The 'Mañana' Syndrome

Dominican Video Postcards!

2007-01-25T14:38:00.000-08:00

What's better than a postcard of the Dominican Republic - a Video Postcard!

Thanks to the producers of this short video (3 or 4 minutes) that takes a whistlestop tour around some of the sights, sounds and scenes of the Dominican Republic. You can almost taste that cool glass of Presidente...

Dominican Republic. - video powered by Metacafe

For more videos of resorts and a great documentary introduction to our lovely homeland please go visit: http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com today!

Ruth

Golf vacation - Experience the best of the Caribbean PLUS World Class Golf...

2006-11-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

Find A Low Cost - High Quality Golfing Vacation in the Dominican Republic!

The Best of Both Worlds!

Long overdue golfing vacations in the Dominican Republic information is now here on
www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com! As an introduction to what will be developing into
a whole new section here is a a brief article about some of the top quality and low price Golfing vacations in the Dominican Republic that can be found:

See the article at - Golf vacation in the Dominican Republic

Find out Secrets of world famous Dominican Mamajuana...

2006-09-16T04:46:00.000-07:00

"...Much more than just liquid Viagra?!"

"...The most 'popular' type of Dominican Mamajuana recipe, however, is probably the one that is reckoned to emulate the effect of 'viagra'...for this the Mamajuana needs...
END OF PART 1...

"The whole article - including the second and 'final' installment' - is NOW AVAILABLE as an e-book along with guidance for the preparation of Mamajuana liqueurs - and a selection of traditional recipes, and packed with useful brewing tips....

"Secrets of Dominican Mamajuana Revealed!"

With a bottle of 'Mamajuana herbs' (maybe you have some you brought back from vacation?) you can now create your own 'perfect brew' at home. You can enjoy a glass of this traditional 'pick-me-up' as you watch the sun go down from your Manhattan appartment (or wherever)...and reminisce about those heady, hazy, lazy days spent soujourning in the DR!

We created the e-book 'The Secrets of Dominican Mamajuana Revealed' - so that anyone who wants to know more about this infamous 'beverage' and obtain a selection of genuine recipes (for both beginners and the more experienced) as well as a host of 'brewing tips' - could get the 'secret information' ;-) they needed - economically...and quickly...and at the same time...your 'small donation' of US$10 also helps towards the increasing costs of maintaining and managing www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com."

See Full item at: Dominican Mamajuana Recipe

AS/RRdeS

PLEASE NOTE:

RE: Dominican Mamajuana & Dominican Mamajuana Recipe
The secret blend of herbs that form the basis of a Dominican Mamajuana recipe, and the variety of Mamajuana liqueurs that can be brewed from them – hold a very special place in the folklore and culture of the Dominican Republic. Whilst there are many traditional stories and "old wives' tales" about the efficacy and application of Mamajuana for a wide variety of ailments we would like to point out that www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com makes NO CLAIMS whatsoever for there being any genuine, or specific medicinal benefits to be gained from consumption of this infamous folk-remedy.

There has never been, as far as we know, any reliable or extensive medical research to assess any claims that have ever been made for this product over many years of Dominican tradition. (Although there is much anecdotal and research infiormation about certain specific ingredients used in some Mamajuana recipes/herbal formulations).We feature this item ...as an amusing example of the most traditional of Dominican cultural ‘novelties’. Almost everyone who has ever visited the Dominican Republic will have been introduced to Mamajuana – and we offer the opportunity here for people simply to obtain a ‘fun-memento’ of their sun-drenched Caribbean vacation, if they so wish.

We also remind anyone who purchases Mamajuana herbals for the purpose of brewing their own Mamajuana liqueur using any typical Dominican Mamajuana recipe (which will most likely include one, or more, types of alcoholic ingredients) that they should consume the resulting liquor responsibly, in moderation and in accordance with any current advice provided by their national/local medical advisory body in relation to safe levels of alcohol intake.

Visiting the Dominican Republic UPDATE

2006-08-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

Have you seen these articles/links on site at Visiting the Dominican Republic?

Maybe you are planning a visit in December - see what it is like at Christmas in the Dominican Republic?...
Christmas traditions in the Dominican Republic

Our Mamajuana page now update with a new 'Secrets' e-book - Mamajuana recipes for making succesful Mamajuana liqueurs and more:
http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/dominican-mamajuana-recipe.html

Picture this...A superb memento of the Dominican Republic
Dominican Repubic Photographs and more

Aug 23 2006
AS/RRS

Blogger check

2006-06-22T04:16:00.000-07:00

posting check

Kiteboarding's Premier World Event in the DR

2006-06-04T03:55:00.000-07:00

Visiting the Dominican Republic in June 2006?

Don't miss WORLD Kiteboarding Cup - Cabarete, 21-25 June 2006

The 7th World Kiteboarding Cup will be taking place in Cabarete and is organized by PKRA and other kiteboarding organizations based in the world's premier kiteboarding resort.

So be sure to make your way to Bozo Beach, Cabarete, Dominican Republic for 5 days of sun, sand, sea, sport and partying!

A&R

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Dominican Independence - PART-A-A-A-A-Y-Y-Y!

2006-02-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's that time again! 27th February and 'Independence Day' in the Dominican Republic. As we have tried to summarize on the main site, http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com,
it may not have been an easy ride since that day back in 1844 when General Pedro Santana was proclaimed the first President of the new Dominican Republic. Although Dominican Republic history has been chequered since that time - just now, in 2006, it may be that this Caribbean gem of a country is finally putting its problems into the past, and has a healthy future to look forward to!

Although times have not been easy for many ordinary Dominicans over the last few years - especially with the need for some tough economic measures to be applied in order for the current Government to pull the country back from the brink of bankruptcy (the legacy of the previous 'gangster' regime!) - it is now the case that the Dominican Republic is benefitting from huge investment, as it makes steady progress towards becoming the latest 'luxury destination' in the Caribbean.

The shaky period that the Dominican Republic experienced back in the early/mid nineteen-nineties when, for a time, tourism entrepreneurs made the questionable choice to become the 'Benidorm' of the Caribbean, seems to have been consigned to the past. Those days of shoddy quality hotels, poor service and 'food poisoning' did a good deal of damage to the destinations budding reputation as a serious tropical tourism contender. But in this new millennium the accent, as far as tourism development goes, has been on quality and luxury. With the latest developments in the Dominican Republic set to number amongst some of the best of the luxury Caribbean resorts, the country is set to have more than merely Independence to celebrate in the years to come.

With Independence Day also comes one of the Dominican Republic's biggest and best Carnivals, which will be passing along George Washington Avenue - otherwise 'El Malecon' - in Santo Domingo City itself! A great time is sure to be had by locals and tourists alike as the celebrations and the procession winds its 'well-oiled' way through the area known as 'the planet's biggest disco'!!

Congratulations - Dominican Republic! Let's drink to the hope that, at last, your time has really come!

A&R

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Where does the time go? What's been happening at...

2006-02-22T18:11:00.000-08:00

What's been happening at... www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com ?

1) During January new Dominican real estate and Caribbean property pages were added. They will soon be up and running fully with useful links to reliable real estate agents in the Dominican Republic - and details of one of the hottest luxury developments in the Caribbean...NOT to be missed by serious investors.

