Dominican Gateway Magazine 01 - 2013

DR HISTORY . PUNTA CANA DOCTORS . DOMINICAN-ASIAN CUISINE . JUANILLO SAN JUAN SHOPPING CENTER . MARINARIUM . HISPANIOLA ADVENTURE MACAO SURF CAMP . MTBIKING . PILATES . JEWEL . HUMOR FOTO: ROLANDO ASTUDILLO

RESUMEN EN ESPAﾃ前L Aﾃｱo 3, No.1- 2013

FREE / GRATIS

PHOTO/FOTO: Punta de los Nidos Beach, Veron-Punta Cana Distric / playa Punta de los Nidos, Cabeza de Toro, Distrito Municipal Tur铆stico Ver贸n-Punta Cana

Dominican Gateway MAGAZINE 2013

¡Vive las mejores aventuras Live The Best Adventures en tus vacaciones! In Your Vacations!

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Tel. 809-455-1135

Una experiencia cultural

Fax. 809-455-1037

contact@runnersadventures.com www.RUNNERSADVENTURES.com

EMPRESAS SOCIALMENTE RESPONSABLES

Punta Cana Doctors The family doctor is back!

Puntacana Village, a superb 1,500-Acre middle class neighborhood in Punta Cana District, is located just in front of the Punta Cana International Airport. This spacious urban development, a truly urban miracle built in the coastal plains in the late 90s, was designed as part of pioneer Puntacana Resort & Club complex in the late seventies.

In 2000 the PUNTACANA Group moved its headquarters from Santo Domingo, a bustling 3-million people city, to…the isolated tropical forests of Punta Cana. They had only an office building and, a small house & apartment building compound for their employees and executives. Later on they built phase one of its plazas with some extra offices, pharmacy, and a couple of restaurants. Oddly enough, they also added a 12-lane…full air-conditioned bowling alley! Since the tourism complex was growing fast with owners and expats, an amenity like this one brought an early feeling of 'civilization' to Punta Cana. For medical purposes, first aid and basic medicine services were available only in the airport and resorts.

Dominican Doctor Jose Esmurdoc was among the few medical doctors living and working in one of the Puntacana's Resorts: “back on those times my routine was awaking at 6 o'clock in the morning to joggle in the beach, have breakfast, attend some sick guests, have lunch –and

nap- to return to the consultancy room. Dinner. Some walking and talking. Study. Go to bed…six days a week. For years.”

“In 2009 local promoters built a 4-story high office building in the now Puntacana main avenue. So, I decided that it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream in my life in Punta Cana District: to offer first quality medical services yet the old fashion way: as family doctors. After 10 years, Puntacana Village has converted into an urban model with hundreds of families with children, retirees (both from abroad and the DR) and expats. We are a huge family now,” said to DG the outspoken, grey bearded, Doctor Esmurdoc…or just, Jose.

As a personal example, this Editor was suffering of a certain situation with my left ear. I thought it was all this years in the bushes working or doing mountain biking. Happily, I remember Punta Cana Doctors: easy to reach in the first floor of Las Arenas Building, discrete and affordable. In less than 15 minutes, Jose…had me an ear wash and brought me back to all my senses! A fantastic feeling when you can hear normally again.

Punta Cana Doctors ¡El médico de familia está de regreso!

Cana. Esta espaciosa urbanización –prácticamente un milagro del urbanismo en medio de las desoladas planicies del este de la isla- forma parte del complejo Puntacana Resort & Club, el primer desarrollo turístico en la hoy mundialmente famosa Punta Cana. y poblado Santo Domingo, a los bosques tropicales de esa parte de la isla. Comenzaron con tes. Asimismo, sorprendieron con la erección de una bolera con aire acondicionado central con 12 canchas, en medio del monte! Como el turismo iba creciendo con residentes de otros países, la bolera daba una agradable sensación de 'civilización'.

Desde el punto de vista de salud, se contaban con servicios muy básicos en algunos hoteles cercanos y el aeropuerto.

El médico dominicano José Esmurdoc era uno de los pocos que vivía y trabajaba en el Club Med de entonces, cuenta que “mis días eran levantarme a las seis de la mañana a trotar por la playa, desayunar, atender a los huéspedes que se enfermaban, almorzar –con una siestecita- para volver al consultorio. Luego de cenar, caminaba otro poco, luego a estudiar y acostarme. Seis días a la semana, por años”.

Noviembre, hoy la avenida principal del conjunto por lo que decidí que era tiempo de lograr mi sueño de poner un centro médico, pero rescatando la vieja tradición del médico familiar o de cabecera. Y es que luego de unos 10 años, Puntacana Village se ha convertido en un modelo urbano con cientos de familias con hijos, retirados y residente de disímiles países.

Ahora somos una gran familia”, explicó a DG el extrovertido, de barba gris, doctor Esmurdoc o simplemente, José.

Como ejemplo personal, este editor estaba sufriendo de una situación en mi oído izquierdo. Pensaba que era por todos esos años trabajando en el monte o montando bicicleta. Felizmente, recordé a Punta Cana Doctors: fácil de llegar en el primer piso del realizó el procedimiento y me retrajo a todos mis sentidos. ¡Una fantástica sensación cuando se puede oír normalmente de nuevo!

PUNTA CANA DOCTORS es una empresa conjunta de renombrados médicos dominicanos y de otras nacionalidades distribuidos en 14 especialidades médicas. Entre estas están cardiología, pediatría, endocrinología, medicina interna, urología, neonatología, adecuado para sonografías, electrocardiogramas o ciugías menores.

Sus servicios también incluyen coloscopía, drenaje de absesos, ECG, espirometría, exámenes del tipo papanicolau más, la reciente adición de un quiropráctico estadounidense, muy necesario en una comunidad donde se practica mucho deporte como esta.

Una de las características de Punta Cana Doctors es su sistema de telemedicina a través de tan comunes casos de enfermedades infantiles. Pero como se estila con los doctores familiares, la visita al médico en su consultorio es mandatoria. El ambiente de colores pasteles y decoración moderna es relajante. Los niños no se asustan y no hay llantos. El Un detalle curioso: en puntacanadoctors.com usted tiene información de primera mano en…60 idiomas! (hay que recordar que esta es una zona turística). Y si bien la mayoría de en…si, tamil, urdu, welsh, esperanto o chino moderno…

Buen trabajo, José.

The History of Punta Cana District Playa Blanca Beach

Distrito Municipal Turístico Verón-Punta Cana

Cabo Engaño BEFORE 1969, the El Salao Place -Hispaniola’s easternmost without nothing serious as a backup town behind but two or territory- was only bushes, mosquitoes and a 80-kilometer long three small urban developments: El Cortesito (the original white-sand beach. Their 500 or so inhabitants lived from basic fishing village), Los Corales/Costa Bavaro (with the first fishing, some tobacco and coconut crops. The incredible beaches beachfront apartment buildings and houses), the Hole of Friusa were visited, usually over Easter Week, only by young slum and 20-kilometer far away, Veron. Before 1997, there were adventurers dared to go camping in the wild. Later, some no gas stations, malls, schools, supermarkets…nothing. Only Higueyans built some crude cabanas. Life in the DR went by some restaurants for the construction crews, whorehouses and rather slow in those times... crude apartment buildings in what it is now called Bavaro.

In the early seventies, U.S. Lawyer and Philanthropist Then…pandemonium again!

In 2005 the 'zone' had a population of nearly 20,000 Theodore, Ted, Kheel along with the Dominican family Rainieriinhabitants, plus some 40,000 daily tourists. All but maybe Marranzini, dared to build a 10-double room cabanas and club: 2,000 natives were immigrants. Locals and international alike. they named it Punta Cana Club. Some 100 meters away, they In just months… the now craziness of apartment-building, laid a 700-meter long stretch of packed-calcareous land airstrip small commercial centers, carved into the tropical forest. hardware stores, low and The Kheel and Rainieri families Macao Beach. More than 25 millions of visitors middle-type houses, built that very first 'resort' driving warehouses, office buildings (actual 185 kilometers/2.5 hours) construction surprised even first...4 hours from Santo the tough Bavarian pioneers: Domingo to Higuey (capital of eighteen-wheelers trucks Altagracia Province, then with packed with cement, steel twenty-five thousand people...), bars, concrete blocks and then another...4 hours and…Haitians construction through a narrow sandy road workers included, stormed connecting old DR Navy posts and Punta Cana 16 hours a day, a couple of tiny fishing villages all seven days a week! down south to a place known as And, MORE! The Yauya, a indigenous name for an construction of gargantuan underground river. The other Cap Cana ultra luxurious urban development set upside down name of the place, accordingly to pioneer Frank Rainieri 'the zone'. Thousands of newly graduates attacked Punta Cana was...Drunken Point. Certainly not a good name for an and expensive supermarkets, clothing stores or entertainments oncoming international beach resort… such Paintball courts, motorcycle clubs or beach clubs arised like In 1978, after years of convincing investors the French-owned mushrooms. In 2007, still without a decent mall around, tourists CLUB MED opened a 250-room hotel near of Punta Cana Club. were also seen waiting in local real estate offices buying Later, PCC was torn down and reconstructed as a 200-room whatever could be shown in front of them, even with contracts hotel later named as PUNTACANA Resort & Club.

In 1985 Spanish hotel chain BARCELO opened their first 500written in napkins or by a look as guarantee...

