This is part 4 of a 4-part report series detailing my late 2011 trip to the Dominican Republic. The trip started in Santo Domingo, proceeded to Sosua/Puerto Plata, then to Santiago, before ending back in Santo Domingo.

Day 1

Hotel Platino's breakfast in the morning was good, but I ended up having to pay for it. I could have sworn I was told that it was included, but I didn't argue about it.

The bus stations were definitely not walkable from the Hotel Platino, so I cabbed it there for 150 DOP. Although Metro Bus is a good option for Santiago-Sosua and vice versa, Caribe Tours is better for Santo Domingo. It's 20 DOP less at 280 for Santiago to Santo Domingo, and the Caribe Tours station is much closer to Gazcue than Metro. I bought my ticket and was on the bus 5 minutes later at 12:50pm. We arrived in Santo Domingo at 3:05pm. I was expecting a longer ride, so it took me by surprise when we arrived.

For this stay in Santo Domingo, at least for a night, I decided on the Mystik Hotel on Calle Pasteur. The Mystik Hotel is better known as a short-time hotel, but they do have all-night rooms available. My room was $55 USD or 2010 DOP. The internet seemed to be a little better, although I did have to reset the router a few times. The decor, bedding, and towels were not nearly as nice as the Riazor, but the safe was large enough to fit my laptop and a lot more. Another benefit was the proximity to the Pasteur clubs, it was much easier to slip into them without a tout hassling me. I would end up spending my remaining nights here despite the lower quality room.

My day was uneventful, but the evening was interesting, to put it one way...

I was coming out of the Intercontinental Hotel after using their ATM when the first cab driver approached me. I asked him for a quote on Casa Teresa and he said "Let's go!". I asked him about 5 more times in the short distance between the entrance and his cab with deflected answers. At that point I said "Forget it" and ignored his pleas to come back.

The second cab driver wanted 300 DOP. I said thanks and continued walking. "How much do you pay?" I didn't answer.

The third cab driver gave a proper answer of 200 DOP the first time I asked. So I followed him to the cab. It turned out someone else was driving and we was accompanying to help translate. I should have got out right there.

Along the way the passenger was assuring me that they were there to help me. Just in case I confirmed the price of 200 DOP and he said yes and not to worry, they were there to provide good service for our mutual benefit.

When we arrived at Casa Teresa, I wanted to pay, but they insisted I do it later and not to worry. They just wanted to provide my ride there and back and that it would be for a good and fair price. I didn't like the sound of it, and again should have just paid the 200 DOP, but I reluctantly went along.

I was swarmed in Teresa and there were a couple I liked, but neither was overly impressive so I sent them on their way. One of the ladies was persistant and ended up grinding on my knee, she even left a wet mark, but I wasn't attracted to her. I was also uneasy about the cab driver and translator waiting, I even told the translator that I wouldn't be paying for any time they waited for me to which he said "Don't worry, of course not". I hung out for awhile to consider by options, but ended up leaving. Before I left, I got their hours as 2pm to 3am daily.

I wanted to go to Baby Dolls for Lauren, but let them talk me into Casa de Modelos to check out their lineup. There were a couple of cute ladies, but their bodies weren't as nice, both had asses with cellulite. I also didn't like the guy running the place. I later got his name, Moreno. Big time asshole. I asked about a business card and their operating hours, but got ignored and a deflective answer respectively.

Finally we were on our way to Baby Dolls. They still wanted me to wait until they took me back to my hotel to pay, but I insisted to pay now. I got a quick answer from the driver this time, he wanted 1000 DOP.

I told him I wasn't going to pay him 1000 DOP and that I needed to get change and started walking towards Baby Dolls. He said he had change, but of course, I entered the club. I ordered a drink and gave the driver 600 DOP, more than he deserved, from the change I got. He protested, but I told him in front of the ladies there that I wouldn't be paying him any more. I would have let them call the police and talked to them if I had to, but the translator told the driver that it was OK and they should go. I would never had done it, but I would have loved to smack the driver around right there.

It took me a while to cool down, although I didn't really completely that night. Lauren was there but was busy so I just sat and drank beer and stewed for a bit. Eventually she freed up and we sat together. I took her up for a 3500 DOP spin, but it wasn't that exciting. I didn't notice until we were walking up the stairs that Lauren had hairy arms and a slight bit of stomach. More significantly, the session was just so-so, but at least it wasn't bad. I was still too worked up to relax and come, so eventually I just told her I was still distracted and had enough.

Photos: Lauren - The Baby Dolls 01 02 03

I then walked to the Jaragua to use their ATM and ended up passing the asshole cab driver on the way. The idiot actually tried to ask me if I wanted to go to a different place. I gave him a glare but otherwise ignored him.

The Jaragua ATM was out of service, so I walked over to the one on Independencia to the west of Lapsus. Touts bugged me both ways while passing Lapsus, I curtly dismissed them.

I was hungry, so I grabbed a bite to eat at the Riazor restaurant. The hamburger there was much better than the one I received in Santiago.

I was then ready to call it quits, but decided to stop in Satin Dolls since I didn't get a chance to see it earlier. There were about 7 ladies and a pack of hobbyists inside. Two of the ladies were pretty, but nothing too exciting. I grabbed a card and found out their hours were 7pm to 1am Sun-Wed, to 3am+ Thu-Sat.

After finishing my beer, I retired to my room just a couple of buildings away.

Vladimir
vladrasputin@hotmail.com

DISCUSSIONS:
Metro Bus Company
Caribe Tours Bus Company
Mystik Hotel
Hostal Riazor
Casa Teresa
Casa de Modelos
Baby Dolls
Satin Dolls

The taxi drivers get 150-200 pesos for bringing you to a club an dthey get 500 pesos if you take a girl out of the club. That is why they are so super aggresive to take to you different places that pay a commission.