing each other playing around and very excited to do selfies.

We then boarded a bus back to the boys school and the girls loaded into school buses. We then were treated to dancing and musical performances by some of the boys and girls. 

 photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith

 a group photo of agents and students photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith

A gift I received from one of the students

It was such a great time being able to give back. There is a waiting list to getting into the school. It costs $10 a month and some families have trouble paying that amount. The school website is www.fundacionmire.org

Where you can find me

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.com

TICO 50021282

55 York Street Suite 803

Toronto, ON

M5J 1R7

Wedding at Majestic Mirage

As part of our conference we to got to experience a mock wedding. Two staff members from Majestic played the part if the lovely bride and groom.
The ceremony took place at the Majestic Mirage. It was in a gorgeous courtyard with a gazebo for the bride and groom. Nice chairs for the guests. Afterwards their was a small cocktail party right there. And lots of white lights strung overhead.

 A look at the courtyard

photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith

gorgeous bride a great group of agents (myself included)

photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith 

we even cry at mock weddings

 a first dance after the formalities

 when they walked up the aisle we got to throw these gorgeous rose petals at them

 photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith

photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith 

photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith

After the cocktail party we were broken up into smaller groups to enjoy some of the a la carte restaurants from the Mirage and Elegance. We went to the Don Juame Steakhouse. The food was very good. Although sadly they were out of blooming onions.

So when it comes to getting married in the South it is sometimes easier to get married before you go away and do a symbolic ceremony only. Each country have different requirements. On the tour of the properties we were able to see some of the other areas where weddings can be held. The Mirage has a big room where you can be married then have your dinner. The Colonial has a small chapel, a wedding gazebo on the beach and a courtyard for weddings .
The resort can help with small intimate weddings to much larger weddings. Also with 3 resorts being part of the complex you can book rooms at one resort for your guests and stay at another for yourself if you want.

where you can find me
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor
Website: www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca
Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.com

TICO 50021282
55 York Street Suite 803
Toronto, On
M5J 1R7

Breathless Punta Cana and Now Oynx Punta Cana

Still working away at posts from conference. Air Canada Vacations provided us with our second themed party. It was a red and black masquerade ball. It was held at the Breathless Punta Cana Resort. The buses took us from the Majestic and dropped us off at the Now Oynx Punta Cana.
We started our tour of the resorts here. We were taken through the lobby and took a walk over to a gorgeous suite in the adult only section.
Here are some pictures of the room and resort.

 Bathroom double sinks

 Great King Bed

 Couch

 soaking tub on the verrandah

private pool off the terrace

 private island and bali bed at main pool

 one of the pools

 part of the grounds

As you can see from the pictures some rooms have private "islands" with Bali Beds that lead to the main pool. No need to get up early and try and save a spot. The grounds were gorgeous as were the views.
We were able to walk right into the Breathless Punta Cana Resort right from the Now Oynx Punta Cana. I was a bit surprised but around the pool they had a hookah bar and people were using them. The room we visited here was also spectacular. See the picture

2 double beds

We started out with a cocktail min and mingle outside in an open area with a stage. We then moved inside into a large banquet hall.

Outside cocktail area

Masks

The masks that Debbie and I wore for the evening

It was a buffet meal wich is the norm when we are such a large group. Lots of choice of sushi, salads, chicken and seafood. Dessert was an awesome chocolate fountain with many things to dip.

My supper plate

The chocolate fountain

I would feel very comfortable offering these properties as options for my clients. If you were to go September 15th to September 22nd

Ottawa to Punta Cana

Breathless Punta Cana

deal of the day 

2 Adults

$3518 CAD

Now Oynx Punta Cana

deal of the day

2 Adults

$3098 CAD

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.com

Tico # 50021282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, ON

M5J 1R7

Spy Night

We were the last of the travel agents to arrive at conference showing up after 6:00 pm we quickly had to get dressed for our first cocktail party and dinner. Needless to say we showed up a bit late. The theme for the evening was spy. I will tell you right now my outfits for theme nights are lacking and you will see some pictures of my fellow agents who are much better at it then I am.
Now the cocktail party and dinner were to take place down on the beach but the weather decided not to cooperate with the launch of conference 2018 for the Travel Agent Next Door. So it was quickly moved to a secondary location. As I had mentioned my group were late so they had already changed venues by the time we arrived.
This event did take place at the Majestic Colonial. We were served plates of appetizers at our tables and then we had supper from the the buffet. I do enjoy all the seafood I get to eat while I am away. After dinner there were some awards handed out to our suppliers. This were all voted on by all agents showing our love for our favourite suppliers and of course afterwards there was a bit of a show.

 yummy

 our spy themed cake (a la bond james bond)

 my room mate Debbie in disguise

 Debbie with Mandy

our very own VP Penny Martin (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

As I said so many of the agents are so great at dressing up for the themes. Maybe I will make more of an effort next year because their is always a next year :)

This evening set the tone for the whole week as our theme this year was on a mission. I am on a mission to share my knowledge and love of travel with all of you.

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7