*need* to bring?

helenb · #1 05-17-2007, 05:19 PM

I am going on my very first dominican vacation * without kids* might i add. all we are planning on doing is relaxing, drinking and maybe walking around the nearest town. this is for my dh and i's 10th anniversary and we have never been anywhere without kids, no honeymoon what have you. we are going to HV btw. what do i absolutely NEED to bring with me? no ifs ands or buts about it?

Chris · #2 05-17-2007, 05:23 PM

Mosquito repellent with deet, sun screen with highest spf that you can find, clothes and swim suit, personal stuff, passport, ticket, money and credit cards!

With such a light travel bag, add in some school supplies to drop off at a charity of your choice.

Enjoy!

jrzyguy · #3 05-17-2007, 05:58 PM

indeed...keep the bug spray near your bed at night!!! I also bring my own clock...i have noticed that most hotels in DR dont include a clock in the room! not that i live by any sort of real schedule when on holiday..but its nice to know if it 7am or 1pm.

Moisturizer as well as the sun screen. A good book for the beach, Perhaps a deck of cards for the evening. I also bring lots of the sample size lotions and shampoos and stuff for the maids.

I also bring clothes for my friends and toys for their kids.

Snorkle and Mask...so you dont have to ask on the beach or your hotel. Swimming shoes for some of the rocky swimming spots. Maalox (just in case), some advil PM, bacetracian cream as well as cortizone cream...perhaps a jar of aloe vera. Talcum powder (it is very humid and private areas can get kind of tender after long walks).

and most importantly...the past few trips i have taken my own big fluffy pillow with me! I swear..this has helped me get a good nights sleep as the pillows at even some of the better places are rather flimsy.

I usualy pack along some bandaids as well....as my sandles always give me blisters.

IF you plan on spending any time in either Santo Domingo or Santiago, bring one pair of long pants and dress shoes.

and of course a camera...as well as my regular digi camera...i always buy one of those disposable water proof cameras.

well...that is what i can come up with off the top of my head. I guess it all depends what you are planning on doing for activities.

OH!!! i also bring bags of individual candies. Rather than give a kid a couple of pesos on the street or beach...i reach in and give them a treat...and they are very happy.

Chris · #4 05-17-2007, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

OH!!! i also bring bags of individual candies. Rather than give a kid a couple of pesos on the street or beach...i reach in and give them a treat...and they are very happy.

Correction, please buy the kids a fruit from the fruit stand. Many of the street kids have no dental care. Please don't give them candies.

Sorry jrzyguy - mother and grandmother speaking!

jrzyguy · #5 05-17-2007, 07:34 PM

i KNEW i was gonna get slapped for that one! but for real. I cant imagine the kids are gobbling up candy all day long...so i dont think a small piece of candy is going to ruin their teeth.

also..if i buy a complete breakfast....i usualy only eat half of it (and am quite full)..and then usualy let a kid finish off my plate...and i leave them some of the good stuff...not just the potatoes. Same thing when i buy a fruit plate on the beach.

I am not also sure if it is correct to bring toys for my friends kids (rather than clothes...i try to bring both)...but the kids are pretty well dressed...so i like to bring something that the family normaly wouldnt buy them.

sanjohn · #6 05-17-2007, 09:58 PM

If you go onto the www.debbiesdominicantravel.com site, there is some good information under "what-to-expect". I would also include immodium, an umbrella (when it rains, it rains!), and certainly all personal toiletries including all your suntan lotions (things are very expensive to purchase in the DR) . . . .

Hillbilly · #7 05-17-2007, 10:05 PM

I am going to suggest you bring a good pair of real CROCS. No kidding! they are outstandingly great. They are better than flipflops, never cause blisters, can be worn with socks like shoes.
And maybe one pair of long pants, a short sleeved collared shirt, for the guy and a nice skirt, sexy top and shoes for the lady. For that special night out at a nice restaurant..

I cannot emphasize enough the need for good bug repellant and sun screen/block. I found some spf 60 at a Wal Mart and later found a 70.

I play golf and normally use 50, and I have a "golfer's tan" (akin to a farmer's tan but more expensive to get and keep--hehe)

Sure you want to prove you've been to the tropics, but a bad burn can ruin it, and wrinkles note even Oil of Olay can help are not nice at 30+...

HB

Chichiguita · #8 05-17-2007, 11:05 PM

I’m so excited for you!
If you are going to hike or be in nature much (you won't be sorry) , you will probably encounter these little “blood sucker bugs" (not to throw around the technical jargon

). They leave nasty little itchy welts with a tiny red dot in the middle. They are no fun to have—plus they look kind of nasty. The only thing I have found to work for these is some form of oil. Skin-so-soft, by Avon works well, but is a little expensive. I have used baby oil and even suntan oil and have had great results. These little guys don’t seem to care if you have bug spray, but the oil suffocates them—you may have little tiny bug carcasses on your legs (yummy), but at least those wash off—the little blood sucker welts will be with you for weeks.
I know you will LOVE the country and the culture. It is the most beautiful place with the best people ever. Have the time of your life!

Chichiguita · #9 05-17-2007, 11:08 PM

Has anyone else encountered these little blood suckers? I haven't read anything from others, but--man--every time I go they feast on me! I am usually up in the mountains though--not so much in the beaches. Just wondering.

jrzyguy · #10 05-18-2007, 01:02 AM

i am not sure if they are the same blood suckers that i have encountered. But i must say...every time i go to DR...my ankles and elbows and fingers itch like crazy for the first couple of days. Usualy a late night shower with a cream mixture of regular body cream mixed with the aforementioned bacetracion and cortizone and maybe a little aloe does the trick.

after 2 days the itchies go away. Not sure if it is something in the water...or just the skeeter getting me at night.