2) New resorts pages added in recent times include a brief look at Samana town on the Samana Peninsula the place to go for whale-watching in the Dominican Republic as thousands of Hump-backs make their way to the Bahia de Samana to frolic, cavort...and generally 'do what comes naturally'! The whales and dolphins can be seen close-up from January 15 to about March 15 - a spectacle for visitors to the Dominican Republic not to miss.

Take a look at http://visiting-the-dominican-republic.com soon - and if you are planning a trip we hope you will find the advice, contacts and information of use to you!

Ruth

Feliz Año Nuevo - Find your 'Place in the Sun' Now!

2006-01-11T02:20:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com!

2005 proved to be a difficult one for keeping up-to-date with the blog! But with a bit more stability as 2006 starts we hope to be here regularly from now on to alert you to changes on the premier tourist and travelers information site www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com

Interesting projects that are now under way with the website is the launch (during January 2006) of a new Dominican Republic real estate section on the site.

The Dominican Republic has been called the 'best kept secret' in the Caribbean...well now that the cat-is-(substantially)-out-of-the-bag...things are happening rapidly for our beautiful, tropical country! Some of the most exciting prospects are emerging in the Dominican property market!

With the DominicanGovernement making efforts to restablish global confidence in the Dominican economy, things have been pretty tough for ordinary Dominicans BUT the prospects are looking better than they have ever done for improved prosperity which will have a positive impact fr everyone in the near future!

Huge investment is being made in infrastructure - roads, airports, etc. - by Pesident Fernandez, and in turn local and foreign investors are queuing up to develop many exciting quality projects on the Island. The key-word here is 'quality'. Far removed from the 'chaep Caribbean' image that the Dominican Republic began to cultivate in the late 1980's early 90's, the accent for developers now is on World Class quality.

There are already many superb accommodation resorts, offering some of the best golf and leisure facilities around...and in the pipeline is a project that promises to be one of the most exciting yet, in this arena!

As www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com launches its Dominican Republic real estate and property pages later this month, you will find some exciting details about what we are convinced is going to be THE NUMBER ONE property investment opportunity on the island. If you are looking for premier quality real estate for your own 'place in teh sun' - perhaps for vacations, or retirement, or even for a speculative investment with massive potential to achieve exceptional return - then be sure to check - www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com when the details of the Dominican Republic's latest and possibly best golf, leisure and real estate complex are revealed on the site.

In addition to this superb oppotunity we also plan to provide essential tips, and trustworthy contacts for anyone looking for any other type of property throughout the island...so whether you are just looking for a simple appartment/pied-a-terre at an economical price - for occasional vacations and first-class letting potential, or you want a secluded villa to while-away your retirement, or you are looking for a beach-front 'condo' from which you can survey a perfect Caribbean beach whilst slowly sipping a chilled Margarita, you will soon find information that can help you make the right choice on www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com.

For, now though... "Feliz Año Nuevo" ...and be sure to check back here soon, or see www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com for more details about Dominican real estate investment opportunities very soon!

AS
10/1/06

Wondering where to buy Mamajuana?

2005-10-09T15:59:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's been a difficult summer. Offline for long periods due to a 'housing problem'...with only intermittently having access to a less than reliable link to the WWW!

Not that we are out of the woods yet...but we needed to update this Web Log to let you know about the latest development onsite at Visiting the Dominican Republic.

A while ago we announced the inclusion of an article on the website about the 'Secrets of the Dominican Mamajuana recipe' and now we are pleased to announce that for those who already know of the manifold benefits of genuine Dominican Mamjuana it can be purchased directly through the site!

Why not take a look now? If you don't know just what Mamajuana can do for you find out about the alleged secrets of this herbal viagra and then try some real Dominican Mamajuana for yourself!

AS 9/10/05

No longer 'Gone'...but 'Back with the wind!' ;-)

2005-06-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the recent 'radio silence' but now we've been blown back online here at the 'Manana Syndrome'...to announce the 'official' beginning of the 'hurricane season' in the Dominican Republic.

Last year was a pretty busy 'season' with hurricanes 'Ivan' and 'Jeanne' probably getting most media coverage, but 'Charley' and 'Frances' also made themselves particularly 'felt' in the Caribbean region, although the DR suffered less than some areas. In fact 'Ivan' and 'Charley' were some of the most destructive storms ever on the US mainland.

Although we hope it will be a safe year for all visitors, some experts are already saying that the current atmospheric conditions are akin to one of the most turbulent periods in 'hurricane' history - the 1930's!

Sources note that the South Coast areas of the DR are considered most at risk if the storms should 'buzz' the Island.

Most years, although the so-called 'season' begins around this time it is towards the end of the 182 day period that the greatest risk of tropical cyclones usually occurs - during later September, October and November. Nonetheless, make sure you take a look at the weather forecast for the DR before you depart and ensure you acquaint yourself with any procedures, once there, if storms are expected whilst you are in resort.

A 2/6/5
Travel
Weblogs

Visiting the Dominican Republic?

2005-05-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Why not see what it is like taking a vacation in the Dominican Republic? Ruth and Esther are Dominican sisters who run - www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com where you can find a wide range of useful tips and contacts for a great Dominican Republic holiday, to help you discover - the finest beaches, the best resorts and some great accommodation ideas. There is also a wealth of information about Dominican Republic history plus useful insights into Dominican culture, food and music. Additionally they also include details about setting up a tax free business in the Dominican Republic, and examine some great real estate opportunities for those looking for that perfect place in the sun. The Dominican Republic is often referred to as the Caribbean’s “best kept secret” – take a look at Ruth and Esther’s ‘Visiting the Dominican Republic’ web site today and find out that there are “no more secrets!” about this beautiful country.

12.05.05
Travel
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Music

The Man Who Saved The Merengue - Strikes Again!!

2005-04-30T03:44:00.000-07:00

More accolades for Jean Luis Guerra - 'The Man Who Saved The Merengue' - at the Billboard Latin Music awards on Friday 29 April in Miami.

Besides the 'Sprit of Hope' award for the work he has done with the 4.40 group, he also recived an award for his fabulous recording 'Para ti', and yet another for 'Best Christian Album'.

Guerra is regarded as the singer who literally rescued the merengue from its slide into sleaziness by re-invigorating its true romantic roots...read more about the very best of Dominican music, and some of Jean Luis Guerra's other great recordings HERE!

Well done Jean Luis! Keep making more marvellous merengue music...we love it!

R&E 30/4/05
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Dominican amber jewelry - 'Tears of Goddesses' that hold secrets of the past!

2005-04-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that for useful Amber jewelry information and links we feature this page:

Dominican amber jewelry - 'Tears of Goddesses' that hold secrets of the past!

along with essential info about Larimar, THE Dominican jewel here:

Dominican Republic larimar - the unique Dominican jewel

Kind wishes
R

Are you thinking of visiting the Dominican Republic?

2005-04-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

Still looking for that special summer holiday?

Maybe thinking ahead to Christmas?

See why Dominican Republic resorts are still the best deal in the Caribbean

Check out what happens atChristmas time in the Dominican Republic

In fact...
Take another look at visiting-the-dominican-republic.com main page, to see what other information we've added recently.

And as always...
Send your questions to us via our contact page if we haven't already posted the answer on site!

