I just got back from a 4 day, 3 night jaunt to the North Coast...
Had a splendid time indeed. I flew in non-stop from Atlanta on Delta Airlines was was suppose to rendevous with a friend there but he ended up getting sick in Santo Domingo so I was traveling solo. Did'nt view the solo travel as much of a problem because this was my 4th trip to The DR and with it being Labour Day weekend I had a few ladies friends headed up there for the holiday weekend from Santiago and Santo Domingo. Could've used a wingman for their friends they had with them but I worked it on out!
I made reservation with Marco (Rocky on DR1.com) for his condos at the tradewinds and he gladly picked me up on time from La Union POP Airport. I got in and out of customs quickly (Can't beat 1st class travel arrangements) oaid the $10 tourist fee card, picked up my light luggage and headed out the airport and Marco was waiting thewre curbside. Loaded the luggage into the vehicle and off we go...another beautiful day on the North Coast, ocean breeze, sun shining and not a cloud in the sky!
My previous North Coast trip I stayed in Cabarete and besides the side trip to POP did'nt see much else, I thought it was kind of far from everything else. So since I was going to be traveling to Confresi(Her family has a beach house there) to see my friend from SD and to Playa Dorada to see my friend from Santiago (who was staying at the resort there with her friends) I figured Sosua would be a good midway spot with a decent beach and nightlife to hang out in-between time when I would'nt be occupied with my girlfriends.
Me and Marco had a spirited talk on the way to the Condos where I would would spend the majority of my stay. The condos were decent, $40 per night located at the Tradewinds development in Sosua located a decent walk out/moto ride outside of the main Sosua area. I would've preferred to actually stay on the beach(Like my last time on the north coast at nanny estaes) or a little closer to the main Sosua area but It was ok by my standards. My girl from STI came thru with her friend soon after I did a little exploring. Marco was kind enough to give her directions from her primas casa en POP when I was kickin back with him having a presidente at his restaurant (Good Times) while he gave me some info on his time on the north coast.
After exploring the town a bit on foot I walked back to my condo and walla! My girl & her friend were there waiting at the condo at my doorstep dressed to the NINES at the exact time I told Marco to tell them to be there!!!
I packed some JWB, Dewars & Amaretto in my bad and had just went to the playero super market for 12 presidentes and some appetizers to kick back to in the condo and catch up on old times. It was a great reunion and we drank well into the evening(again wish my buddy was there to get her friend because after 3-4 drinks we were already ready for the evening session!). But I digress... Well around 9pm we decide to head to Cabarete for some nightlife and eats. So we go to one of those beach bars and kick back at a table on the beach, it was a wonderful night, good food too. Just cant remember the name of the place! We dined on a speciality pizza and a thai noodle dish washed down with presidente and Dewars (I like to keep it consistent). We danced until our hearts were content and at 2am rolled out of there and went back to the condo with enought in the tank for a nice love session 1 year in the making! (Marco, thank you for the condo and that lil living room/kitchen in the front
, it made perfect sleeping arrangements for her friend!).
Woke up Saturday morning early, said our goodbye' in the meantime because she had to go meet up with her family who happened to be coming today to the resort and we would hang out later(Sunday). So I start my day off early, going to meet my other friend in Confresi (West of POP) for a day at the beach house and drinking and fun with her friends. So I hop out on the main road and hail a motoconcho..."To Confresi my friend".
I know you guys are thinking I'm crazy for attempting to ride a moto to confresi, after I passed the airport from Sosua I realize this is going to be a looonng asss ride. So soon after I pass Playa Dorada as I'm riding I see a AVIS Rental Car on the right hand side. I tell the moto guy to stop and drop me off here. I'm tired of shared rides and motos and figure since I'm only here for a short term IT would be worth it to rent a car and by golly it was!!! I rent the car quickly (I have a Avis %15 discount so it worked out well) and off I go with the wind beneath me, fresh air as I head thru POP and then to Confresi in no time. The roads were pretty bad in some parts of POP but it was pretty simple to navigate, I just figured to stay close to the sea as possible and I should run into Confresi.
