I just found out about this site, so this is a few months old but here it is. Also let me say this was a great trip.
Time In DR: December 14- December 31
Locations Visited: Santo Domingo, Higeuy, and Bavora
Hotels: Rueben?s Hotel (Santo Domingo) and The Occidental Grand Punta Cana (Bavora)
People: Me and My friend from work (this girl I met the past summer and her sister)
Weather: Most days it was in 80s with about three popup rainstorms
Background:
This was my first trip out of the USA, and wont be my last trip. I had become friends with a Dominican during the summer and when she went back I told I would come to see her. After about two months of planning and saving up the money (Plane tickets, Passport, 900 dollars for the resort, and 2,000 in spending) I was finally ready to for DR.
Day One (Dec. 14); The Plane ride and the first Dinner:
We took off from Newark International Airport at 6:00 AM and arrived in Miami International at 9:00 AM. After our seven-hour layover (it was originally a four hour layover but it took a while for our plan to clear costumes) we finally take off bound for Las Americanas Airport. We landed at the Airport at around 5:30, then took about an hour to clear customs, Locate luggage (My luggage got a little bit lost coming of the plane), so now it is about 6:30 and I have just seen my friend who I have not seen in four months. Her Brother and a family helper load the van (her dad owns a tourist transport company), we leave the airport and go to their house to meet their family. Then after that we go to Reuben?s hotel to Pay for the rooms and put our luggage in the room, we talk for a little bit. Then we go to Adrian?s Tropical for dinner, the food their was very good. We then decide to call a night (Seeing as I had been up for almost 24 hours) they took us back to the hotel.
Day Two and Three (Dec. 15 and 16); Museums, Church, and Colonial Zone:
Well we woke up and got dressed for the day; we were picked up from our hotel at around 11:00. We went back to their house and had a traditional Dominican Breakfast ( I would say more of brunch or lunch), after we ate we went to the museum complex. The first museum we were going to go to was closed for renovation (the Dominican mans museum), We proceeded to the modern art museum. We went through the art museum; we then went over to go into the natural history museum. As we went to pay to enter they wanted to charge us (the two tourist) more to enter, so we decided not to go in. We then went to the supermarket and bought food for our hotel room. After that they took us to the hotel, then around 8:00 they picked us up and we went to this restaurant (I think the name of it was the green restaurant), we ate at the sushi one and the food was really good. The next day we went to their church, then after church we went to this Chinese food place (don?t remember the name but it was really good). Next we went to the colonial zone, We parked in this parking garage and walked down to the corner. At the corner we turned on Calle El Conde and walked to the end (the original plan was to visit all the historical sites), we then walk to this giant Cathedral ( they had a guard type of thing like Arlington in DC). At this point we get a walking tour of the area (by one of the locals who gave 200 pesos I think), we were able to get everything except for alcazar colons.
Day Four, Five, Six, and Seven (Dec. 17, 18, 19, and 20); Casino, Malecon, Bowling, Aquarium, and More:
Well Monday thru Wednesday the one who was doing the driving had to work in the (My friends sister did all the driving) morning, so a lot of the stuff did not start till 2:00. So we get picked up and the first thing we do is head back to their house to get my friend. After this we had to go to a computer store (to get something for a windows vista computer), after three hours of going to three different stores we finally get what we were looking for. Now it too late to do what we originally had plan so instead we decide to head down to the Malecon, we stop at this casino. Then we go to pizza hut and call it a night. So on Tuesday me and my coworker decide we are going to walk (which was a five minute walk from the hotel) to their house. When we arrive my friend was sleeping so her brother gave us a tour of their neighborhood. After the tour we went back to their hous only to find out that our ride had to work late, so her brother gave us a ride to the bowling alley. We bowled till about 8:30 at which time we were picked up and went to the Acropolis to see a movie. For those who don?t know what this is it is a mall (with all types of store, a movie theater, TGI Fridays) with a tower on top, it is a good size mall and is kind of cool. The next day we also walked to their house, this time we took public transit to the National Aquarium (Public transit is very different than what I am used to; no air, overcrowded but very cheap), after the aquarium we than took transit back to their house and went to the Mormon temple and the movies again. On Thursday we finally mad it back to the colonial zone, we went through the final museums that we did not go through the first time.
