No, No, No, No!! I'm not ready to go yet!

March 2007 - (DR Trip, part IV: the final chapter)

What?!  ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT :(

Well we made it back!  Sometime after 4 in the morning I said good night to my dear friend Stephanie and I strolled back to my room (after that crazy "Mangu" club experience).  My sleeping roommates were both light sleepers (how unfortunate). And although I tried to exercise consideration, let's be honest, I was likely very much like a bull in a china shop trying to get ready for bed.  Having just gotten settled, only three hours thereafter, Quinn and Terri were up and ready to start the day.  Not wanting to miss out, I too made my way to breakfast.  Besides, I am the queen of naps. Just had to get to the beach ;)

Today would be the Newfoundlander's last full day with us.  Early morning exchanges of email, led to making plans for the evening disco.  Both Stephanie and I had started our day rather rough (hers definitely far worse, after receiving some sad news from home) and although we had talked so bravely last night about leaving the resort today to explore, we had obviously come to our sense's with the return of the sun this morning, phew. After a few more interactions, we were eventually on the sand being taken care of by Thomas.

This day was a slower pace than those previous, us taking time for hydration and additional naps. Just before the daily rain, two of us took the short jaunt to Playa Dorada's shopping centre.  I was on the hunt for an oil painting, a few small trinkets for the fam and hoping to mail a couple of postcards. The paintings were vibrant (such colour), the canvas had texture and I couldn't look at them without feeling I was right here, in the DR, on vacation.  In the end, all things were accomplished and as for those paintings, I couldn't settle on one, so I purchased three  ;) 

The day led to evening, which meant dinner first followed by dancing.  Tonight's menu choices were Mexican dishes and although resorts are mostly cautious when it comes to spices in their food, my palate got a jolt this evening.  The lesson here is to read the cards in front of the food, or ask questions.  And for future reference, the red sauce along side the nacho bar likely  ISN'T salsa ... you've been warned :P my lips were nearly burnt off even before the nachos touched my lips and please don't get me started on my swollen taste buds lol.  'Holy, Hot Sauce'...I guess so!!

Almost immediately after dinner, we strolled down the coral lit pathway toward the beach.  The sound of disco music filling the night air put a smile to our faces.  Once inside it wasn't difficult to find the Newfie Girls, not only could you identify Tracey's laugh, but their table was absolutely packed.  Enjoyed a few cerveza's, a couple twirls around the dance floor, posed for a few pics and that was that.  Stephanie and I reminisced of our time together this week for only a minute. Tanya reminded me again that I should come to Newfoundland (NL) in August during their festival. We all promised we'd stay in touch.  And long before the music ended, we NB girls made our way back to our room (with a happy, yet heavy heart...'will I see them again'? I'd hoped so, but you always wonder).

It was during this period that we said good-bye to Cruz and his family, Cathy and Tony (also from Newfoundland) and a few of the disco staff (just in case we didn't make it back down tomorrow night).

AMIGAS...we go home tomorrow :(

Early to bed, early to rise.  ;)  We had lots to do today, but it was so relaxing to just stay in bed and stare out the patio doors at the blue sky, blocked partly by palm trees, listening to the symphony of tropical song birds.  *Stretch* *Yawn* ... vacations are wonderful :)  Well, enough of that lol, let's get up!  We needed every spare minute we could get for our last full day in Puerto Plata.

Breakfast first, followed by a final stroll up the beach.  The beach here is lined with resort fronts, every area assigned to a specific group of vacationers.  Some parts sandy, some wavy, some filled with coral ... but all of them had people offering things to sell you.  "Looky, looky for free" "I can make you fly" "banana boat rides".  But the most notable question of the day was "swim with me?"  My best guess is that it was like some dating challenge and the question was to be asked by every local boy to every vacationing girl.  My 2nd best guess is that almost every girl said "yes" and agreed on a time to swim to be able to walk away from the conversation, only to not show up later ("to swim" ... I'm still not sure what that meant, not exactly, but I have ideas lol).