R&A&E
Travel
Weblogs
Food and Drink

Greed, Violence, Ethnic cleansing, Lust, Megalomania, Slaughter, Corruption ....that's Dominican Republic History - Take a look now?

2005-04-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

Little did Columbus know what appalling horrors his 'discovery' of the New World was to bring to Quisqueya...

The friendly Natives, the Tainos were soon decimated by slaughter, slavery and disease...

'The most beautiful land' that Columbus had seen soon became the setting for shameful exploitation by the 'Spanish conquerors' who plundered the country in an orgy of greed and lust for power...

Find out more here:

Dominican Republic History

A 19-04-05
Travel
Weblogs
Food and Drink

Visiting the DR during late April…“What’s on?”

2005-04-15T03:59:00.000-07:00

If you are visiting the DR during the second half of April then there are numerous interesting artistic and cultural events occurring, here are a few ideas:

Until 23 April you can still catch the impressive exhibition of highly regarded Spanish artist Joseph Gausachs. Although originally from Barcelona, Gausachs lived and taught in the Dominican Republic for years, and consequently influenced numerous Dominican artists who are now well known in their own right. His work can be seen free of charge at Centro Cultural de Españã. Arzobispo Meriño corner Arzobispo Portes. More information (in Spanish) http://www.ccesd.org

Through April to June 2005 you can see ‘Que no me quiten lo pintao’ a wonderful selection of artworks with the theme of Merengue. On display at the Cultural Centre in Santiago de los Caballeros you can find out more about this feast of Dominican Arts and Culture, and many other events, at http://www.centroleon.org.do (in Spanish).

16 April 2005 – ‘Pop’ goes the Fiesta Hall at Jaragua, when Belinda the ‘teen pop sensation’ from Mexico finally appears in the ‘Party on the Roof’ (Fiesta en la Azotea) event originally scheduled for March 18!

21 April 2005 – One for the ‘grown ups’ when in the spirit of ‘Fostering Progress, Collaboration and Exchange’ epithet of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (see: http://www.globalfoundationdd.org/) a talk by Dr. Allan Fisher (President of iCarnegie) will be presented at Las Americas Institute of Technology (ITLA) – dealing with technology education and its role in providing opportunities for Industry...Evidently not to be missed if you are on holiday ;-)

Also commencing 21 April and running till May 1st 2005 for anyone who has neglected to ring enough holiday reading material with them...the International Book fair of Santo Domingo will be running in the grounds of the Plaza de la Cultura. The book fair theme this year is Italy...so at least Columbus should be happy!

22 April through to 22 June if it is pictures rather than books that inspire you then you should look out for the exhibition of exhilarating photography by Yann Arthurs-Bertrand, the noted French photographer. Arthurs-Bertrand’s show includes one hundred images of the Earth in aerial view from many points around the globe. Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and of Environment and Culture, the City of Santo Domingo and APEC University. The Independence Park in the Zona Colonial is the venue for this stunning exhiblition.

22 April – An opportunity to do two things at once at the Cultural Centre in Santiago de los Caballeros when, having visited the exhibition (see above,) you can then go on to enjoy Pablo Milanes, a singer/songwriter from Cuba who be providing musical entertainment – free of charge!

22/23 April 2005 – The Florida-Dominican Business Development Group presents the first “Dominican Tourism Investment and Real Estate Fair” at the Radisson Convention Centre. More details for those interested in DR investment opportunities can be sought from Pedro Diaz Ballester via email: fla-dominicanbusiness@dibacorp.us

But for all that OTHER information you need about the DR check out our information site at: www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com

So now when you are fed up with basking in the sun sipping a chilled margarita or ron y cola...you know what you can do!

See you soon

R 15/04/05

This web log is 'pinged' to various web log directories...and these helpful 'categories' at www.technorati.com
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The secrets of the Dominican Mamajuana Recipe revealed

2005-04-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

Get the full juice! ;-) On site NOW:

The secrets of the Dominican Mamajuana Recipe revealed

Drink it quickly...or you'll get a stiff neck!

A 14/04/05
Travel
Weblogs
Food and Drink

Don't miss a Golden Opportunity to visit the Silver Port on the Amber Coast

2005-04-13T02:03:00.000-07:00

"Why not visit the city of Puerto Plata whilst on your trip to the North Coast of the Dominican Republic? If you are touring around the Dominican Republic, or if you have flown into 'POP' to stay in one of the great resorts on the North Coast of the DR, it is well worth adding the 'Silver Port' to your holiday itinerary..."

MORE INFO at :
http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/puerto-plata.html

To find more details about other Dominican Republic resorts and why they are the best deals in the Caribbean just...

CLICK :
http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/dominican-republic-holiday-resorts.html

A 13April05

Would you like to know how building a website can earn you enough to visit the Dominican Republic?
Here are some people who have already discovered how to make a great online income

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Use sun tan lotion sensibly and stay safe in the tropical sun

2005-04-06T03:22:00.000-07:00

New article on www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com...about that burning issue...sun bathing!

Use sun tan lotion sensibly and stay safe in the tropical sun

Keep in touch with www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com and find out much more about the Dominican Republic and planning a successful visit - for vacation, on business, or any other reason!

A 6/4/5

The BIG GAME in the DR!

2005-03-28T13:32:00.000-08:00

'Beisbol' in the DR

www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com features an article by former professional Baseball Major League player Bill Bathe, which introduces Dominican Republic baseball...

Call it Baseball or Beisbol it is simply the 'biggest game' in the Dominican Republic...with many a family pinning their hopes on their sons shining in the sport!

Many of today's key players in the US major league hail from the Dominican Republic, and their incredible success has led to the growing pride and unquenchable passion for the sport...

Find out more?:

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/dominican-republic-baseball.html

R 28/03/05
Travel
Weblogs

________________________________________

Message for Website Builders:

Are you interested in building your own website? For fun, business and/or profit. Then pick up the vital free dowload via our other 'blog' now: Developing a business online - Free Book

________________________________________

Dominican Republic on FIRE!

2005-03-24T16:11:00.000-08:00

Weeks of dry weather have resulted in 'tinder-dry' conditions in the Dominican Republic.

Heat building up in natural humus, and inadequate precautions taken by small farmers employing 'slash-and-burn' techniques have possibly been causative factors in setting off devastating forest fires in the central mountainous forest regions, and elsewhere.

The fires have been burning for nearly two weeks and local fire-fighting teams have made little impact. The rising smoke can be seen on photos taken by a NASA satellite a week or so ago and shown here:

Dominican Republic on fire!!

NASA Observatories state that "March is typically the driest month in the Dominican Republic, but an exceptionally dry winter may have increased the fire hazard. The dry season usually runs from December to May for most of the island, but the first three months of 2005 were even drier than normal..."

The DR Government is seeking international assistance to stop the fires which have also broken out on Los Haitises and Villa Altagracia. The fires threaten to destroy the already much reduced forested areas. At least 16 separate fires are reported to be burning at this moment across the Island.

Find your preferred news source and keep in touch with Dominican Republic News via this link.

DominicanR 25/03/05
Travel
Weblogs

________________________________________

Message for Website Builders:

Are you interested in building your own website? For fun, business and/or profit. Then pick up the vital free dowload via our other 'blog' now: Developing a business online - Free Book

________________________________________

Need to know about the Dominican Republic weather?

