It rained like hell during the night again and it even woke me up twice. However, we sleep with the windows open so it is not a stretch that the rain would wake me. However, right on cue around 11:00AM it started to clear up.
Originally Carroll and I intended to go grocery shopping, hopefully for the last time but the gloomy skies put that idea on the wait and see list. Then , while we were checking our emails at the pool area Joe and Andréa came down to do the same. During the conversation Carroll mentioned about going for some groceries. Joe said that he too was thinking about it and that he would go with us and we could take the "Local " bus services. Since Andréa was not going, Carroll decided that she too would stay at the pool and let me do the shopping. That was not one of her best decisions. I also had to go to the bank.
Anyhow Joe ( he speaks Spanish somewhat ) and I had to walk to the main road which is about 1/2 a KM. There are no scheduled Bus Stops, you merely wave at the vehicle and it usually stops. The Bus... and I use the word loosely, is somewhat like a Volkswagen van and it probably holds 8 to 10 people but it is possible to squeeze 20 people into it. Joe and I squeezed into the sit behind the driver along with one other passenger. Please don't even ask if there were seat belts. However the sliding side door was not even closed and I was afraid that if we rounded a corner Joe would go flying out. Joe told the driver where we wanted to go and I knew from the conversation that our stop was not on his route but he did not want to lose two fare so he said he would take us to our stop. As a result, we got a tour thru most of the city.
After shopping we had to get a regular taxi to take us home, as I had about 10 bags and you can not get on the local bus with that many bags. The taxi's are waiting outside the store and Joe say how much to Playa Dorado and the guys says 500 P and Joe said , forget it I'll call my regular taxi so the taxi agreed to 300P
Joe and Andrea were going out for supper with another couple who had just arrived last evening ,so they invited us to go along. We had a nice supper and met a new couple from Flint , Michigan and had a nice conversation. After supper we returned the pool area as there was a Texas Holdem game about to start at 8 PM. All the men in our group played cards while Carroll and I joined the ladies to spin some yarns. The conversation got around to Christmas dinner and one of the ladies ask if we would like to join her group for Christmas dinner. We graciously accepted since we had no plans at all. Cheers
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
More Rain/ More People
I have been asking people if this is the rainy season and most answer; not really. Well it sure as hell rained lots last night and it continued into the morning. In fact we thought there would be no beach day but the Sun came thru around noon and it was a great Beach day after all. It would be a sin to miss a beach day !!!!
When we got to the beach our new found friends ( Peter/Judy and Jack/Gwen ) where already there and so were many more beach bums. I think the Christmas rush is on because the "All Inclusive" hotels seem to have a lot more bodies laying around soaking up the Sun.
There was no Happy Hour last night so maybe the old folks fell asleep in the afternoon from the stressful day at the beach and forgot to wake up. So Carroll and I sat by the pool until it was supper time. cheers
When we got to the beach our new found friends ( Peter/Judy and Jack/Gwen ) where already there and so were many more beach bums. I think the Christmas rush is on because the "All Inclusive" hotels seem to have a lot more bodies laying around soaking up the Sun.
There was no Happy Hour last night so maybe the old folks fell asleep in the afternoon from the stressful day at the beach and forgot to wake up. So Carroll and I sat by the pool until it was supper time. cheers
Monday, 21 December 2015
The stampede has Started
The tourist have started to arrive as "Joe" predicted and many are Europeans. I was told by a Brit that they fly direct from Heathrow airport to the DR and the price is very reasonable hence the reason the Brits and the Europeans come here.
This morning while doing my computer checks we met with Joe and his wife and we had a 1/2 hour confab, swapping stories about family, careers and health issues. They mentioned that 2 couples would join them for Happy Hour around 5 PM and we were invited to met them which we did. We now are friends with 6 more English speaking people.
We did our normal trip to the beach in the afternoon and had lunch with Joe and his wife. I noticed they were reading and since I run out of reading material I thought they might loan or swap me a book. Joe informed me that there was a library of about 100 paperbacks in the foyer under the counter. So I checked and there was more books than I will read so I grabbed a couple to hold me for awhile. I'm going thru about 1 1/2 books a week because the "Bikini " watching on the beach has been slow lately.