Our beach time always included a "hello" to Thomas, today was no exception.  The time now 10:30 am, the sun shining full and the temperature feeling hot, hot, hot (and I had acquired 3 swim dates for the afternoon during our short walk hahah).  Thomas was prepared to find us chairs and get us settled, but with apologies, we would have to return a bit later.  Oddly, someone had taken our usual beach location.  That's weird.  We'd sat in the same spot since arrival and now two guys from Norway had acquired our space.  No hard feelings, it's all still beach, just very peculiar that these pretty boy's would want our spot (-noted).

We were collectively back on the beach within the hour.  Thomas was excited to see our return and immediately took our bubba kegs to get filled with Banana Mama.  What a spectacular place.  Our afternoon consisted of swimming, napping, applying sunscreen, saying good-bye to our new vendor friends, trading and bartering as much stuff as we could and getting to know those two guys from Norway.  Since their arrival we had nicknamed them, considered them 'eye candy' and thought for sure that they were vacationing in our Privado section "together". 

Just the same every afternoon, the skies opened up and the pelting rain drops drove us from the beach.  Stopping to visit Noroberto for a few cerveza's in our Privado section before realizing that the clouds were still there but the falling water had ceased.   Nothing like an opportunity :)  Before any one of the three of us could even think about it, we dashed for the huge swim up bar ... this being the last day here and not having experienced it yet, there was no time like the present.

It really is exactly as it sounds. You get in the pool via a ladder.  You swim, walk, paddle, float your way across to the other side. Once there, a bartender in a bar with a thatched roof awaits your arrival.  You take a seat on the concrete stools that are just slightly under water and you order your beverage.

 

You sit, you order another. You meet other people doing the same.  You realize that your smokes are on shore, 'no problem,' the bartender has smokes and lighters right there for you.  This allows you to sit and order yet another, all the while meeting some very fascinating people. 

Ramon and Evelyn were our bartenders this afternoon.  He wasn't married but lived with 6 brothers in a shared house.  Evelyn was married with four kids.  They were working on their English and seemed to enjoy our company (and my pathetic attempt to speak Spanish with them lol).  We then met Janese.  She was from New York City.  She was vacationing with her two kids and I must say that I remember every detail about this glamour gal.  After sharing many laughs, stories and invites, we girlies decided to get out of the pool and find some eats.  I loved the swim up bar.  I still continue to look for those when I'm planning to stay at an all inclusive resort.

Noroberto left the buffet out for our return (he was absolutely the sweetest).  A little lunch, a little H2O and we decided that since we were already in our swimwear we might as well continue in the jet pool of the privado Royal Club section.  HA. Funny.  The Norwegians also shared the same idea (coincidentally).  It's here that we learned that they weren't a couple ;) oops.  And they shared their strategy with us from the beach earlier today.  Seems the taking of our beach location was on purpose so that they could meet us. Brilliant.  And when we turned and left the beach after our brief stop to talk with Thomas, they thought for sure they'd ruined things. They were as pleased as Thomas was when we returned.  Tricksters.  And only because I'll never spell their names right, they're pronounced:  "Drawg-oover and Bure-ta"  We named them "Dawg and Robert".  What a fun time in that pool. The rain returned, sheets of it, didn't even notice. 

We swam there until 7 or so.  Quinn and I only paused briefly to visit our Air Transat representative, Nicole.  She had the details on how we were suppose to proceed with departure tomorrow.  Funny how both of us wished we'd taken notes during this visit...it'd been a long day hehehe.  We left the pool with dinner plans to meet up with Dawg and Robert in the Italian place for 9pm but we girlies had some very last minute shopping to do first.