2005-03-21T16:48:00.000-08:00

Want to find out what the weather will be like when you visit the Dominican Republic?...In case you hadn't found it already, a quick 'blog entry to make sure you know where to look...

Seasonal weather information, and live link to current conditions and forecast for the next week...at the click of a mouse:

The Dominican Republic Weather

Kind regards

R 21/03/05
Travel
Weblogs

INTERESTED IN WEBSITES? CHECK OUR OTHER BLOG FOR A GREAT FREE E-GIFT NOW: Developing a business online

Dominican Republic Website - More Helpful Information...

2005-03-20T15:29:00.000-08:00

Some quick links to pages we now include on our site which may be helpful to you if:

1) ...You are thinking about starting a business, or expanding a business, and want to find out more about the Dominican Republic's TAX FREE status!...Yes, your business can be TAX FREE if started in the Diominican Republic's 'FREE ZONE' - get more information here:

The Dominican Republic tax free zone for business.

2)...You are thinking of taking a Dominican Republic vacation...and want some useful 'tips' to ensure a happy and successful holiday..If you are from the US, take a look at our additional advice and links related to US passports NOW, and save a potential problem, before you set-off to the Dominican Republic:

Dominican Republic vacation 'TOP TIPS'!

3)...You've BEEN to the Dominican Republic and have something to pass on that might help future visitors...Our Dominican Republic reviews page is for any useful advice that recent visitors would like provide, whether it be about the hotel; the visits you made while there; about any other service, holiday company, air travel provider; whatever?...Just so long as it is 'fair, honest, and non-defamatory' and is not 'just a shameless plug'...We'd like to build a resource of reliable, personal 'reviews from real people' to help other visitors to our lovely homeland, check the page to get the 'idea'...

Dominican Republic reviews - our new page!

R 20/03/05
Travel

More information about the Dominican Republic...

2005-03-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

Hey, something we meant to mention...maybe we did...but if so it was a while ago...

We have published a revised 'information center' page on our main site:

Dominican Republic information for travelers and tourists

Here is a direct link to the new information center, which links to a variety of Dominican Republic facts and figures and also provides an insight to Dominican Republic culture and much more!

Take a quick look if you have a few minutes if we don't yet feature what you want to know...then contact us at 'Visiting the Dominican Republic' and we'll try and get an answer if we can!

R 19/03/05
Travel

Visiting the Dominican Republic...new HIGH!

2005-03-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

If you have followed this 'blog...or indeed found it recently and looked over our archives, you will know we started the site this blog aims to promote: www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com around 5/6 months ago.

You may also be familiar with the 'sister' blog: http://www.net-profit/blogspot.com In which we aim to pass on things we have learnt during the creation of the website, for those who may be interested in building a website themselves.

Well as of Thursday 17th March 2005 - www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com reached a new ranking 'high' of 79,833 out of Alexa more than 10million tool bar users. And we want to say a big thank you to everyone who has visited our site, and to all those who have sent us questions over the last months (another apology by-the-way for those whose 'e-mails' got held up in the post last week...and for anyone whose answer is still delayed!)

We are trying to make "Visiting the Dominican Republic" into one of the best information resources for anyone travelling to the Dominican Republic, whether it be for a vaction, on business, to find work, or to seek investment or retirement property!

If there is something we don't yet cover that YOU want to know (though we are still adding more pages, and more diverse info every week)...then please send us a note via the contact page for the fastest growing resources of information on the Dominican Republic on the Net...and help us to make it even BETTER.

Hasta mas tarde

R 180305
Travel

Don't be alarmed...but do get the facts...about 'malaria'

2005-03-17T04:11:00.000-08:00

Malaria, Dominican Republic: Recent Developments

www.CDC.gov latest website update: from February 23 2005...in case you missed it!

(QUOTE BEGINS)"As of February 18, 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received reports of 21 cases of malaria in travelers to resort areas of the Dominican Republic. Plasmodium falciparum malaria has been confirmed in 5 patients from the United States, 6 from Canada, and 10 from European countries, all of whom had recently traveled to areas of the Dominican Republic where malaria had not previously been reported. All returned home between November 3, 2004 and January 10, 2005...

CDC continues to recommend that all travelers to La Altagracia Province, including the Punta Cana resort area, should take an antimalarial drug (prophylaxis). In addition, an antimalarial drug is recommended for travelers to rural areas throughout the country. Chloroquine is the recommended drug for the Dominican Republic. Antimalarial drugs taken correctly and consistently, along with other measures to prevent mosquito bites, have been shown to be effective in preventing malaria. Therefore, CDC does not discourage travel to malaria-endemic countries.

However, CDC has rescinded recommendations for malaria prophylaxis for Duarte Province because no new cases have been reported from the area in the last 2 months, the epidemiologic investigation by the Ministry of Health of the Dominican Republic did not reveal any new cases, and their surveillance system did not detect any cases of malaria in the province in recent years..."(QUOTE ENDS) [source:www.CDC.gov/public]

For more information about malaria...

What is it?

How do you 'catch' it?

What precautions can you take to avoid getting it?

Take a look here now for: more about malaria - and keep your family safe on holiday

AS 17/03/05

Travel

"Why aren’t Dominican Republic holiday resorts more expensive?"…they asked

2005-03-15T10:47:00.000-08:00

We replied: "Dominican Republic holiday resorts aren't more expensive because..."

Below we publish a heartfelt ‘article’ posted in answer to a query on ‘Thorntree’, the great forum run by Lonely Planet. This was posted in response to the interesting question of why the Dominican Republic holiday resorts and vacations are so relatively ‘cheap’ to compared with other Caribbean resorts, and why aren’t Dominican resorts better known as the great Caribbean options that they are!:-

“We started our Dominican Republic holiday resorts travel information site a few months ago now in our own small effort (as two Dominican sisters - currently out of our lovely country!) to promote the land we love...and to keep us in touch with home as we run our 'Information on Dominican Republic holiday resorts and more'- questions and answers 'service'. We agree that it may seem odd that the Dominican Republic was the first place 'discovered' by Columbus when he sailed to the 'New World'...but has become one of the last places recognized by tourists as being a major 'Caribbean' vacation venue!

Over the last few decades, say since the 60's, many other resorts in the Caribbean have developed from occasional 'stop-over' spots for 'real travellers' (rather than just tourists) to becoming the haunt of millions of tourists on a regular basis. It is probably the case that a couple of major influences have 'held back' the speed with which Dominican Republic holiday resorts have joined the 'fray'...and why the DR itself has remained for along time, so-called "the best kept secret of the Caribbean".....

The whole text of this article is now published at:

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/dominican-republic-holiday-resorts.html

Together with links to information we have published about several Dominican Republic holiday resorts...with more to come soon!

R 15/03/05
Travel

Just want to say HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

2005-03-11T17:43:00.000-08:00

Just quick blog entry to announce the beginning of a new section on our fast growing website:
http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/

If you've just come upon this blog then we are trying to develop one of the best 'one stop' resources of Dominican Republic travel and tourist information on the Internet.

And OK so it's March...you might say 'what a time to be thinking of Christmas!'...but we know there are hundreds of people every month checking out what happens in the Dominican Republic at Christmas time.

People even ask 'Do the Dominican Republic celebrate Christmas?' (YES I KNOW...its terrible English...but seriously several hundred people actually asked this very question on search engines last month!!!!)