So I called my girl and she told me to meet her at the entrance of Ocean World. So I finally made it after walking, moto then renting a car! I kicked it with her and her buddies the all afternoon. I love to get different aspects of Dominican culture, whether it's people, activities or music. These girls are all in the dentistry school at UASD, all speak english and all come from good families in SD, have been to the US several times(My chicks Dad happends to be the ambassador to a country for the DR). So that gives you the level of woman I'm dealing with here. It was very interesting talking with them about life here and their plans for the future. So as we layed out on the beach listening to music, drinking and eating I learned alot about them and their daily lives. Too much to really go into here but It was interesting to say the least. One funny thing I mentioned to them was on their Identifications it has their actual color, I thought that was very funny because here in the states that would never happen! One chick was identified as mestizo the other as indio and the other as morena. But here in the states they would all be considered African-American. Interesting....But anyway they were going to a disco at Playa Dorada later on and wanted me to come because they know the owner of the Casino(Or the guy who runs it) and basically they hang out with him so I'm invited if I want to come. I happily obliged but after all that high-class kickin it I was thirsty for a taste of the real deal DR nightlife, to get an experience I can't get here in the states. I go to the best clubs in Los Angeles, Miami, NYC and Atlanta so to me a club anywhere in the DR is not as nice. So I wanted that unique experience that I could onyl get in the DR for the night. So I packed my stuff up and bid adeiu to the ladies and headed back to Sosua so I would'nt be too late getting back.
Now that I have a car I was really rolling. I was driving back from Confresi and stopped at a Texaco Station & it was hilarious! People were drinking brahma and presidente in the gas station. Blasting merengue and bachata and just having a good time. I decided to stop thru and grab a presidente myself and fellowship with the local dominicans. What a great experience! Brahma is running a 3x100 speical for the Grandes so I had those and chilled for about 1hour shared some and hit the road. I wish I had a picture I can show u guys but on a holiday evening/weekend you know what i'm talking about. Driving thru POP and this guy on a moto can tell I'm in a rental car (Not too many people in shiny red cars driving around POP) and he drives up on me and ask me if I want to see some girls. I laugh and say hey why not, I was'nt gogn to buy anything but It would be worth the experience to check it out for a few laughts.. So we stop at this place called Cristals near the ocean side blvd. He walked me in, and these FUGLY chicks just bumrush me...lol. Mind you I'm 27 y/o, 6'0, 190, athletic built, and look dominican. An assortment of American, Canadian and European guys were all huddled around the bar with these nasty lookin beasts...lol. Then the tout(who brought me in there) brings this "thing" he calls Beyonce to me, I was just looking like wow, If Beyonce was here she would slap the hella out of you! Then the dude brings me 2 drinks(that I did'nt ask for). And I'm ready to go. I knew this place was in the business of rippin off people but hey, I wanted to check it out and I got ripped off. I think the dude charged me 550 pesos for 2 water-downed drinks that I did'nt order! CHARGE IT TO THE GAME. I was out of there and back on the road... to Sosua.
Since I was driving I figured I was in prime position to pick up chicks on the way to Sosua who made need a ride and have some nice conversation and you never know what else right? So as I was driving I ran into this fine chick who was headed my way so I told her to hop on in. I'm a spur of the moment type of guy so we soon passed the Two Large Tipico Rest/Bars on the road in between the airport and Playa Dorada. I forgot the name of them but I'm sure someone on this board knows what I'm talking about. Anyway we stopped thru the older one past the newer looking one and they had this band playing which was coo. This is what I was trying to find, THE-NON-TOURISTS spots where you can have a cold Presidente at local-prices. We sat at a able and just talked and listened to music then after a few shots of brugal and some bachata dancing we were back on the road headed to my place in Sosua for some fun! To be continued...
Thoughts if any are appreciated... I wanted this trip to be a little different so I could mix In the tourists spots with locals spots. I'm the type of guy who can hang in the barrios of the DR as well as what you would consider hi-class locales because I'm diverse in my upbringing and can appreciate all that those atmospheres have to offer! More to come...buckle up!
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POP/Confresi - Cabarete & All points in between Part I
