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#21
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Dominican Republic
This sounds so good I wish I could leave right now!
Thanks -- Dilly http://home.comcast.net/~itsdilly/ http://community.webshots.com/user/savalier People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. "Donald Miller" wrote in message ... On 17 Jul 2004 23:35:47 GMT, "Mildred Savalier" wrote: I think We are looking at the Dominican Republic The prices are just so much lower than other places. Anyone have thoughts about the best and worst resorts in Punta Cana? For my thirtieth anniversary I wanted my wife and I to go some place really special. We have been on several cruises and they are great. We always enjoyed when we put in and got to go snorkeling and diving. So I decided to find an all-inclusive resort to go to.. We had been to one a few years ago in Mexico and enjoyed the concept, though its beach wasn't so good. I researched the internet and the news net all-inclusives.rec. I finally settled on Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus . I called my AAA travel agent and told her the destination and dates. She set up a great package which included round trip airfare from Wilmington, NC to the Dominican Republic, ground transportation and 7days at the resort. We traveled in the middle of June. Our flight from Wilmington stopped in Charlotte and then direct to Punta Canna airport in DR (3.5 hrs). A big thunderstorm had just gone through the place and it was steamy when we walked down the stairs off the plane. We went to Customs, paid out ten dollars per person and then went and claimed our bags. The transportation was waiting on us, took our bags, loaded them in the van, and we were off. The ride was hairy. Two lanes are treated as four. "No passing" means nothing. The traffic appears chaotic, but we made it safely to our Resort. The lobby is beautiful. Gleaming tiled floors highly polished counters and fresh flowers greet you. The language of DR is Spanish. But our receptionist spoke excellent English. As I filled out the paperwork we were handed a frozen fruit daiquiri which after "Mister Toad's wild ride" and the heat were sorely appreciated. The check in went smoothly. Besides our room keys we were given beach towel tokens which are issued to get your towels. The receptionist explained that you get your first towels and leave your tokens. From then on you just turn in your wet towel for clean ones. Our bags were loaded on a golf cart and a bellman took us to our room. My only comment about the ride to our room is that we passed through the service area were the garbage is stored. It was very clean but had that dishwater smell. I would find another route to avoid this area, especially on the first day. Were in building 7, closest to the beach on the second floor, The room was nice. There is a King size bed, plenty of closets and storage area. The balcony overlooked a well landscaped area. The refrigerator was stocked with beer, soda and water. They restock it every other day . Don't drink the tap water. A gallon of distilled water is in each room and will, if needed be replaced daily. We did rinse our mouths with tap water. The restaurant's water and all the ice are safe because it is filtered or distilled. There are wild birds on the immaculately kept grounds and beautiful fountains strategically placed to provide soothing sounds through the courtyard. The beach is beautiful soft white sand. There are plenty of lounge chairs all around. I only saw one couple go down to the beach to reserve one under a favorite palm tree. The boats are available for free for one half hour then you pay by the hour. They consist of Hobie cats, Sunfish and wind surfers. Again there seemed to be plenty to go around. The water is clear with a greenish tint. Due to surf action the water directly at the beach was a little murky because of sediment being stirred up, but you could see your feet while standing. There is a float line to mark the extent to which you could swim out. If you went out farther no one would stop you, but you might accidentally be run over by a boat. The beach bar had two bartenders they were always cheerful and accommodating. The beach drinks consist of beer, rum and frozen daiquiris. Occasionally you would receive service from a roving bartender taking orders. The beach is European. There were several women of all ages and sizes topless sunning, swimming or walking in the surf down the beach. Speaking of European, you will hear German, Spanish (Spaniards), French and Brits everywhere. Everybody was friendly. There are four very good restaurants, International, Mexican, Japanese and a steak house. The Buffet is the only place to eat that does not require reservations. Reservations are made at guest services. You can make two nights reservations each day. We had a little problem the first three days due to computer outage. When the computer system is up it works very well. All the restaurants had superb service. They also serve excellent wine. Our favorite was the international restaurant. We had a delicious fish dish. The appetizer bar could have easily been my meal. The Mexican restaurant is standard Mexican food. I had soft tacos. Here I thought the appetizer bar was better than the meal. The Steak house had a very good appetizer bar. My first steak I ordered was a ribeye. I asked for rare and got well done. It was tough. I gave them another try on another night and ordered sirloin. This time it came medium