From Any Angle...

Vacation Planning 101

Be sure to visit the Travel Info Page for helpful tips when planning your vacation to the Dominican Republic. Click on the ads for great deals!

A Favorite Carioca

Corifa is a sexy young Carioca who reveals much more at UOMOTV.

Miami's Dominican Jazz

The South Florida Dominican Jazz Fest is a multicolored event being held with Dominican musicians in Miami. On Friday, 19 October audiences in Miami can enjoy several genres of jazz in fusion with merengue and bachata. The event celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month in Florida. A sextet of very well known jazz musicians from New York, under the leadership of Dominican conga player Alex Diaz is coordinating the event. Diaz has played with Tito Puente, Mario Rivera, Dizzy Gillespie and many more. His format is marrying jazz and merengue in a very tasteful manner n taking jazz standards into merengue rhythms and tempos, and vice versa.

Also playing are Josean Jacobo & Tumbao, a quartet of excellent young players from the DR that plays mostly original compositions in the new genre Latin Jazz Nouveau.

The event will be streamed live on the Internet. Tickets are US$20 and US$25 at the door. Follow this event at www.sfdominicanjazzfest.com

Trinidadian Treat

Culo En Agua

Gorgeous Gabriel

12 YEARS

I can't believe it's been twelve years since I first visited the Dominican Republic. Me and my friends had begun planning for it before the millenium and hoped that the gods would spare us so we could make our trip.

I'm so glad we were given mercy because that first trip was so exciting and intoxicating that we continued to return year after year. The first year was spent in Juan Dolio at the Coral Costa Caribe thanks to a travel agent who didn't quite understand our needs. We made the trip work for us though with several day and night excursions into the capitol via a wonderful taxi driver who was friendly and open-minded. The following vacations we planned and booked ourselves.

There is no way to truly experience the D.R. in one trip. But once you've had a taste you will definitely want to go back for more. It's a given that the hombres are muy caliente and accomodating, but the history and culture of the island is just as fascinating. If you need a break from the nightlife there are so many sites and places to discover in Santo Domingo as well as throughout the island.

I have met some wonderful people through the years, both Dominicans and ex-pats. They have been hospitable and helpful, some are quite entertaining. There is nothing I would trade for my experiences in the Dominican Republic, even the ones that turned out to be life lessons.

It's been a few years since I last visited the island. I can't believe that either. Time flies. And even though I am planning a trip to a different caribbean destination I truly miss my beloved Santo Domingo.