[HKOLLIE]

Well this report is on our 3rd and most recent trip to DR from 16FEB thru 24 FEB 2009.

Main takaway messages:
1 - Adventurous Gringos can drive in DR and have fun doing it!
2 - You can survive cross country on the smallest amount of Spanish
3 - The Hells Angels in Cabarete are going to be a long term irritation
4 - the DR is still my Favorite Beach Vacation in the World!

We rented a car from Avis at SDQ airport at 2 pm and drove headlong into downtown Santo Domingo! Same as first time 7 years ago...I can never find the "right way" across town to get on the Hwy 1 to Santiago....But it was better than the first time driving as I was less stressed out and was not "surprised" by the craziyness of it.

Finally by 4 pm made it to Hwy 1 and Flew up to La Vega. Found the correct exit for Hwy 21 and enjoyed the ride to Mocha. Missed a hard left turn, but a "por favor, donde paso de mocha" got us back on track. Climbed up the mountain, but we were confused by the Brugal signs indicating La Cumbre!!...La Cumbre is on Hwy 25 from Santiago!?!?! well we continued on happy to be making decent time to the coast, hoping to arrive before dark!!

oh also I must add, we were hoping the bridge was ok at Los Brazos, Following the heavy rains it was reported here to be questionable and no info could be gotten in SDQ...we were lucky!! all the damage was being patched and the bridge was OK!

Made it to Cabarete before Dark. Yeah. I am bad, we are bad and DR is Cool.

DRIVING:
Driving is like a video game...keep sharp...it is a NO Sh!t video game. Also - others have said it...Upgrade to the 4WD...You GOTTA HAVE THE GOOD TIRES AND CLEARANCE. This beautiful country is one car swallowing pothole after another!...I am talking Bone crunching axle Fu!$er's!! The only road that is safe for a car without paying close attention is the Toll Road from SDQ to Samana!

CABARETE - 6 days - enjoyed it very much (second time, stayed Villa Taina again!, Still Good). I love this beach and haven't tried kite surfing yet!...Great wave action, good sand, Plenty of long walking available, never too crowded. Beach vendors are slightly more annoying than I remember in the past but still easily told to move on.

Was annoyed by a large number of wandering Hells Angels in Leather Colors Vests...It definitly soured my mood to be in close proximity, but as soon as they were out of my sphere, the DR was full in incharge of my happiness. If they would just go around dressed like human beings not gang members...it would be fine. I can just not relax around Colored up, brute looking gang members...Shame Cabarete is going to have this smudge for quite a while it appears. Sad.

TRIP TO PUERTO PLATA & LA ISABELLA- only made it to Luperon! Drove into PP, hit the Malecon and the Fort and Lighttower. on to Luperon. The Country to Luperon looks so healthy and well maintained. Active Ranches and farms. The little towns seem to be some of the nicest I have seen!

In Luperon, trying to find road to La Isabela...Had a flat...right in front of a Gomera!!! I had parked and didn't even know i had a flat, went into the store and a guy started jacking up the car. Wife went to stop him and he got confused! I return...and thanked the Tire Man! They BackSmithed on the Aluminum Rim as it had hit MANY a DR pothole before...he banged it back into air holding submission for 8$!! Decided it was too late to make La Isabella. Driving back to Cabarete hit a Police Check Point...Shook me down for "dinner money" The loose change in the ash tray sufficed. Probably $2-3. Felt bad for not fighting the shakedown, but we had some open alcohol and felt in a bad position.

Tried Pulpo and Mondogo in a roadside shack east of Cabarete...the intestines were alittle "musky".

TRIP TO SAMANA - Drove to Samana for whale watching...WOW HWY 5 is messed up - gotta have thick sidewall tires - No flats, but despite close attention hit 2-3 bad craters! Daytime shade on overhaning trees can obscure these holes in bright sun! Had Great lunch on East Side of Nagua. Thanks to the folks in this site I asked for AREPITAS DE YUCCA and they had it hidden from view...very nice!

Made it to Samana by 2:30. Found a small 2 Enigine Boat at the Dock for whale watching...negotiated $35 each and hopped on. Big water, got out quite a ways and found a few whales. Later saw one Breaching like a missle 4 times. Crew was a bunch of young guys so they said "good enough" and we headed back. Stayed in the Villa Docia for $25 per night! Clean, hot water, pvt bath, two blocks from the malecon. Went to the Carnival. Were the only "white" people in a group of 300-500! Felt no threat to unwelcomness. Very nice.

TRIP TO ZONA COLONIAL - Drove the Toll Road to Santo Domnigo...!! SO Much better than last time when I wandered through the counttry LOST FOR HOURS! Nice Road...Went to Boca Chica looking for a swimming beach...Only found a bump dirt road with a hundred wood chairs and thatched umbrellas and a small rocky spit of sand....Is this Boca Chica! it was one Beat up Dog?!? I hope I missed something...Onthe West side of the Marina also found abeat up beach...we bagged it and went into the Zone.

ENjoyed all the colonial sites, bought some cigars from a small factory on mercedes. had great Soupa SONCONCHO!!!!WOW what great food...at a small restuarant north of el conde, near the hotel mercury.

Stayed at Hotel Palacio enjoyed the rooftop pool. Negotiated a $88 rate for one night! very reasonable for such a well done botique hotel! Woke up at 5 am. left at 6:05 trying to catch the 7:30 to Miami! Streets empty...superior powers of direction and BIG LUCK got me out of the ZONE onto the Hwy to the airport...BIG LUCK...made the Avis Counter at 6:40.

7am at the counter - too late had to take a later flight...wow...what a trip!