In 2007, 'the zone' evolves for the first time from a lowroom hotel in front of Bavaro Beach. Some other Balearic Islands category jurisdiction under Higuey Municipality to a 'district countrymen families such as Meliá, Matute (Fiesta), Fluxá category' with its own city hall. Newborn Punta Cana District (Iberostar) and, Riu soon followed him. In the early nineties, some 200 sq. kilometers- starts with a population of around more Majorcan and Catalane small hotel chains joined as well.

60,000 people distributed in Veron, Bavaro and Punta Cana Some Dominican hotel chains also joined the craziness. A third towns. wave of hotel construction followed in the early 00s –always Even with the international crisis, Punta Cana District can from Spanish investors– completing current 36,000 hotel show a healthy modern tourism-oriented territory with malls, rooms. movies, stores, golf courses, schools, paved roads and highways, Still up to 2004, the 'zone', as it was called, was a sleepy clean and safe neighborhoods and a strong, dare community. rather curious strip of sandy beaches, packed with hotels, yet

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ANTES de 1969, el paraje El Salao Place eran sólo arbustos, mosquitos y una playa de 80 kilómetros de arenas blancas. Sus aproximadamente 500 habitantes vivían de la pesca, tabaco y coco.

Las playas eran visitadas durante la Semana Santa por aventureros que se atrevían a acampar en medio de la nada. Más tarde, algunos higueyanos construyeron algunas cabañas rústicas. La vida pasaba sumamente lenta en la RD de esa época...

En los años setenta, el abogado y filántropo estadounidense Theodore -Ted- Kheel junto con la familia dominicana RainieriMarranzini, se atrevieron a construir 10 cabañas: el Punta Cana Club.

A unos metros, construyeron una pista de aterrizaje para avionetas en medio del monte.

Los Kheel y Rainieri construyeron ese primer 'resort' teniendo que manejar primero 4 horas desde Santo Domingo (ahora a un par de horas) a Higuey (capital de la provincia de Altagracia, entonces con veinticinco mil personas ...), y luego otras...4 horas a través de una estrecha carretera de arena que conectaba antiguos puestos militares y un par de aldeas de pescadores hasta llegar en el sur a un sitio conocido como Yauya, nombre indígena de un río subterráneo.

El otro nombre del sitio, según el pionero Frank Rainieri, se llamaba punta Borrachón, ciertamente no un buen nombre para un futuro destino internacional...

En 1978, después de años de convencer a inversionistas, los franceses abrieron un CLUB MED de 250 habitaciones. Luego construyeron el PUNTACANA Resort & Club. En 1985 BARCELO abrió su primer hotel de 500 habitaciones frente a playa Bávaro. Otros compatriotas como Meliá, Matute (Fiesta), Fluxá (Iberostar) y Riu pronto le siguieron. En los años noventa, cadenas hoteleras mallorquinas y Catalanas y dominicanas se unieron a la locura. Una tercera ola de construcción de hoteles siguió a partir del 2000 completando las actuales 36,000 habitaciones.

Sin embargo hasta el 2004, la "zona" -como se le llamaba- era un curiosa tira de playas de arena llena de hoteles, pero sin nada detrás como un par de urbanizaciones. Existían El Cortesito (el pueblo de pescadores original), Los Corales / Costa Bavaro, el tugurio del Hoyo de Friusa y a 20 kilómetros, Verón. Antes de 1997, no existían gasolineras, centros comerciales, colegios ni supermercados ... nada.

Sólo algunos restaurantes, prostíbulos y apartamentos en lo que ahora se llama Bávaro.

Entonces ... ¡otra vez el pandemonio!

En 2005 la ‘zona’ tenía unos 20,000 habitantes, todos excepto tal vez unos dos mil nativos eran inmigrantes. En los meses siguientes... ocurría otra locura de construcción de apartamentos, casas, placitas, ferreterías, almacenes, edificios de oficinas...sorprendiendo incluso a los curtidos bavarenses. Además, la construcción de Cap Cana hizo que surgieran supermercados, tiendas y entretenimientos sofisticados como Paintball, o motocross.

En 2007, 'la zona' pasa a ser distrito municipal turístico con su propio ayuntamiento -unas 60,000 personas- y ya muestra un sano desarrollo con centros comerciales, cines, campos de golf, escuelas, autopistas y gente comprometida con sus comunidades.

Tenemos esa bicicleta We Have that Bicycle que quieres. that You Want.

Aquí en Bávaro. Here in Bavaro.

VENTA . ALQUILER . REPARACIÓN . MANTENIMIENTO BUY . RENT . REPAIRING . MAINTENANCE Tenemos gran variedad de modelos con precios de Santo Domingo. Taller con mecánicos capacitados. ¡Aproveche nuestras OFERTAS ESPECIALES! We have all styles of bicycles with Santo Domingo prices. Workshop with qualified mechanics.

Look out for our SPECIAL OFFERS!

Av. Barceló, edif. Budget, Bávaro Tel. 809-466-3855 bicicentropuntacana@gmail.com

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PARTIAL History and Geography

The island of Hispaniola (or Quisqueya) is the third worldwide’s island in size with five different ecosystems.

DG prefers to present you an impartial view of Dominican history, first before 1492 written by Dr. Lynn Guitar for fellow publication Hispaniola.com, and then after 1844 by globalEDGE from MSU. “For at least 5,000 years before Christopher Columbus discovered America for the Europeans, the island, which he named Hispaniola, was inhabited by indigenous peoples whom he called ‘Indians’. Anthropologists have traced multiple waves of indigenous immigration from two principal places. Some of the early Amer-Indians came from Central America (probably Yucatan and Belize) and some came from South America, descendants of the Arawakan Indians in Amazonia, many of whom passed through the Orinocco Valley in Venezuela. It is from the blending of these waves of indigenous immigrants that the Taíno Indians, the people who welcomed Columbus on his arrival, are believed to have originated.

The word Taíno meant ‘good’ or ‘noble’ in their language, which they showed Columbus and his Spanish crew with their peaceful and generous

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hospitality. Early Spanish chroniclers document they saw no Taíno Indians fighting amongst themselves—in fact, they substituted a ballgame called batey for battles. If two Taínos had an argument, they would choose a team of players and, in front of their kacikes [caciques] (or chiefs) and all their people, would play the game, which was somewhat similar to today´s soccer. The winning team won the argument…. By the end of the 15th century, the Taíno were well organized into five political units called kacikazgos and were considered to have been on the verge of moving from being a nation to nation-state. Estimates based on recent archaeological and demographic research indicate there were probably several million Taíno living on the island at this time.

When Columbus crossed the Atlantic with his crew of Spaniards, he made stops on what are now known as the islands of the Bahamas and Cuba before landing on the island he named Hispaniola [La Española] --the Taíno called it Kiskeya, Haití, and Bohío (there were several different indigenous

Motorcyclist

Bavaro Beach

tribes and nations on the island, each with its own language, although Taíno was predominant). It was Hispaniola that got the Spaniards excited for several reasons. Columbus' journal is full of descriptions indicating how beautiful the island paradise was, including high, forested mountains and large river valleys. He described the Taíno as very peaceful, generous, and cooperative with the Europeans, and as a result, the Europeans saw the Taíno as easy targets to conquer. In addition, they saw the Taíno had gold ornaments and jewelry from the deposits of gold found in Hispaniola's rivers. So after a month or so of feasting and exploring the northern coast of Hispaniola, Columbus hurried back to Spain to announce his successful discovery --but he had lost his flagship and had to leave many of his crewmen behind...

city of Santo Domingo became the Spanish capital of the new world, and because of its location in the trade winds, it was the gateway to the Caribbean.

France gained a foothold on the western end of the island, which became prosperous, and by 1795 Spain ceded the entire island to France. By 1804 the black African slaves in the western portion of the island (now Haiti) rebelled against the French and ruled the entire island. French troops eventually reclaimed the island, but were able to occupy only the western end.

The Dominican Republic first declared independence in 1822 yet they were invaded and ruled by Haiti for the next 44 years. In 1838 a small group of Spanish-speaking Dominican intellectuals from Santo Domingo organized a secret society called La Trinitaria [the Trinity] to overthrow the Haitian rule. The society was established by Juan Pablo Duarte, the son of a wealthy Dominican IDENTIFICATION When Christopher Columbus first discovered the family [also members were Francisco Sanchez and D.R. Army official Matias Mella, recognized also as island in 1492, he named it La Española, which became later La Hispaniola. A few years later the Founding Fathers of the Country]. Second

Dominican women

Fruit vendors

Dominican Gateway MAGAZINE 2012

Of the Dominican Republic

The DR has been a democracy since 1966 with free elections held every 4 years and, a steady economic growing rate. independence was declared on February 27, 1844. After the overthrow, Pedro Santana, one of the leaders in the revolution, became the first president of the Dominican Republic. Santana later annexed the country back to Spain until 1865 when the country became totally independent. From that point, DR’s history is plagued by clumsy administrations and dictatorships until 1966 [or 1978...] when democracy arose until present days.

The complex heritage of Arawak, Spanish, African, and French traditions, plus an early independence, set the Dominican Republic apart from other Caribbean islands. Independence was won before slavery was abolished in the Spanish Caribbean and a century before the decolonization of the other islands. The Dominicans consider themselves more Latin American than Caribbean.

In addition, they retain close ties with the United States.

[More than 3 millions Dominicans have left the island and live in the U.S., Europe and South America along with other countries.]

Spare parts street vendor

LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY The DR is located on the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola and has 18,816 sq. miles / 48,734 sq. kilometers. The western portion of the island is occupied by the republic of Haiti.