Why? Well NOW is the time to be booking that Christmas break to the "...most beautiful place that man has ever seen" (C.Columbus, c.1492)...the Dominican Republic...So if you are worried that you'll miss out om Christmas fun...worry no more just read our NEW PAGE (with more to come soon):

Christmas traditions in the Dominican Republic

Ans why not drop us a line and ask us for information on the Dominican Republic to take the worry out of your vacation to the Caribbean jewel!

R 11/3/5

Travel

Have you got the DRIVE to really enjoy the Dominican Republic?

2005-03-09T03:30:00.000-08:00

Good news for confident visitors to the Dominican Republic who want to get out and about and see more of the delights the country has to offer...

www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com has teamed with a premier Dominican Republic rent a car company to offer a simple solution to booking safe, solid, reliable, capable motors that can handle the Dominican terrain.

The Dominican Republic is a wonderful country with a wide range of challenges for the keen motorists! Mountains, deserts, rough tracks, pot-holes, winding roads, etc., etc.! It's a thrilling place to drive around, but not for the faint hearted! You need a good, tough vehicle to do the job, and give you the confidence to handle anything the road conditions can throw at you!

And that's not to mention the the typical Dominican driver's 'full-on' approach to driving...it sometimes seems that Dominicans think the car horn is musical instrument it gets so much use!

So if you are looking for a reliable vehicle, and a trustworthy car rental in the Dominican Republic, then take a look at our rent a car in the Dominican Republic page, where you can select from a wide range of 'all terrain' vehicles, and take the hassle and worry of booking Dominican Republic car hire with the simple push of a button.

Post by A 9/3/5
Travel

Going to Punta Cana?...or Bayahibe?...or Juan Dolio? Don't miss this tourist treat!

2005-03-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

Check out our latest webpage for information about the amazing creation of an wealthy American magnate! Inspired perhaps by his companies many famous celluloid successes...Charles Bluhdorn spent a small fortune creating an extravagant 'gift' for his daughter...an 'authentic' medieval European village!...or a 'film-set' sprung to life? You decide...

Altos de Chavon, in a remarkable elevated setting, with marvellous views and perfectly placed to enjoy awe-inspiring sunsets, may be 'kitsch', but its cobbled streets play hosts to a myriad of galleries providing a variety of 'creative' pastimes and products...

Here many artists now dwell, work and study...and tourists can stroll, relax and just enjoy the enchanted setting:

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/altos-de-chavon.html

If you are 'visiting the Dominiacn Republic' soon...why not plan a visit?

20 million good reasons to visit the Dominican Republic!

2005-03-01T16:23:00.000-08:00

It has just be confirmed that the Dominican Government has allocated US$20,000,000 to promote the Dominican Republic as a premier vacation option on the 'worldwide' stage.

The tourism minister, Felix 'Felucho' Jimenez, announced that promotion throughout the United States and Europe would be taking place by both radio and TV media.

The promotional budget will also include a twenty date tour by the 'World's best known' young Dominican bachateros - "Aventura" - who make their first appearance in Madrid, Spain, on May 10th, and complete their tour in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 19th July.

This major investment demonstrates the commitment of the new Government to support the vitally important tourism trade in the DR. It is one more element that will ensure that tourist confidence and numbers are boosted and is likely to have a positive 'knock-on' effect on the Dominican real-estate market too.

Now is certainly the time to consider investing in the DR, long thought of as the 'best kept secret' of the Caribbean...looks like it may not be a secret much longer! http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/dominican-republic-picture.html

Ruth 01/03/05
http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/

Two Days of Celebrations and Parades

2005-02-26T12:12:00.000-08:00

It's bound to be a wild time in the DR over the next couple of days...and where to head for is just one of the hard decisions you'll have to make if you are 'Visiting the Dominican Republic' during this one of the biggest party weekends of this year!

Acknowledged as a premier party town La Vega will be BUZZING, as amazingly decorative floats and vibrantly clothed demons amongst other sparkling cotumes vie for the attention of the masses of visitors who flood the streets to witness the spectacle.

La Vega, a beautiful place with some fine architecture, lovely parks and a quality feel is well worth a visit anyway...and locals are justifiably proud of their Town...It also has a reputation for putting on one of the best Independence Day celebrations in the DR...so be there if you can!

Given the energy and the wherewithal you might then travel on to Santo Domingo itself for the capital City's own festivities...as Dominicans continue to celebrate the date of their Independence!

It was 1844 that the Dominican Republic emerged from years of Haitian dominance and gained Independence...there's a good deal more about the chequered progress the DR made through the 1800's here: Dominican Independence and The First Presidents of the Dominican Republic a time when 'Presidents' came and went by the dozen!

So this weekend is a great time to be in the DR if you are lucky enough to be there now...for those who aren't there but plan to go...why not start those plans now, ready for next year's Independence Day fiestas by reading up about all you need to know for a successful visit to the Dominican Republic here on our main site: http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/

Watch out for those Demons though...and have a good Independence Day party!

A.S. 26/02/05

Getting in a Stew?

2005-02-25T16:35:00.000-08:00

It’s today (well the 26th Feb 2005 that is!!) at 17.00hrs Dominican time the competition judges will be ‘getting in a stew’…in fact they’ll be getting in several stews as they try to determine the BEST SANCOCHO! And it’s no joke!!! By cooking up a storm and tickling the judges taste-buds most efficiently you could win RD$10,000!!!

The ‘cook off’ has been organized by Raul Perez Peña who spoke, in pre-event publicity, about the cultural significance of this ‘signal’ dish to Dominicans, and referred to the wide variation in Sancocho recipes that can be experienced.

Sancocho is a dish that has a ‘celebratory’ quality to it…prepared as it often is to ‘welcome’ visiting friends and family, or perhaps to bid them 'farewell’ at the end of a visit! Every Dominican (and his or her Mother) know how to make the BEST Sancocho…it is just that no two versions are quite the same.

By the way…the BEST Sancocho recipe is actually HERE…

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/sancocho-recipe.html

…if you haven’t found it already…why not take a look now..and treat the family this Sunday?!!

A

The Stars are out round Punta Cana

2005-02-23T16:56:00.000-08:00

We hear that Julio Iglesias, the famous Spanish 'crooner', and equally well known Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta are part of a business consortium planning to invest heavily in developments at the sparkling 'All-inclusives' resort of Punta Cana, at the Eastern tip of the Dominican Republic.

Between Punta Cana Marina and Plaza Bavaro stretches some 30 or so km (18 miles) of beautiful sandy beaches and numerous quality 'AI' developments already. With visitors rapidly approaching the 1 million mark per year the resort is booming, and evidently the 'starry' consortium, which also includes some local 'big hitters' will ensure that PC and Bavaro continue to be the 'quality' end of the 'sanitised' version of the DR experience.

For those who really want to know what the DR is like...well PC won't give them much of an idea...but for those who like to be cosseted in All-inclusive luxury...it's becoming the ideal Caribbean venue!

A

'Larimar '- The unique gem that captures the very hues of the Caribbean Sea!

