Dominican Trip Report March 2007
As I promised Rick Snyder a trip report and as the members of DR1 were so very helpful in preparing me for my first trip to that country I have therefore compiled the following trip report of our adventurous tour in the Dominican Republic.
One year ago I thought that the Dominican Republic is as far as the Moon but Thomas Cook made it possible for us. Today I have an experience of a 10 hour flight and of a wonderful country. I really enjoyed both, though the country is much more interesting.
Punta Cana: It took only few minutes for us to get used to the blinding sun light and the vaporous air. We got to the airport where a huge van provided a pleasent refreshment. Passport controll is quick, tourist card is compulsory - 1. step - to buy; 2. give to a person who stamp it; 3. give to another one who goes through - I did not understand what it is for - nevertheless, workplace for people.
As we got out of the airport we set off our backpack tour to find out the unknown. After walking around 300m on the road, we were told to wait for the SITRABAPU (local bus) which runs frequently to Higuey (65 peso/person). We told the cobrador (collects money) that we wanted to go to El Seibo, in Higuey they took us to the bus, we only had to transfer.
We had chosen this city,
El Seibo, because of Rick Snyder, a "gem on the internet". I found him here on DR1 forum. He gave us useful tips before our journey, we wanted to meet him, to know him. He was unbelievably generous and helpful with us, unknown people. Meeting him only reassured me that there are some really warm hearted people in our rigid world who are warm hearted and like to help others with their kindness and hospitality. It was dark when we arrived in El Seibo, Rick was waiting for us and arranged everything we needed for one night. He met us on his motorcycle and with the use of 2 motoconchos he escorted us to a hotel where we checked in then we all went to a local restaurant to eat. Thank you Rick, thousands of thanks for your hospitality, kindness, generous help and useful advices. We enclosed you in our hearts and if ever we go back , we shall definitely visit you again. By the end of the first day we were already full of surprises and very good impression about the country. The next day Rick came to the hotel and directed us to the bus stop for our next leg of the trip which was to Hato Mayor and Sabana de la Mar.
Sabana de la Mar, from here is accessible the
Los Haities Natural Park. Our guide book says it's a miracle, unfortunately we could not go there. We were bargaining but not enough, as it was our second day, we could not afford going there.
The ferry (120 peso) took us to Samana, from there we went toward to the NE coast of the peninsula by gua-gua bus (60 peso) to
Las Galeras: a tranquil place, not too many tourists. We stayed at Hotel Gri Gri (700 peso/night), in the centre of the village. Good accommodation, we liked it. On the basement they have a restaurant. There are many restaurants in the nearby. We have choosen "Panaderia Catalana", it was clean and the cheapest one, not a huge variety but good food. Car, bicycle, motocycle can be rented nearby.
The most popular vehicle is the moto, they say motoconcho. Their drivers are waiting in groups for tourists/locals. usually it costs 20 peso a carriage within village, but they undertake longer tours. We went by motoconcho to Playa El Rincon, it was not too comfortable but the view was worth it.
Playa El Rincon, the untouched beauty of nature, long beach, white sand, turquoise water, you are likely to find another soul as you walk its length. There is a little river with mangrove trees on its side- not to miss out if you go there!!!! There is a "comedor", fresh fish is served and "pana coco" a kind of milk-loaf made of coconut – very tasty!!
Boca del Diabolo, I do not really know why is called like this, however the sound of the tides crushing against the huge rocks then breaking out of its holes really produces a frightening sound.
From here is the way to
Playa Fronton, the other beautiful remote beach, we walked through the jungle, for 50 minutes, two of us. I had the feeling that suddenly coloured indigenous, known from films will appear and takes us to the chieftain
: . Fortunately there was only one path, we could not dismiss and met no people. Tehere was hot and we were in hurry - it was really adventurous, looking back, but at that moment it was scary! Although we like the undisturbed nature and off-road tourist places, this stretch was a little bit too lonely. But it was worth it to go there as well!
There are many beaches on the Samana peninsula, if once I can go back, I will go again to the penninsula. We found one of the nicest place in the world!
From Samana we went to Cabarete. Between Cabarete and Sosua there is the
Perla Marina real estate and there is the
Secret Garden, the little PARADISE
It was wery hard to leave but the rain drove us away to the south side of the country.
Our guide book says that there is a beautiful beach on Caribbean Sea side,
Playa Palenque, we went there and found a slatternly, unfriendly village/people, with one hotel "Palenque", lifeless and gave same impression. We had no choise, slept there and early morning at 6 o'clock were staying on the street waiting for the first bus escape from there.
Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo compensated us for the previous day. It is wonderful. However there were many people, the ambience of the quarter, the traditional buildings gave us a glimpse into the history of Dominican Republic and filled our hearts with lovely feelings. We spent the whole day there walking around, meeting nice youngsters.
Bayahibe - a tranquil seaside village our next target was to the Carribean Sea.
From Santo Domingo we went to La Romana by Carribean bus (runs frequently) to La Romana, from there by gua-gua bus to Bayahibe. We stayed there for the rest of the week. .Many accomodations can be found in the village.
Bayahibe sits on the very northwest edge of expansive Parque Nacional del Este. The national park maintains a maze of forests, trails, caves and cliffs. Thousands of tourist from all-inclusive hotels arrive daily in Bayahibe and taken with ships to the national park, to Isla Saona.
The two week went so quickly we returned with batteries re-charged by the landscape's beauty and people's kindness recall us.
I suggest everybody to visit Dominican Republic. It seems that there is big poverty, maybe not just seems but there is! Despite lot of Dominicans living a very simple life, they are always smiling, enjoying music and they make you realize that this life is worth living.
You can find very useful writings on the forum. Mine is not a detailed report, is not a report it's like a tale, but this tale really happend to me, and I will always cherish in my memory. Now I am awake and longing to go back!!!
Our photos taken there:
Dominican Republic - The Paradise - photos of sightseeing in Dominican Republic on Worldisround
Elka&Heckye
(10)
Dominican Trip Report, March 2007
Hope he is ok! 
