Hurricane Jeanne in Las Terrenas

[Juniper]

I just arrived in Las Terrenas from Santo Domingo and was shocked to find the devastation this supposedly "tropical storm" caused in this area.

There hasn?t been much said in the news in Santo Domingo and I don?t understand why. Of all the places where there was damage, including Casa De Campo and Punta Cana, I think Las Terrenas suffered the most.

Thousands of trees down and many many people lost their homes. Electric cables and poles are still on the ground. Although power is back in some parts of town, many places are still without electricity and water.

Most restaurants are closed and most hotels have shot down temporarily while they clean up and repair.

Shame on the Dominican news that have neglected to notify the rest of the country about this tragedy.

Juniper

 

[brian1958]

Hacienda Dominicus

We are due to travel to the Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus (9 of us) on the 6th October, can anyone tell me if this hotel has been damaged as the hotel tell me on the phone it is OK, but I am very dubious when you read all the rest of the reports.
We have been saving for this for a long time and I have been recovering from a major OP so it would be a big let down if the reports were not accurate.

Brian (Aberdeen Scotland)

 

[tired_boy]

We are due to travel to the Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus (9 of us) on the 6th October, can anyone tell me if this hotel has been damaged as the hotel tell me on the phone it is OK, but I am very dubious when you read all the rest of the reports.
We have been saving for this for a long time and I have been recovering from a major OP so it would be a big let down if the reports were not accurate.

Brian (Aberdeen Scotland)

Hi there,
If you post this question in the 'General' section of the DR1 message boards more people will get to see it and be able to give you some info.

I am sure you will have a good time!

http://www.dr1.com/forums/announcement.php?f=24

 

[dontuseEltour]

Juniper how did you guys fair? We also have seen very little on the area even after serching a lot. Strange how little is being carried about all the areas hit including the US. Yes we have seen more on it but not like they uselly feed us with.

On a better note Tanner turns 6 on the 28th and is excited to return this Feb.
Thinking of you guys Terry and Nicki + Tanner

 

[Juniper]

Juniper how did you guys fair? We also have seen very little on the area even after serching a lot. Strange how little is being carried about all the areas hit including the US. Yes we have seen more on it but not like they uselly feed us with.

On a better note Tanner turns 6 on the 28th and is excited to return this Feb.
Thinking of you guys Terry and Nicki + Tanner

.......................................................................................

Hi Terry, Nicki and Tanner. It?s really good to hear from you.

I happened to go back to LT by myself to bring some boxes and put them in storage and when I arrived, I was in shock. It was so sad to see so many of the little huts destroyed along with whatever little possesion these people had. The trees on the mountain between Sanchez and Las Terrenas were wiped out. It looks like it was hit by an atomic bomb.

All, and I mean all, of the hotels suffered damage, some more than others. Colibri had quite a bit of damage but Imke and Rocco are on the ball with the repairs. You know them, they don?t waste any time. The roofs are already been fixed and they are installing a new power generator to provide power to all the apartments, even when the lights go out everywhere else. They should be fully back in operation by the end of next week.

The ColibriBar Restaurant is running and Gracciano is serving his usual delicious dishes. Amazingly, the restaurant didn?t suffer much damage. But most of the other restaurants were closed.

By the time you go back in February everything should be back to normal.

We are planning to go back in January so we?ll probably see you then.

Best regards, Juniper

 

[randall]

Should we avoid Samana Peninsula this winter?

Juniper,

Thanks for your very useful info about what you saw in Las Terrenas after the hurricane. My wife and I are planning a winter vacation for February and were considering the Samana Peninsula, but after your vivid descriptions of the "war zone" you saw in the area, I'm asking you if it would be better if we visited some other part of DR and perhaps waited a year or so before going to the peninsula? You say that you believe that things will be back to normal in February, but we'd be disappointed looking over a landscape of fallen trees.

Your opinion would be greatly appreciated,

Randy

.......................................................................................

Hi Terry, Nicki and Tanner. It?s really good to hear from you.

I happened to go back to LT by myself to bring some boxes and put them in storage and when I arrived, I was in shock. It was so sad to see so many of the little huts destroyed along with whatever little possesion these people had. The trees on the mountain between Sanchez and Las Terrenas were wiped out. It looks like it was hit by an atomic bomb.

All, and I mean all, of the hotels suffered damage, some more than others. Colibri had quite a bit of damage but Imke and Rocco are on the ball with the repairs. You know them, they don?t waste any time. The roofs are already been fixed and they are installing a new power generator to provide power to all the apartments, even when the lights go out everywhere else. They should be fully back in operation by the end of next week.

The ColibriBar Restaurant is running and Gracciano is serving his usual delicious dishes. Amazingly, the restaurant didn?t suffer much damage. But most of the other restaurants were closed.

By the time you go back in February everything should be back to normal.

We are planning to go back in January so we?ll probably see you then.

Best regards, Juniper

 

[RonS]

I was in Las Terrenas for a week after Thanksgiving and although there is ample evidence of the devastation of the hurricanes everywhere the people have gone a long way to restoring the town to pre-huricane splender. I stayed at the Colibri and can tell you that all systems are up and running and in excellent working order. They have cleaned up the downed palm trees and restored the gardens. Everyone is in good spirits, is working hard to improve the situation, and looking forward to the new year. I plan to return in late February so that I can visit with the whales when they return to Samana and I recommend you not postponne your vacation based on observations made immediately after the hurricanes.