Our souvenir excursion had left us a little late for dinner.  Better late than never, we arrived to find our dinner guests had somehow been seated in the luxury white leather corner VIP table.  Hmmm...maybe Dawg wasn't telling stories when he boasted of his financial prowess?!  I thought him telling me was a very unlikely vacationing fish story...but the extravagant seating, specialized menu and private servers suggested that maybe he was who he said.  Regardless of who's who (they weren't gay and he was rich...okay, whatever! still doesn't change how I feel about them, they were awesome people), we had an absolutely amazing time at dinner.  Laughed so hard several times that I nearly wet my pants (for those of you who know me, you know that I'm not kidding). And when we concluded dinner, it only seemed fitting that the good times not end there.

Plans to attend the disco were put on hold long enough to make a pit stop at our room.  Last minute packing while enjoying the moment with a few beverages, just couldn't believe that this was our last night here.  Before we ever made it to the disco, Dawg had to call it a night (bad stomach...I had hoped it wasn't from dinner).  Robert stayed while we packed up the rest of room and we never did get to the disco.  What a completely random last day adventure.  :)  So incredibly fun. 

Our night ended when the largest flying cockroach-like bug flew onto our patio and landed on Terri's chest.  At first I was like "what necklace is that" ... AHHH GROSS.  It was a bug.  A large round bug, landed and stuck center chest, at the end of her collar bones.  A few shrilling screams combined with flailing arms and we were inside with the bug safely locked on the outside in seconds.  Robert used that as his exit and within minutes we girlies were in search of the sandman.  Good night Ladies.



Noroberto



Of all days you might oversleep, it's Murphy's Law that it'll be the last day, especially when you have an early morning departure.  Thanks to the birds we weren't super late, but definitely running behind.  Showers, luggage, breakfast and at 8:15 am "beep beep" had rolled up to the gate with our golf cart taxi to take us to the lobby to meet our shuttle for the airport.  We had hoped to see the boys from Norway this morning to exchange emails but we couldn't wait any longer.  After a very heartfelt good-bye to Noroberto, it was time to go. The closer I got to the gate, the more I could feel my heart breaking.  And I wasn't so far away that I couldn't hear Noroberto's "aye yi yi yi" from the distance (put a smile to my face). 

What incredible staff working this Royal Club section.  Sylvie, Valentine and especially Noroberto...thank you.

Valentine

Sylvie

Before 9 am we were seated on the shuttle bus heading to the airport.  Edgardo was our departing guide.  He spoke to us in very broken English, with a very serious tone but he was so very genuine.  His speech included an invite to come live with him at his house, a request to bring some snow the next time we come and for us to be assured that we are all leaving 50% Dominican from our time here. 

The airport was fast, efficient and our flights left on time.  As we started down the runway, my eyes filled up.  Before we were even off the ground I was sobbing.  I was happy to be heading home to my real life & routine and excited to see my family & friends.  But so very sad to be leaving all these wonderful people of whom we had just shared a week of our lives.  "What if I never see them again"?!  It was in this moment that I was reminded to appreciate any time we get with any person, for however long it may be and to be thankful for the experience.  That's a lot to swallow in a few minutes let me tell ya, and it sure didn't stop the tears from streaming down my face.

A few Must Shares

• Heavy rain can cause litter to flow easily into the same waters you're swimming in, yuck!
• Tiles are slippery when wet.
• One should never eat foreign hotdogs.
• If there's a guest at your resort who runs up and down the beach that looks, sings and acts like William Hung from American Idol ... maybe it is!
• Just because two people appear to be 'together' ... it's best not to assume.
• The expression "no problem" should be used by everyone, vacationing or not, to create a more relaxing, calm world.

Something Nicole (the Air Transat Rep) had said during the final session with her has never been forgotten.  She looked at me with all sincerity and said "I've seen your kind before Heidi, without a doubt you'll be back. Maybe not right here, but you have a desire for people and culture, I can see it in your eyes and your smile."  I wasn't even on the plane to leave and I knew it too...

