My wife and I returned Friday from two weeks at the Marien Coral by Hilton. For anyone considering this resort it is a good value for your money and is run very well. I would recommend it without reservation.
A few highlights.
Friday April 15 we met some of the posters from another board as well as Sarah and Robert from the DREAM Project and Grace (who co-ordinates for charities for the Diosces of Puerto Plata). A good time was had by all.
Tuesday April 19 we traveled to Santiago and spent the better part of the day with Hillbilly of DR1 fame. He is a gracious host and he and Mrs. Hillbilly certainly have their hands full with the traffic in and out of the "hovel". They are a couple to remember.
Thursday April 21; in the morning Grace escorted me to visit a local Puerto Plata school in barrio Gregorio Luperon near the port area of Puerto Plata. In a single phrase the need is self-evident. In the afternoon we visited the Mustard Seed Community in the campo between La Union (POP Airport) and Montellano. We spent time with the children and visited the construction site where the new Mustard Seed Community house is slowly taking shape. Interestingly, Ocean World has donated a number of workmen to assist in the work of building the new home and they were hard at work constructing concrete block walls when we were there. Hillbilly (previously mentioned DR1 icon) has offered his time and that of some of his sons, to install some electrical components which have been budgeted in the new home. If the need at the Puerto Plata school is self-evident; the need at Mustard seed is screaming for attention. More to follow with the Fiesta Committee of another board before any more is said publicly.
Saturday April 23 my wife and I met Mark and Colleen at the Checkpoint Sandwich Bar in Sosua. They are a well intentioned Western Canadian couple who are determined to survive in the DR and help the Fiesta Committee's charitable activities along the way (more to follow to the Fiesta Committee). We also visited Barb & Linden Anderson at the Britannia Pub where we left our annual donation in support of the Sosua Kid's Association. Later we attended a get-together at Rocky's and met a number of DR1 posters for some social interaction.
Tuesday April 26 I visited the DREAM Project office in Cabarete and was escorted by Sarah to two private and two public schools in the Cabarete area which are partially supported by the DREAM Project. The DREAM Project certainly has it's act together in the Cabarete area.
Thursday April 28 I was joined by Martin Espinal of Isaira Tours and I was able to introduce my friend Martin to my friend Stefan Miester, the General Manager of Ocean World. We discussed a few items of mutual interest and were offered a brief tour of this amazing evolving facility as few are permitted (including many behind the scenes areas). I must repeat that every time I view what has been accomplished in Cofresi by the Miester family I am absolutely in awe; knowing some of the obstacles which had to be overcome in order to accomplish their goals. On the way back to my hotel Martin gave me a tour of Casa Nazaret; a private orphanage for abandoned disabled children (not unlike the Mustard Seed Community) which co-incidentally houses eleven residents - the same number as Mustard Seed. Detailed commentary to the Fiesta Committee to follow.
In between these activities I did manage to enjoy all that the DR has to offer AND get a decent tan.
I will be pleased to answer questions on any associated DR topic in which I may be able to help.
Gregg
A few highlights.
Friday April 15 we met some of the posters from another board as well as Sarah and Robert from the DREAM Project and Grace (who co-ordinates for charities for the Diosces of Puerto Plata). A good time was had by all.
Tuesday April 19 we traveled to Santiago and spent the better part of the day with Hillbilly of DR1 fame. He is a gracious host and he and Mrs. Hillbilly certainly have their hands full with the traffic in and out of the "hovel". They are a couple to remember.
Thursday April 21; in the morning Grace escorted me to visit a local Puerto Plata school in barrio Gregorio Luperon near the port area of Puerto Plata. In a single phrase the need is self-evident. In the afternoon we visited the Mustard Seed Community in the campo between La Union (POP Airport) and Montellano. We spent time with the children and visited the construction site where the new Mustard Seed Community house is slowly taking shape. Interestingly, Ocean World has donated a number of workmen to assist in the work of building the new home and they were hard at work constructing concrete block walls when we were there. Hillbilly (previously mentioned DR1 icon) has offered his time and that of some of his sons, to install some electrical components which have been budgeted in the new home. If the need at the Puerto Plata school is self-evident; the need at Mustard seed is screaming for attention. More to follow with the Fiesta Committee of another board before any more is said publicly.
Saturday April 23 my wife and I met Mark and Colleen at the Checkpoint Sandwich Bar in Sosua. They are a well intentioned Western Canadian couple who are determined to survive in the DR and help the Fiesta Committee's charitable activities along the way (more to follow to the Fiesta Committee). We also visited Barb & Linden Anderson at the Britannia Pub where we left our annual donation in support of the Sosua Kid's Association. Later we attended a get-together at Rocky's and met a number of DR1 posters for some social interaction.
Tuesday April 26 I visited the DREAM Project office in Cabarete and was escorted by Sarah to two private and two public schools in the Cabarete area which are partially supported by the DREAM Project. The DREAM Project certainly has it's act together in the Cabarete area.
Thursday April 28 I was joined by Martin Espinal of Isaira Tours and I was able to introduce my friend Martin to my friend Stefan Miester, the General Manager of Ocean World. We discussed a few items of mutual interest and were offered a brief tour of this amazing evolving facility as few are permitted (including many behind the scenes areas). I must repeat that every time I view what has been accomplished in Cofresi by the Miester family I am absolutely in awe; knowing some of the obstacles which had to be overcome in order to accomplish their goals. On the way back to my hotel Martin gave me a tour of Casa Nazaret; a private orphanage for abandoned disabled children (not unlike the Mustard Seed Community) which co-incidentally houses eleven residents - the same number as Mustard Seed. Detailed commentary to the Fiesta Committee to follow.
In between these activities I did manage to enjoy all that the DR has to offer AND get a decent tan.
I will be pleased to answer questions on any associated DR topic in which I may be able to help.
Gregg
