It is time for a much needed break. Will resume posting next week when I return from Carnaval.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Trouble In Paradise
From the Associated Press:
Strikes that have nearly frozen everyday life on Frances's caribbean islands burst into clashes last Monday as police battled protesters angry at high prices and resentful of the tiny white elite on lands better known for beachside vacations.
Police detained about 50 people on the island of Guadeloupe. Strikers were sprayed with tear gas and several were injured.
On the sister island of Martinique police said as many as 10,000 demonstrators marched through the narrow streets of the capital to protest spiraling food prices and denounce the islands business elite.
Government offices, schools, banks and stores have been shuttered for most of the past 18 days as islanders demand lower prices and higher wages.
The strike is also exposing racial and class tensions on islands where costs of living are high and where a largely white elite that makes up 1 percent of the population controls most businesses.
France's National Travel Agencies organization has reported that some 10,000 tourists have cancelled planned vacations in Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Update March 14: Madeleine de Grandmaison, chairwoman of the Martinique Tourism Authority, issued a statement on Friday celebrating the resolution of a general strike in effect on the island over the past few weeks: “It gives me great pleasure to confirm the official end to the general strike in Martinique."
Strikes that have nearly frozen everyday life on Frances's caribbean islands burst into clashes last Monday as police battled protesters angry at high prices and resentful of the tiny white elite on lands better known for beachside vacations.
Police detained about 50 people on the island of Guadeloupe. Strikers were sprayed with tear gas and several were injured.
On the sister island of Martinique police said as many as 10,000 demonstrators marched through the narrow streets of the capital to protest spiraling food prices and denounce the islands business elite.
Government offices, schools, banks and stores have been shuttered for most of the past 18 days as islanders demand lower prices and higher wages.
The strike is also exposing racial and class tensions on islands where costs of living are high and where a largely white elite that makes up 1 percent of the population controls most businesses.
France's National Travel Agencies organization has reported that some 10,000 tourists have cancelled planned vacations in Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Update March 14: Madeleine de Grandmaison, chairwoman of the Martinique Tourism Authority, issued a statement on Friday celebrating the resolution of a general strike in effect on the island over the past few weeks: “It gives me great pleasure to confirm the official end to the general strike in Martinique."
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
New Highway For Whales
With the new highway cutting travel time to two hours from SD to Samana, you may want to consider the following while you are visiting.
These are whale-watching days in the Samana area. Thousands of humpback whales from the North Atlantic migrate to the waters of the Dominican Republic each winter to mate and give birth. Their most popular winter rendezvous is Silver Bank, the 3,000-square-kilometer reef system approximately 70 miles north east of Puerto Plata. But from there many circulate to other popular areas. One of these gathering places is Samana Bay. It is estimated that more than 1,500 humpbacks visit the bay, with as many as 300 present at any given time during mating season. The World Wildlife Fund considers Samana Bay one of the best places in the world to watch whales. It offers something for everyone-the outer bay is where you might find aggressive males competing for the favors of willing females, and the sheltered inner bay is one of the most important humpback nurseries in the world. See http://www.dr1.com/directories/hotels/paraiso_cano_hondo.shtml
These are whale-watching days in the Samana area. Thousands of humpback whales from the North Atlantic migrate to the waters of the Dominican Republic each winter to mate and give birth. Their most popular winter rendezvous is Silver Bank, the 3,000-square-kilometer reef system approximately 70 miles north east of Puerto Plata. But from there many circulate to other popular areas. One of these gathering places is Samana Bay. It is estimated that more than 1,500 humpbacks visit the bay, with as many as 300 present at any given time during mating season. The World Wildlife Fund considers Samana Bay one of the best places in the world to watch whales. It offers something for everyone-the outer bay is where you might find aggressive males competing for the favors of willing females, and the sheltered inner bay is one of the most important humpback nurseries in the world. See http://www.dr1.com/directories/hotels/paraiso_cano_hondo.shtml
Monday, February 16, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIO
It's time once again for Mario Sessions' annual birthday bash in Santo Domingo! There are plans for a private rooftop event, a pre-birthday party at Eukliptus and the big birthday bash at JayDees Disco Bar. If you're in Santo Domingo on March 5-8 then you must check it out!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Villa In Sosua
Casa Carmen is a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom villa about 5-10 minutes from Sosuas town center. The gay-owned villa is located in the La Mulata area of Sosua in a gated community. The villa features a pool, gardens and cable tv. It is surrounded by a high hedge, offering privacy to its guests.
There are condos next door with a restaurant, coffee shop and a small grocery, all open to guests of the villa. There is a second restaurant about a 5 minute walk away.
Visitors will enjoy being close to Cabarete (15 minutes) and Puerto Plata. There is a shuttle bus into town that costs about US $1 each way.
Both Sosua and Cabarete are known for their beauty and charm. Gay tourists are spending more time there and the villa offers a great option to larger hotels and resorts.
Rates are $45 dollars per night for one bedroom, $80 dollars per night for 2 bedrooms and $110 dollars per night for 3 bedrooms.
There is an on-site cook available for an additional cost.
Interested persons may contact Joe English at joeenglish25@hotmail.com or by calling 1-809-571-3439.
There are condos next door with a restaurant, coffee shop and a small grocery, all open to guests of the villa. There is a second restaurant about a 5 minute walk away.
Visitors will enjoy being close to Cabarete (15 minutes) and Puerto Plata. There is a shuttle bus into town that costs about US $1 each way.
Both Sosua and Cabarete are known for their beauty and charm. Gay tourists are spending more time there and the villa offers a great option to larger hotels and resorts.
Rates are $45 dollars per night for one bedroom, $80 dollars per night for 2 bedrooms and $110 dollars per night for 3 bedrooms.
There is an on-site cook available for an additional cost.
Interested persons may contact Joe English at joeenglish25@hotmail.com or by calling 1-809-571-3439.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Tourism Award
The DR was named the best Caribbean destination by Travel Weekly's sixth annual Readers Choice Awards 2008. The award was presented to Deputy Tourism Minister Fausto Fernandez at a formal ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. Fernandez was accompanied by Deputy Minister Magaly Toribio and the director of the DR's Tourism Promotion Office in NY, Lucien Echavarria. Listin Diario reports that Fernandez expressed the country's gratitude for the award and mentioned that more than one million Americans had visited the DR in 2008. According to Travel Weekly, the award winners (one for each of the 56 categories) represented the "best of the best of the travel industry." www.northstartravelmedia.com/releases/RCApressrelease08.doc
Friday, February 06, 2009
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
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