Time is running out. I have 28 days left in the Dominican Republic as a Peace Corps Volunteer and then it’s off to the Real World. (All of those Capitalized Words in the second sentence make you nervous too?!)
I am developing some sort of separation anxiety from the life I’ve created here. In 28 days, I will board a plane and say goodbye to everything I have introduced into my life during the past two years: other volunteers, my Dominican family, frequent chatter about poop, long discussions about world politics and development by candle light… etc.
It’s enough change to make a girl freak.
My solution? I week-long beach tour around the country.
Food. Drink. Friends. Fun. Sun. And the prettiest blues you’ve ever seen.
Here was my itinerary (directions are from the capital):
1. Isla Saona. The most beautiful place in the country. Located on the small island off the mainland’s southeastern coast, its sparsely populated beaches are normally reserved for the rich and famous (and for Peace Corps people willing to hitch rides with the locals). To get there: In Parque Enriquillo take a bus to La Romana ($180 RD). Tell the cobrador that you want to be let off where you can grab a bus to Bayahibe ($60 RD). Negotiate the hour boat ride with some of the locals … ($250 – 300 RD). Tourists pay God knows how much to get out there…. suckers.
2. Najayo. This is a small beach near the capital that is mostly frequented by locals. It’s flanked on each side by rocks jetting out into the water. To get there: Flag down a bus to Palenque from in front of the Peace Corps Office on Bolivar. Tell the cobrador you are going to Nayajo. It will stop in San Cristobal (a disgusting, dumpster stop) before continuing ($80 RD). Get off the bus after you see the beach on your left.
3. Cabarete. This is a very touristy location on the northern coast. The day I went, winds were providing the best climate for kite boarding and wind surfing. There must have been hundreds of acrobatic men flaying around in the air out there that day. To get there: The fastest way is to take a Rio San Juan bus from Caribe Tours. Stay on the bus until the end and then grab cars to Cabarete.
4. Playa Grande. This name doesn’t lie. The beach is so wide! It is formed from a dip in the coast line, and picks up some serious winds sometimes. You can get lunch right there on the sand: fried fish or chicken (chicken- $180 RD, fish-$250) RD. A man will actually set up a little plastic table and chairs. Loverly. To get there: Take a Caribe Tours bus to Cabrera and then grab a smaller bus to Playa Grande.
Now, I back to barrio I go!
Still trying to keep the freak out from happening… but at least I have a little color to me now?
A fellow PCV sits happy in one of our rides. We hitch-hiked boat style on the way back from Saona. This was taken at a natural pool on the way. Please note all of the drunk tourists swimming in the background... hilarious.