Day Eight, Nine, and Ten (Dec. 21, 22, and 23); Shopping, Botanical gardens, and Renting movies:
Friday we got picked up from the hotel at around 10:30, the first thing on our list was the botanical gardens. These gardens were just amazing, they have a train thing that goes around the gardens and makes stops. After the garden we then went back to the colonial zone and went to all the shops in the area, and we also went to Plaza Lama. Then Saturday morning and afternoon we hung out at the hotel, then in the evening their was a church youth event we went (we watched facing the giants), after the event we ate at McDonalds. Then on Sunday her sister and my coworker went to the country for a Christmas family gathering (but my friend doesn?t like the country, so we stayed back in the city), her and her father picked me up from the hotel at 6:00, we went and rented Spiderman 3 and Shriek 3. We spent the rest of the evening watching these movies.
Day Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen (Dec. 24, 25 and 26); Expensive Restaurant, More Shopping, Carnival and More:
On Christmas eve I had most of the day to myself (She wouldn?t be coming to get me till later), I watch some TV, and called back home to see how things were and tell them I was fine. So finally her and her father came to the hotel to pick me up, the original plan was to go to Fridays but Fridays was not opened (as a lot of restaurants were also closed), so after calling a bunch of restaurant we found this Arabian buffet (I think it was Arabian). Her dad dropped us off and went and parked the car, when he returned we went in sat down and ate. The food was very good, we finished and asked for the bill and they brought the bill. The price was 2,000 pesos a person ( at least I think that what it), I could not believe I just paid that much for a meal, but at least it was good. On Christmas day my coworker returned, after he took a shower they came back and we just chilled around the hotel playing cards. Later that night after we went to their house and picked my friend we went TGI Fridays and ate. The next day my friends sister came to the hotel and picked me and my coworker up (my friend was not with her because she was having he nails done) and we went back to plaza lama and to a flower shop (were I bought my friend some flower and necklace). After we went these two places we went to their house and picked up my friend and went this Carnival (I think I was called Iguana Park). We rode a lot of rides, they had a spinning wild mouse, a discko, a mattahorn, a fun house, a spin out, a chance Ferris wheel, a top spin, energy storm, and much more. This carnival was fun.
Day Fourteen, Fifthteen, Sixteen and Seventeen (Dec 27, 28, 29, and 30); The Resort:
They came at 10:00 and picked us up from the hotel, and drove for just about three hour to Bavora. When we arrived we stoped into meet some of their family that live in the area. We checked into the hotel were given our wrist bands and were taken to the rooms, the first thing that we did was eat. The resort was amazing everything was included (food Drinks and pools), this was an amazing three night (if you would like to check it out here is the link: Occidental Grand Punata Cana, All Inclusive Dominican Republic, All inclusive Punta Cana Vacations ). We then check out on and returned back to our hotels, we were dropped off at the hotel and packed to leave for home.
Day Eighteen (Dec 31); The day that we leave for home L:
We wake up at 7:30, take a shower, get dressed, and finished packing. At around 9:00 I get a call on my cell phone but I did not answer it. I Check my voicemail ten minutes later only to find that our flight back to USA had been canceled (our original flight is supposed to leave at 3:25 and arrive back at Newark at 10:00). So we were put on a flight that left at 4:30, we get picked up from the hotel at 11:00, head to their house for one final meal and watch movie. At 2:00 we get a ride to airport say our final good byes wait through the security and board the plane back to NJ. I will say that this day was one of the hardest days because I had fallen in love with a girl, and a beautiful island
I will be making this same trip next December again!
