So Brian forgot to share with me that we are unable to get the charity that I spoke of below to come to the resort to pick up any school items that you would like to donate.

We apoligize for this but I'm sure if you've purchased any items and would still like to travel with them, the service employees at the resort would be more than willing to take them off your hands.  Often we bring small items to leave in the rooms for the maids and I'm sure they would love anything that we leave.

Again I apologize and I hope you all didn't go out of your way to purchase item to donate.

See you in a few days!
Crystal and Brian

Only a few days left now!

A few people have been asking if we have registered. We honestly didn't want/think to register as we are just happy that so many of you are able to join us!

We did however register for a few items at Sears the other day. With no one living in Calgary, we are not sure on whether items can be shipped through Sears or not.

Your presence at our wedding or warm wishes if you are unable to make it to the DR are more than enough of a gift for us!

We can't wait to see you all in the DR and will send pictures upon our return for those who can't attend!

Love,
Crystal and Brian

With the help of Barb (Brian's mother), I have a few more items to add to our list of "things to think about bringing with you to the DR"
1. suntan lotion (spf 30) and moisturizer
2. snacks - pringles, granola bars, crackers etc
3. tea bags and/or intant coffee - rumour has it the coffee is quite strong and the tea is not great
4. Advil, Pepto Bismal and Immodium (just in case)

I also want to mention that a friend of ours who is traveling with us to the DR (Carolyn Hind) has contacted an organization that collects school supplies for children in the Dominican. She plans on either traveling to the school or having the organization come to the resort to pick up donations. If anyone is interested in picking up a few items to donate, here is some information:

The organization is www.dominicandream.org and this information is from the website.
This also includes a list of things NOT to bring.

Small
Children books in Spanish (or monetary donations to buy them here!)
Children books in Spanish
Children books in Creole
Spanish activity books
Notebooks
Construction paper
Cardboard
Tracing Paper
Children's Scissors
Paper Plates
Folders
Pens
Batteries
Molding clay
Finger paints
Water Bottles
Bandanas
Wall Clocks for classrooms
Painting Easel
Legos (medium and large sizes)
Dominos
Geoboard
Educational games in Spanish
3-ring binders (all sizes)
Tape (scotch, masking, & duct tape)
Umbrellas and/or children's rain ponchos

Medium*
Backpacks
Volleyballs (deflated for travel)
Volleyball net
Ball Pumps
Marble Set
Ping Pong Paddles
Nerf footballs (soft material)
Tennis balls
Soccer Cones
Gardening Tools
Calculators
Bulletin Boards
Waste paper baskets
Large trash cans for school yards
Soap dispensers for bathrooms
Pencil sharpeners that affix to cement walls
Corkboards
Battery operated CD/cassette players

Large*
Table and chairs (for classrooms)
Ceiling fans
Bookshelves for libraries & classrooms
Medium and large plastic tubs with tops (for storage)

* These items are difficult to bring to the D.R. and/or are costly but they are still desperately needed! 
In order to obtain these items for the schools, it may be easier to make a monetary donation and 
specify what item you would like to help purchase. Please send checks to:

DREAM Project, P.O. Box 4136, Ithaca, NY 14852

What donations should I avoid?
In the past we have received many items that we unfortunately were unable to use. Donations can 
often prove costly to receive and/or store and we ask that you avoid donating materials unsuited to 
the needs of the organization. If you have any doubts concerning a possible donation do not hesitate 
to contact us for more information. The following is a list of donations which should be avoided:

1. Literature that is not in Spanish
2. Literature that is above a sixth grade reading level
3. Damaged or unusable marker, crayon, and pencil sets
4. Clothing & shoes
5. Candy & toys
6. Anything you would not consider basic materials for a classroom

 Note: The people of the  are in need of many things, including basic items such
 as clothing; however, the DREAM Project is dedicated to collecting educational materials.

Only 43 days left!

I understand that many of you may have some late flights back to Canada. There are a couple of options available to you if you wish to stay in your room longer on the day of check-out (normal check-out is 12 pm)

1. late check-out at 6pm is $40USD/room
2. late check-out at the time of your departure is $180USD/room

There is also the ability to share rooms if you just want to hang-out at the beach all day and then have a quick shower before catching your flight.

I am pretty sure both Brian's and my parents' are paying the $40 for the 6pm check-out as the flight back to Halifax is around 12am.

If you are interested in either of these options, just contact Eva and she will contact the resort. Upon arriving at the resort, we pay the hotel.

Let me know if you have any questions or just contact Eva directly at 1-888-236-2747

I've also been making note of some items you might consider bringing with you. Many of these are just suggestions as you can probably get by with a bathing suite and a toothbrush!

1. small bills for tipping or bartering for items
2. bug spray (I've never been to the Dominican but I didn't need this in Mexico or Cuba. Can't hurt though.._
3. air freshener for your room (it can get a bit musty with the humidity)
4. face clothes (they didn't have them in Mexico or Cuba so If you need them, bring them)
5. sun tan lotion
6. lip balm with SPF
7. pool floatie or mattress for the HUGE pool
8. ear plugs (like all hotels - sound travels)


See you all soon!

Hi All,

We're getting pretty excited and can't believe how fast time has been going! The trip and wedding are now less than five months away!

This is just a friendly reminder to those of you who have booked the trip and put your deposits down. To receive the Early Booking Bonus that was reflected in the prices of the trips, payments must be received in full by November 30, 2006. Payments after this date will reflect a $119.00 increase per person. If you choose to decline the Early Booking Bonus; full payments will be due to Thomas Cook 45 days prior to departure.

We've also just learned from our travel agent that you can redeem air miles and use them toward the payment of your trips to the Dominican. If any of you collect air miles you can go to www.airmiles.com and redeem miles for Thomas Cook certificates.

Please contact us or Thomas Cook for any questions or more information. The contact info for our travel agent is:

Eva

Your Thomas Cook Agent

506-778-8345

888-236-2747

eva.caissie-geikie@thomascook.ca

natalie.forrest@thomascook.ca

Take care and we can't wait to see you all in the Dominican!

Crystal and Brian

For those of you who have booked already - we are very happy to learn that you can join us for our wedding week!  It will definitely be a great time.

We understand that many of you will not be able to join us for various reasons.  If you should change your mind in the future - whether it is 5 months or 1 week before the wedding, feel free to give the travel agents (or us) a call.  If there are still vacancies, they will be more than happy to accommodate you.

For those of you who meant to book but missed the deadline - we've received an extension and our quoted rates are now guaranteed until this Friday June 16, 2006.

If anyone has any questions just let us know.

Crystal & Brian

I've just received a call from Dawn the travel agent I've been using.  Her
husband has been transferred and she will be moving to Ottawa fairly
shortly. Her last day with Thomas Cook Travel Agency will be June 16, 2006. 
There are 3 other ladies in the office who will be taking over for her. 
Their names are Natalie (co-owner), Eva and Patti.  When you are calling in
for information or to book, all three of these ladies will be able to help
us out.  Dawn has assured me that they are all aware of what's going on with
our file. Should you have any problems at all, let us know and we will
address them.

Noe:  The phone numbers and email address will remain the same for contacting the agents.

PS - only 1 more week for deposits.  If you are thinking of joining us the
deposits to guarantee the prices are due on June 12!!!

Crystal and Brian

We finally found and decided on a resort!  The Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is the resort of choice.  Many of you should have recieved an invitation email from us.  Please check your emails and make sure to let us know if you've received the invitation.  There could have been some delivery errors but we hope not.  We will be sending out proper invitations when we find out the date and time of the wedding but for now e-vites will have to do! 

Visit the Travel Info of this website for travel details.