Victorious

                                                     Victor in Santo Domingo! 

 

Smile

                                              Michael has a magnetic smile!

FYI

        The gay hotel, The Adam Suites, has shuttered permanently.

Birthday Surprise

It's been more than 15 years since I first began this blog. I had been to the DR several times and wanted to start blogging about my experiences and hopefully provide helpful information to readers who were considering a trip of their own. Life has taken us in different directions, presented various challenges and the scene in the DR has changed significantly since I first blogged about it.

The blogging experience has also changed, I don't have the same blog supporters/contributor's I once had and reader's seem to be more interested in skin than other content. And whereas I know you're out there, comments and other interaction has been scant as of late.

15 years is a long time to sustain a blog. I hope you have been enlightened, have laughed, have been made to feel sentimental and above all, have visited my beloved Dominican Republic as a result of something you saw here on the blog.

As I celebrate a milestone I realize it is time for another season to begin. The blog will be winding down as I post the final pictures I have stored. Who knows, I may pop in every blue moon to post my travel experiences. Thank you all for your support. May you always have sunshine, turquoise waters, palm trees and beaches-you know, tropical desires!

Caribbean Dish

 

Chicharron de Pollo is a tasty treat throughout the Caribbean, but it seems they do it especially well in the Dominican Republic. Try some at Paco's Restaurant on the Conde in Santo Domingo!

Good News for Iconic Monument

 

Mayor Manuel Jimenez of Santo Domingo East says that a Chinese businessman will donate the lights for the Columbus Lighthouse. The emblematic city monument that was first turned on in 1992 has not been turned on for around 20 years.

Mayor Manuel Jiménez, the governor of the Columbus Lighthouse, Oscar Mejía, and the Chinese businessman Hou Xiongwen agreed to restore the lighting, as reported in N Digital. The Mayor said the lighting is key to reducing crime in the area.

Major Hotel Development Coming!

 

President Luis Abinader attended the start of construction of the first Iberostar hotel built outside of a beach destination in the Dominican Republic. Iberostar, the Spanish hotel chain that has operations in Punta Cana (5), Puerto Plata (1) and Bayahibe (1) beach destinations, announces it will build the Iberostar Heritage Mercedes Hotel in the historic center of Santo Domingo. The hotel will open at the location of the abandoned centuries-old Hotel Las Mercedes on Calle Las Mercedes in the Colonial City

The hotel will be five stories high and have 131 rooms, a spa, a swimming pool and a 700-meter hall for events. The hotel is a US$25 million investment. Iberostar plans to open the hotel in May 2022.

The chain will market the Iberostar Heritage Las Mercedes with its other landmark hotels in historic locations around the world. With the Heritage brand, the Spanish lodging company seeks to introduce its guests to places with art, culture and history.

Read more in Spanish:
DR1 News
El Nacional

Queer Santo Domingo

There is now a link to a reference to help you with even more info regarding queer life in Santo Domingo. Check it out in the sidebar.

Curfews Are Back in Santo Domingo

President Danilo Medina issued Decree 266-20, establishing differentiated curfews nationwide. The curfew measures follow the enacting of a new National State of Emergency starting 20 July for 45 days as per Decree 265-20 issued also on Monday, 20 July.

The government explained that the curfews respond to the differences among the National District and provinces regarding the spread of the disease and the rate of test-positivity. The government says this requires differentiated actions to achieve greater effectiveness in implementing public policies to combat Covid-19.

The most extended curfew will be from 5pm to 5am Monday through Friday and from 5pm to 5am on Saturdays and Sundays. It will be in effect in the National District and Santo Domingo province (Greater Santo Domingo). Greater Santo Domingo has more than 50% of the cases nationwide. It will also go in effect for 15 other provinces.

These curfews will go into effect as of 21 July for a 20-day period. The Presidency says that if the epidemiological stats evolve will determine whether these are extended.

The Presidency reminds all that face masks are mandatory in public places and recommends the use even in private places as an essential measure to control the spread of the disease.

A Few Reasons to return to the DR

To Cuba From S.D.