2005-02-20T03:20:00.000-08:00

A quick note to any visitors to this blog, we recently added the following page to our main website, about the semi-precious 'Larimar stone' - a unique and beautiful gemstone forund only in the DR:

Dominican Republic larimar - unique larimar ring or larimar earring set

Why not take home a piece of jewelry that features 'Larimar' - the gem forged by the heat of a volcano at the very 'Dawn of Time' - as a memento of your Dominican Republic vacation?

Don't forget if you want to know more about 'Larimar', or anything else about the DR you can drop us a line through our site:

Hasta mas tarde

A 20/02/05

President of DR meets King of PC

2005-02-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

The President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez took his 'chopper' out for an airing and whipped it over to Casa de Campo, La Romana on Sunday 13th Feb to meet with 'King of the PC' Bill Gates.

Mr. Gates and his wife, Melinda had been staying there since Friday 11th, and they met with President Fernandez, and the First Lady, Margarita Cedeno, at the home of Gustavos Cisneros a Venezuelan business man, who was also present at the meeting along with his son Guillermo.

The President of the DR has a number of great plans in mind for investing in the country's infrastructure! So no doubt successful entrepreneurs of the magnitude of the Microsoft boss could be the 'Gate'way to essential technical assistance in years to come! At least it would be helpful if Mr. G could help the President ensure that all the '.gov.do' websites actually worked properly...that would be a start! :-)

Don't be an Amber Gambler...Get the Gen on the Gem!

2005-02-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

It's precious.

It's millions of years old.

It oozed out of primitive plants...and

It often trapped small insects in a permanent 'glass-like' prison!

"D'ya know it is yet?"

Yes...it's that wonderful yet strange substance known as amber!

And one of the best places in the world to find it is the Dominican Republic.

On our free information site: www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/ we now include more information about amber...just one of the many 'treasures' to be discovered in the Dominican Republic.

Keep an eye on the site, or here on our blog, as we hope to announce some of the best deals for wonderful amber jewelry soon...and visit the site to discover how and where to find out much more about amber...the 'jurassic' gem!

A

(P.S. Sorry it's been a quiet week...due to 'technical' problems...hope to be blogging again soon now though!)

Seeing Stars in 'The Bay' of Samana

2005-02-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

What have Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, Angelina Jolie and Al Pacino got in common? And what does it have to do with the Dominican Republic?...

Well the latest news is that no sooner will the whale-watching season be coming to an end in the Bahia de Samana...but it seems there will be 'Pigs' in the Bay...

Steven Spielberg has already used the DR as the backdrop to the original 'Jurassic Park' movie (where better than the home of the finest amber in the world?)...now he has gathered the aforementioned bevy of premier actors to make his next film... about the events that led to the invasion of Cuba by a CIA backed force during JFK's presiency that threatened to bring the World to the brink of War between the super powers.

The event that became known as 'The Bay of Pigs'...now lends its name to Spielberg's project and it is expected that filming will start in March in Los Haitises, and on the Samana coast.

http://visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/

Al

Time for a BITE!

2005-02-04T10:56:00.000-08:00

Normal service has been resumed! (If you didn't visit earlier that won't make much sense!) but now, for something completely different, and for those of you with good taste...

Have you ever tried Sancocho? A rather special Dominican dish, for which most Dominicans have their own 'best ever' recipe...

Well we are no different...see our recipe favorite here:

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/sancocho-recipe.html

Just like Mom used to make! Why not try it this Sunday?...In fact if you are Dominican...or even if you're not... but have a favorite recipe of any dish, especially if it's one your own family has enjoyed...please e-mail it to us...we'll test it out and post it on our site with a credit to you, and an assessment by our 'panel' (Me, Al, Esther and Luis!)

Hasta mañana!

Ruth

P>S> DON'T FORGET...If you haven't got an RSS/ATOM reader go to the home page of our main site (click URL below) and get one FREE, then download our XML feed, and be sure to be alerted to updates as they appear:

www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com

Soon it will be spring, but it's already SUMMARY HERE!

2005-02-03T03:37:00.000-08:00

Hi there (It just struck me what a strange thing 'blogging is'...acting as if I'm speaking to someone..but maybe just e-talking to myself!)

A quick note or two to summarize a few things that cropped up on the 'blog' in the last couple of weeks (with a view to saving too much scrolling down)

NEW CONTENT
First in terms of content on our main site: http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/
just to remind previous visitors...and inform new ones (if you've happened on this 'blog' before the main site!):

We have now posted a page of info about the City of contrasts, oldest City in the 'New World', Santo Domingo, a place you shouldn't miss when you are visiting the Dominican Republic. Take a quick look here:
http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/santo-domingo.html

You might also want to check out our Whale watching information, the season is underway, but if you are soon leaving for a vacation in the Dominican Republic, then you'll still be in time to see the Humpback's doing what comes naturally! (Breaching, lob-tailing, spouting, and spy-hopping...what did you think I meant...check out: http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/picture-whales.html if you don't know what I'm talking about!)

And if you're an 'inveterate' Twitcher! Try 'spotting these' our pair of bird watching pages, with some useful links: http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/bird-watching-vacation.html...

We've also added info to our Best Beaches in the Dominican Republic pages (if you've not visited in the last month!)

NEW FEATURE

Are you into RSS and Atom yet? The NEW news reading phenomenon that's taking the Web World by storm, if you don't have a news reader yet for RSS or Atom feeds then Call by our Home page and pick up the link that takes you to one of the BEST FREE readers you can get on the Net (Yes it is FREE!)...then you can 'download' our 'feed link' and be FIRST to know when the blog and the site is updated! (Or to add us to your My Yahoo page NOW...click on the 'MY Yahoo' icon - on the right).

All the best for now, we'll keep you posted on further developments as they happen!

Ruth, Esther & Al
http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/

Fisherman's Tales - or - A 'Fishy' tid-bit for now!

2005-02-01T14:29:00.000-08:00

Coming soon more info about the BIG annual sea fishing tournament in the DR...

Sea fishing in the Dominican Republic is a fast growing sport as more and more people catch up with the fact that the DR is also the 'best kept fishing secret'!

Big game will be in the tournament entrants sights when they set out to land white marlin and more...

But that's enough for now! We'll be posting full details in a few days - so 'don't be fed-up'...pick up our feed...and you'll be first at the post! (ouch!) ;-D

Al

FEED-ING FRENZY!

2005-01-31T17:22:00.000-08:00

STOP PRESS:

This 'blog' now has a live 'feed'. You can add us to your 'news reader' here (see top of Previous Posts Menu on the right!) or from our main site 'home page' at: http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/

Or if you-hoo are a Yahoo junkie...then add us to YOUR 'My Yahoo'...if you know what we mean? (again, see the right-hand navigation bar, and just 'click' the Yahoo logo).

Keep in touch with developments on the site and news from the DR as we get it - add us to your favorite 'feeds' TODAY! ;-D

Al

Planning a Caribbean Wedding? The Dominican Republic is the Ideal Venue

2005-01-31T14:25:00.000-08:00

Hey...it's been some time! Sorry it was a busy weekend! And one of the 'little jobs' that we were doing was preparing our new free info page about:

Planning a Caribbean Wedding

Our NEW page includes a few thoughts and tips that you should consider to help make your 'Happy Day' trouble free!

Where better to go than the Caribbean's 'best kept secret' - the dazzling Dominican Republic...for your own very special Caribbean wedding?

Take a look at our page and if you have a question about anything we don't yet cover, send us a note via our 'contact page'! We'll be happy to try and help.