Hispaniola is near the center of the West Indies, a group of islands that extend from Florida to Venezuela. To the north of Hispaniola is the Atlantic Ocean, to the south the Caribbean Sea, to the east Puerto Rico, and to the west Cuba.

Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Jamaica are referred to as the Greater Antilles.

The mountains of the Dominican Republic divide the country into northern, central, and southwestern regions. The northern region includes the Cordillera Septentrional (northern mountain range), the Cibao Valley, which is the country's major agricultural area; and the Samana Peninsula with its beaches, coconut plantations and bay, where humpback whales breed.

The central region is dominated by the Cordillera Central (central range) which ends at the Caribbean

Bavaro Beach

Sea. The highest point in the Caribbean is Duarte Peak, which reaches an elevation of over 10,414 feet / 3,175 meters and, it has alpine-alike forests near the summit with -sometimes- minus zero Centigrades temperatures in January.

The Caribbean coastal plain -some 250 miles / 400 kilometers long- includes a series of limestone terraces that gradually rise to a height of about 328 feet /100 meters and has had extended sugarcane plantations and cattle practically since 17th century. Over Hispaniola easternmost coast lays the Punta Cana District, with some 115 sq. miles / 300 sq. kilometers.

The southwestern region lies south of the San Juan Valley and encompasses the Sierra de Neiba.

Much of the region is a desert and it includes the Enriquillo Lake, the island's largest saltwater-lake that lies 150 feet /46 meters below sea level and is inhabited by unique fauna, including crocodiles, huge iguanas, and flamingos.

The diverse geography of the country includes 800 miles /1,288 kilometers of coastline with

Domino game in Veron

beautiful white-sand beaches [like the ones where you are vacationing] and rocky cliffs and warm water, all of which are attractive to tourists.

The most significant river in the country, with a drainage basin of 2,720 sq. miles /7,044 sq. kilometers), is Yaque del Norte, which starts at the central mountains and empties into Montecristi Bay on the northwest coast.

The weather is mostly tropical, especially along the southern and eastern coasts. The time and magnitude of the rainy season varies in different parts of the country, but generally occurs in late spring and early fall. In the west and southwestern regions the climate is dry and desert-like because of low rainfall and/or deforestation.

The capital, Santo Domingo -today a bustling city with near 4 million inhabitants- was the first permanent European settlement in the so called new world and was established by Spain in 1496.

The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo is one of the great treasures of Latin America today, with many original buildings intact and restored.

Typical street vendors 11

Invest in Punta Cana District!

San Juan Shopping Center

THE Dominican Republic has 48,500 Sq. Kilometers, 10 Million-inhabitants, a US$10+ Billion/year economy (Tourism represents US$4+ Billion/year), with a growing rate of 5+%. The country has been a democracy since 1966 and, it is part both of the United States (DR-CAFTA) and the Unión Europea (AAE) free trade agreements.

Investments are secured throughout MIGA and OPIC investment insurance international organizations.

Punta Cana District World famous Punta Cana-Bavaro tourism destination is located 170 kilometers east of Santo Domingo, with ~300 Sq. Kilometers (~75,000 acres), and 60,000+ inhabitants. It has year-round 77° F weather, 90%+ humidity in May and October. Hurricane season stands from June to November.

Throughout 30 years to date, investors from Spain (90%), France (1%) and the United States (9%) have Foreign Direct Investment invested in excess of US$5.0 Billion in 50+ beach resorts with 36,000 hotel rooms, 12 golf courses and 2 Marinas, Throughout the Dominican Republic's Foreign plus another US$1.0 Billion from land developers.

Investment Law 16-95 –with equal treatments for all investors- is possible to obtain certain advantages if The new Coral Highway connect the Punta Cana projects show a reasonable ratio of direct and indirect job Airport with Santo Domingo -crossing La Romana Airport creation. FDIs in 2011 were in excess of $1.5 Billion mostly (Casa de Campo) and Las Americas Airport- in a 2.5-hour on hotel & tourism, communications, Energy, drive through a 4-lane modern highway. manufacturing (including electronic) and services.

Urban developments for part-time residents or World Bank DR's foreign direct investment indicator: retirees: 63 (up from 111) for the last 3 years.

High class: Cap Cana and, Puntacana Resort & Club -

south- Palma Real Villas (Cocotal) central.

Middle class: Puntacana Village, Punta Blanca, Cana Bay, Iberoestate, Bávaro-Punta Cana , Pueblo Bávaro, Villa & Costa Bávaro.

Real Estate leaders: Cap Cana ~125 M square meters (~30,000 acres), Puntacana Resort & Club ~60 M sq. meters or ~14,000 acres, Palma Real Villas (Cocotal), Iberoestate and Cana Bay.

Only major urban private developments offer all urban facilities such as 24-h power, water, sewage system, street lighting, 24h security and the like.

Sobre el Distrito Municipal Verón-Punta Cana, donde se han invertido más de cuatro mil millones de dólares en 50 hoteles, 12 campos de golf y miles de metros cuadrados de urbanizaciones turísticas; por la nueva conexión con Santo Domingo -2.5 horas- la zona se presenta óptimo-factible para inversiones inmobiliarias (Cap Cana, Puntacana, Cocotal, Iberoestate, Punta

Blanca, Cana Bay...) así como en atractivos turísticos complementarios.

El Distrito cuenta además con centros comerciales con cines, tiendas de marca, restaurantes y amplia vida nocturna. Por su seguridad, vida cosmopolita, pero tranquila, es ideal para la vida al aire libre y deportes como senderismo, ciclismo, buceo, entre otros.

Entertainment Sports: ten 18-hole golf courses, trail riding (both for dirt bikes/ATVs, UTBs and mountain bikes), hiking, yachting, fishing.

Shopping: two big malls with 10 cinemas and stores.

Design, Decor and construction Also two Tobacco & Amber museums-gift shops. A bicycle Adequate services from DR architectural/engineering store also. firms and U.S. services available. We use Metric system.

Dinning: 50+ excellent restaurants (including Local law indicates that a local registered American-franchises Wendy's, Pizza Hut, Burger King, design/construction professional should act as a Tony Roma's and Hard Rock Café) with Spanish, Italian, counterpart for foreign design/construction companies. Mexican, Dominican and Creole cuisines. Delivery is also Average land cost from US$35+/sq. meter up to available.

US$700+/sq. meter.

Night Life: discos, bars, pubs and cafes are year-long Estimate 6 to 10 months for construction of a ~300 sq. available for drinking or dancing from 11 o´clock. meter (~3,300 sq. feet) villa. Less if it is a small house.

Cultural: Teatre & Pub in Ciudad Las Canas, Cap Cana.

Puntacana Village, Punta Cana LA República Dominicana tiene 48,500 Km2 con 10 millones de habitantes y una economía que mueve unos 10 billones de dólares americanos anualmente. Su tasa promedio de crecimiento anda por el 5% y ha sido una democracia desde 1966. Forma parte de acuerdos preferenciales de negocios con Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea. Los inversionistas están protegidos por varias 12

agencias aseguradoras como MIGA y OPIC. La RD cuenta con una moderna ley de inversión extranjera (16-95) que indica trato igualitario a nacionales o extranjeros por igual. En 2011 el país estuvo entre los preferidos para invertir, con más de US$1.5 billones esencialmente en comunicaciones, turismo, manufactura y servicios.

Dominican

Gateway

Dinning . GastronomĂ­a FOTO: BOGDAN RIABOV

Balicana

Balicana. Sabores del mundo

Variada e indescriptible, así es la cocina asiática. Así lo es en este restaurant en Los Corales.

Dominican Gateway MAGAZINE

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Dentro de toda la diversidad de las diferentes regiones del continente asiático existen elementos comunes que la identifica.

La cocina asiática es colorida, aromática y fresca, en ella se emplean muchas especies que permiten puntualizar sabores. Los métodos de cocción más habituales suelen ser el saltear, el hervir al vapor y el freír.

Tras este tipo de cocina tan puesta de moda últimamente, se esconde una tradición milenaria. Una de las razones del porqué de esta tendencia en la cocina-fusión, se debe a que los especialistas en nutrición están empezando a recomendar los ingredientes básicos que este tipo de cocina utiliza y su sabor intenso. La dieta oriental o asiática abarca la cocina china, japonesa, india y la tailandesa, y aunque todas poseen su propia marca comparten varias características.

En este tipo de cocina se destaca en general por la fuerte base vegetal y la poca grasa. Por eso en los últimos años en Occidente ha tomado auge por la búsqueda por comer más sano y aumentar la calidad de vida.

Las legumbres, el arroz, poca carne, poco dulce y muchas verduras son la clave en esta dieta oriental, aunque como decíamos, cada una tiene sus rasgos propios, como el sushi fundamental- en la cocina japonesa o, el té verde y los mariscos, en la comida cantonesa clásica de China, por igual, los granos y las especias en la India.

Podemos mencionar, por ejemplo, que la comida asiática contiene pocos hidratos de carbono refinados y pocos azúcares y la poca grasa consumida es más sana en su mayoría, asimismo, el consumo de pescado es más alto y ésto favorece la circulación de la sangre, el corazón, y el sano desarrollo del proceso digestivo.

Asian food

La comida del medio oriente por su significativa cantidad de soja -la milagrosa proteína de origen natural- que contiene más una gran proporción de frutas y vegetales frescos de estación, posibilita que se excluyan pocos alimentos procesados elaborados industrialmente.

