Thanks to all who came to the DR1 Sosua Party. Since the first DR1 gathering ? hosted in Abreu (North Coast) and attended by Hillbilly and Clara and my husband and self, and our gracious hosts (a German flight controller married to an Abreu native? have to find his name), we have come a long way.
Of course, since I am an insider I would find the party a swell one, but so did my husband?s brother and his German business associate Mario, who had never heard or met of any of these people. We were playing host to Mario, who is a major importer of mango pulp produced by my husband?s company (my husband insisted we bring him along, as he thinks the message board is a great bunch of people), and I always told Mario we could leave at any time, but Mario was having such a good time talking to everyone, he stayed late with us and we only left because brother Jesus had to get back to Cabarete.
Was great seeing Ken, Mrs. De Pree and Graham after so many years. And meeting all the minds and faces behind dr1. Thanks to you all for your comments and making the board the community it is today by helping us guide it along to grow based on synergy and everyone?s strengths.
AZB relates in another thread an incident that he felt soured the meeting ? which most people didn?t even notice, including myself. But isn?t that what the board has always been about. Debating and sharing info among bright minds, extreme people, conciliating, occasional ousting?
To Eddy?s thanks for your hospitality. Everyone felt at home. The dinner was delicious and very generous.
When we left the bar we stopped over at another inner city small bar ? good evening ambience in Sosua, quiet, but things were moving. The city was clean, the weather couldn?t have been better. The new voodoo bar was full (Johnny Honda?s recommendation), great ambience. We took time to tour the Sosua Bay and Victorian House at night, lovely.
Next morning we went for a swim in Sosua Beach. And then had breakfast at Pier Giorgio. Makes me think that Sosua has so much going for it, it?s just a matter of people rediscovering the north coast.
We then bumped into Hans Dannenberg, director of tourism for Puerto Plata Hotels, who made sure we did a tour of Ocean World facilities in Cofres?. Impressive. May I say that last year we visited the Rye Seacoast Science Center, a leading oceanography study center in New Hampshire, that people in that area are very proud of. Ocean World stands way apart from that popular center. From what I perceived, the people at Ocean World also want to educate visitors on tropical fishes, reefs, making a contribution to preservation that way.
So Puerto Plata now has the Ocean World, Columbus Water Park and the Fun City (go kart racing). What great side trips for the young set. And nearby Sosua and Cabarete and Playa Grande?.