FRIDAY FANTASY 51

Ricky Martinez is a lucious, lean fantasy machine! OUCH!!

AMIGOS NUEVO

The recent poll results showed that 84 percent of you would travel with friends on your initial trip to a caribbean destination, as opposed to traveling alone or for a Pride/Curcuit event.

There is nothing like good friends. Thank God I have a few of my own! Actually, we will be traveling together again in October as we take on Santo Domingo una vez mas.

I've been in contact with several guys on the internet, so here's to new friends!

Pablo is a tall 19 year old muchacho. Felix is adorable and sexy.

LUXURY COMES TO DR

dr1 reports the following news:
The big luxury resort brand names are coming to the DR. The DR is revving up for the start of the major luxury resort development, on the tails of the many successful second home vacation communities. Four Seasons announces it is ready to start building in Casa de Campo in La Romana. Ritz Carlton is on the books for construction in Cap Cana, in Punta Cana. Fairmont of Canada has plans for Roco Ki resort development in Macao, north of Punta Cana. Westin is building a first hotel in Roco Ki.

FRIDAY FANTASY 50

Oh, to be in Santo Domingo this weekend. Remember, if you'll be there, to check out the Monaga party at JayDees Disco Bar on Sunday night! The Stripper Spectacular sounds exciting!























Reynaldo will be one of the featured strippers!

MAS SANTIAGO

There seems to be quite a stir in Santiago now. Not only are they increasing the number of hotel rooms and sprucing up the Monument, but there was an article recently on dr1.com that mentioned the lighting project and cleaning project that was happening as well.

I got a recommendation for Hotel Platino, located close to the heart of Santiago on Estrella Sadhala Avenue. Rooms start around US $35 dollars per night with an average room rate of US $77 dollars. They can be reached at 1-809-724-7576 As always, guest policies vary. So call ahead to inquire.

There is a gay club in Santiago. It's fairly new so I haven't heard much about it. The Krash Vogue Club House is located on Avenida 27 de Febrero in front of Banco Santo Cruz.

A nice way to sample the city may be to take an overnight excursion. The Caribe Tours bus from Santo Domingo to Santiago is about US $8 dollars. 1-809-221-4422

While there you could check out the Carnaval Mask Museum and the local falls and beaches.

THE MONUMENT

After its re-opening, the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration in Santiago de los Caballeros has become a tourist attraction. On Sunday, alone, the ticket office took in over RD$23,000. Tickets are just RD$20 for locals and RD$80 for tourists. There are five levels to explore, aside from the newly redesigned gardens and their statuary. The fifth level, called the Santiago Lookout, is by far the most popular with its views of the entire city. Local folks from as far away as San Juan de la Maguana have traveled to Santiago to see the "new" Monument. The site provides guided tours in several languages for the tourists, and locals can explore the areas without any guides.

LA OTRO CIUDAD

It's time to take a look at Santiago, The Other City. There has been some interest recently due to renovations and other things happening in the junior metropolis of the Dominican Republic.

dr1 reports: Recent hotel construction in Santiago has placed the nation's second largest city on the tourist map. According to a major article in Diario Libre, the soon-to-be-finished Gran Hotel Cibao and the Crown Plaza will join other hotels and bring the total hotel room availability to 2,500. This is in time for the Caribbean Baseball Championship, scheduled for 2-8 February 2008 in that city. Not only are the two new hotels nearly finished, the city's smaller hotels are expanding. Hotels like the Aloha Sol, Platino, Century Plaza, Los Jardines, El Ambar and others have recently expanded their facilities. In San Jose de las Matas, half an hour away, the Mansion has increased its capacity and now provides 52 rooms for visitors. There are more and more tourist attractions in the city: the Monument, the Leon Cultural Center, the museum at the San Luis Fort, the Cathedral, the golf course at Las Aromas and a bowling center are part of what's now on offer. There are also 100 bars, and 200 large, medium and small restaurants.

Look for more information on Santiago within the week!

FRIDAY FANTASY 49

Not all fantasies are made of rough and tough thug types. A hunk with a briefcase could "suit" me very nicely, thank you, such as dreamy Andre Barnett.

CHA DISCOTEQUE

Cha discoteque, which opened under some speculation due to the change in liquor laws, is still a player in the gay nightlife scene of Santo Domingo. The crowds seem to keep the place filled and by the looks of this clip, of a recent stripper show, they are a wild and lively bunch!

FRIDAY FANTASY 48

I've been thinking about a previous Fantasy post. So, if I were to take a hike in the rainforest I would definitely want my guide to look like this.

DEPORTE DOMINICANO

I love sports! Some would argue that I just enjoy watching handsome, sweaty men in tight shorts, swimwear or pants. Okay, that too. But I do like the competition.

Whereas Dominicans have a true passion for baseball, as mentioned in this YouTube clip and in our December '05 archive, they have also started making a name in other sports.












While we celebrate Barry Bonds breaking the homerun record set by Hank Aaron, let's also celebrate Alex Rodriguez being the youngest player (age 32) to hit 500 career homers.

Also, Dominican native Al Horford was the third pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft.

MONAGA LABOR DAY

If you plan to be in Santo Domingo for Labor Day you MUST check out the Stripper Spectacular being hosted by Monaga. Nobody throws a party like them!

FRIDAY FANTASY 47

My friends at Rudejam are looking for a young filly they can mate with this stallion. Any volunteers?

UPDATE

Amigo 3

Anthony is a sexy young Dominican looking to make friends. It appears he enjoys the beach and is not camera shy. View his profile here.

WATERFALL TOURISM

Summer is the best time to visit the country's many waterfalls, reports Listin Diario in its 1 August issue. The newspaper advises foreign and domestic tourists seeking relief from the summer heat to plan trips to the Salto de Aguas Blancas, Arroyaso and Reserva de Ebano Verde (Tel. 809 565-1422) in Constanza, the Salto El Limon in Samana, the Charcos de Damajagua in Puerto Plata (Tel. 809 635-1722), or the Salto del Jimenoa in Jarabacoa. Another mountain destination is Quita Espuela, in San Francisco de Macoris (Tel. 809 588-4156).

Here is a video link to the falls in Puerto Plata.