I happened to be in Greece, so, told my supervisor i pretty much ran out of "uranium" fuel cells and need to get home. so, i got a flight out of Athens and it was as crazy as in the states.
I was pleasantly surprized to find this VIP lounge that has the great magnate Aristoteles Onnasys's name. it hit me 'cause he was involved with the late jackie Kennedy.
My flight back to the states was uneventful and on the run i decided to go to the Dominican Republic, vice colombia. why ??? will never know and it was just a spurt of the moment. made the reservations real quick with Copa airlines and i was to go to Miami for my flight to Santo Domingo. the flight to Philadelphia was fast and slept most of the time, going thu inmigration was faster and was in no time taking my connecting next flight to Miami.
In Miami i was a little earlier, ja ja ja !!! had to wait like 10 hours !!! no problem and i had a good sleep right on the airport and took my Copa Airlines flight earlier next morning.
Honestly, don't see all the hoppla about this zika virus ?!?!?! let's see, we have aids, cancer, blue nile virus and not to mention EBOLA!!!! what's to give ???? sorry, i won't hide under a rock !!!! i guess to each its own.
Soon i got on my flight to SD via Panama and the connection in Tocumen was quick and painless, didn't feel like i was in central America.
Copa Airlines is well run and i enjoyed this flight. on top it has cute flight attendants and not the hogs you see in the states. One note, htis flight was kind of pack with cubans, later found out they go to the Dominican republic to buy stuff to take back to Cuba and resell it !!!!
My arrival in Santo Domingo was uneventful and this is a very small airport from what i saw. quick deplaning and was in no time in the airport hall for my inmigration/customs formalities. small but very neat set up here. i did changed some money AFTER i went thru the controls since i heard it was given a better rate but i found out later not to be so all the time. could have change and get better rate in town but this is just for my future trips here. did paid US$ 10 for the arrival visa and right outside the arrival hall there is a desk where you can get a taxi to town (either to SD or Boca Chica) i beleive i paid only like 20 bucks or so, not bad, and is only like 15 or 20 minutes to Boca Chica.
I think i was going to the hotel i booked while in Miami; NOT !!! i actually didn't have anything set up and this trip was in such a hurry that i was wondering where i was going to sleep this evening (was around 6 pm or so). did found out in Miami of this place from an account of an old report or comment of this place ( You're great clubhombre !!!!), so i send a quick email but the time difference went against me and didn't get a reply. so, i still came to Boca Chica and was lucky they had rooms available. could have gotten the cheaper one but decided to try this one, it was ok but in the days ahead saw that if i have gotten the standard room it was no difference and to be honest, it was a step up of the higher priced one.
After a short decompressing time in the room and getting ready i went to calle duarte, the epicenter of the nightlife here. was surprized to see quite a few italian run establisments, not that i didn't mind. looking around i ended up in this bar area; named bar sabor criollo; that had a few girls and since i had no place of reference i went in and after a few drinks i ended up with this sexy dominican that knew how to punch my buttoms !!! it was real friendly and not the hardcore kind i've seen over the years.
Well, one girl is good as the next one so i end up taking this gal for the nite; beleive it was like DR$ 3,500 for the nite and gave her a small tip in the morning. real easy going and willing in bed.
Photos: Sabor Criollo 01 02 03 04
For those wanted to get in touch, this is the cell number, i never did call this chick while there, maybe i should have, cell: 829-690-3864. her name is kathrine.
Now, i did made a good choice of hotel and this one is a winner. if i ever come back here again, this is the place. it has all you need, close to duarte street, good room, AC, wifi, nice bed, fridge, cable tv, quiet place, offer breakfast, swimming pool and is super girl friendly. you sure can't ask for more. the rate for this room was US$ 70; but, the room i got later in the trip was only US$ 50. i think is reasonable and wouldn't stay anywhere else in this town.
NEPTUNO's REFUGIO
Calle Duarte
Boca Chica, Republica Dominicana
Reservations: (809) 523-9934/Fax; (809) 523-9863
Email; neptunosrefugio@hotmail.com
Web; www.refugioneptunos.com
You can't miss this hotel, is just down duarte street, passing the Hamaca resort and it would be on your left as you go towards it.