Por otro lado, y el legendario té verde oriental es considerado como parte fundamental de muchos de sus platos.

BALICANA es un restaurant de una joven pareja de chef colombianos radicados en Bávaro hace más de cinco años. Su proyecto único en la zona- es producto de la fusión de la cocina latinoamericana, la caribeña y, “para darle un toque especial sobre el cual siempre había soñado”, al decir de Sinuhe Socarrás, copropietario; investigaron la magia de la milenaria cocina asiática para traerla a las playas de Bávaro.

Su esposa, la chef Patricia Jaramillo, ha logrado balancear, como toda mujer inteligente, la aparentemente simple combinación de materias primas, sabores y especias de lugares parecidos al nuestro del otro lado del planeta, pero adaptadas a los paladares internacionales que nos visitan como turistas.

Durante el día BALICANA tiene una terraza para comer -también suplen al por mayorpero de noche el ambiente cambia para alejarnos del estrés y disfrutar de la buena comida.

THE Asian cuisine is varied and indescribable due to the diversity of the different regions in the other side of the planet yet with common elements that identifies it. Asian cuisine is colorful, full of aromas and fresh and stand out for the use of many condiments that allow to point out flavors.

The most common cooking methods are often the sauteing, boiling and steaming. After this kind of ingredients -very popular latelyhides an ancient tradition. One of the reasons for this trend-fusion healthy cuisine is because nutritionists are beginning to recommend the basic ingredients used in this type of cuisine and its intense flavor.

The Oriental or Asian diet includes the Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Thai, and although they all have their own recipes they share several characteristics.

This type of cuisine is highlighted by the strong use of vegetables and little fat. In recent years westenersare more aware of the fact that e healthier diet results in an increased quality of life.

The oriental cuisine techiques use less carbs and more fish, as well as little meat, sugar and fat- and lots of vegetables. Each country has its own characteristics, such as Sushi (Japanese), green tea and seafood for the classic Cantonese food in China and, grains and spices for India.

Balicana is run by a couple of young professional Chefs, former hotel executives.

Their project is the product of the fusion of Latin American, Caribbean and Asian cuisine. “I always dreamt with the exotic cuisine from Asia” says Sinuhe Socarras, co-owner. “We did a lot of research about the Asian cuisine to bring it to the beaches of Bavaro, adds.” His wife, Patricia, managed to balance the seemingly endless combination of raw materials, flavors and spices to adapt them to local international palates.

During the day Balicana has a dining terrace. At night, the atmosphere changes to offer a more relaxing ambiance to enjoy the good cuisine and life.

Dominican Gateway MAGAZINE 2012

Balicana te invita a paladear una nueva experiencia para halagar tus sentidos con la mejor oferta de la comida milenaria del sudeste asiรกtico.

Balicana invites you to taste a new culinary experience designed to flatter your senses with the best on the food of southeast Asia.

BALICANA Asian Food

LA PISCINA, LOS CORALES, BAVARO . TEL. 829-898-4479

Sabores del mundo

FOTOS: GNOMO Social Media

El restaurant COSTA Hip Cuisine en la incomparable Marina de Cap Cana, promueve un estilo de cocina internacional haciendo un tributo a los productos de la gastronomía Dominicana.

Nachos de yuca y el tradicional sancocho dominicano son algunos de los platos que podrás encontrar, además de un amplio menú Raw Bar y de platos para compartir que harán de cada visita a

COSTA una experiencia memorable para tanto los turistas como a los residentes y locales de esta zona turística BávaroPunta Cana.

Las instalaciones de decoración minimalista y ultra elegante incluye una majestuosa terraza con vista a las azules y cristalinas aguas del mar caribe. COSTA HIP CUISINE te brinda la comodidad de disfrutar de sus variados espacios interiores, en familia, para compartir

A Tribute to the Dominican Cuisine The COSTA HIP Cuisine restaurant at the incomparable Marina of Cap Cana, promotes a new style of international cuisine, paying tribute to Dominican gastronomy products.

The traditional Dominican Stew and Yucca Dips are some of the dishes that you will find, in addition to an extensive menu of Raw Bar plates to share. All of these amenities will make each memorable culinary experience for both

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tourists and local residents in Punta Cana District, La Altagracia Province.

The chic minimalist Décor includes a magnificent terrace overlooking the crystal emerald waters of the Caribbean Sea. COSTA HIP offers the convenience of enjoying its varied interior spaces whether you're with family, friends or, for an important business lunch or dinner.

entre amigos o un importante almuerzo o cena de negocios.

Los propietarios agregaron el concepto Hip al restaurant por ser sinónimo de tendencia, lo que está de moda, lo ¡cool!

Este nuevo restaurante de Carlos de Moya en Cap Cana, a la par de la playa, tiene su emblemática variedad de cockteleria de alto nivel, elaborados con productos de primera para satisfacer el más exigente gusto.

COSTA Hip Cuisine

in case you're wondering, they added the term Hip to the restaurant because it certainly stands for trendy, what's hot and...of course, cool!

This new Carlos de Moya restaurant in Cap Cana, apart from famous JUANILLO Beach Bar & Drinks, has its flagship variety of high-end cocktails, made with top quality products to meet the most demanding of tastes.

One of the best COSTA Hip Cuisine restaurants in Cap Cana in town!

Dominican Gateway MAGAZINE 2012

Jelly Fish Beach

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After the beach, it’s time to... Dine in Punta Cana District

e will be guiding you with the Punta Cana International Airport as a geographical reference, although the airport has their own restaurants, bars and stores, like any other international airport.

Punta Cana has four basic 'back of the house' areas: Bavaro, Cabeza de Toro, Arena Gorda and Uvero Alto. The province’s capital Higuey is 25 miles west, yet it has only a couple of restaurants. Bayahibe -some 15 miles further- has half a dozen. After that is La Romana (~ 50 miles west) and then, Santo Domingo, of course...with hundreds of restaurants!

PUNTACANA VILLAGE PLAZA It is an elegant commercial center with plenty parking space. It has one of the only three big supermarkets in Punta Cana District (El Nacional Supermarket) and gathers two Italian restaurants (Pizzarelli and Mamma Luisa), El Burrito (Mexican, of course), CARBON (Dominican cuisine), Brot (Dominican-American), American franchise Wendy´s, among others.

A romantic evening just for the sake of it, with two glasses ofwine and snacks could cost you $25 taxes included. You also can have a couple of beers in Punta Cava –Puntacana Village's popular pub- or some strong liquors during the night.

If you happend to chose March for your vacations here, you won’t regret it as you’ll get the chance to be part of the Punta Cana Carnival. Prepare yourself for a full day of real Caribbean fiesta! Beers start flowing at 11 am in preparation to the parade that start at 4 o'clock and, then Merengue concert at 8 pm. Later, you can finish the night –again- in Punta Cava…if you want to. Take no prisoners.

CABEZA DE TORO It has a funny name: Bull's Head. You have to drive for 12 miles north and make a right in the only asphalt road available. Actually, if you miss it, you will be getting to a cross road with Barcelo Avenue in a name called by natives as Crazy Coconut or, Coco Loco. Thus, watch out for this

detour to east. Then, you are going to take a twisting road for 5 miles and as soon as you see Cabeza de Toro's town, go straight ahead to the coast. There you have two choices: the only restaurant in front of the beach or, the only restaurant in front of the beach…In case of any doubts, ask for Marinarium.

BAVARO This is it. What do you want to know?

First, Bavaro is neither an aborigine name, Spanish name nor Dominican name. It could be…German! Supposedly, it was invented by a hotelier. Rumors said that the name of the company owner of the major beach-front properties was a German real estate firm called the 'Bavarian something…so, Bavaro Beach! Probably, the real name of the beaches were Arena Gorda (Fat Sand). The only name that figures in the old maps.

Anyway, Bavaro is a catchy name and we all like it. What do we have here?

Roughly, Bavaro is divided in three neighborhoods: Villas Bavaro/Los Corales, the El Cortesito and finally, Bavaro town.

The place were the Texaco Station is.

Right of the bat, the very first place to dine could be the Venezia Restaurant (pizza & pasta). Then, the Palma Real Shopping Village’s food court with Hard Rock Café, Ragazo or El Burrito and, continue to Los Corales, an elegant neighborhood dated also from the late seventies.

First, stop for Chinese or Japanese food in AKIKOMO, La Proa Plaza. Superb and good prices. then, you deserve a unique experience in BALICANA Restaurant just in the middle of this relaxing and cosmopolitan vicinity. As a reference, drive north Palma Real Shopping Village, passing NH Punta Cana urban hotel, continue for a couple of miles and as soon as you see a little mall, make a right in the first opportunity. Follow that street and at the end… just like the rainbow: there you are.

The second stop could be the pubs and karaoke places on Nautica Plaza, El Cortesito. There you will find Photo Bar (live music on weekends), venerable Captain Cook

Restaurant (the second ever: 1985. Before that, we only had Matru, a fried-fish terrace), the El Cortesito Inn and, The Moon.

ESPAÑA AVENUE To tell you another short story… in the early nineties, Bavaro consisted of only some hotels along a sandy road.

Busses used to go through their properties –no barbwire fences, night guards or peasants- carrying the first hotel employees back and forth from Higuey, then, some 4 hours away. Here and there, some basic apartment buildings, little houses and shacks. Some Italian adventurers had started a restaurant. Locals still were doing primitive fishing and crops for living. Other, working as construction workers in the hotels and other buildings.

