Landed in Santo Domingo, planned to rent a car to drive the ‘new’ toll highway to the north coast, turn left and continue on to Sosua. I don’t know (remember) why we didn’t simply land in Puerto Plato which is a whole lot closer to our booked accommodation. Oh well, at least the long drive was anticipated, and accommodation had been booked for the 1st night nearby the airport in Juan Dolio. The plan was to strike out next morning for the long drive to Sosua—extra long for us ’cause we always get lost.
The car rental office was a tiresome and frustrating introduction to this beautiful country. It literally took hours to rent an ordinary car; when finally presented with the keys, Bill noticed a broken wheel rim…and asked for a different car! As each hour passed, the sun lowered into dusk. We headed east with no map, GPS, water or snack. We had not foreseen such a big delay in arriving at our hotel; had envisioned early afternoon, therefore, had no provisions of any kind. As for a map, well, we’d find the place eventually. Night vision isn’t my forte so this road trip was rather stressful on several levels, including pedestrians and motorbikes scurrying across our path!
see traveltoon ‘Dominican Republic – Car Rental’ post
Next day, drove west past Santo Domingo airport, looking for the turnoff to the toll highway, supposedly 2 km past the airport, but not for us (naturally). With no U-turns permitted, we continued westbound on the highway towards the city, reading a sign: “Santo Domingo 17 km”. We had long passed our turnoff but the concrete wall between west and eastbound lanes negated any chance of turning back. Luckily a gas station appeared, and the attendant described how to return and find the toll highway—which we thankfully did!
see traveltoon ‘Dominican Republic – Directions’ post
Good roadway, scary drivers. That simply sums it up when you are not accustomed to oncoming traffic speeding toward you in your lane—for no reason at all!
see traveltoon ‘Dominican – Drivers’ post
SOSUA
Short drive east of Puerto Plato airport is Sosua. As we noted everywhere in D.R., the scenery is awesome.
Downtown Sosua beach, Dominican Rep.
Sosua beach market
PERLA MARINA
Located between the towns of Sosua and Cabarete is the large, quiet community with dramatic ocean-side scenery. There is no actual marina there! With a mixture of residents and tourists, there’s a variety of accommodation from sprawling mansions to small condo apartments. We rented twice in Perla Marina in 2 different areas of the community.
Perla Marina, Dominican Rep.
see traveltoon ‘Dominican Republic – Security’
Perla Marina- path to beach
D.R. BEES!
Met a great couple who are beekeepers. They graciously invited us to see their operation. I stayed well back from the hives…to take photos, of course!
Up close lesson!
Selling their honey at beachfront market
Natural and delicious!
see traveltoon ‘Dominican Republic – Bees’ post
D.R. DRIVERS!
Driving, biking, walking, or simply standing near a road can be (is) hazardous!
OK…squeeze thru’ the middle
2 lanes of road = 3 lanes of traffic + parking !
Those crutches say it all!
see traveltoon ‘Dominican Republic – Fright’ post
Passing on the left–must be a tourist!
Head-on collision?
see traveltoon ‘Dominican Republic – Pass’ post
When at home base or traveling, Bill donates blood regularly. He had an eye-opening experience at a small hospital in the D.R.
see traveltoon ‘Dominican – Blood’
Even when departing Puerto Plata airport, there’s a tale to tell!