So, i ended up here the following days just enjoying life, real stress free place. breakfast was small but filling here and the pool and surroundings is a gift to my eyes.
This is a quick pic that shows the location of the hotel.
The town itself is not much to talk about it. pretty much all is on duarte street and i found me a CLARO store to get me my SIM card. one view i saw was the Europa hotel for sale and it looks it was closed for a long while now, what a shame. some friends of mine told me they've stayed here befoe but i guess this was in its good times long ago.
like any other place, you have the local heat.
The beach area is nice and spacious to me, though i would have my reservations in going in the water, not sure they are clean or polluted; well, is just me and at the end i don't like getting sunburn or go swimming. but, the seafood was ok and tasty.
Like i said, small town but easy to go around. one thing, at nite i would take a motto taxi and not walk around in very dark streets, always street smart !!! there is a supermarket, called OLE, not far from the hotel thst has all you need and is very convenient.
I heard all this noise about Sosua and decided to see how is the place, so i head one day to the caribe oturs bus terminal in santo Domingo. got me a taxi ride with a good dominican fellow that i attach here his card for other fellows reference if need a reliable driver. i think i got charge like US$ 20 for the ride to the bus terminal and my fare for the bus was RD$ 320 pesos.
The terminal is well set up but on a very busy intersection. once you get your ticket, your way to your bus is well defined and without a hitch.
Trip is comfy and left SD early to be arriving in Sosua past noon time. the way over there reminded me of Asian sights. still good weather and clear skies all the way; only funny thing was that arriving at Sosua there is not much or not a terminal at all, only a small office/waiting area. passengers pretty much debark/embark on the side of the road.
Now, this is something that i need to say of the place i stayed in Sosua. the hotel is named Playa Chiquita; which is part of the playa chiquita tennis court. the looks are deceiving and though is a quiet area is not up to standards, to say the least. i paid for my stay like US$ 33 a day but since i already forked the money i was stuck. i saw the room needed some maintenance, water pressure was not good, wifi very slow, ac was ok, room just passable and some of the electrical outlets were ooc !!!! would i stay there again ??? not ever !!!!! i feel i could have pay a little more and lets say just stay at the Seabreeze hotel, to name a few. this hotel is run by a german guy and he needs to pay more attention with the upkeep.
Now, since this was a fact finding trip of sorts, i wasn't too much into chasing tails. missed some of the places i would have gone in other times, like classsicos, CMP or some other places as such.
now, i found at the time that local government was in the process of a crackdown on bargirls and widespread pussy for sale activities. some joints like rumbas were shutdown and gone for good. so, the ideas or references i had in my head went out of window right ten and there. there are girls to be found and is a little different like in Asia. another thing was that i was first hand witnessed of the current crackdown. was not one night but two, when i saw local cops chassing girls and putting them in a van for the trip to the police station !!!! it was funny to be one moment talking with some gals, then, all of a sudden, they were running like pigeons all over the place !!!! i thought for a moment there was a fire or something nearby ja ja ja !!! such is the current affairs in Sosua.
One good pointer is that i found a good driver that help me with the transportation in this town. his name is Rafael Nunez and his cell is 809-868-4680; good man and honest.
One comment on local food, 'cause i like to try what locals eat. is very simple and not too original in the preparation, filling nevertheless. seafood is ok but i don't think locals have the economic means to afford it every day, not the popular and every day dominican; well, the well to do class is a different story alltogether.
I did get to go to the beach here and spent a few days over there. good weather help me a lot and just laying there and chilling was very nice time for me. one eatery to visit is the popular Big Ds legendary BBQ !!! great ribs and chicken !!!! prices were very reasonable and with a presidente couldn't go wrong.
Some times i took some of this awesome BBQ home and enjoy it watching tv !!!
One day i decided to find out what and how is this Blackbeards resort (CH Link)?!?! figure if i wanted to put it in a future trip here i wanted to separate reality from fiction. so i made a one nite reservation and had this trusted driver take me there.
For instance, feel the room rate was over priced. but since it was just one night i could overlook this.