rare, a little pink. The Japanese restaurant was the style that cooks on a grill in front of the guest. I had chicken and beef with vegetables. The food was good. The environment was very hot being so close to the grill. One of the chefs saw my wife turning red from the heat and directed an overhead vent directly on her, good thing. For breakfast we ate at the main dining hall. We always had a table for two by an open window. Small birds hop about on the floor and fly in and out. The food was very good. The fresh fruit was delicious and a wide selection available, The mangos were in season and plentiful. At lunch there is a beach lunch buffet available. The food is good. We ate light at this meal Take a cover-up with you to the beach. Men must have shirts and ladies some sort of cover-up. Wraps seemed most popular. We took two tours. We went snorkeling. The boat we boarded was a 40+ foot catamaran with two very well-maintained engines. The skipper was proficient and good natured. The trip to the dive site took over an hour. I was beautiful. When we got to our reef there were two sharks trolling back and forth, no problem. The Brits leaped from the upper deck and promptly shooed off the sharks. The water was clear and the reef crackled with life. We swam for over two hours and boarded the boat to go to another site. The boats travel in pairs. The scuba divers boat was already at the site and enjoying a good swim. Lunch was provided on a palm laden island. There was grilled chicken and pork. Plus an assortment of vegetables, rice and fruit. A bas was set up with cold drinks. Hammocks were plentiful an we relaxed in the shade. Back on the boat as we headed home the bar was open and rum and beer flowed. I didn't bring any cash for tips but took some back to the crew after a quick trip to my room once we arrived. The trip was a great deal, much better than any excursion we have taken while on a cruise. Our next trip was on the "Monster truck" This is an eight wheel drive, large truck with benches. We boarded in xxx and set off through the country side. Our guide was excellent. Three men, including our guide crewed the truck. A bartender up front kept water, beer, rum and sodas flowing. as we bounced along. We stopped at a natives' house, a school, a voodoo doctor's house and a country store. Lunch was provided n a small open-air restaurant overlooking a river. After eating everyone went down and cooled with a swim. The trip took all day. We arrived back at the resort at four thirty in the afternoon. Some people complained that it was too hot sitting on the truck with no cover. We didn't mind. Drink lots of water and use plenty of sunscreen. The internet is available. You get thirty minutes for two dollars. Overall impression, conclusion. We would go back. It is not for those who are looking for a lot of night life but if you want to enjoy the beach and just relax it is perfect. Take plenty of books to read. |
#22
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Dominican Republic
Hi Steve,
I've been to Secrets in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya. Both are adults only but not couples only.It is mostly couples bit there were a enough singles there, that if you were single, you wouldn't feel out of place. Also Secrets in Punta Cana has better night life than Sercrets Riviera Maya.Neither place is really rowdy but I was bored to death at night in R/M.Punta Cana has a casino and a decent disco on the property which is good because there is nothing else near the resort.It is kind of in the middle of nowhere! Linda |
#23
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Dominican Republic
Hi Steve,
I've been to Secrets in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya. Both are adults only but not couples only.It is mostly couples bit there were a enough singles there, that if you were single, you wouldn't feel out of place. Also Secrets in Punta Cana has better night life than Sercrets Riviera Maya.Neither place is really rowdy but I was bored to death at night in R/M.Punta Cana has a casino and a decent disco on the property which is good because there is nothing else near the resort.It is kind of in the middle of nowhere! Linda |
#24
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Dominican Republic
Hi Steve,
I've been to Secrets in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya. Both are adults only but not couples only.It is mostly couples bit there were a enough singles there, that if you were single, you wouldn't feel out of place. Also Secrets in Punta Cana has better night life than Sercrets Riviera Maya.Neither place is really rowdy but I was bored to death at night in R/M.Punta Cana has a casino and a decent disco on the property which is good because there is nothing else near the resort.It is kind of in the middle of nowhere! Linda |
#25
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Dominican Republic
Hi Steve,
I've been to Secrets in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya. Both are adults only but not couples only.It is mostly couples bit there were a enough singles there, that if you were single, you wouldn't feel out of place. Also Secrets in Punta Cana has better night life than Sercrets Riviera Maya.Neither place is really rowdy but I was bored to death at night in R/M.Punta Cana has a casino and a decent disco on the property which is good because there is nothing else near the resort.It is kind of in the middle of nowhere! Linda |
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