We went to Dinner and Las Vegas type show tonight and it was great. The meal was Surf and Turf and all you can drink as long as it is Beer, wine or a rum drink. The first drink was Champagne and Carroll took a sip of hers and liked it. I hope she not thinking of taking up drinking because we both can't afford to drink. After the dinner , we were escorted to the auditorium for the show which lasted about 1 1/2 hours and again the drinks kept coming, even without asking. Carroll ordered a Pina Coloda however the waitress noticed that Carroll's first drink was a Sprite so she ask if she wanted the drink with or without rum. Of course it was without??
The show was dancing and singing , both men and women with the most gorgeous costumes we have ever seen. All the dancers were tall, well built and definitely physically fit. All the ladies were scantily dressed and Carroll said they were good looking. They were on a stage so I could see that high. ha ha.
After the show we had an hour to kill so they directed us to the Casino where they had hoped to get us to spend some money. This was of course the plan but very few people gambled and in fact I only noticed one guy at the Black Jack table from our crew. As Carroll and I walked around the place I was invited to join the Texas Holdem table as they only had 3 players. It was a very fancy upscale looking Casino but there was only 2 Black Jack tables in use and I only seen one guy a the one arm bandits.
We got home at 11:30 and we feel we got good valve for our money. cheers
This morning while doing my computer checks we met with Joe and his wife and we had a 1/2 hour confab, swapping stories about family, careers and health issues. They mentioned that 2 couples would join them for Happy Hour around 5 PM and we were invited to met them which we did. We now are friends with 6 more English speaking people.
We did our normal trip to the beach in the afternoon and had lunch with Joe and his wife. I noticed they were reading and since I run out of reading material I thought they might loan or swap me a book. Joe informed me that there was a library of about 100 paperbacks in the foyer under the counter. So I checked and there was more books than I will read so I grabbed a couple to hold me for awhile. I'm going thru about 1 1/2 books a week because the "Bikini " watching on the beach has been slow lately.
We went to Dinner and Las Vegas type show tonight and it was great. The meal was Surf and Turf and all you can drink as long as it is Beer, wine or a rum drink. The first drink was Champagne and Carroll took a sip of hers and liked it. I hope she not thinking of taking up drinking because we both can't afford to drink. After the dinner , we were escorted to the auditorium for the show which lasted about 1 1/2 hours and again the drinks kept coming, even without asking. Carroll ordered a Pina Coloda however the waitress noticed that Carroll's first drink was a Sprite so she ask if she wanted the drink with or without rum. Of course it was without??
The show was dancing and singing , both men and women with the most gorgeous costumes we have ever seen. All the dancers were tall, well built and definitely physically fit. All the ladies were scantily dressed and Carroll said they were good looking. They were on a stage so I could see that high. ha ha.
After the show we had an hour to kill so they directed us to the Casino where they had hoped to get us to spend some money. This was of course the plan but very few people gambled and in fact I only noticed one guy at the Black Jack table from our crew. As Carroll and I walked around the place I was invited to join the Texas Holdem table as they only had 3 players. It was a very fancy upscale looking Casino but there was only 2 Black Jack tables in use and I only seen one guy a the one arm bandits.
We got home at 11:30 and we feel we got good valve for our money. cheers
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Slow Day:
Today we are waiting on the Stampede of tourist which we are told by Joe that it will come and a few more couples and family are slowly moving in.
However, yesterday I mentioned that we where having our apartment/ condo cleaned. Well, it never happen because I did not leave our key with the office staff because I assumed they had a key , which I'm sure they do as I seen hundreds of keys hanging in a key press in the office. So I made a trek back to the office and in my best "Spandish " ask if the needed my key to clean the room which they said yes. Carroll and I then busied our self sitting by the pool with the computer and a book. Within an hour the cleaning lady returned our key to us at the pool. We now have a nice clean condo.
We have to pay to have it cleaned after we leave.
While moseying around the office foyer I noticed some "for rent signs " posted on the bulletin board so I checked them out. A one bedroom like ours rents 150.00 USD per day which I'm sure would be cheaper by the month. Our rent is 1200 USD for a month which is 31 days for Dec. which seems like a fairly good deal. The owner claims he needs to rent it for 3 months to break even. Our condo is rented for Jan to March after we leave.