Kind wishes and congratulations if you are planning your BIG DAY just now!

Al

A NEW HIGH for Visiting the Dominican Republic

2005-01-28T17:03:00.000-08:00

Related Info for: visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/

Wow! A big thank you to our visitors who have taken www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com into the TOP ONE THIRD OF A PERCENT most popular website (out of 57million active sites)!

And a big thank you to Ken Evoy and his team who made it possible! You can find out more here if you would like you build your own high ranking website:THE SECRET

TIMES you visited the DR

2005-01-27T03:21:00.000-08:00

In case you missed the publication of an article by Tom Chesshyre in the UK 'TIMES' towards the end of last year, here's a taster:

"...Santo Domingo is the perfect end to the trip. Sitting at a café in the cathedral square, drinking Presidentes on our final night, we realise we’ve had a great time. The car has been essential — effectively transforming the Dom Rep from a giant all-inclusive into a proper country, with interesting things to do and places to see.

We’ve body-surfed, climbed a mountain, explored tiny one-square towns, visited one of the most intriguing cities in the Americas, and stayed at one of the classiest hotels in the Caribbean. No buffet dinners, or stomach bugs, here."
Source: The Times Date: November 06 2004 Author: Tom Chesshyre

Want to know more...about the article? About the DR? take a look at our FREE INFO site and drop us a line via the Contact Page:
http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/

And don't forget to check out the first of our NEW Santo Domingo pages:
http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/santo-domingo.html

Visiting the Dominican Republic...why not do it THIS year?

A
http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/contact_us.html

Come to the CARNAVAL

2005-01-24T16:47:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's that time again...c-c-c-crazy Carnaval time will be sweeping the Dominican Republic throughout February!

If you are on vacation in the Dominican Republic in February 2005 make sure to plan for a visit to the Fiesta of celebrations that Carnaval time brings to many towns.

Naturally, Santo Domingo (the capital) and Santiago (the second largest city) will be lively places to visit...But perhaps the best place to visit for Carnaval is La Vega, famous for putting on a spectacular show, it is the place to go to soak-up all the special atmosphere that Carnaval time has to offer in the DR!

Each Sunday throughout February, La Vega will see colorful Demons (Diablos cojuelos) dancing in the streets with many floats, lively music and other exotically costumed locals joining in the procession as thousands of visitors look on!

Carnaval activities take place in many towns and, in addition to the big cities already mentioned, particlarly notable are Cotui, Bonao, Monte Cristi each of which have their costume 'themes' which give them their own individual caharacter!

So...lucky you if you have booked a vacation to the Dominican Republic over the next few weeks...chances are you will have an even more memorable time!

For more ideas about things to see, do and experience, don't forget to check out our free information website at:

Hasta 'Mañana' amigos,

A

Visiting the DR website - UPDATE!

2005-01-23T16:52:00.000-08:00

Hi

If you are keeping in touch with this weblog...or have just 'stumbled upon it' by chance...we'd just like to mention the latest developments at our site, www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com.

Our latest pages should help you when planning how to 'get around' the DR on your visit.

Best options for getting around in the Dominican Republic

...and if we still haven't included just what you want to know...well there is more to come...BUT meantime drop us a line via our contact page on the site and we'll try and get back to you with any 'latest' info we have.

'Hasta mas tarde'

R

P.S. COMING TO THE BLOG SOON: Details of the fanatastic 'Carnaval' and Fiestas in the DR in Feb 2005!

Chris! Is that REALLY YOU?

2005-01-19T14:46:00.000-08:00

Baroque angels hover over the marble casket wherein the remains of Christopher Columbus lie.

A constant guard of honour stands beside the mausoleum through the day and night.

The venerated remnants of probably the world's most famous 'explorer', and 'discoverer of the New World', have lain for many years within El Faro, the Columbus Lighthouse, on the East side of the mouth of the Rio Ozama across from Santo Domingos Zona Colonial...

...Or so it is believed!

Indeed the veracity of this claim has often been discussed, argued about and even refuted by some sources.

Soon there will be no further questions about it!

The Dominican Government has just given the go-ahead to a team of Spanish scientists to assess the remains using DNA analysis methods to confirm once and for all that the casket does indeed contain the mortal remains of the discoverer of La Isla Hispaniola and first 'ruler' of Santo Domingo, the New World's first city...or not!!! As the case may be!

Watch this space for breaking news! Columbus discovered the country that was to become the Dominican Republic...but will the Dominican Republic discover Columbus?

We'd like your INPUT!

2005-01-18T13:19:00.000-08:00

Just a thought.

We've spread the word to many of the people who send us their questions and queries about the DR prior to their visits, but we'd like to make a wider invitation...

We are really eager to include any up-to-date views, experiences, recommendations and admonitions...in fact anything YOU think it would be helpful for others who are just about to visit the Dominican Republic - for a holiday, on business or to seek property - to know.

Perhaps you stayed somewhere great? Found some great value accommodation? Experienced a scam? Discovered a wonderful beach? Found a top watering-hole? Encountered a rip-off? Found the best place for music and dancing?...

Whatever it is we'd love to hear from you, via this blog, or the contact form on the site:

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/contact_us.html

Our aim is as ever to tell visitors to www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com about the excellent, the good, the bad and the ugly things about the DR... we welcome YOUR input ...so drop us a line, as soon as you get back from your vacation... don't put it off till 'mañana'!

A

(n.b. We reserve the right to edit submissions as necessary, but will endeavor to leave them as complete as possible - don't forget to include your e-mail address - which will be kept confidential and only used to check accuracy if necessary.)

MORE THAN 'JUST A HOLIDAY HAVEN'!

2005-01-17T05:19:00.000-08:00

It's true.

The Dominican Republic is so much more than just a vacation paradise!

- With over 300 perfect white beaches
- With a glorious green, tropical forested interior
- Hosting the Caribbean's highest mountain (Pico Duarte 3175m)
- Home to the 'New World's' oldest City - Santo Domingo

...The second largest Caribbean country has great credentials to become the the leader for tourism that it should be...

However, not everyone realizes that the Dominican Republic is ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST place to set up business in. The DR is a TAX FREE ZONE! It can therefore provide a potentially fantastic base for entrepreneurs looking to develop their business ventures under less 'fiscally punitive' conditions...

Take a look here today to find out more:

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/starting-a-business.html

The Dominican Republic... geographic diversity and beauty; warm and friendly people; best value for property and land in the Caribbean; and a 'TAX FREE' business zone! I can hear them 'shackling up' the 'band-wagon' already! So hurry, find out more about doing business in the DR now - before the REAL rush begins!

(From our 'business correspondent' ;-D)

A

Do you know?...

2005-01-15T15:52:00.000-08:00

Do you know who has just bought their own piece of 'the best kept secret' in the Caribbean...the Dominican Republic?

Here's a clue: They're no strangers to 'astute' property deals!

Got it?

Yes that's right, ex-President of the US, Bill Clinton and his wife Hilary have just bought a luxury home away from home in the DR.

Along with other famous names like Julio Iglesias and J-Lo, they too have realized that the DR offers some 'presidentially' sweet deals! :-)

Don't put it off 'till tomorrow...take a look at what the DR has to offer today by visiting our free information resource:

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/

Kind wishes

R

Tourists in the DR: Reasons to be cheerful

2005-01-14T06:24:00.000-08:00

The Dominican Republic Government has created a new 'tourist police' force.