Thanks for coming to the DR with us.  Keep your bags packed, we'll leave again for the next adventure very soon.  Suppose we’ll ever get back to the Dominican?  To quote from my journal:  "I hope to someday go back.  I hope to see at least some of the wonderful people we met during this trip ... and if not, I want them to know that I am so lucky to have met them! xoxo"

The results from the Weekly Survey Question:  do you keep in touch with the people you meet while on vacation?

67% of you said that you at least try

33% wish that you would

But before we reunite with the Girlies from Newfoundland, I'd like to take the next post entitled "Honey, we're home!" to tell you about the East Coast of Canada.   All too often we get busy playing "tourist" in all these wonderful places we're so lucky to visit, that we forget that we have great things, shared with great people on the go, right here.  And speaking of keeping in touch, I really do try hard.  If someone reading this knows Dawg and Robert from Norway, tell them I'm still sorry I didn't get their emails before we left that day and thank them from the three of us, for the awesome memories.

Share your comments, your stories, your travel advice etc. in the section below (comments or reaction section) and give your answer to the weekly survey (top right of the blog page).  No sign up necessary, just a simple click :)  A little shy?!  Why not send me an email instead: holidayheidi@hotmail.ca.

~Holiday Heidi

Puerto Plata: beyond the gates of Playa Dorada (and so much more)

March 2007 - (DR - part III)

THE RESORT

Okay, let's go dancing?!  You could spend part of your day learning to do this for free! They had merengue lessons for an hour and then you could put your skill to the test each night at the disco.  What was awesome about the disco at this resort, was that it was right on the beach with a cool ocean breeze waving over the crowd every few minutes (armed guards made sure that people didn't come in or out, and after the initial shock of seeing them there, you don't really think about it again).  After missing the first few nights partying, we finally ventured there.  And guess who we ran into, hehe?! Of course the Girlies from Newfoundland. 

 

What a time we had.  I mean, how could you go wrong with Bruce Springsteen's "Summer of '69" and Madonna's "Like a Virgin" playing on repeat and only interrupted by joyous Latin tunes?  The combination of the music, the open bar, the staff getting the guests involved and the 'we're on vacation" realization by everyone present, generated quite a party!!  Here's where I learned that I am NOT a dancer (A free style sort, yeah sure, maybe? But definitely not when there's steps and counting...yikes).  Watching Terri and Stephanie dance with the staff was beautiful.  From this night forward I didn't miss a night at the disco :)

Oh wait...that's a lie.  I did miss one night.  One late afternoon, the Girls and I decided that we'd finally take a break from the beach and try out the swim up bar.    As we approached, we noted that no one was in the pool.  Strange, but meh, we're here now might as well try it out. Towel downs, room key hidden, flip flops tossed...we were ready.  With one foot in the water and the other hovering, the LOUDEST crack of thunder I've ever heard shook our resort. I'm sure my heart stopped.  Its intensity was likely heightened because I was entering a pool 5km's long, surrounded by open areas with scattered large trees all around, I was only missing an umbrella with a metal handle. Well jeez, that's not going to work.  Off we trek back to the room to play some cards and enjoy a few glass-bottled beverages.  It rained, and rained, and rained...and rained.  :(

View from our room:
rained so hard it looked foggy



The rain continued long after we were ready and had made our way to our dinner reservation at the Steakhouse.  This restaurant was incredible. Chicken, sausage, pork, beef all served one course at a time with endless salads, appetizers, all topped off with a huge selection of dessert.  Absolutely stuffed :) but had just enough room left to try the flaming sambuca. What a dazzling demonstration our server had with fire and alcohol! Once lit, the flame stayed blue and continued forever.  The food, the service, the entertainment, I must give kudos to the staff that work here, well done.  :)

Sadly the rain continued.  Overheard at dinner the disco roof had leaked and there wouldn't be any dancing tonight.  We instantly decided that we'd check out the nightly show instead (I enjoy the entertainment at resorts, it's usually so lively and inclusive, be sure to try out at least one show during your stay). 

