Re: Just Got Back/ATTN JD & PANDRE
Hello JD and Pandre,
We had an excellent time in DR> Gary has been going for 3 years this was my first trip and our honeymoon I enjoyed it very much. We had a Dominican friend of a friend who picked us up in SD and dropped us at the Tradewinds condos in Sosua we walked from there into Sosua town several times a day to go to the beach, the market, out to dinner, etc. The best place to eat in Sosua is La Roca where they make a decent glass of iced tea (yes this is IMPORTANT to southerners) and the 1LB lobster dinner was about $13.US. It is cheaper than the Waterfront and the food is better, BUT, NOTHING beats the view of the sunset from the Waterfront. We rented a jeep for the drive to Samana, and only had 1 minor problem in Nagua, the turn for the Samana peninsula is not marked and is at a hairpin angle at a VERY, VERY busy "Y" type intersection. Be careful on the Las Galeras road, some spots have "fallen away" (literally) and are marked only by neon painted stones placed on the edge by the precipice. Also, drive slowly when approaching the part of the road by the Grand Bahia, there are several inverted speed bumps and you will rip the axle off the car if you hit too hard. Eat lunch or dinner at Camilo's and Gringo's. Ask for Wayne Campbell at Gringo's, tell him we sent you -he will be helping us build our home in La Hondanada eventually. The Butterfly Shrimp at Camilo's is wrapped in bacon and deepfried, then served (on request) with the worlds best garlic butter. It was to die for and I am still trying to figure the recipe out. IF you take the drive to Las Terrenas (Lost-ur-anus) -hold- on you may lose your anus. Sorry if I offend anyone, that was the most frightening road I have personally ever been on. It is narrow, twisting, winding no guard rails to speak of, 240 degree turns and tour buses going 70 MPH in the other direction around same curves, hills, etc. Take this drive to see the really beautiful beaches and town but only if you have four or more hours to spare. As for snorkeling and diving we did not do any this trip but there are plenty of operators down there who have experience, equipment and knowledge of the best places-talk to Wayne at Gringos as he should know more about this since he lives there. If you have more questions contact us on our E-mail. sorry to have bent your eyes Ha HA HA.