As suggested by Marcos and Nathalia, we moved from this huge, messy, overcrowled, ancient dominican capital to Cabarete, on the north coast. It's a very small caribbean village, its many bars and restaurants are located right on the long beach. Here you can practice all kind of watersport you like, from Kite surf and windsurf to to scuba diving.
At the Bus stop, in the middle of the jungle,waiting for us there was Marcos' friend Marcus (on the side), a german guy who owes a surfing school located in a beach not too far from the village of Cabarete called Playa Encuentro.
Jumping on each of the many holes on the road, with a jeep that gave its best run loooong time ago, we got to the only hostel of the village. Owned by An italian named Gaetano, who i had the pleasure to talk with, this hostel is a very luxurious one, with balcony and bathroom for every room, swimming pool and nice garden with plenty of coconuts trees. We slept there one night only.
The same evening we went for dinner in a pub in Cabarete, were we met the menager of the place, Tony, a fancy 64 y.o man from Canada who lives here since 2003. The day after we met him again cause we wanted to rent an apartment for the month and he actually shown us a good one for 350 dollars, close to the centre. The same day we were sleeping in our place, finally.
The apartment ...
We got a good deal on Marcus' surfing school and for about 200 dollars each we have a week lessons and then we can use the board we want for the whole day, for the whole month. He comes to pick us up at 7 o`clock ( so early !) and take us back home at 12.
Teachers
Another Highlight of nthe week is Franco Schipani (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Schipani) a famous italian tv man who owes the restaurant were we go to eat everyday, twice a week. He's been living many years in U.S as a gournalist for Tv Talk before he settled down in Cabarete.
The first week goes fast between surfing lessons in the morning, Arroz blanco, abichuela and pollo guisado as lunch and lovely cocktails on the beach in the evening. Everything is very cheap, especially for europeans. One euro is about 52 Dominican pesos so: 130 pesos for a good meal, 70 pesos for a cuba libre, 150 for a piña colada ( the best). Of course some place offering really high quality are much more espensive, but always affordable. In "Pomodoro", the best pizzeria in the village (owned by Mr Antonio) you can get a good pizza 300-350 pesos. But the best place we went to is called "Alice Comp" where for 400 pesos youy can get the biggest, longest piece of beef meat i've ever seen. Amazing!
Let's say we can't complain about the life we're lliving, actually.
On the week end we went to Porto Plata the capital of the province, where Nathalia's family lives.
That's Sosua.
After a very nice and abundant luch at her place we went for a tour in the Brugal's Rhon factory. The thing we did't know is that Nathalia's family was once one of the business partners of Brugal rum and her Uncle is still leading the company. In the end, we were basically touring Brugal's rhon factory, nothing less than with Nathalia Benz Brugal.
After that we went to visit the Puerto Plata's coastline. Unfortunately this 500 years old Columbo"s fortress was closeed so we could just admire it from outside.
Puerto Plata's main square
It's very easy to find a guide here. They just hanging around along the streets and when they see a turist, they come over to offer you a city tour. One of them took us to a cigar's laboratory.
Dominican cigars are considered the best cigars in the world, even better than the cuban ones.
That was the last stop of our day. Two hours later we were on the way back to Cabarete. Many thanks to Marcos and Nathalia, always very very kind, for the lovely lunch and the exciting day.
See ya!
End of it
Jumping on each of the many holes on the road, with a jeep that gave its best run loooong time ago, we got to the only hostel of the village. Owned by An italian named Gaetano, who i had the pleasure to talk with, this hostel is a very luxurious one, with balcony and bathroom for every room, swimming pool and nice garden with plenty of coconuts trees. We slept there one night only.
The same evening we went for dinner in a pub in Cabarete, were we met the menager of the place, Tony, a fancy 64 y.o man from Canada who lives here since 2003. The day after we met him again cause we wanted to rent an apartment for the month and he actually shown us a good one for 350 dollars, close to the centre. The same day we were sleeping in our place, finally.
The apartment ...
We got a good deal on Marcus' surfing school and for about 200 dollars each we have a week lessons and then we can use the board we want for the whole day, for the whole month. He comes to pick us up at 7 o`clock ( so early !) and take us back home at 12.
Another Highlight of nthe week is Franco Schipani (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Schipani) a famous italian tv man who owes the restaurant were we go to eat everyday, twice a week. He's been living many years in U.S as a gournalist for Tv Talk before he settled down in Cabarete.
The first week goes fast between surfing lessons in the morning, Arroz blanco, abichuela and pollo guisado as lunch and lovely cocktails on the beach in the evening. Everything is very cheap, especially for europeans. One euro is about 52 Dominican pesos so: 130 pesos for a good meal, 70 pesos for a cuba libre, 150 for a piña colada ( the best). Of course some place offering really high quality are much more espensive, but always affordable. In "Pomodoro", the best pizzeria in the village (owned by Mr Antonio) you can get a good pizza 300-350 pesos. But the best place we went to is called "Alice Comp" where for 400 pesos youy can get the biggest, longest piece of beef meat i've ever seen. Amazing!
Let's say we can't complain about the life we're lliving, actually.
On the week end we went to Porto Plata the capital of the province, where Nathalia's family lives.
That's Sosua.
After a very nice and abundant luch at her place we went for a tour in the Brugal's Rhon factory. The thing we did't know is that Nathalia's family was once one of the business partners of Brugal rum and her Uncle is still leading the company. In the end, we were basically touring Brugal's rhon factory, nothing less than with Nathalia Benz Brugal.
After that we went to visit the Puerto Plata's coastline. Unfortunately this 500 years old Columbo"s fortress was closeed so we could just admire it from outside.
Puerto Plata's main square
It's very easy to find a guide here. They just hanging around along the streets and when they see a turist, they come over to offer you a city tour. One of them took us to a cigar's laboratory.
Dominican cigars are considered the best cigars in the world, even better than the cuban ones.
That was the last stop of our day. Two hours later we were on the way back to Cabarete. Many thanks to Marcos and Nathalia, always very very kind, for the lovely lunch and the exciting day.
See ya!
End of it