Confirmation of the closure was made when we ran into the NL crowd.   Before dinner, the Girls were trying to pick up all their belongings and find places to dry their things, as resort staff came to do something with the 2 inches of water that had turned their room into a splash park. :( I couldn't believe that their first floor room had flooded from the endless rain.  What a state.  We called it an early night, with so much water, there wasn't a lot to do anyhow.  

Tomorrow would be our first time off resort.  We'd booked an all day excursion with, Puerto Plata Runners (the company is called Bavaro Runners).  Truthfully, we could probably use a few extra minutes of sleep tonight. Buenas noches ("good night").

Puerto Plata Runners

Our resort was amongst many in a compound of at least 20 hotel complexes, Playa Dorada was its official name (gated and guarded).  In amongst these resorts was a main road in and out, a golf course and a disco club, where locals and tourists could party it up.  We met our jeep safari rig, a white and black striped tour bus, complete with our guide, Zeek and our driver, Mauris, out front of our lobby at 8am.  A few other stops within the compound, and we were out the gate into a city of thousands.  Most of whom were in this madness of motorists, known as streets, where chaos lived in the absence of driving rules (also known as Puerto Plata).  You must keep to your side of the street, but sidewalk use is permissible, as is weaving in and out of traffic (however you get to the head of the line, so be it). No seat belts (except on the tour bus) are necessary and entire families can travel on one scooter or motorcycle with or without helmets.

The rain from the night before had finally ended and gave way to a sunny, bright start to our day.  Driving through this city, we quickly realized the devastation of last night's storms.  Streets were washed out, people’s homes were flooded, neighbours were helping neighbours empty out entire households of furniture and personal belongings, in hopes that warm sun would dry it all out. The deeper we ventured into the city centre, the more my heart became overwhelmed. 

 

I wasn't without tears within the first 15 minutes of being stuck in traffic and witnessing a completely different world than that of which I had been exposed to in Playa Dorada.  No wonder they think of us as 'rich tourists'. Children were playing on backs of trucks as if this area was their front lawn.  So many buildings and homes appeared to not have survived the storm from last night, or the storm before that and likely not even the one before that.  And here we were driving by in our rented vehicle, complete with a driver and our fancy sunglasses...staring, take pictures, in aww of how different it was out here compared to our resort and real lives.

Perspective and gratitude seemed to be the theme this morning. An adjustment of thought that I didn't even know I needed, but certainly welcomed.  There were many people driving fancy cars, chatting on cell phones and wearing the latest brand name clothes.  Then, there were people walking around without shoes, all sharing the same sidewalk.  Things were balanced here, all relevant to their way of life (the more Zeek talked and explained, the more I understood that my way of life wasn't better or worse, only different).  Going-seeing-doing can teach you things you may never have understood otherwise.  I need to travel. 

A smile returned after passing by this little cerveza shop (or maybe it was a convenience store?).  A small group of men were sitting outside with maracas, drums, guitars, accordions playing away.  It was so neat to hear their happiness in amongst the sound of idling engines and revving bikes.  The big sign next to the shop says "Happy Hour starts daily at 8 am" hahaha.  This place was awesome.  Police directing traffic in the absence of street lights, a university, a rhum factory, shops and stores, crazy drivers and the smell of exhaust.  I fell in love with Puerto Plata and so wished I could get off the bus to go meet these people.

washed out road

We drove out into the country. The rain from the previous night resulted in our jeeps waiting for crews to come repair entire roadways on at least three occasions. I mean full scale construction:  loaders, excavators, gravel trucks. They’d finish one site, then drive ahead of us to repair the next.

Zeek, our guide, was awesome. He explained so many things and I mentally tried to capture everything he was saying about everything there was to see and know.  We visited a small farm, where we tried fresh ground coffee, played with the animals and saw how things were made.  We visited inside the family's home.  Of all the things I remember, there was a TV in the bedroom (just a small one) but the electric cord looked as though it had been cut and taped back together about 6 million times. It was so thin and unsafe looking. But then I noticed that it wasn't just the TV's electrical wiring (yikes).

