My wife and I and another couple set out on our summer vaction this year not really knowing what to expect. It all started from us planning to go to Culebra, Puerto Rico and through searching the internet, calling, looking at pictures on google earth we found a villa on Homeaway.com and all bets were off. Just from the pictures on-line we were sold, and all of us agreed that we were heading to las Galeras.
Little did we know what lied ahead, but man was it worth it. Once we started to make travel plans to get there we realized how out of the way this place was but with help from Yocaste, the property manager/friend and DR1.com the tracks were laid. We would drive from jackson ms to new orleans, fly to miami, then on to santo domingo, rent a car and drive to las galeras. We chickened out on the driving part being our first time in DR and met Marcos, a taxi driver and a proud Dominican. All he wanted to do was show us his country and we appreciated him very much. Loaded up on beer and Brugal at the curb store and away we went. He stopped at local roadside food stand store aat the end of the new highway, got us some food to sample, talked to some locals, explained to us what some of the foods were that we would be eating since we trying to do everything as locals do, a mere crash course in Dominican Republic.
When we rolled into las Galeras it was nothing like we expected. It was so much better. I have traveled a lot and the main thing I want when I go some place is for it not to be touristy and to have a good local flavor. This town nails this on the head if you hang out at the same places we did. The villa was down the raod from Villa Serena, 10 minute walk from super mercado, 5 min walk from la playita and Issabells. That lady Issabell sure can cook. We had to be on the beach early for sun due to the rainy season but it let us enjoy the town more once it started raining. Sitting in a bar playing dominoes is a new favorite for me. The rain made everything cool off at just the right time, not to mention it provides the sounds for a very relaxing nap. I will say it once, because I have said it a thousand times when I was there, " Man, I could live here. I just love everything about this place." I would like to give Yocaste a special thanks along with Marcos because without them some of these special moments would not have been had. I thank you both.
PDUNLAP
Little did we know what lied ahead, but man was it worth it. Once we started to make travel plans to get there we realized how out of the way this place was but with help from Yocaste, the property manager/friend and DR1.com the tracks were laid. We would drive from jackson ms to new orleans, fly to miami, then on to santo domingo, rent a car and drive to las galeras. We chickened out on the driving part being our first time in DR and met Marcos, a taxi driver and a proud Dominican. All he wanted to do was show us his country and we appreciated him very much. Loaded up on beer and Brugal at the curb store and away we went. He stopped at local roadside food stand store aat the end of the new highway, got us some food to sample, talked to some locals, explained to us what some of the foods were that we would be eating since we trying to do everything as locals do, a mere crash course in Dominican Republic.
When we rolled into las Galeras it was nothing like we expected. It was so much better. I have traveled a lot and the main thing I want when I go some place is for it not to be touristy and to have a good local flavor. This town nails this on the head if you hang out at the same places we did. The villa was down the raod from Villa Serena, 10 minute walk from super mercado, 5 min walk from la playita and Issabells. That lady Issabell sure can cook. We had to be on the beach early for sun due to the rainy season but it let us enjoy the town more once it started raining. Sitting in a bar playing dominoes is a new favorite for me. The rain made everything cool off at just the right time, not to mention it provides the sounds for a very relaxing nap. I will say it once, because I have said it a thousand times when I was there, " Man, I could live here. I just love everything about this place." I would like to give Yocaste a special thanks along with Marcos because without them some of these special moments would not have been had. I thank you both.
PDUNLAP