Just got back from Dominican Republic

[Johnny-Baseball]

Like home away from home

Yeah, me too. But I also like Leaky (that's pronounced La Kee) for you outsiders. Right in the middle of Texas' best two-wheeler roads - the "Holy Trinity" of SH335, 336 and 337 (aka the Three Twisted Sisters). One of my ancestors is buried in Medina, so I frequently rode my Harley or my Honda blackbird there to ride the roads, eat at the Lost Maples Cafe, and visit the graveyard. Stayed at a little motel near Leaky.

 

[mjpchief]

Please hav a SaltyDawg or 3 for Me!!

Will add that to the list.

 

[wolfsong]

Usta love vacatioing in Mexico. We have had lots of good trips there

For the longest time I was planning on retiring to Mexico. The people, the food, the fishing, the weather, the siestas, the cost of living...
Now the actions of some of the people - the cartels, with the cooperation of the government - have nullified all of the other amenities to a point that it simply isn't safe any longer.

I miss the food and the fishing.

 

[LuckenbachTexas]

On a side note my retired GI boss is Haitian by the way of Ohio and is married to a DR and they live in FL and DR. He said the biggest danger is drinking the poison "all inclusive" booze. He said just buy bottles of liquor and beer and enjoy. Life is too short to get the cheap chit.

 

[Armybrat]

Awesome! We really like Puerto Rico ourselves. But haven't been for about 5 years now.

Did you leave the hotel resort any? I'm curious how the rest of the island is?

When I was in high school, my dad went on a field trip to Haiti. He came back saying it was just unbelievably poor. No all inclusive resorts back then.

I can see the fiver getting you more beers everyday. Glad you had fun!

I lived in Puerto Rico 1950-54 when my Dad was stationed at Fort Brooke inside the old El Morro fortress grounds.
Fascinating place for a kid.

 

[steveodtw]

I have a friend who hauls his big 5th wheel from Michigan to Key West to winter there. He & wife stay on a Navy base RV park. They love it, have done this for some years. Looks like one big family party.

 

[WAYNO]

I love the Keys!

 

[willicd76]

We were looking to spend a week in the sun n sand.

Originally looked at Florida Keys, but prices were crazy for just hotel rooms. Wife found us an all inclusive with air faire to a resort in the DR that was cheaper by3 a lot

Dang!

Why haven't I done this before!!!

We got a swim-up room. Walk out ur sliding door, take 3 steps and you are in the pool.

Nice room.

Small fridge full of waters, pepsi, 7up and two Presidente Lights.

OK, 2 light beers a day was NOT going to work. Gave the guy a $5 bill and wow, 10 regular Presidente beers would be there every day

Every day, go have breakfast, walk in the ocean, come back, get some sun by the pool. Start drinkin beers, get in the pool. The girl would come by and bring my wife some kinda rum banana drinks.

Met a nice couple from Ottawa Canada, they had the room next door. Late 40s like us. Would like to see the total number of beers we put down in 5 days lol.

All in all, a great time, much needed sun n fun. Didn't get too sunburned or hung over

Delta flights were smooth both going and coming.

Will definitely do it again, value seems good.

Can you give a ballpark on cost for a trip like this? I need to take my wife somewhere nice!

 

[Gator89]

Can you give a ballpark on cost for a trip like this? I need to take my wife somewhere nice!

How much do you have?


Bring it all!

 

[JohnW]

The DR can be a great trip. Been there 4 times, each time back at the same resort (Barcelo Bavaro Beach). We went there on our 25th anniversary trip in 2019. Wasn't our first choice for that trip, but extenuating circumstances kept us from going back to Maui that year. Actually was a really nice trip, and had a very good private anniversary dinner on the beach, while watching the moon rise out of the ocean. Most of the restaurant choices at the Barcelo are quite good, in contrast to what I hear about other DR resorts.

We were back there again last fall. Interesting thing is that after our first visit there in 2015, there are a few of the staff that have remembered us each time we have gone back. As in, greeted us like old friends. I don't think we are that memorable, and we aren't throwing Benjamins around as tips, either. Yes we do tip, just not like that. We've also heard that the service is not so good at other DR resorts, but we find the service there to be on par with the best we have received in Riviera Maya.

We should probably try another DR resort, but there is something about the Barcelo. We've been to at least a dozen different Riviera Maya resorts, from Cancun Hotel Zone all the way to Tulum (well, almost) and have only returned to one, the Valentin Imperial. That's another great resort, but its getting really pricey.

 

[bowzette]

Yeah, me too. But I also like Leaky (that's pronounced La Kee) for you outsiders. Right in the middle of Texas' best two-wheeler roads - the "Holy Trinity" of SH335, 336 and 337 (aka the Three Twisted Sisters). One of my ancestors is buried in Medina, so I frequently rode my Harley or my Honda blackbird there to ride the roads, eat at the Lost Maples Cafe, and visit the graveyard. Stayed at a little motel near Leaky.

I'm a "recovering cyclist" peddle type. I've done three group bike rides there. Great cycling country just have to fit enough to handle the climbs. Like being in Colorado without the altitude. Nothing like it in Texas.

 

[Johnny-Baseball]

Nothing like it in Texas.

I dunno. There are some roads in the Big Bend that are similar to the Holy Trinity. They're off the highway, though, where water is scarce as hen's teeth.

 

[bowzette]

Just got back from a cruise late yesterday afternoon. We went to DR, PR, St. Thomas. This is our second trip to DR and PR. Both times I've been impressed with the beauty of the DR. We took an hour bus ride into the mountains and spend the morning and afternoon at an eco lodge with lunch. They also rent small cabins to stay at. www.galloecolodge.com. We took the tour starting at Amber Cove. BTW I'm off to see the doc. Think I got covid again :-(

 

[bowzette]

I dunno. There are some roads in the Big Bend that are similar to the Holy Trinity. They're off the highway, though, where water is scarce as hen's teeth.

I've driven in the Big Bend but not cycled. I know hard physical activity would be limited to the colder months. BB is dramatic, but I didn't drive the off roads. In the Leaky Loop there are store stops and just the typical crazy Texas heat.