New York Times

Good article, but I think there must be a typo:

The Dominican Republic, known as the D.R., is gaining traction as a family destination. One reason is a growing number of family-centered resorts with activities ranging from windsurfing to world-class golf to snorkeling to teenage-only lounges. Another lure is that there are now numerous nonstop flights from the New York area.

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In the first sentence, shouldn't that read, "known as The Dominican"?

Rellosk, in the last few (let's say 10) years, Dominicans who have grown up or lived for a while in the states have started using the term D.R. more often. I think that this is a product of years of hearing Puerto Ricans refer to their country as P.R.

On a different thought, I wonder if this article was paid for. Either way, it's great publicity for the country.

D.R. is also more effective for those doing the PR.

rellosk was pulling your legs, guys....He supposedly knows better....

It is a good article, and except for putting Playa Dorada in the top 100 non-US golf courses, it is very accurate....Let's hope that it moves a few more people to the North Coast, too...

HB

I read the article with ambivalent emotions. Development on the North Coast is acclerating so rapidly that I worry about its effects on local environments and people. There is nothing more destructive to natural environments than, for instance, golf courses - - water use, run off, pesticides, etc. Are there limits to development?

After reading the article, one of my friends here (Dominican American) called to congratulate me - - that I had managed to slip into Las Terrenas before it all went under (the small intimate scale, the beauty, etc.). I.e. development would soon be re-making LT as it wends its way down the coast.

In my more despairing moments, I hope that Cuba will soon shake off its more militant tropical socialism and open the doors to U.S. tourists - - thus setting up a huge siphon on the number/flow of visitors to the DR. (Note: Having traveled to Cuba many times - - legally - - I'm anti-Fidel but not necesarily anti-Revolution . . lol)

Hillbilly said:

rellosk was pulling your legs, guys....He supposedly knows better....

HB

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He forgot that damn wink again.

Hillbilly said:

rellosk was pulling your legs, guys....He supposedly knows better....

It is a good article, and except for putting Playa Dorada in the top 100 non-US golf courses, it is very accurate....Let's hope that it moves a few more people to the North Coast, too...

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I missed that part about The Playa Dorada golf course. Although I haven't played there in over a decade, I don't remember the course being anything special.

HOWMAR said:

He forgot that damn wink again.

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The wink would have made it too obvious.

As some of you guys that have been around here a lot longer than me would say:

Rellosk make joke.
Rellosk funny.

SamGompers said:

open the doors to U.S. tourists - - thus setting up a huge siphon on the number/flow of visitors to the DR. (Note: Having traveled to Cuba many times - - legally - - I'm anti-Fidel but not necesarily anti-Revolution . . lol)

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Its the US that is cutting off US tourism to Cuba, not the Cubans. The Cubans will even make sure to not stamp your passport so that you don't get hassled by US immigration upon your return.

The Playa Dorado Course is deplorable. They are closing it for three months this spring to hopefully make it better.
I still havent found the idiot at Golf Digest who rated it "# 56 outside the US". He must have been to Playa Grande and made a mistake.
Save your money and go to Santiago for golf.

I just checked the Golf Digest rating for Playa Dorado, 2 1/2 stars. Playa Grande is 4 1/2 stars.
They also state a maxium green fee of $45 including cart at Playa Dorado.