Las Galeras - March 2006
Great trip to Las Galeras March 2006! We have been traveling to Las Galeras about every six months for the past several years. Highlights of our trip….
Updates: Playa Rincon…. When we were at Playa Rincon in Sept 2005, there seemed to be a lot of tension with the 12 plus security guards and the fish shack locals. Lots of activities with surveyors and developers. In March 2006, the Fish Shack was all quite and back to normal. From our understanding, the locals have been paid and will be able to stay at the Rio Frio / Playa Rincon until the “Exclusive Resorts” are developed. We enjoyed a delicious fish lunch with Rosie Bahia of Bahia Principe from Spain. She was traveling with her husband, a business associate from Spain, and Samana Developer Juan Mestre of Asinter. Rosie told us she owns major hotels including the Gran Bahia plus two new hotels in Samana, hotels in Cancun, hotels in Spain and is an investor in Punta Cana. Very lovely lady. She took pride in explaining the future plans for Playa Rincon. She seemed to be speaking from an associates point of view and not as an investor…. She invited us to stay with her in her home in Spain the next time we were there! Since the fish shack locals knew us, they served us first, and unbeknownst to us at the time, presented us with the best fish. Rosie and her associates laughed till they cried. Who were we? Only friends….. You have to love the Dominican Republic!
Los Haitises Excursion: We paid $58 US / person for an all day excursion (8:30 to 4:00) from Las Galeras to Los Haitises. Our excursion tour guide of Yailin Tours Operador of Las Galeras spoke Spanish, English, French, and Italian during our excursion. There were 24 of us in a 26 passenger boat with two 150 horse-power mercurys. Ages ranged from 3 years old to 75 plus! We traveled in 2 nice Taxi’s from Las Galeras to a boat landing outside of Samana. The trip across Samana Bay took a little over 40 minutes and then we entered the most magical part of the DR I have ever experienced. It was like Jurassic Park to the max (of course without the Dino’s!). The reefs, cays, islands, and rock outcrops were amazing. I now know where all the birds are; This is their heaven! We toured caves with numerous petroglyphs and many inland waterways full of mangroves. I cannot even begin to give this report justice of what we experienced! The tour operators provided life jackets, rain gear, snacks about once an hour, plus a late lunch at a private pier (Fitolo‘s Tours & Marina). This is definitely a must-do!
Travel: Las Americas airport Santo Domingo taxi to Hotel Europa $20 US, Hotel Europa $66 US / night includes Breakfast, Taxi to Caribe Tours - 200 pesos, Caribe Tours from Santo Domingo to Samana 230 pesos per person, Taxi from Samana to Las Galeras $25 US. (I never really know if we are getting the best travel prices, but I always strongly discuss the dollars or pesos involved!)
In Las Galeras we stayed at Hotel Moorea - $40 US / night, add full Breakfast for $5 US. Young French couple Cerro and Diane were great hosts. Check out their web site. We have always tried to stay at different inns throughout the years and have previously enjoyed El Marinique, Plaza Lusitania, plus numerous bungalows.
La Vanda McCool
|
(10)