First mall ever was Plaza Bavaro (built by the same hoteliers), the second, Plaza Brisas de Bavaro –half way España Avenue- was built by an Italian entrepreneur. Friusa then became Bavaro's social center with banks, supermarket, gas station (actually the second one, the first was established in Veron in 1997), restaurants and offices.

The government rebuilt and paved the then “Fiesta to Friusa Road” and named it España Avenue in the mid00s…flanked by bushes one side and some streets with apartments the other side. On those days, you hardly could see a tourist. Only some local residents and hordes of construction crews. For entertainment, you...could either rent a movie (VHS or cassette for music) or drink. Or, the other way around. Weeks of 80 hours, all-year round. No holidays…rained or shined.

For dinning purposes, España Avenue has a special native flavour. We recommend Plaza Brisas de Bavaro's four restaurants (some of them Italian and pretty good) and 'Solo Pollo' (fried chicken). In Grand Plaza Friusa, the always –forever- popular Las Leñas Bakery and, Pala Pizza place.

There are a couple of local good restaurants in Friusa and small after-dark bars and pubs.

Cheers!

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hat impressed us the most about AKIKOMO was…the impressive menu of more than 135 different dishes with Asian imported ingredients plus another 100 prepared with local fresh materials. Here in Bavaro!

The world famous Chinese Red gives the ambiance to the elegant restaurant located in Barcelo Avenue, Plaza La Proa, between Palma Real Villas –or Cocotal- and Los Corales. Both exquisite middle class neighborhoods heading north to El Cortesito (one of the few original settlements in Punta Cana District) and Plaza Bavaro, over the España Avenue in Bavaro.

This restaurant, a newcomer in Punta Cana District (it means roughly in Spanish 'Here I Eat'), is a mix of the west with the east. A combination of flavors from the legendary Japanese and Dominican cuisine. And, you could say… enticed with a magic touch of, Russian and Mexican! By virtue of its Mexican-born owner and young Russian Chef. Amazing.

You could need a dreaming endless vacation in Punta Cana District to try all the menu or, the other highly recommended alternative is moving here. but we recommend to start with the very

first eleven dishes named after the 'Chef Specialties' such as Miso Seafood Soup, Japanese Fish Soup with Tiger Shrimps, Sivid Japanese Salad Algae, Tobiko Roll (it has black and red tobiko with onion and Japanese Mayonaise), Akikomo Rolls (cream cheese, leek, scalop, red onion and avocado) or the Unagi Roll, made with eel and Unagi sauce on the outside and, crab, tobiko and avocado on the inside. Absolutely delicious.

Try also the Baltimore Rolls, the twenty-one Sushi Nigiri options, some with the ever popular Russian Caviar or Pink Salmon. You have to try -or never leave the country- of all AKIKOMO’s Sushi assortment!

Otherwise, you can try the ‘Dominican Side’... with traditional dishes such as Egg Rolls as a start, the ALWAYS popular Wonton Soup, lobster you named it- or local fish fillets. Finally, please try Teriyaki Pork, Thai Rice or the also ever popular Chow Fan, Mein and Suey dishes.

For locals, try the special on the go ‘Akikomo Combos’...say, Teriyaki Chicken with the ever present fried rice, and egg roll and a soda.

Sayonara!

AKIKOMO Asian Lounge Plaza La Proa, Los Corales

Recomendamos AKIKOMO Asian Lounge por su impresionante menú de más de 200 platos preparados con ingredientes originales bien sea importados del Asia o lo mejor del país. Algo poco visto en Bávaro. El ambiente es acogedor y apropiado para una buena comida y conversación. Una característica muy agradable de este restaurante de elegante diseño y colores brillantes.

AKIKOMO tiene la ventaja de su localización equidistante en la zona turística, en Los Corales. La oferta gastronómica pone localmente la más amplia variedad del legendario Sushi, junto las especialidades de varias culturas en fusión con resultados sorprendentes. Se necesitarían muchas vacaciones o vivir aquí para probarlo todo, pero se puede comenzar con las especialidades del chef con mariscos, pescados, tobiko, rolls o, con la comida criolla. Pidan los «combos» prácticos de almuerzo.

vengan a comer lo mejor de asia, en bávaro. have the best of asian cuisine, in bávaro.

el único lugar de comida de la auténtica asia con ingredientes originales.

Especialidad en Sushi.

plaza la proa, avenida barcelo, bávaro . 809-552-1644

ARTE CULINARIO:

La cocina dominicana

LOS dominicanos son una compleja mezcla de razas compuestas por indígenas, europeos de varias nacionalidades y africanos también de diferentes partes de este continente, dando como resultado las tradiciones y platos tradicionales que llegaron luego de 500 años a una simbiosis que nos identifican con respecto a las cocinas de otros países.

Un viaje a la República Dominicana no estaría completo sin probar el ya mundialmente famoso sancocho (sopa espesa con influencias españolas en base a varias carnes, vegetales, entre otros), mangú (puré de plátano) o el plato nacional -a nivel popular- denominado localmente como ‘La Bandera’, en base a arroz y habichuelas (frijoles) acompañado por carne de res o pollo y plátano maduro frito, el cual esta isla caribeña originalmente llamada Quisqueya -el nombre indígena- tiene que ofrecer a los visitantes.

Existe un amplio menú de platos dominicanos que podrá disfrutar en su restaurante a escoger, por ejemplo, CARBON, de comida dominicana en la plaza Puntacana Village, justo frente al aeropuerto. También, en los principales hoteles se reservan días para destacar platos típicos dominicanos. En esa ocasión se presenta la oportunidad de disfrutar de diferentes especialidades culinarias dominicanas desplegadas en una amplia paleta de colores, olores, sabores y texturas.

Cabe destacar que, como en todos los países, también hay platos ‘de autor’ y las tradiciones culinarias que nos definen. Los platos con sus diferentes formas de desarrollo varían de una región a otra: el centro de la isla, o valle del Cibao, es donde se encuentra la mayor diversidad de platos y costumbres culinarias debido a la variedad étnica de sus pobladores.

La región sur -a unos 400 kilómetros al oeste de Punta Cana- también tiene sus propios platos sobresaliendo en el uso del maíz como ingrediente principal de platos con nombres como chenchén o chaca.

La zona este, donde queda Punta Cana, también tiene sus tradiciones culinarias con mayor énfasis en el uso de carnes de res o chivo, por las extensas áreas ganaderas que tiene el oriente del país.

La mayoría de los restaurantes trabajan desde antes del mediodía hasta pasada la medianoche, todos los días. En esta zona turística, es posible encontrar ya una variada oferta culinaria entre el medio centenar disponibles.

Plaza Puntacana Village 20 22

COMIDA CRIOLLA . SAN JUAN SHOPPING CENTER

Con solo subir por las escaleras eléctricas en San Juan Shopping Center se llega para probar comida dominicana de alta calidad. Algo poco común en Bávaro-Punta Cana.

Bien puede ser pasta, nuestro pollo guisado, puré de yuca o cualquiera de las combinaciones dominic anas con arroz, en FONCHO´S se presenta ante las tantas culturas que nos visitan una opción de probar una de las facetas

de la dominicanidad que cada día es más apreciada.

Este elegante restaurant -o cafetería cuando se anda rápido- se nutre de las materias primas más frescas disponibles, el mismo supermercado en primer piso, y por su rotación de clientes, todo queda siempre delicioso.

FONCHO’S es uno de los mejores lugares para comer a la criolla en esta zona turística.

San Juan Shopping Center . 2do. piso

Shopping Tours . Compras

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Encounter of Cultures:

San Juan SHOPPING CENTER

IF you want to understand the significance of San Juan Shopping Center for our less than 5 year community of actual residents of Punta Cana District, forged after 30 years of a disconcerting tourism development; two years ago what you could see driving through the now Barcelo Avenue were…nothing but the tropical forest been deforest by natives cutting the surrounding Palma-Cana trees forest for roofing. Usually for hotels' terraces, bars or private villas.

Believe it or not, counting since the late 60s when all

started, in 2011 the world famous Punta Cana still hadn't a single big supermarket or department store!

How could we survive all these years, literally, living –you could say- in the bushes behind the resorts?

For the very first…25 years, the brave residents of the El Salao Place, mostly local immigrants and undocumented Haitians construction workers lived outside the gargantuan resort complexes. Foreign hotel employees and executives, inside. Roughly once a month the Bavarians took the narrow two-line road to Higuey to shop or, brave enough, drive for 5 or 6 hours at the time –one way- to Santo Domingo to be hypnotized by the big city: Supermarkets!

Theatres! Stores! Restaurants!...

“Days off? What do you mean days off? In Bavaro we don't have weekends, holidays or vacations!” were the

words of the construction crews living in crude low-budget apartments in some bushes called today Veron…

Some local engineers and architects, stuck for months without a free day, used to pretend to go to the hardware store and drive hour and a half –one way- to go to Higuey to eat…pizza! Sometimes further –over two hours- to La Romana to…go to the movies! Say, air-conditioning, popcorn, sodas…

Now…imagine that one day over one of the sides of the road that you used to commute every single day back and forth had been leveled by bulldozers. Later, another day you start to see a prefab concrete structure. Then, a building with pretty cool dimensions…of course it has to be some kind of commercial center, but what else? And… one Saturday afternoon, while doing some mountain biking, nearby (SJSC used to be part of a trail ride…)

TO PAGE 26

SAN JUAN SHOPPING CENTER

Dominican Gateway 2013

809-466-6000

info@sanjuanshoppingcenter

Dominican Gateway 2013

South Entrance (new)

POLA Supermarket

26

Interior. South wing

around six. What is it?

