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08-23-2004, 09:58 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,099
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Not a trip report - Punta Rucia
After two years, we eventually found a suitable 4-day weekend and went to Hillbilly's favorite place, Punta Rucia. The opportunity to go came at a moment's notice and bundling a few swim suits and towels in the car, off we went. We did not have our 4 wheel drive vehicle (in for repairs) so, we travelled from Sosua in a little rental skoda through Villa Elisa -and not the Luperon road - and the road is looong! and the Skoda is smaalll - but boy was it worth it. Possibly the best seafood I've had in a long time (Cabarete and Sosua fancy and not so fancy restaurants cannot hold a candle to beer and lobster at Elsa's Comedor in Ensenada bay). OK, we had to battle the gringo factor but whenever we waged fair and brave battle, and waved some permanent residency cards around, and stomped our feet and let fly a couple of choice words, the prices magically dropped a few hundred pesos...
We found a couple of rooms at one of the places down the village - owned by a German - that is why this is not a trip report, I have no idea what his name is, or what the name is of his place, but it has a sign out front advertising boat tours. You'd never know he had a few rooms - very comfortable, very clean (well, the tiles were just a tad grimy) just normal Dominican style with the electrical plugs kinda hanging off the wall and very little toilet paper in the bathroom. You find him by asking for the German who rents rooms when you enter the village. But, he had a planta with sufficient power to give us lights at night and sufficient cold water in the shower. Who needed any more than this - the clean sheets were the cherry on the cake. The beaches are indeed lovely - we relaxed, enjoyed, swam for miles and throughout the weekend had the feeling that the twilight zone was not very far off. My granddaughter loved the beaches that are really bays or inlets, the waters are so calm.
On Sunday, the whole of the Dominican Republic turned up at Ensenada and it looked like Cabarete on a holiday weekend. We met some friends on Sunday and his take on the whole thing was that this bay is so popular because so few Dominicans can actually swim, which was a new one for me. Sunday evening entertainment was interesting. The motoconchos in the town ride down the main drag a few times with the express purpose of getting the street dogs to fight with one another. Once a dogfight is in full swing, a couple of residents appear to cheer on the proceedings.
Dinner on Sunday evening was non-existent, but we did manage to find a restaurant with a big 'for sale' sign out front. They kindly agreed to grill a big fish for the four of us and cut some tomato for salad and piled on some rice for good measure. With lots of beer, this made a meal for a king.
After a last and final swim this morning, we took to the road to drive back, warm, sweaty, still full of sand and in terms of "headspace", totally zoned out.
This little village of Punta Rucia will become a favorite hangout!
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08-23-2004, 11:15 PM
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Gold
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,758
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Did you manage to get up to Estero Hondo?? Beautiful area where the Manatee swim into the lake area & just across the narrow river is a "Robinson Caruso"/"Swiss Family Robinson" type peninsular. GREAT swimming area with the natural coral. We used to 'Tour Guide' the manatee Safari/Ecological tour up there some 11 years ago - GOD, doesn't time fly???? - Grahame.
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08-24-2004, 01:06 AM
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"Believe it!"
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,028
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Shhhhhhh! Chris, you're not supposed to tell everyone about the DR's best-kept secret! Now it will get spoiled.... 
We went to Punta Rucia last year and it was awesome. Glad you found Elsa's -- great seafood at good prices, and the Presidente always bien fria.
Keith, dreaming of Punta Rucia...  |
08-24-2004, 07:03 AM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,099
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by BushBaby
Did you manage to get up to Estero Hondo?? Beautiful area where the Manatee swim into the lake area & just across the narrow river is a "Robinson Caruso"/"Swiss Family Robinson" type peninsular. GREAT swimming area with the natural coral. We used to 'Tour Guide' the manatee Safari/Ecological tour up there some 11 years ago - GOD, doesn't time fly???? - Grahame.
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Yes we did - indeed a wonderful area and so unspoilt. Our friend who came through for the day on Sunday showed us around the area as he knows it well. Was it not Robinson Cruso? Or did I read this book in another language..? I thought Caruso was a baritone singer? Anyway, my head is still spaced out.
Last edited by Chris; 08-24-2004 at 07:09 AM.
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08-24-2004, 07:08 AM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,099
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Keith R
Shhhhhhh! Chris, you're not supposed to tell everyone about the DR's best-kept secret! Now it will get spoiled....
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I was amazed at the number of busses that rolled in on Sunday morning. So, I think the secret is out. Mostly AI's putting their guests on a tour and on returning, hustling them back onto the bus, not spending one blue penny in the town.
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08-24-2004, 07:55 AM
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Silver
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 293
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Is there a rubbish problem or not?
Chris,
Can you tell us what your experience was at Punta Rucia concerning Simon and Nicky's thread posted as:
Rubbish on the beaches |
08-24-2004, 10:17 AM
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"Believe it!"
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,028
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by newuser
Chris,
Can you tell us what your experience was at Punta Rucia concerning Simon and Nicky's thread posted as:
Rubbish on the beaches |
Newuser, there is definitely a trash problem there! I have the pictures to prove it! My work involves waste issues, so I tend to take pictures of waste problems wherever I see them in my travels, to use in my presentations and on my website. Sadly, I had lots of pictures to take at Punta Rucia around the public beach (near those shacks selling the delicious seafood). The trash I saw was entirely caused by Dominicans -- didn't spot a foreign tourist anywhere (besides me, and I never litter).
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08-24-2004, 10:23 AM
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Gold
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Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 786
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Hey, I didn't know about this place! Exactly where is it? And can you really see manatees? Sounds really special!
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08-24-2004, 10:33 AM
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DR1
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Join Date: Jan 1999
Posts: 9,129
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This makes me sick and most Dominicans "should be" disgusted.
Unfortunately, it's only the very few that have any concept of waste disposal or the environment.
The one thing that will guarantee their economic survival is tourism and great beaches, yet they do their best to screw it up and trash them.
I have seen people almost beg forgivemess after being caught by others around them leaving a plastic cup on a beach in Cairnes (Australia).
I guess this should be best said in another forum, sorry!
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08-24-2004, 11:00 AM
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Silver
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 288
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It is so sad that we dominicans will not take responsability, last time i was there in Punta Rucia i brought a bunch of plastic bag with me and everytime i saw a group of people either talking or playing dominoes i will give them two or three bags with a big smile on me so they will not feel offended.
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