Sosua Beach in the news

I disagree, x-man, in the case of the Sosua project.

Sosua needs a shot in the arm and efforts are being made to do something about it.

A thread started by Snuffy, as well as other threads, have talked about falling real estate prices in Sosua, Puerto Plata, and elsewhere on the north coast, compared to rising real estate prices on the south coast. Occupancy figures also much better on the south coast. Someone observed in Snuffy's thread that Sosua's time was past.

There is reason to believe that Sosua's time is past, considering the number of hotel closing, lack of customers in the restaurants, merchants in all fields badly hurting.

Nobody is talking about paving the beach. The focus is on making Sosua a more attractive destination for more than just those looking for the cheapest AI plan.

I live in Sosua. Most people I have talked with here are very positive about the proposed improvements.

Vamos a ver. Hopefully it will help; Sosua very much needs help.

Not sure what 2 ruins you are talking about, possibly the 2 multi story block structures that were never completed. If they are the ones, they are on the land just purchased by the company(s) building the massive new resort complex. They have been plans for that land.

No, haven't signed up for a shop and don't intend to.

But, like I keep saying, Sosua needs help and it appears that finally something is being done. The new complex is being planned with a more upscale market in mind than the lowest price AI plans. Everyone in business hopes that will succeed. Tourists that come on the cheapies spend their time on the beach and their hotel bar. Do very little for local businesses and don't pay enough to enable the hotel to keep up with the maintenance.

Vamos a ver. But our fingers are crossed.

Concrete Shells

Yeah, if they picked up those two concrete shells and intend on doing something there, indeed that is some good news. As per the new place on the way to the beach, for some reason I seem to recall some businesses in the shops but I could be wrong on that. Will be down later this week and will certainly take another look.

What about Puerto Chiquito project? I doubt that area is ever going to get up, if it does, it has to be administered by a foreigner Co. What happened with Qualton Hotel? Sand castle?
I hope they can manage it right. cause I like Sosua a lot & it?s ppl.

x-man, why do you care what I think? You an I never see things the same way anyway!

Personally I like the beach the way it is and I like Sosua the way it is also. I don't like crowds and that is bad for businesses there but my feelings.

Personally I like the beach like it is. One of the most importantnt reasons i'm going to Sosua again and again.

x_man said:

It's because you hang out in Sosua too.Looks like we do have a different
mindset.
I also would never eat that greasy food at Rocky's, the place you like so much.
May be we could meet there for a glass of red vine and see if there is anything we could agree on. X

Click to expand...

I will be there next week, again for Thanksgiving and again for Christmas and New Years. Those are planned. If AA has any last minute internet deals I will be there in October also thus getting me there every month for the rest of the year. Stop over anytime and I would be more than happy to buy you a glass or two of vino.

As far as Rockys food, I never found it greasy and it has always been decent, not great. The beer is always cold, the selection of booze amoung the best in town, the people friendly and always helpful and the clientel friendly, fun and diverse. I never found it to be great goumet food nor have I found any other restaurant in Sosua to be great food and that includes the Waterfront which I consider only "expensive with ok food".

That being said, the kitchen at Rockies which was a concession is no longer a concession and now owned by Marco the fellow that owns the rest of the place. I have him email me the menu and I like it although I have NOT been there since the change. The prices are real inexpensive and I guess he is trying to build up the booze business by bringing you in for decent food at real cheap prices.

Since I have been going to Sosua, Rockys has been the most popular place in town amoung ExPats. Maybe there is a reason for that or maybe it is just because I like the place? If the food there was greasy as you said it was I don't think that all the Canadians, Americans and Europeans would go there so often. I have seen Marco go out of his way and drive customers to the Airport to catch their flights with no charge or strings attached. I have seen him take people around town to show them what is going on also without strings or payment. I leave Rockys as a reach number for those that are looking to get a hold of me with out complaint from Marco. Just a nice personable guy and I guess that is why people keep going back there. I know it is why I keep going back. He always offers me a ride but I ask him who is going to drive my rental car back if I go with him

Just another example of what we don't agree on.