San Juan Shopping Center. The owner is a Puertorrican entrepreneur. And…it will have 7 theatres, several fast food restaurants, 50 stores and, a supermarket.

I beg your pardon?

Did I hear a…? One of those big buildings where you actually can buy all the cereal boxes that you want without having to sell your car in Bavaro?

Oh no! Oh yes!

It is not a good sight to see mature engineers pretending not to cry. But when visiting will-be San Juan Shopping Center day after day, the disbelieve turned into happiness. Then, hysteria.

WHEN is this supermarket of yours going to be opened? You are not kidding, are you? You sure? We have a crowd of rugged Bavaro survivors waiting. January 2011? THAT far? (It was December 2010).

So, they opened on January 2011 (the POLA Supermarket had its ground opening one late afternoon and they allow the natives to visit it, but no one could buy anything. We first thought it was sort of a sick joke, but it wasn't. Everything was in place, ready. The very best morning it opened. All days. Like in all civilized places with normal human beings.

The very next surprise was… an estrange box in the middle of the 3-stories high, air-conditioned south wing. (?). What could this be for? Too narrow for staircases. A dumping duct in the middle of a mall? Just for the sake of design? (We architects are not that eccentric.)...

I beg your pardon? [again] A panoramic elevator? Small, simple (only two 1 and 2 buttons), but an elevator. In Bavaro! First one outside the hotels since 1969!

Please, don't tell me that it will be followed by an electric staircase somewhere? Please.

Indeed. The San Juan Shopping Center brought El Salao Place from the 60s in two years with a commercial center of good size (~10,000 sq. meters. A second phase will open this year) with a good 'EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE' attitude. It has a parking lot for 900 cars, 80 stores, movies, restaurants, pharmacy, supermarket…elevator and electric staircases included.

Welcome to the 21st Century, Punta Cana District!

Encuentro de culturas:

San Juan SHOPPING CENTER

Para entender el significado para la comunidad de Bávaro de esta plaza comercial de 10,000 metros cuadrados en su primera etapa, han de saber que hasta hace solo unos años, en el famoso destino turístico de Punta Cana no había un supermercado grande, ni cines o tiendas por departamentos.

Comenzando en medio del monte de la nada, desde finales de los sesenta por los siguientes 35 años, esta parte de la República Dominicana se desarrolló turísticamente por las playas. Apenas se crearon algunos conglomerados urbanos informales de soporte. Luego, a partir de 2004, la zona comenzó a crecer de forma impresionante hasta conformar un distrito municipal de unos 200 kilómetros cuadrados y unos 60,000 habitantes.

La plaza San Juan Shopping Center, con apenas dos años construida en lo que eran potreros en las llanuras costeras con bosques de palma cana, está pensado para servir al mercado local (DE TODO PARA TODOS), con un diseño lineal abierto -tipo mall- con estacionamiento para más de 900 vehículos, 80 tiendas, 7 salas de cine y el primer supermercado de la cadena POLA en la zona! Asimismo, sorprendió por las primicias de un edificio climatizado con elevador panorámico y una escalera eléctrica hacia un segundo nivel de tiendas de descuentos...en medio del monte. Algo que impresiona aún a los valientes residentes de este destino turístico.

El conjunto tiene edificios adosados donde funcionan restaurantes, farmacia, una sucursal de IKEA, banco e incluso área para deporte del tipo tabla-rueda. En otras etapas, se tendrán más tiendas, zona de almacenaje, oficinas e incluso, una urbanización de tipo medio.

Dominican

Gateway

Boca de Yuma. 50 kilometers west Punta Cana

Outdoors . Aire libre

CABEZA DE TORO. 9 a.m. The engines are ready and the smiling crew is waiting for boarding. Follow me on this beautiful sunny day sailing in the Caribbean waters on the Marinarium Catamaran. A warm and cheerful guide is waiting for you in the docks.

“All aboard Captain, it's time to set sails, sailor please, untie knots that people are eager of sea and sun, let's show them the beauty of marine life that inhabit these waters, the fishes are hungry, waiting for their portion of bread that we give every day.”

“Buenos dias a todos! Bon jour mes amies! Good morning everybody! Welcome to a sunny day...

It's 9:30 am when the boat is moving toward the nearby coral reef. It is sweetly advancing all along the coast where you can see the exuberance of miles of unspoiled beaches and coconut trees. Soft music accompanies the passengers and the animation team is making the trip more pleasant and enjoyable.

Forty minutes haven't passed when the catamaran makes its first stop.

“Okay, ready my friends. You all have your snorkeling equipment!”

“Sorry sir, everyone has to use the floats. Yes I know, it is not sexy, yet is for your safety…”

“All to the water!” – says with emotion the animator.

In a few moments they will be spectators and protagonists of marine life. You could see how they live in harmony the different animal and plant species both

found under the sea, from the Lionfish to the flowers of the Coral. The warm colors will astonish you and will dilate your pupils in front of such immaculate wonder of beauty.

When another 40 minutes go by, surely your guide will to let you know that is time to leave, because underwater you easily lose the track of time.

“Okay my friends. Is everyone on board? - asked exalted with excitement the animator.

“Sails up!' Orders the captain to his sailors. It's time to go swimming in the waters of one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. He slows the engine to drive the ship with the energy that gives us the wind and heads to the natural pools in front of Bavaro Beach.

“Is this the place where they filmed Pirates of the Caribbean?” Asked astonished someone when the boat slowdown for the second stop.

“And now, my friends, with your hand up…down, center and inside! We'll stay here for…30 minutes.” And he has not finished speaking when a floating bar with lots and lots of...vitamins [drinks] is waiting for all. Remember not to drink it all because the day is long so you can enjoy the delicious lunch awaiting for you and, a magnificent inflatable slider, one of the largest in the Caribbean.

Sailing, miles of unspoiled coastline, snorkeling, floating bar in the most beautiful beach of Punta Cana, inflatable slider…let's laugh and dance Dominican Merengue in this sunny day.

minutos de seguro ira a avisarle que es el momento de partir, ya que bajo el agua la noción del tiempo se pierde en su magia presente.

-Okey mis amigos ¿todos están a bordo?- pregunta exaltado por la emoción el animador-Suelten Velas- ordena el capitan a sus marinos. Es hora de ir a bañarse Zona de snorkeling en playa Bávaro en las aguas de unas de las playas mas hermosas del mundo. Y este desacelera los motores para impulsar la nave con la energía que nos proporciona el viento y se pone rumbo a las piscinas naturales frente a Barceló.

-¿Es acá donde filmaron los Piratas Del Caribe?- preguntan asombrados algunos cuando los sorprende la segunda parada.

-Y ahora, mis amigos, con la mano arriba, abajo, al centro y adentro, nos quedaremos acá por un tiempo de 30 minutos...- y no ha terminado de hablar cuando ya esta esperando un bar flotante con mucha, pero mucha vitamina, recuerden de no bebérselo todo ya que el día es largo y así puedan disfrutar de ese suculento almuerzo que les aguarda y el magnifico tobogán inflable, uno de los mas grandes del Caribe.

Crucero con vela, kilómetros de costa vírgen, snorkeling, bar flotante en la playa mas bella de Punta Cana, vitamina, tobogán inflable... a reír como un niño y a bailar el son dominicano en este día soleado.

Marinarium

BLAS BLADIN

CABEZA DE TORO. 9 a.m. , los motores están ya encendidos y la tripulación sonriente a la espera del abordaje, siganme en este hermoso día soleado a navegar sobre las aguas caribeñas en el Catamarán Vela de Marinarium Excursion. Un guía cordial y alegre los espera en el puerto de embarque.

-Hombres y mujeres a bordo capitán, es momento de zarpar; marino por favor desate nudos que esta gente esta deseosa de mar y sol, vamos a mostrarle la belleza de la vida marina que habitan en estas aguas, los peses están hambrientos, están esperando su porción de pan que le damos todos los días.-¡Buenos días todo el mundo! ¡Bon jour mes amies! Good morning everybody! Bienvenidos a un día de sol brillante...

Son las 9.30 de la mañana cuando el barco se ha puesto en marcha rumbo a las cercanías del arrecife coralino. Dulcemente va avanzando a todo lo largo de la costa donde puede contemplar la exuberancia de kilómetros de playa vírgen y cocoteros. Una suave música los acompaña y un excelente equipo de animación les hará el trayecto más placentero y agradable.

No habrán pasado mas de 40 minutos cuando el catamarán hace su primera parada.

-Okey listos mis amigos, ya todos tienen su equipo de buceo libre.-Lo siento caballero, todos están obligados de usar el flotador. Si lo se, no esta sexi, pero es por su seguridad....

-¡Al agua!En breves instantes estará sumergiendose y será un espectadorprotagonista de la vida marina. Podrán ver como viven en armonía parte de las diferentes especies tanto animal como vegetal que se encuentran bajo el mar, desde el pez Leon hasta la flor del coral y sus cálidos colores dilataran sus pupilas de asombro ante tanta belleza inmaculada. Su guía al pasar 40

RUNNER ADVENTURES

CON 20 años operando en la República Dominicana, Runners Adventures tiene las mejores excursiones tierra adentro. Se puede escoger entre visitar escuelas, pueblitos, paseos en bote por el río Chavón, ir a La Romana a ver liar tabacos y conocer el arte dominicano en Altos de Chavón. También los llevan a Higuey capital de la provincia La Altagracia, donde queda la incomparable Punta Cana. También pueden ir a montar en sus emocionantes instalaciones de tirolesa en las montañas.