The 'Policia Turistica' have special duties to protect the rights and interests of tourists, it is the job of these special police officers to be on the look out for anything that might adversely affect visitors to our lovely homeland.

The Tourist Police are expected not only to have good local knowledge but also to become a key reference point for prices and costs of goods and services offered to tourists. This knowledge will enable them to ensure that any 'over charging' scams are swiftly 'nipped in the bud'.

'Policia Turistica' officers will be seen in many key Dominican Republic resorts including: Puerto Plata, Luperón, Sosua, Cabarete, Río San Juan, Las Terrenas, Samaná, Jarabacoa, Barahona, Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana, Bávaro y Aeropuerto Internacional de las Américas.

We say, well done to the new Government for creating this 'special task force' that should give travelers to the Dominican Republic even more confidence that they will have a great stay.

Ruth

Life's a Beach!

2005-01-13T06:18:00.001-08:00

Where on Earth is this beautiful beach?

So just where on Earth is this beautiful beach?

Well, as it is here on this 'blog' it is obviously in the Dominican Republic. In fact it is just one of the places featured in our recently updated 'best beaches' pages at:

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/best-beaches.html

If you have a favorite Dominican Republic beach that we haven't yet included, then drop us a line and let us know about it. Send us a photo if you like and we'll feature it either here...or on our main web pages.

We can tell you that coming soon to our 'free information' website will be details about Playas 'Diamante' and 'El Rincon'...both 'typically tropical' brilliant DR beaches that any of you beach lovers won't want to miss while you are visiting the Dominican Republic.

"Hasta mas tarde"

Ruth

You Could be Having a Whale of a Time!

2005-01-12T13:23:00.000-08:00

Are you visiting the Dominican Republic any time between the 15th January and 15th March?

If so, do you realize that this is the 'Whale Watching Season'?

Yes. Thousands of Humpack whales migrate from cooler waters to bask for a couple of months in the tropical warmth of the Southern Atlantic...and where do they favor? Why, a most popular spot for whale pods (that's the term for a group of whales, just in case you wondered) to spyhop, lobtail and breach is the beautiful Bahia de Samana, the sheltered Bay East of Samana Peninsula in the Dominican Republic.

Find out more about Humpbacks, and the other main visitor you will most likely see, the 'Spotter' - or Spotted Dolphin - the acrobatic 'clown of the sea' at our 'free information page':

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/picture-whales.html

Whenever you come to the Dominican Republic you are bound to have a 'whale of a time'...but never more so than visiting during 'Whale Watching Season'! For more details and contacts, call by the website soon and check out our 'Whale' and 'Dolphin' pages, or drop us a line via:

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/contact_us.html

Kind wishes as ever

R, E & A

Minor furore over ‘beachwear’ photos “Nothing but a storm in a D-cup” says spokesman

2005-01-12T05:40:00.000-08:00

A recently published photo page at www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com does include some shots of one of the web sites management team in beachwear. But a spokesman today denied rumours that this had caused a ‘minor furore’ to break out at the publishers headquarters.

A spokesman for the ‘model’ featured in the shots said:

“These photographs have been seen by several generations of the young lady’s family and never before caused any substantial outcry. It is all just a storm in a D-cup.”

He added that:

“The photographs in question are deemed to be in good taste, and appropriate for the purpose of displaying the best assets of the subject in question. However I feel it only right and proper for visitors to the web page, one of a number featured on www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com web site about the best beaches in the DR, to make a judgement for themselves.”

The spokesman denied that the web site was ‘deliberately making these photos hard to find’ by making them a sub-page to the second page about ‘the best beaches in the DR’ just published on the site. He went on to explain that any visitors to the site who were unable to locate the ‘offending’ photographs’, or with other queries or comments, can easily send their communication to the web site owners via the ‘contact us’ page on the site for advice about where to find the photos, or any other topic in relation to the Dominican Republic..

He said:

“I can see no valid reason why the publication of these photographs should give rise to concern and it my opinion that they do not detract from the sites aim to be ‘the best and most informative site about the Dominican Republic’ on the web. Although we accept we still have much to do before we can truly lay claim to having achieved this objective.”

The young woman, 36, featured in the aforementioned photographs, was unavailable for comment as this feature went to press.

HOT NEWS: Dominican Sisters Give Away Best Beach Secrets

2005-01-12T03:29:00.000-08:00

It's happened!

We thought long and hard about it but then we just did it...

We just added new pages to the 'Best Beaches' section of our Web Site at:

http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/dominican-republic-beaches.html

Why did we have to think long and hard?

Well, we had to think about whether or not to include the spot that, for us, is one of our all-time-favorites...our own 'secret' place. It's hard to face the fact that this might mean people actually start to go there...but we reckoned that only the 'select few' who catch this 'blog' and find our page will benefit from the suggestion, so it was worth the risk.

We'll be adding more about the beaches we Dominicans love over the next few days...the beaches that the tour operators tend not to mention...the beaches the locals choose to visit for their serenity, safeness and raw beauty!

...so if you like to be packed in with loads of others on a a thin spit of sand, beset by 'hawkers' and others 'peddling' their wares?...

..and if you like to be 10 metres away from the nearest food bar and 'mini parasol' decorated Ron y Cola, or Margarita?...

Then don't bother to check out our suggestions...they are only for those seeking a taste of the real Caribbean...a clean, safe, beautiful, undeveloped piece of heaven!

But don't spread it around too much, we don't want everyone knowing about it! ;-)

See you soon at :- http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com/ we hope!

Ruth

A bird watching vacation or bird watching tour in the Dominican Republic

2005-01-11T14:08:00.000-08:00

A bird watching vacation or bird watching tour in the Dominican Republic

Hey do you like watching birds?- There are hundreds of beautiful birds in the Dominican Republic...many are local, but many also visit the lovely warm Dominican Republic just for the winter, after flying in from from 'cooler climes'!

'Twitchers' - if you haven't visited already take a look at our bird watching pages when you get minute!

Non bird watchers...there's lots of other information about our wonderful homeland the Dominican Republic at: www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com

...Why not plan a visit to the Dominican Republic this year? ...our web site can help you make the most of your trip!

2005-01-11T08:42:00.000-08:00

Ruth, Esther & Alan

Visiting the Dominican Republic Jumps on the Blogging Band-Wagon

2005-01-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hi there

We just jumped on the 'blogging' band-wagon!

We plan to post any useful news or information as we get it, here on this 'weblog', whilst we are still developing and adding to our content pages at - www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com.

We've had a load of e-mails from visitors and take the chance here to say thanks for your interest...and for your compliments!

We know we've got a lot to do before we can truly claim to be the most informative and easily navigable Dominican Republic information resource on the Web...but this remains our aim,

So don't hesitate to send us your queries or suggestions...we need them! Your comments and questions will help us to provide the information YOU need to really make your visit to the DR all it can be.

So whether you discovered this 'Blog before our main site - www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com- or have come here from the site - we hope you find what we provide on the site useful and look forward to using this method of keeping you up to date with 'breaking' news in the Dominican Republic, and developments on our site, regularly through the week from now on,

Kind regards,

The Visiting the Dominican Republic team