Time In DR: December 14- December 31
Locations Visited: Santo Domingo, Higeuy, and Bavora
Hotels: Rueben?s Hotel (Santo Domingo) and The Occidental Grand Punta Cana (Bavora)
People: Me and My friend from work (this girl I met the past summer and her sister)
Weather: Most days it was in 80s with about three popup rainstorms
Background:
This was my first trip out of the USA, and wont be my last trip. I had become friends with a Dominican during the summer and when she went back I told I would come to see her. After about two months of planning and saving up the money (Plane tickets, Passport, 900 dollars for the resort, and 2,000 in spending) I was finally ready to for DR.
Day One (Dec. 14); The Plane ride and the first Dinner:
We took off from Newark International Airport at 6:00 AM and arrived in Miami International at 9:00 AM. After our seven-hour layover (it was originally a four hour layover but it took a while for our plan to clear costumes) we finally take off bound for Las Americanas Airport. We landed at the Airport at around 5:30, then took about an hour to clear customs, Locate luggage (My luggage got a little bit lost coming of the plane), so now it is about 6:30 and I have just seen my friend who I have not seen in four months. Her Brother and a family helper load the van (her dad owns a tourist transport company), we leave the airport and go to their house to meet their family. Then after that we go to Reuben?s hotel to Pay for the rooms and put our luggage in the room, we talk for a little bit. Then we go to Adrian?s Tropical for dinner, the food their was very good. We then decide to call a night (Seeing as I had been up for almost 24 hours) they took us back to the hotel.
Day Two and Three (Dec. 15 and 16); Museums, Church, and Colonial Zone:
Well we woke up and got dressed for the day; we were picked up from our hotel at around 11:00. We went back to their house and had a traditional Dominican Breakfast ( I would say more of brunch or lunch), after we ate we went to the museum complex. The first museum we were going to go to was closed for renovation (the Dominican mans museum), We proceeded to the modern art museum. We went through the art museum; we then went over to go into the natural history museum. As we went to pay to enter they wanted to charge us (the two tourist) more to enter, so we decided not to go in. We then went to the supermarket and bought food for our hotel room. After that they took us to the hotel, then around 8:00 they picked us up and we went to this restaurant (I think the name of it was the green restaurant), we ate at the sushi one and the food was really good. The next day we went to their church, then after church we went to this Chinese food place (don?t remember the name but it was really good). Next we went to the colonial zone, We parked in this parking garage and walked down to the corner. At the corner we turned on Calle El Conde and walked to the end (the original plan was to visit all the historical sites), we then walk to this giant Cathedral ( they had a guard type of thing like Arlington in DC). At this point we get a walking tour of the area (by one of the locals who gave 200 pesos I think), we were able to get everything except for alcazar colons.
Day Four, Five, Six, and Seven (Dec. 17, 18, 19, and 20); Casino, Malecon, Bowling, Aquarium, and More:
Well Monday thru Wednesday the one who was doing the driving had to work in the (My friends sister did all the driving) morning, so a lot of the stuff did not start till 2:00. So we get picked up and the first thing we do is head back to their house to get my friend. After this we had to go to a computer store (to get something for a windows vista computer), after three hours of going to three different stores we finally get what we were looking for. Now it too late to do what we originally had plan so instead we decide to head down to the Malecon, we stop at this casino. Then we go to pizza hut and call it a night. So on Tuesday me and my coworker decide we are going to walk (which was a five minute walk from the hotel) to their house. When we arrive my friend was sleeping so her brother gave us a tour of their neighborhood. After the tour we went back to their hous only to find out that our ride had to work late, so her brother gave us a ride to the bowling alley. We bowled till about 8:30 at which time we were picked up and went to the Acropolis to see a movie. For those who don?t know what this is it is a mall (with all types of store, a movie theater, TGI Fridays) with a tower on top, it is a good size mall and is kind of cool. The next day we also walked to their house, this time we took public transit to the National Aquarium (Public transit is very different than what I am used to; no air, overcrowded but very cheap), after the aquarium we than took transit back to their house and went to the Mormon temple and the movies again. On Thursday we finally mad it back to the colonial zone, we went through the final museums that we did not go through the first time.
