[BPL888]

The next day ( Tuesday) I readied myself for my return to the capital. When I inquired as to the checkout time at the Hotel Playa Palenque I was told "anytime is OK". I asked if 3:00-4:00 was alright and they said that was fine as they were not busy. After breakfast I preordered my lunch, a ham and cheese sandwich 80RD, and settled my bill. The total bill for three nights lodging, all meals, drinks and phone calls came to 7900 RD including the 26% of assorted taxes and service charges. A word of caution to anyone visiting out here, they request payment in cash. It seems the telephone service can be sporadic and that makes it difficult to process/confirm credit cards and travelers checks. I know that the 10% sevice fee should go to the workers but I wasn't sure so I made sure I put a tip in the hand of the maid, cook and barstaff. The service had been outstanding and I told them so. I took one last walk down the almost deserted beach and then returned to spend the rest of my day there sitting by the pool swimming, reading and napping. After lunch I said my goodbyes and boarded a guagua at the gate of the hotel and headed back to the capital( 50 RD and 1:20). They told me that all busses leaving from there would go to the Parque Independencia in the capital, 2 blocks from my hotel. The bus was uncrowded and it slowed down several times to keep time and distance between it and the bus ahead of it.This was OK with me as I got a chance to sightsee. We went through a town called Sabana Grande Palenque. It was a good size town with several nightclub/discos and a couple of hotels with pools (not cabanas). I have no idea how to get info about these hotels but I may try as this town seemed interesting, clean and possibly worth an overnight visit on my next trip out this way. There were advertisments on the telephone poles for several large bands that were to be playing in town soon. I think this town is a weekend magnet for all the aggriculteral area around it. The rest of the trip to the capital was uneventfull and as advertised I was dropped one block from the Aparthotel Condo-Parque near the Conde. Sorry so short, I have to go but will finnish the report as soon as I am able. To be continued.......