After lunch we then did our Duty Watch at the beach for a few hours and it still did not seem like there were many more people. But "Joe" says they will come and we hope so. cheers
However, yesterday I mentioned that we where having our apartment/ condo cleaned. Well, it never happen because I did not leave our key with the office staff because I assumed they had a key , which I'm sure they do as I seen hundreds of keys hanging in a key press in the office. So I made a trek back to the office and in my best "Spandish " ask if the needed my key to clean the room which they said yes. Carroll and I then busied our self sitting by the pool with the computer and a book. Within an hour the cleaning lady returned our key to us at the pool. We now have a nice clean condo.
We have to pay to have it cleaned after we leave.
While moseying around the office foyer I noticed some "for rent signs " posted on the bulletin board so I checked them out. A one bedroom like ours rents 150.00 USD per day which I'm sure would be cheaper by the month. Our rent is 1200 USD for a month which is 31 days for Dec. which seems like a fairly good deal. The owner claims he needs to rent it for 3 months to break even. Our condo is rented for Jan to March after we leave.
After lunch we then did our Duty Watch at the beach for a few hours and it still did not seem like there were many more people. But "Joe" says they will come and we hope so. cheers
Friday, 18 December 2015
English Speaking ... At last
The first order of the day was to go to the office and pay to have our Laundry done and also to pay to have our room cleaned. The cost for the Laundry including the soap was about 7.00 Cdn and to clean the room was 3.30 Cdn. Carroll has a house cleaner at home so why not have one here or maybe she has forgot how; I'm not sure which.
Since it was time to check the computer we carry the Laundry down to the Laundry mat which is beside the pool and did our computer checks. As I was buried in the computer answering an email a man walks up and say "Hi I'm Joe" . I was shocked that someone actual said something in English and I just looked at him for a second and then he says what is you name. I quickly realized that I was talking to another Canadian and then we carry on with the preverbal Q and A about each other. He is an Expat Newfie who lives in Mississauga and has most of his life. He and his wife spend 3 1/2 month in the DR every year. I can tell already that he a fun type guy. We will definitely be seeing more of them as there is a group of 6 or 8 that come here annually. Joe also told us not to tip at the restaurants because it is included in the price. It is a little late for us now... dam it.
After lunch we headed for the beach as is our routine. There was very few people in the water as it was a bit rough at our beach area. However, we seen a couple down the beach in front of the "All Inclusive " so we went down and joined them. They are a young couple ( in their 30's ) and are from Toronto. We swam around with them for about an hour and swapped stories. They are not happy with their hotel as they are Vegetarians and they said the salads were not that good and they are living on Pizza. To top it off, they said the shower had no hot water.
The rest of the day we just Pissed it away. cheers
Since it was time to check the computer we carry the Laundry down to the Laundry mat which is beside the pool and did our computer checks. As I was buried in the computer answering an email a man walks up and say "Hi I'm Joe" . I was shocked that someone actual said something in English and I just looked at him for a second and then he says what is you name. I quickly realized that I was talking to another Canadian and then we carry on with the preverbal Q and A about each other. He is an Expat Newfie who lives in Mississauga and has most of his life. He and his wife spend 3 1/2 month in the DR every year. I can tell already that he a fun type guy. We will definitely be seeing more of them as there is a group of 6 or 8 that come here annually. Joe also told us not to tip at the restaurants because it is included in the price. It is a little late for us now... dam it.
After lunch we headed for the beach as is our routine. There was very few people in the water as it was a bit rough at our beach area. However, we seen a couple down the beach in front of the "All Inclusive " so we went down and joined them. They are a young couple ( in their 30's ) and are from Toronto. We swam around with them for about an hour and swapped stories. They are not happy with their hotel as they are Vegetarians and they said the salads were not that good and they are living on Pizza. To top it off, they said the shower had no hot water.
The rest of the day we just Pissed it away. cheers
Thursday, 17 December 2015
Show Time
In the morning' once the Mall opened we met with the Tour agent to purchase tickets for the Dinner Show for Saturday night which is a Las Vegas type dancing show. After that we again went to the beach but it was a cloudy day which was not that inviting . Also the beach was littered with seaweed because there was a storm out in the Pacific and this causes the ocean to stir up the seaweed and park it on our beach. However, each morning a tractor type of machinery comes along and picks up the seaweed and the junk that lands on the shore.