Day Eight, Nine, and Ten (Dec. 21, 22, and 23); Shopping, Botanical gardens, and Renting movies:
Friday we got picked up from the hotel at around 10:30, the first thing on our list was the botanical gardens. These gardens were just amazing, they have a train thing that goes around the gardens and makes stops. After the garden we then went back to the colonial zone and went to all the shops in the area, and we also went to Plaza Lama. Then Saturday morning and afternoon we hung out at the hotel, then in the evening their was a church youth event we went (we watched facing the giants), after the event we ate at McDonalds. Then on Sunday her sister and my coworker went to the country for a Christmas family gathering (but my friend doesn?t like the country, so we stayed back in the city), her and her father picked me up from the hotel at 6:00, we went and rented Spiderman 3 and Shriek 3. We spent the rest of the evening watching these movies.
Day Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen (Dec. 24, 25 and 26); Expensive Restaurant, More Shopping, Carnival and More:
On Christmas eve I had most of the day to myself (She wouldn?t be coming to get me till later), I watch some TV, and called back home to see how things were and tell them I was fine. So finally her and her father came to the hotel to pick me up, the original plan was to go to Fridays but Fridays was not opened (as a lot of restaurants were also closed), so after calling a bunch of restaurant we found this Arabian buffet (I think it was Arabian). Her dad dropped us off and went and parked the car, when he returned we went in sat down and ate. The food was very good, we finished and asked for the bill and they brought the bill. The price was 2,000 pesos a person ( at least I think that what it), I could not believe I just paid that much for a meal, but at least it was good. On Christmas day my coworker returned, after he took a shower they came back and we just chilled around the hotel playing cards. Later that night after we went to their house and picked my friend we went TGI Fridays and ate. The next day my friends sister came to the hotel and picked me and my coworker up (my friend was not with her because she was having he nails done) and we went back to plaza lama and to a flower shop (were I bought my friend some flower and necklace). After we went these two places we went to their house and picked up my friend and went this Carnival (I think I was called Iguana Park). We rode a lot of rides, they had a spinning wild mouse, a discko, a mattahorn, a fun house, a spin out, a chance Ferris wheel, a top spin, energy storm, and much more. This carnival was fun.
Day Fourteen, Fifthteen, Sixteen and Seventeen (Dec 27, 28, 29, and 30); The Resort:
They came at 10:00 and picked us up from the hotel, and drove for just about three hour to Bavora. When we arrived we stoped into meet some of their family that live in the area. We checked into the hotel were given our wrist bands and were taken to the rooms, the first thing that we did was eat. The resort was amazing everything was included (food Drinks and pools), this was an amazing three night (if you would like to check it out here is the link: Occidental Grand Punata Cana, All Inclusive Dominican Republic, All inclusive Punta Cana Vacations ). We then check out on and returned back to our hotels, we were dropped off at the hotel and packed to leave for home.
Day Eighteen (Dec 31); The day that we leave for home L:
We wake up at 7:30, take a shower, get dressed, and finished packing. At around 9:00 I get a call on my cell phone but I did not answer it. I Check my voicemail ten minutes later only to find that our flight back to USA had been canceled (our original flight is supposed to leave at 3:25 and arrive back at Newark at 10:00). So we were put on a flight that left at 4:30, we get picked up from the hotel at 11:00, head to their house for one final meal and watch movie. At 2:00 we get a ride to airport say our final good byes wait through the security and board the plane back to NJ. I will say that this day was one of the hardest days because I had fallen in love with a girl, and a beautiful island
I will be making this same trip next December again!