We stopped at a cigar making place.  It was a tiny little hut next to the road with a very small tobacco plant garden out front.  Had an opportunity to meet some children during our brief stop at the school house.  And then continued on, to our next stop where we'd enjoy a Mexican meal at the most beautiful beach.  A little time set aside for swimming or horseback riding.  Our party of three split the decision on this and two went to play in the waves, while the other trotted down a beach side trail on a white horse, with a lovely group of fellow travellers.  The entire time on this safari ride was "happy hour". They served up beverages from our first stop till our last.  What a day. 

Late afternoon our jeep began its journey back to our resort.  Happy hour continued well into the evening and when it was time to decide whether to stay in or go out, well, I went to find my friend Stephanie to see if she wanted to venture out. :)  The Mangue disco was the name of the bar within the compound of Playa Dorada where locals could join in the fun with the guests of the neighbouring 30 resorts.  It made us feel as if we were leaving the resort, without leaving.  Cruz (a wonderful new friend from the DR originally and now visiting while on vacation) led the way into the bar. It was so very helpful to have someone who could speak Spanish and assure our safety this evening.

Wild.  This place had cages in the corners with dancers.  They had people up on the bar and bartenders armed with lighters who would light the exhale of patrons as they’d take a shot and instantly become fire breathers.  Flames shot far and fast as people applauded and woohoo’d.  What an experience. We were gently tugged here and there to go dance.  Smiles, winks and nods in abundance. I can remember witnessing the most beautiful drag-queens here.  Cruz once had to tell me to stop staring, but I wasn't staring because I was anything but amazed at their beauty, absolutely gorgeous. 

We left the bar and began our walk back to our resort in the wee hours of the morning.  Stephanie and I, arm in arm ... a good friend is someone who will assist you on your journey.  A best friend, will laugh to pee themselves if you should fall off a sidewalk or perhaps, run into patio set haha. 

We didn't leave the bar area without stopping for a bite to eat first, I wanted a hotdog. :)  Remember when I mentioned earlier that it was a common misconception for people to think that the food here was anything like the food at home?!  OMG - EWE. This hotdog didn't even come close (although when I ordered it, I thought for sure that it'd be the same: 'a hotdog is a hotdog' or so one would think).  It was disguised as a regular looking hotdog, but the instant I bit into it, I knew I had been fooled.  It tasted like a rubber hose smothered in sweet tomato paste. Every bite hurt a little more, but I ate the entire thing, Cruz had bought it for me and I didn’t want to be rude.  Oh my poor taste buds (I'm just lucky it wasn't "oh my poor belly" lol).

.....

Okay wait.  Is it just me, or is this vacation going by way way too fast??   I'm so glad you've decided to join us on this adventure. 

I hate to (I'm sorry), but I'm going to do it to you again and take a little break right here. This gives you a whole week to fill your bubba keg, grab your room key, your towel & your waterproof camera for the swim-up bar at the big pool.  And while you're at it, you might as well bring some tissues as we say goodbye to all these wonderful people. 

DR trip - part IV "No, No, No, No!!!  I'm not ready to go yet!" will be the title for the next (and final post) of this adventure. 




There are hills (even mountains) in the DR!
Before I visited there, for whatever reason, I thought there were none! :)

 

The results from the Weekly Survey Question:  Are you a dancer?

26% of you are self proclaimed dancers
59% love busting a move and who cares if you good at it (or not lol)
13% of you just aren't into the dance scene

One of the best things about being away on vacation, is that you're not likley to know many others you're sharing the dance floor with ... so why not raise those hands up and get down?!  ;)

Share your comments, your stories, your travel advice etc. in the section below (comments or reaction section) and give your answer to the weekly survey (top right of the blog page).  No sign up necessary, just a simple click :)  A little shy?!  Why not send me an email instead: holidayheidi@hotmail.ca

And yeah...where are those guys from Norway?  We'll find them, lol.
~Holiday Heidi