We did a family reunion here with another family from New Zealand. Having a full floor to ourselves, not to mention a bedroom and bathroom each (coffee pot, too), gave everyone the opportunity to spend time together, yet apart - so often needed on family occasions!
Having spent the worst winter in Canada in years, coming here was like a hidden oasis. Imagine starting your day with fresh squeezed orange juice - fresh because you picked the oranges that morning and squeezed it yourself, followed by half a papaya that you also grabbed by on your way, and oh, maybe a couple of mangoes, just to see your through your breakfast. Swim in a beautiful pool, because you have to cool off following your tennis/basketball/shuffleboard/table tennis match. Load up your bike with some toys and make your way down the street to the incredible Magic Sands Beach.
And that was our first day!
We had a wonderful time with the grounds keeper, who helped us cook in the Portuguese oven - a full day experience, but well worth it. Dinner from this was such a huge success, eating outside in the pavilion with the cascading waterfall in the background.
Even though we had a car, being so close to downtown, easy access with the trolley or other bus that took you as far as Walmart, gave everyone ample opportunity to do whatever they liked during the day. Shopping for a few groceries, then cooking dinner together, reviewing everyone's day and sharing lots of laughs was always a highlight of the evening. Then, exhausted after yet another day in paradise, to bed and ready to start all over again the next day.
The fact that sixteen people were able to come together and have absolutely no issues over a ten day period, except that we all wished we were staying longer, speaks volumes for Ohana Retreat. We were treated to homemade chocolate and roasted coffee; any questions/concern we had about our accommodations were dealt with immediately, professionally, respectably.
Leaving was incredibly difficult for all of us, realizing that this was a once in a lifetime experience, enhanced entirely by Ohana Retreat. The only downfall for us was that there was no Kleenex by the driveway when everyone left!