Since beach was not that great we return to our pool and sat in the Sun ( what there was of it )and read. Carroll is not a reader as she still has finished one book yet. I'm on my fourth .
Nobody promised us a Rose Garden . Cheers
Since beach was not that great we return to our pool and sat in the Sun ( what there was of it )and read. Carroll is not a reader as she still has finished one book yet. I'm on my fourth .
Nobody promised us a Rose Garden . Cheers
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
Mexico " Light"
Today was an uneventful day even thought we did spend a few hours at the beach which our normal routine but I want to give you my impressions of Puerto Plata. This includes the people and the things I see that remind me of MX but not to the same extent. Anything bad is not as bad as MX; and most things good are not as good or not much better, hence the reason "Mexico Light" comes to mind.
Beggars: We have toured the city once and drove thru and around it 4 times and I have yet to see a beggar or anyone wanting a handout. Even when we went to the market people just let us pick out the product and then they would come to us to weight them.
Hawkers: Yes they have their "Hawkers " walking the beach peddling their wares but the only ask you once and to them No Thanks is No. Also, all the Hawkers are wearing a blue shirt with a number so I assume they are all control by the government and they are definitely not a bother. In MX they pester the shit out of you. Not one of the Hawkers has used the phase " WalMart Prices " which the do in MX. However, and you may have guessed this was coming......Carroll convinced me and the Hawker selling shirts; that my life was not complete without this god offal shirt. So I grab a cotton shirt , Jewed him do to 10 USD and took the GD thing. I'm pretty sure I bought same shirt at the Post in Med Hat for a dollar just so I could look ridiculous at Hawaii night in Yuma.
Vehicle Drivers: This is were the Mexicans excel , as they are nuts and have a death wish where the DR ( vehicle ) driver are much more careful and courteous. There seems to be much more courtesy when merging and lane changing and certainly a lot less horn honking. Mexican will pass anywhere and anytime; corners , hills and double lines mean nothing. DR vehicle driver pretty much obey the rules.
Motorcycle Riding; Now these people are completely nuts. They pass anywhere anytime , on the left ,on the right. Stop sign are for vehicles and they seem to know the vehicles will give way.
Incidental there is open season on Pedestrians which is the same in MX. We have seen up to a family of 4 on one of the motorcycles which is slightly bigger than a Scooter. They do have a helmet law but very few every where one .
That's it for Mexico Light ... Cheers
Beggars: We have toured the city once and drove thru and around it 4 times and I have yet to see a beggar or anyone wanting a handout. Even when we went to the market people just let us pick out the product and then they would come to us to weight them.
Hawkers: Yes they have their "Hawkers " walking the beach peddling their wares but the only ask you once and to them No Thanks is No. Also, all the Hawkers are wearing a blue shirt with a number so I assume they are all control by the government and they are definitely not a bother. In MX they pester the shit out of you. Not one of the Hawkers has used the phase " WalMart Prices " which the do in MX. However, and you may have guessed this was coming......Carroll convinced me and the Hawker selling shirts; that my life was not complete without this god offal shirt. So I grab a cotton shirt , Jewed him do to 10 USD and took the GD thing. I'm pretty sure I bought same shirt at the Post in Med Hat for a dollar just so I could look ridiculous at Hawaii night in Yuma.
Vehicle Drivers: This is were the Mexicans excel , as they are nuts and have a death wish where the DR ( vehicle ) driver are much more careful and courteous. There seems to be much more courtesy when merging and lane changing and certainly a lot less horn honking. Mexican will pass anywhere and anytime; corners , hills and double lines mean nothing. DR vehicle driver pretty much obey the rules.
Motorcycle Riding; Now these people are completely nuts. They pass anywhere anytime , on the left ,on the right. Stop sign are for vehicles and they seem to know the vehicles will give way.
Incidental there is open season on Pedestrians which is the same in MX. We have seen up to a family of 4 on one of the motorcycles which is slightly bigger than a Scooter. They do have a helmet law but very few every where one .
That's it for Mexico Light ... Cheers
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