Y por supuesto, también está la excursión a la vibrante Santo Domingo, capital de la Republica Dominicana.

Como es usual, los recogerán temprano en la mañana y los guías en español les irán enseñando el camino flanqueado por extensos bosques tropicales con su ocasional ‘conuco’campesino con casita de madera y animales.

La misma RUNNER ADVENTURES nos indica que irán a La Romana –en un poco más de una hora- donde conocerán la cultura alrededor del deporte del Beísbol (Baseball), donde los dominicanos son una potencia mundial. Luego, conocerán Tabacalera de García, la más grande del mundo con marcas como Montecristo y Romeo & Julieta. También visitarán la villa de los artistas, Altos de Chavón, para ver su arte y estilo de vida, incluyendo su famoso anfiteatro y museo arqueológico.

Entre las mejores partes de Hispaniola Explorer VIP está ir por el río Chavón, rodeado de la increíble naturaleza tropical de sus riberas y almorzar con una de las mejores langostas a la parrilla de todo el país! Y además pasarlo bien con el incomparable merengue dominicano!

Finalmente, contarán con la oportunidad de conocer la Basílica de Higuey, dedicada a la vírgen de La Altagracia, la patrona del país y conocerán la historia de esta sorprendente maravilla arquitectónica. ¡Buen viaje!

“A gratifying adventure, where dazzling panoramas of an unparalleled tropical paradise come undone before you” FOTO: Runner Adventures

Hispaniola Adventure PIONEER Runners Adventures, with 20 year on business in the Dominican Republic has the very best inland touring options: Caribbean VIP Safari, Higuey Tours, Santo Domingo Tours, Zip Line Adventures, Hispaniola Explorer VIP and Puerto Plata Runners.

Last edition we were up in the mountains doing some zip lining over the 2-mile-long line above the Anamuya River. Before that, we visited a real Dominican house to taste real Dominican coffee and cocoa. Now it's time to go further: West.

As usual, you will be pick up early in the morning in your hotel by the familiar white trucks of Bavaro Runners, with an experienced guides fluent in several languages so they can give you proper explanations as soon as you are been carried over the coastal plains of Hispaniola. You will notice the thick tropical forest and will notice real Dominican small farms.

In RUNNER ADVENTURES’ own words, they describe that “this journey across enthralling rural landscapes begins the moment we pick you up at the front of your hotel. An experienced tour guide will show you and other eager visitors at your side every nook and cranny; get a sense of this land's humble origins, and kindness of its people. Our voyage will take us all the way to the city of La Romana.

Nothing better defines Dominican Culture than baseball. Visit the Micheli Stadium, home to the Toros del Este [a local baseball pro team]. True fans delve into the history of

legendary Dominican players who have made it to the [U.S.}Major Leagues.

Then, master craftsmen will show you the proper way of rolling a cigar. Tour Tabacalera de Garcia, the world's largest cigar factory. Only the fines cigars are manufactured with Dominican tobacco, Montecristo and Romeo & Juliet, being amongst them.

Visit an artisan village, and experience the bona fine bohemian lifestyle. Get an appraisal of how the city of La Romana flourished and, the prosperity Altos de Chavon enjoys. Walk through its lush tropical gardens.

Witness an amazing replica of a Roman-style amphitheater. Examine surprising Taino archeological findings on display at the Regional Archeological Museum. Don's miss out on the opportunity of shopping for genuine handicrafts at one of the picturesque gift shops located along the path. Purchase souvenirs for your loved ones back home; share the richness of the Dominican culture.

We will set sail on a riverboat and travel through Chavon River. A gratifying adventure, where dazzling panoramas of an unparalleled tropical paradise come undone before you. Cast your eyes at them as you devour a delicious grilled lobster lunch. Let the warmth of the tropical sun caress your skin as the waves drift to the cadence of Merengue.”

Finally…”set out on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Basilica of Higuey, shrine where the Dominican people come to worship their Patron Saint, the Virgin of Altagracia. A spiritual retreat for those of a strong Catholic faith. Learn the history behind this astounding architectural marvel.”

Enjoy the trip!

Costa este: Cabo Engaño

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uscando un atajo para llegar a Cabo Engaño, iniciamos una nueva travesía en el camino que se inicia por Verón. Un poco angosto y algo desolado, pero tranquilo y con una bonita vista natural entre arboles y prados, muy apta para un buen paseo a caballo, tal cual como algunos excursionistas ya lo estaban haciendo.

Siguiendo nuestra ruta, el final de una loma promete sorprender nuestras miradas. Y efectivamente, poco a poco se despliega una maravillosa vista bajo el infinito cielo sobre la inmensidad del mar, con sus coquetas olas abrazando cada roca, mostrando su fuerza y dejando cristalinos depósitos de agua, dignos de admirar. Siguiendo la timida carretera, encontramos el hotel abandonado, una vista un poco árida a su costado, pero en su frente, lo hermoso de un libre mar. Muy poca playa, olas de inconstante intensidad, pero su agua cristalina y su delicada arena, invitan a caminar.

“Sueño Caribe” es el nombre del lugar que nos compartió un pescador. Espacio no transitado, pero aún así, no se salva de la inconsciencia humana al dejar como recuerdo basura que en su mayoría son botellas de vidrio (cerveza).

Entre opiniones varias acerca del lugar, la idea de que éste fuera el Malecon de Punta Cana causó cierta controversia, donde el gran punto neutral fue “un malecón ecológico”. ¿Cómo desarrollar esta idea?

La respuesta va acorde a la deficiencia de cultura ecológica entre la humanidad. Demarcando una entrada, donde el acceso debe estar condicionado (por ejemplo: no vehículos y no ingreso de material que no sea biodegradable). Vigilancia constante y horario establecido. Muy poca intervención humana a la hora de adecuar su estructura. Logrando consciencia de lo que es: ¡Una reserva para cuidar!!

Texto y fotos Leidy Paola Mejía Text and Photos Abandoned hotel

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The typical rock formations

Tipo de vehículo: jipetas o altos Seguridad: hay cierta vigilancia, pero preferiblemente no tener objetos de valor.

Tiempo de recorrido: 40 minutos en vehiculo y una hora caminando.

Contaminacion: poca (residuos de basura) Adicionales: No se recomienda para nadar.

Aplicar suficiente bloqueador solar y llevar suficientes liquidos para mantenerse hidratado.

East Coast: Cape Engano

Vehicle type: SUVs or tall-stand cars.

Security: There is some monitoring, but it’s preferably not carrying valuables.

Travel time: [from nearby Corales Golf Course’s rock wall] 40 minutes by car or one hour walking to the abandoned hotel. Approx. 5K Pollution: scarce (some garbage at site) Additional: Not recommended for swimming, use enough sunscreen and bring enough liquids to stay hydrated.

ooking for a short cut to reach Cape Engaño we began a new journey on the path that starts by Veron town.

A narrow and somewhat desolate dirt road, yet quiet and with a beautiful natural view between trees and meadows, very suitable for a good ride on horseback, exactly as some riders were already doing. Continuing our route, the end of a ridge promises to surprise our eyes. And indeed, gradually unfolds a beautiful view under the infinite sky above the vast sea, with their coquette waves embracing every rock, showing its strength and leaving water crystal deposits, worth admiring.

Following the wary dirt road, we found an abandoned hotel, a view somewhat arid to one side, but on the other side, beachfront, the beauty of a rather free open sea. It has a little beach with waves of inconstant intensity, but its crystal clear water and fine sand invite walking. ‘Caribbean Dreams’ was the name of the place as we were told by a fisherman.

Space not hectic, but still, it does not escape the human unconsciousness to leave garbage –mostly beer bottles- in our memory.

Among several opinions about this place, the idea that this could be the Malecon of Punta Cana (Punta Cana’s seaside boardwalk) caused certain local controversy. But it could be an ecological or gated facility.

How to develop this idea? The answer goes accordingly to our deficiency of ecological culture among mankind. We could mark an entry that must be a conditional access (i.e. no vehicles, and no admission whatsoever of materials that are not biodegradable), constant surveillance, and regulated visiting schedule. Besides, the less human intervention when adapting the new Malecon structure to the bare coast. We must achieve awareness of what it is: A natural reserve to care!

Still Romantic:

Horseback Riding on The Beach

Todavía romántico: cabalgar por la playa

Bavaro Runners’ Zipline Adventure at its Best

HIGUEYANS fell in love with horses, perhaps, since the very same 16th century when Spaniards founded the 'village of Salvaleon of Higuey' (Higuey means 'land of the first sun) and it was a 'cacicazgo', part of the five kingdoms of the aborigine Taino's island political division.

Horses have been with human beings from the first times. They were much of help in the conquest along with everyday life.

It was not easy to travel to the eastern territories of Quisqueya (Hispaniola) from the capital Santo Domingo: primitive roads were scarce and several rivers –wide and deep- were a mayor issue on those times. Due to isolation, cattle and horse breeders has not changed significantly since 17th century. The use of horses for local transportation was very common even to the early sixties! The Uvero Alto Plains are one of the oldest breeding lands for Higueyans, now for more than three centuries.