Air Century begins new flights from northern Santo Domingo airport of La Isabela (JBQ) to Santiago de Cuba (SCU). The airline will be flying a CRJ200 jet with capacity for 50 passengers as of 18 March 2020. Air Century explains that the new flight responds to the demand by their clients for more destinations in the Caribbean. Air Century is the leading airline serving the Caribbean from La Isabela International Airport.

The airline offers flights to Port-au-Prince, Haiti; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Havana and Santiago in Cuba; Curacao, St. Maarten and Aruba.

Air Century says the new flight will depart from La Isabela International Airport at 7:30am, arriving in Santiago de Cuba at 8:45am. The return flight departs Santiago de Cuba at 9:45am, arriving in Santo Domingo at 11am.

https://www.aircentury.com/2020/01/2...tiago-de-cuba/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2020/01/...tiago-de-cuba/

Vacation Planning 101

Be sure to visit the Travel Info Page for helpful tips when planning your vacation to the Dominican Republic. Support the links for great deals and great experiences!

Culinary Delights in Santo Domingo

To experience the varied flavors of the Dominican Republic, bypass the resorts and head to the capital- the perfect getaway for food and nightlife.

Mason de Bari in Santo Domingo

In a country known for its meat-heavy cuisine, there are options. TIME VEGETARIAN KITCHEN is located on the always bustling Calle Padre Billini. Young diners pack the tables and share zucchini pasta carbonara and freshly baked bread with silky hummus. entrees $7-$10

MESON DE BARI is an aqua=painted stalwart in the Zona Colonial. It first opened in 1979 offering traditional meals. One standout is the steak with creole sauce and a generous side of rice & beans. entrees $12-$34

Another landmark is LA CASSINA in the Evaristo Morales neighborhood specializing in Italian and Spanish cuisine. The pastas dishes, such as ravioli stuffed with asparagus and ricotta are excellent as are many dishes, including the steak and mahi-mahi carpaccios. entrees $10-$52

Also in the Zona Colonial (facing the Alcazar de Colon) is the PAT'E PALO, where waiters sport pirate bandannas. It's no tourist trap! Sit on the patio and rub elbows with posh locals and out-of-towners. Order the coconut milk seafood casserole and a house-made charcuterie. entrees $14-$38

Source: Travel & Leisure

Victor

Change Is Good

When I consider what the SDQ airport was like when I first visited many years ago I am reminded of the saying, "you've come a long way baby."

dr1: Travelers arriving this Christmas to the Santo Domingo city international airport will be pleasantly surprised by a new arrival area. Aerodom announced that major renovation works are already underway of the central atrium of the capital city's airport.

The renovations include new flooring (in an area of 3,000 meters), new furnishing and equipment, and bathroom renovations. The restaurants that are located on the third floor will be relocated to the first floor. New restaurants are being added.

Aerodom expects all works to be completed by November 2019.

Las Americas International Airport has been operated by Vinci Airports since 2016.

Earlier this year, Aerodom opened the renovated parking area, with significantly lower fares for short and long duration stays.

Las Americas International Airport services around 140 direct flights a day from Europe, North, South and Central America and the Caribbean.

http://www.aerodom.com/app/do/aerodo...mo.aspx?id=469

Tiempo Carnaval

dr1 reports:
The Santo Domingo Carnival Parade is scheduled for Sunday, 3 March 2019 on the sea-bordering Malecón at around 4pm. The Ministry of Culture is the organizer of the carnival parade that will start from the Av. Abraham Lincoln end of the Malecón and continue past Av. Maximo Gómez to its eastern extension near the Colonial City.

Carnival groups from the 32 provinces and the National District will be parading. Large crowds watch the parade from both sides of the sea-bordering boulevard.

For this year's carnival, the Ministry of Culture hired Brazil carnival experts to add to the colorfulness and organization of the Santo Domingo carnival.

This year's Desfile Nacional del Carnaval Santo Domingo 2019 is dedicated to Puerto Plata that will be sending their dancing troupes and carnival characters, too.

Carnival photography exhibitions are held at the Galeria 360 mall on Av. John F. Kennedy and at the outside gallery of the Parque Independencia in the Colonial City will remain open until 4 March 2019.

