Family and Sunshine

The hardest part of living in Europe is the distance from family. To bridge that gap, returning every year to reconnect is a top priority. This year, Florida served as the meeting point for my mom, saving us the long trek to the West Coast. Plans are already in motion for a Pacific Northwest trip next year to catch up with the friends and family missed this time around.

 

Caribbean Cruising

The trip kicked off with seven days of quality time with my mom aboard a Caribbean cruise. As first-timers on a Holland America ship, the experience impressed—especially the food, the entertainment, and a crew that keeps the vessel in pristine condition.

We enjoyed some snorkeling on Holland America’s private island and Grand Turk. Despite the proximity to the pier, the Grand Turk site offered spectacular views. Schools of fish sought shelter in the shadows of an underwater cliff, creating a perfect observation point for large, vibrant parrotfish.

 

The itinerary included our first-ever visit to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. After taking an Uber from the cruise port into town, a sense of unease set in. Out of all the global destinations visited over the years, this felt like the least safe. While the driver was kind enough to show off some popular sights, a return trip to the D.R. isn’t on the horizon. It’s also difficult to ignore the stark contrast: walled-off luxury resorts sitting right next to a population where a majority live at or below the poverty line.

 

The final stop was Nassau, Bahamas. A local brewery provided a much-needed $14 beer—a total tourist trap, but the heat made that hazy IPA taste like heaven. A unique, non-touristy shirt also made its way into the suitcase, continuing my long-standing tradition of collecting local T-shirts.

 

Life on the ship felt pleasant and relaxed. Jigsaw puzzles—my mom’s favorite pastime—filled the quiet hours. The stateroom featured the largest showers I’ve ever seen at sea, and we discovered a nice onboard selection of Belgian beers. Even though only one cafe stocked it, a bottle usually accompanied us to a concert, show, or dinner.

 

Pickleball dominated much of my free time. Between a session at a municipal gym in Fort Lauderdale and many games onboard the cruise ship, my paddle saw plenty of action. Holland America even hosted three tournaments; I entered two and won both. My partner, Carl, and I found a great rhythm, even knocking out a couple of 4.0 (intermediate-to-advanced) teams. The championship prize? A wooden tulip that now sits proudly in my collection of pickleball medals.

 

Puerto Rico

After saying goodbye to my mom, we hopped on a flight to San Juan to visit Emi’s mom. Her transition into a nursing home has been a challenge—aging is a tough business. Hopefully, the outings for shopping, dining, and sightseeing brought her some much-needed joy.

 

We hit up El Meson for breakfast four times during the stay. It’s easily the best spot in the area for strong lattes, great sandwiches, and omelets.

 

A stop in Old San Juan is a must. The architecture, the vibrant colors, the tree-lined streets, and the massive grass field in front of El Morro never get old.

 

Emi’s friend, Ruben, led us on a tour of Santurce and a spot called La Placita. It was a perfectly authentic experience: locals hanging outside, eating, drinking, and enjoying excellent cuisine without a tourist in sight – except me 🙂. Santurce Brewing, a newer craft spot, also impressed. Their Cupey Double IPA is solid—juicy and well-balanced. It’s great to see the Puerto Rican craft beer scene evolving with every visit.

 

Welcome to Miami

The journey ended with a few days in Coral Gables, Florida, before the flight back home to Portugal. Staying near the Miracle Mile made it easy to explore the shops and restaurants on foot. We stumbled upon the Coral Gables Farmers Market and some incredible arepas—crunchy on the outside, fluffy in the middle, and bursting with slow-cooked shredded chicken. Good street food is always a win with us.

 

A shopping mission in the Brickell area revealed an obscene display of opulence. It’s a major turn-off to see such a desperate attempt to justify self-worth through designer labels and luxury vehicles.

 

Struggles

The trip wasn’t all sunshine. A day after snorkeling in Grand Turk, some pain hit my right shoulder (luckily, not my left pickleball arm). Back in Portugal, imaging confirmed a torn rotator cuff in both tendons. Hopefully physical therapy will do the trick. I also came down with a cold in Puerto Rico, eventually spiraling into an ear and sinus infection that required a trip to urgent care in Miami.

 

Flying home with an ear infection was a major concern, as cabin pressure changes usually cause me intense pain. However, a pair of “Ear Planes” earplugs changed everything. It’s hard to believe I hadn’t tried these years ago. Despite the infection, my ears felt better than ever, and the nine-hour flight ended without the usual exhaustion from battling pain.

 

Recap

Spending a full week with both our moms was the highlight of the trip. Even if these visits only happen once a year, spending time with family is invaluable. Until next year…