The room was acceptable and it has a big bed, ac, fridge, good water pressure and enough space to put away your clothes. that night they have a show in the upstairs bar but it was lame; compare to Thai or PI standards. not all the girls were good looking and though i tried to take some pics, the lights didn't help much. another thing is that there is a sign saying no outside food or drinks allowed inside, i thought this was plain B..S.. !!!
I did grabbed a girl here to see how the action was and have to say it was no good. this gal ( Dulce the non de guerre) was complaining all the time, couldn't get any pics, playing the dead fish game and didn't enjoy the night i supposedly paid for, damaged came to DR$ 3,300 pesos. there ids this report casrd for the girls the customers fills out and i just wrote what i experience of this gal. i am sure it was an eye opener for the management (if they care).
Next morning, after kicking this chick out, i just went down to the restaurant and the service was "shit" !!!! not a good sign for this so called big time resort !!! was glad to leave and decided to eat in town. took my time and waited for my ride back to Sosua.
Would i consider coming here for a long stay ?? not in a million years and i rather go to somewhere else for a better experience and not be taking for a fool.
These last days i just hang around town doing nothing and though i had a couple of gals, nothing to speak about. daytime is very boring here, at least for me. went to the new garden hotel for small snack and was ok. also saw the Seabreeze hotel and did a few trips to the beach area for a nice sunset.
Last nite i took this gal named Lissy from the Club 59 (CH Link). she was ok and was with her haitian friend. now, saw a lot of haitians chicks, some cute indeed. should have taken her friend but ended up with this chick. agreed DR$ 2,500 st and it was a very good session.
What was funny late one was that this gal stole my toothpaste !!! it was hillarious, never happend anyhthing like this ja ja ja !!! one for the books i guess !!!!
Photos: Lissy - Club 59 05 06 07 08
My last morning here i took the raxi to the side of the road to the small office to get my ticket to SD, same fare (DR$ 320), no problems with the timetable and i was back to SD around noon time or so.
At the Caribe tours terminal, the taxi driver i have was waiting for me and soon after were on the way back to Boca Chica. this driver is reliable, his name is Miguel Debeaux, cell : 809-268-4495. trustable guy.
Once this time back in Boca Chica, stayed at the same hotel and this time had the standard room which was pleasantly well spacious and quiet. enjoyed this one better than the first one.
During these days here i tried some local chinese food and i kind of like it, very tasty adn plentyful. found on calle duarte a travel agency to reconfirm my flight out of here and a business center to fax some papers home. another find was that by the main park you can take these small vans that would take you to santo Domingo. surely you will save money. one note, if you have bags, is not a good idea, only if you just go over there to look around or so. coming back you just reverse your steps. that OLE supermarket is also very handy for snacks and such. looked at some of the other hotels but i wouldn't stay there, just my preference.
Did try the grilled fish on this sea food place in duarte street but not very good and a little raw to my taste. i developed a taste for the chinese food here and enjoyed it.
my last day/ nite or sorts i went to the sabor criollo bar and did have a nice selection, pulled my last catch from here. a mature skinned lady but very pleassing. el Batey dance joint is a must to go, lots of freelancers and it opens around 10-11 pm every night.
A nice place to visit is the Boat house on calle duarte. it has rooms for rent and a nice open bar facing the beach. its American managed and very friendly. there was another seafood eatery but didn't have time to see it.
My last dominican gal was jenny and though a mature lady, she made up youth for experience, was very happy with her. took her to this swiss restaurant and i enjoyed the place. good momento to closed this trip of mine and a short while at el batey for some dancing.
Photos: Jenny 09 10 11 12
My early departure for the airport was ok but i wish i had selected a later flight, too early for my taste. hardly anyone in the terminal at the time. Once i checked in i was in the waiting area all by myself and plain trying to get some sleep.
My departure on the COPA flight was on time and the transfer in Panama on time. arrival in Miami brought me back to reality real quick.
This was a trip on the run and i wouldn't do things this way again. still i did enjoy it, to say the least. one pointer, a basic understanding of spanish a must, it would help tons with the ladies.
DR lacks a lot in compariosn to some Asian countries and even in south America but this is just my personal opinion.
The main disappointment here was the BlackBeards resort, didn't enjoy it a all and i rather take my money somewhere else.
Do hope this trip report was entertaining and on to my next one in the near future.///