After that delicious breakfast at Casa Colonial, we headed to Extreme Hotels in Cabarete, about 45 minutes from Puerto Plata. I am so happy that I was introduced to this hotel because it’s going to be in my future a lot. It’s only $350 a week to stay there and only $600 for two weeks. I’m always looking for a getaway to collect myself and I’ve finally found my spot.
Before starting our workouts, we took a tour around the hotel.
The hotel sits right on Cabarete beach. When you’re driving by the hotel, all you see is kites, kites, and more kites! There were about fifty kite boarders out on the water; it looked like a painting. The beaches are so clean and clear.
Extreme hotel has a permaculture garden with fresh herbs, fruit trees, and vegetables. They also have fresh fish and turkeys.
We also learned about a new superfood that grows in the Dominican Republic, Moringa. Moringa leaves are rich in protein, Vitamin, a, b, c, and a lot of minerals. The Moringa grows like a weed and the protein in it helps fatten up the cattle. The cows are almost half the size in the Dominican Republic as they are in the states. It makes you wonder…
If you’re wondering, the plant tastes like a peanut. I wasn’t expecting that. I’m going to try to order some to put in my smoothies and juices. It would also taste great in other recipes.
We also learned a really fun fact about banana trees. You guys may know this, but I had no idea. Banana trees only produce one set of bananas. They also grow tall within five months. The picks the banana and then cut it down. As soon as you pick the fruit, the tree starts to die, but it produces a new shoot at the bottom of the old tree before. If you don’t cut the old tree down, the new shoot will eventually die. I couldn’t believe banana trees grew so fast!
After visiting the garden area, we headed to walk through the restaurant/bar and watch the kite surfers.
I just want to jump back into this photo and relive it all over again.
The sign on the roof of the restaurant/bar had all the activities run by extreme hotel. There is so much to do.
And after you get all hot and sweaty from the actives, it’s time to swim in the pool!
After the tour, it was time to circus train.
People come from all over the world to train here.
Everything on this trip was a fitness challenge, but the trapeze was by far the most challenging. I’m getting anxiety sitting here typing about it. It wasn’t challenging physically, but mentally.
For some reason, we all had an adrenaline rush going up the latter and before jumping off the edge.
I was proud of all the girls for doing it and myself!
As soon as you jump off the edge, you go forward while kicking your legs over your head, between your arms, and over the bar.
As soon as your legs are over the bar, you let go and swing upside down.
You then grab the bar and put your legs under the bar and back to original position and kick forward.
The last swing goes into a backflip landing.
The first time I did it, I failed, but after watching some of the other girls nail it, I tried it again and did it! I was so proud of facing that fear.
After circus training, we headed over to Fitness Cabarete to do our cross fit with Zack!
Now, I’m not a cross fitter so I was a little nervous going into this workout, but he was really cool about letting everyone know that they could do the workout of the day at their own pace and strength level.
We did five reps of the workout of the day.
1. 15 Pushups
2. 15 weighted sit ups
3. 20 side plank raises with weights
4. 25 squats with weights
5. 30 split let push ups
The split leg push ups were killer! I had to modify it. Finishing that workout felt great! I was proud of myself.
No one on the earth could look pretty after a workout like that. It was hot, sweaty, and intense. My face swelled up, I looked like a tomato, and I was shinier than the sun. I hardly ever sweat, so you know that workout was a good one.
Zach is a former yogi and he was teaching us some hand stands. He was an awesome trainer and I definitely recommend taking one of his classes if you make it down there!
Our post workout photo!
My legs were jello.
After our individual reps, we did a partner-up group workout. This was my favorite part. There were mix and match cards laying on the mat and my partner and I had to stay in plank position and match all the cards and quickly flip them over. While we were matching cards in plank position, the others were doing wall sits or holding large weights over their heads. We rotated and did three reps of this exercise. After that, we all had a hand stand session.
My girl, AJ, killed the workout!
After cross fit, we went to the little restaurant bar they have on the girl. Most of their food is grown right there on the property or freshly caught. They have a strong passion for healthy living and you won’t find anything bad for you here!
We look pretty darn good for just getting our buts kicked!
I’ve been on a coconut water kick lately, and so I ordered a fresh glass of coconut water.
They also had a green juice that consisted of lime, mint, and coconut. How gorgeous was that?
I ordered rice, shrimp, beans and vinegar slaw salad. The shrimp was cooked to perfect and the beans over the rice was delicious! I love fresh food.
The view from the restaurant.
They also had a tight rope by the yoga loft.
I am so impressed by Extreme hotels, it’s so affordable, unique, and uplifting. I can’t wait to go back!
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
Looks amazing– I would love to go there!
Lisa says
Looks like you had an awesome trip! That trapeze stunt looks terrifying but really cool. You are braver than me! The lime-mint drink sounds delicious; I may have to try that sometime!
MJ says
I am so impressed with your trapeze attempt. I tried that on vacation in africa and it was terrifying. I ended up going back down the latter. You look amazing TL and so much healthier than your skinny self. Please stay this way. Don’t let anyone bring you down.
chelston says
You look amazing Taralynn! I just booked my first trip to the Puerto Plato because of you and i’m staying at that hotel! Wish me luck. xo
Sarah says
If you liked Moringa you should check out kulikulfoods.com or their products on Amazon, including their Moringa powder. They’re super nutritious and delicious and all contain Moringa sourced from woman’s cooperatives in Ghana!
HC says
Hi Sarah!
I just wanted to say “thanks” for posting this! Good info! 🙂
Kristin C says
Wow! That really is an impressive place! I’m not in shape enough (YET!) to do most of those things, but I would still love to go and stay there!
I’m really glad you told about the prices because my husband and I would LOVE a getaway but can’t afford very much.
This would be amazing!
Linda @ The Fitty says
The mass production going on in the states isn’t good for the animals–we fatten them up so we can ended more meat. It sounds like the Dominican provides much better eating grounds for animals! Take me there!
I’m going to China this summer. Any tips on how to stay healthy while I’m there and also avoid bordem?
Also, the trapeze is super super fun! Circus arts are fun and scary in general, but it’s a lot about timing and little about strength.
Jessica says
Wow! What a fun and exciting trip. All those activities sound like they would be so much fun.
Kimberly || Life Alluring ❤ says
That looks amazing!! I think it is time to convince my husband that we need to go on a vacation to DR!
Margaret says
I love the sound of this place! The DR seems a little less expensive than some Caribbean islands, so I’m hoping a trip is in order in the next year. My husband and I went to St. Lucia for our honeymoon 4 years ago and ever since we can’t WAIT to get back to that blue water and the delicious food! We went to the local market and loaded up on champagne mangoes to snack on at our resort. And I just finished using up the last of the ground saffron we bought there!
So glad that you had a great time. You deserve it, girl!
Cassie says
Glorious view! And I’m so glad there’s crossfit during vacay 🙂
Judith says
You look so healthy, fit, and happy!!! Keep going this way!!! 🙂
georgina says
I can’t see myself making it to the top of that ladder. I would have fallen off from the amount of fear I have for heights. Kudos to you! Was cross fit hard? I am thinking about trying it.
Kate says
This looks like so much fun! I really want to plan a vacation like this! However, when I went to the website, it was extremely confusing as to how to book the activities and the rooms, etc. (Not very user friendly) :/ Any advice on how you booked the activities?