The Ministry of Culture this year is presenting the National Carnival Fair from 22 to 24 February at the Parque Colón in the Colonial City.

Carnival parades are also taking in Bonao, La Vega and Santiago this Sunday, 24 February 2019. The very popular events are also scheduled for the afternoon. Thousands travel from all over the country to watch the colorful carnival characters parade through city streets.

London Times Gives a Nod

egrets on Lake Enriquillo

dr1: Chaotic traffic keeps people away from Santo Domingo, the capital city of Santo Domingo. But now, there just may be too many reasons to brave the congestion to discover what the city has to offer, beyond the beaches, hotels and restaurants of sand and sun resort areas. A feature in The Times on Sunday, 9 September 2018, encourages tourists to come to visit the capital city and more of the Dominican Republic.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d...ants-6fptx06w2

Urban Mural Makeover

10 artists have painted 14 murals on the streets that are north of the Colonial City. The murals stand out in areas plagued by transport chaos, ambulatory vendors and crowds of people. They can be seen at Avenida Duarte and Av. Paris in Villa Francisca, a short walk north from the Colonial City.

The urban art comes to us thanks to the Hoy Villa Francisca initiative that began in 2015 in the Santa Bárbara area, also north of the Colonial City.

The artists painted facades of houses and apartments from 25 June to 1 July 2018, some 15 murals in total, with the backing of Modafoca in alliance with the city government of the National District (ADN), the Association of Stores of the Duarte Avenue (AsoDuarte) and private companies.

Mayor David Collado visited the area while the painters were at work. He highlighted that the city government will continue to back efforts such as this one that highlight culture, cleanliness and love for the barrio and serve to attract tourism to these populous sectors.

https://www.diariolibre.com/revista/...rte-KG10257269

Out of DR

Dominican hip hop dance troupe the charmed the four judges and audience at the "America's Got Talent” show on NBC and made it to the next round. The street dance troupe spokesperson said they were there to pursue their dream. They are competing for US$1 million in prize money.

Judge Heidi Klum hearing they were from the Dominican Republic remarked: "I love the Dominican Republic!”. Other judges are Howie Mandel, Mel B, Simon Cowell and Tyra Banks. The reality competition is in its 13th season. The judges were all praise: "Pure amazing brilliance in dance,” "different kind of passion, " Within those two minutes you did everything you should do, so powerful, so cool, infectious.”

The urban dancers are members of the Academia Nucleo Extremo. The troupe had won the Hip Hop International competition in 2016.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INPK3t3mLaI&t=30s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INPK3t3mLaI

Look to the Sky

The Santo Domingo Teleferico (Skylift) was inaugurated on Tuesday, 22 May 2018 at 4 pm by President Danilo Medina who rode to the Gualey station for the ceremony.

The Teleferico stations are Gualey, Los Tres Brazos, Sabana Perdida and Charles de Gaulle. Over a path of five kilometers, the skylift connects the municipalities of Santo Domingo north and Santo Domingo East with the National District. The stations are located from the "Puente de la 17” in western Santo Domingo to Av. Charles de Gaule in eastern Santo Domingo.

The skylift will serve a population of 287,000 people when facilitating their commute from east to west Santo Domingo.

Speaking at the inaugural, the director of the project, Jose Miguel Gonzalez Cuadra said that it is one of the most modern systems in Latin America and will benefit a population of 287,000 persons that will see considerable reductions in cost and time of their commutes. Estimates are that the service will benefit 132,773 people that live in Gualey, 57,510 in Los Tres Brazos, and 97,149 in Sabana Perdida. 80% of the population in these communities rely on public transport to get around.

Barrios that are benefiting from the collective transport system are Villa Blanca, Salomé Ureña, La Nueva Barquita, Los Guandules, Espaillat, María Auxiliadora, Urbanización Moisés, Los Mina Norte, Brisa de los Palmares and La Victoria.


A first month of free service at peak hours has been announced. The peak hours are 6-9am and 5 to 8pm. Afterward the month, the cable car will cost RD$20 per journey and will connect with the Santo Domingo metro for no additional charge.