Go figger...

When in Sosua, start at the taxi stand by the park, walk up the as-of-yet unpaved street, and follow it all the way to Piergiorgio. The large property next to Piergiorgio that has been partially cleaned up is where those two unfinished structures are. Much of what you pass on your walk from the taxi stand to Piergiorgio is part of the hotel complex in the process of being constructed. A casino is part of the plan, though construction on it has not yet started.

When you get to the entrance with a guard, go in to the white building. This part of the complex is open and occupied. While inside the project, be sure to take a look at the pool. Looks to me as though someday it could be the setting for an MGM movie.

I will be there for Turkey. Last year I had Turkey dinner at the Brittania with a bunch of cannucks and a few Americans, although I am sure we can get Marco to cook up a Turkey for us or at least have the cook do it.

You can count me in. I would like to meet Ken also.

Afraid that I'll have to pass. A number of close relatives will be here for 7-10 days, including Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your rice and beans.

I emailed Marco asking him to put on a big traditional US Thanksgiving spread. I will let you know if he does it. If not we can go somewhere else but I am sure that won't be a problem because I am sure that he can fill up the place with people from here and from Richards message board.

Below is todays specials I got emailed to me. Cheap prices for sure. Marco wasn't happy with the people that ran the place before and I am sure that the food is much better now.

He also has inexpensive room rates of $15 a night US although it is too noisy being downtown for me. I stay out at Villa Chessa so all I hear are the freakin roosters.

I will post when I hear back from Marco about dinner on the 27th of November. Hope we can get a crowd from here because it was a lot of fun last year having dinner with 20 people.

ROCKY?S ALL DAY SPECIALS

PLAIN PIZZA 30
2 TOPPING PIZZA 45
4 TOPPING PIZZA 60
STEAK SUBMARINE 50

SUPPER

HALF CHICKEN WITH MASHED
POTATOES AND VEGGIES 65

ICE CREAM 20
CHOCOLATE CAKE 25
PUMKIN PIE 30
CHEESECAKE 35
A LA MODE 15

ROCKY'S ROCK & BLUES BAR
Bar - Restaurant - Hotel
Sosua,Dominican Republic
Tele-fax: (809) 571-2951
http://www.rockysbar.com
rockysbluesbar@hotmail.com

A word on Sosua

I was just there on Sunday and today. It is, indeed, pretty flat right now, but people tell me that it is getting a bit better.
Of course if Jazzcom hits town, the local markets will make a killing.

As for the beach project, I would certainly expect any "clean-up" project aimed at the local merchants on the beach would take into consideration the magnificent trees in back of the beach. If it is possible to make that particular and most beautiful spot more attractive to our visitors, all is well and good. If not, then the project will have to be fought by the environmentalists....

As for the ruins, I think that Puerto Chiquita, Sand Castle and anything on that side of town is doomed for at least ten more years. Until an incredible sanitation project within charamicos and the area that borders the river is completed, it will be impossible to get tourists into that area....it stinks!!

I'll ask Marco to tell you to call me...

HB

Hillbilly, you down for Turkey day? I would love to have you to X-mans party! I got email from Marco and below I posted it.

If anyone has a copy of the review he got and is in Sosua I would appreciate it if you dropped it by. Just tell Marco Escott said that I got your first drink and he has your second.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
I will use my mother's recipe and serve Turkey, mashed potatoes, lots of veggies, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and whatever else anybody requests.

By the way, did I mention to you about the review we got in the "Lonely Planet Travellers Guide"? If you see one at the airport or anywhere, I would love to have a copy.

If you have any suggestions for the Thanksgiving supper, please let me know.

I suppose we can make just about anything except turnips.
Regards, Marco.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Who else is going to go?

Escott

Why not turnips?

About the project, I think the mention of a "beach club" at the Charamicos end of the beach sounds ominous - as if that entrance to the beach may be blocked off by some tourist-only club. I hate the sound of it and I wouldn't put it past "them".

Sounds like just a "Pay club". But, what the hell do I know?