The passion for horses among Higueyans is unique in the Dominican Republic. They kept their traditions with meticulous international standards, in fact, they developed their own breed: the Higueyan. Some incredible tall and strong beautiful animals developed through decades of experimentation. In their events they test the horses walking over a boardwalk made

of wood and the 'sound' of perfect timing over their four hooves mark the winner. Surprisingly, they use their horses in their extended farms.

They are for not only horse shows or competitions When 5 or 6 generations of Higueyans show that same love for horses, you have to expect near of a perfect ride for your time over those magnificent animals in your vacation. That is the case of Victor Martinez, 45, himself a pure breeder of Higueyan, from Rancho Caribeño west Uvero Alto.

He started in 2001 as pioneer in the same spot of his ranch near the wetlands. He and his wife worked day and night –for years- to build it from the ground up. In 2004 with Hurricane Jeannie they lost –drowned- 72 horses! And they had to start again. Curiously, in the late 90s and early 00s Punta Cana District had more than 20 ranches with horseback riding services. Even a rodeo. Those were the times before the 4-wheels and buggies. Also, the 14-night European vacationers. Today, with 2.0+ millions of tourists every year, with a different tourist in love with machines and with less time, in their minds horseback riding over a secluded beach is left only for the romantic.

Go there, pick up your ride and enjoy!

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LOS Higüeyanos se enamoraron de los caballos, tal vez, desde el mismo siglo XVI cuando los españoles fundaron Salvaleón de Higüey (Higüey significa “tierra del primer sol”) y era un cacicazgo que formaba parte de los cinco reinos de la división política de los Tainos que habitaban la isla.

No era fácil viajar a los territorios orientales de La Hispaniola desde Santo Domingo: los pocos caminos eran escasos y había que cruzar varios ríos profundos, una cuestión seria en aquellos tiempos. La crianza de ganado y caballos no ha cambiado significativamente desde el siglo XVII. El uso de caballos para el transporte local era muy común incluso hasta los años sesenta. Es improbable que se puedan ver ganado o caballos en las cercanías de los hoteles, pero las llanuras de Uvero Alto son de las áreas más antiguas de pastura desde hace más de tres siglos de parte de los altagracianos.

La pasión por los caballos entre los higüeyanos es única en el país. Ellos mantienen sus tradiciones ecuestres con meticulosos estándares internacionales. De hecho, han desarrollado su propia raza: Higüeyano y un paso especial: el llamado «paso higueyano». Sus animales sonciertamente hermosos, altos y fuertes, desarrollados a través de décadas de experimentación.

Curiosamente, entre los años ochenta, noventa y principios de la década pasada, la zona turística tenía una docena de ranchos ecuestres e incluso un rodeo. Esos eran los tiempos antes de los ATV (4-wheels), buggies y las vacaciones de los europeos por 14 días. Hoy, con más de dos millones de turistas cada año y un turista diferente, enamorado de las máquinas, computadoras, teléfonos inteligentes y con mucho menos tiempo para disfrutar; los paseos a caballo por una playa caribeña como las de Uvero Alto, todavía disponibles, han quedado tal vez solo para los románticos. ¡Así es que elije tu caballo y a disfrutar!

Momentos para recordar . Times to remember.

Rancho

Los mejores caballos en Uvero Alto.

Best horses in Uvero Alto.

Gift Shop . Cafeteria.

Nada como una cabalgata por la playa de Uvero Alto al atardecer...

Nothing like a horseback ride along Uvero Alto Beach at sunset...

ribeño a C

DESDE SINCE

2001

Uvero Alto (próximo al hotel Secret) Distrito Municipal Verón-Punta Cana Provincia La Altagracia

809-994-0275 . 809-775-5952 . 829-213-3370

ranchocaribeno2010@gmail.com

The eastern province of the Dominican Republic (La Hispaniola Island) has 3,010 sq. kilometers, with one third of the Cordillera Oriental (or, the El Seibo Mountains) inside its territory. The rest are coastal plains with 80+ kilometers of beaches. It has the largest national park network (about 300 sq. kms.) with also the more number of lakes, ponds and caves in the island. In Sanate, some 20 kilometers west Higuey, lays the first sugar cane mill of the American continent. Higuey also has the very first aqueduct of the DR. La Altagracia Province, creat has about 400,000 inhabitants.

It is divided into tw -Higuey and Yuma- with five districts: La Otra B Boca de Yuma, Bay and Punta Cana-Veron.

Gateway

REBECCA FREDETTE

Surfing en la playa de El Macao

Dominican

Surfer Souls Early September: 5.45 am, the sun rises with its first rays of dawn. Open water. Mona Passage: a glassy turquoise sea shows itself friendly and benevolent in front of us. On the horizon it can be seen approaching the first set of waves: “Rolo, get going”-told me my brother of the water.

“But Robert, the waves are big and if I fall, I’ll crash into the reef.”

“Rolo, let the fear go away. Go ahead and see what happens, Let’s go. Determination brother.”

By Rolando Astudillo

and family for brief moments are long gone into oblivion, there is nothing else in my mind than this cylindrical mass of water that moves furiously over the sea: Eight, 10,12, 15, 20 seconds of travel? I don’t know. It’s too fast. The powerful wave just deposits me on the channel. What happened? I barely noticed.

Bavaro I contacted three men of great spirit and surf enthusiasts that had just started with the project of Macao Surf Camp: Rafael, Armando and Gustavo, the three of them from the old Dominican surfing schools.

These men with surfing in their veins were doing it when I was just starting to walk. With only just a few tables and carrying them in their cars, they started their school in Macao Beach, a project that in the near future “Uhhhhhhhjujujujuhuuuuuu!” - My screams of joy and would foster and develop the sport in the region. euphoria fade in the sea like me Today Macao Surf Camp is a great school where dozens of Thanks Master Robert for giving me the gift of tourists go every day to have classes of how to slide over Sudenly, the imposing wave rises as a monarch of the confidence, thank god of the seas and, oceans for this the waves and, try to feel the ultimate expression of the seas and runs towards us aggressively: gift of nature. I feel immortal, millionaire, not of money, present moment. (”Okay. I’ll paddle to it, but ...Jees, this one is big. but of soul. That wave became the center of happiness.

I just want to tell those interested in getting into surfing Common Rolo, it’s now or never...take it with Cassava, cut Fear and anxiety are gone with the same speed as the that you need to have a lot of patience, focus and it out, cut it oooout!”). wave progressed as a result, some months ago, ofTropical courage. Do not underestimate the sea, because you And with my heart pounding in a mix of fear and Storm Leslie which passed north of the Lesser Antilles, could stay in it forever. Do not drink alcohol before adrenaline I start paddleling towards the powerful leaving in Hispaniola a trail of perfect and immense entering into the water, is the perfect mix to drown in it, machine of water coming towards us. One, two, three ... meerschaums.. and above all, do not let anyone take away something so zass!

Three years before when visiting Central America’s Pacific precious and valuable, whether criticized by family or “Kaliguuulaaaaaaaaaa!” In a noble and beautiful descent side to participate in a photographic tour with my wife society, nobody will understand you, only your souls will but with the speed of lightning I entered the powerful and daughter, we arrived unexpectedly to Santa Teresa, thank you. wave. I can not believe it, I'm running it. A pure and Costa Rica, a place for world class surfers. There I entered Thanks northern winds for bringing us so much waves to subtle sound of the sliding board and a beautiful wall of the water for the first time to try surfing. From that ride. water two times bigger than myself is formed before my moment from that moment an inner fire and passion for eyes and make me lose track of time. The world, society surfing began to grow within me. When returning to

Macao Surf Camp 809-430-9017 . 809-882-2231 809-556-0406 RESERVATIONS

ARMANDO PEREZ

LA ESCUELA comienza muy tímidamente y solo los fines de semana en el verano de 2008, cuando Rafael Ferreras y Armando Reid llevaban los niños de Punta Cana y Bávaro todos los sábados y domingos. Apenas teníamos nuestras tablas de surf personales, no teníamos local y teníamos que andar con todas las tablas en el techo de nuestros vehículos, solo la gratificación, alegría y el disfrute de los alumnos nos movía a volver el siguiente fin de semana.

Fuimos creciendo en la cantidad de alumnos y cada fin de semana aumentaba y muchas veces no teníamos tablas suficientes

para los nuevos integrantes, pero la alegría y el gozo también aumentaban. Para esta etapa Sonia Mercado y Gustavo Álvarez se unieron a Armando y Rafael y nació el Macao Surf Camp.

Somos la única escuela de surf certificada por el ministerio de Turismo y por la Federación ominicana de Surf (FEDOSURF) y tenemos más de 3 años siendo el tour número uno en la zona este en Tripadvisor.

Ahora contamos con más de 18 instructores, todos surfistas certificados y miembros de la Asociación de Surfing del Este.

Nos hemos dado cuenta que mientras más personas enseñamos a surfear más personas amaran y protegerán los océanos y es una de las tantas satisfacciones que nos da la escuela. Somos apasionados en lo que hacemos, trasmitir esta pasión genera alegría, donde hay alegría hay paz y amor.

El Macao Surf Camp no solo ensena a surfear, tenemos varios proyectos para ayudar y concientizar la comunidad: ASADOS FAMILIARES Evento donde los surfistas y sus familias comparten un día en la playa de El Macao, comemos carne a la parrilla y disfrutamos de un ambiente familiar y sano.

ACAMPANDO CON JESUS Una fabulosa noche en casa de campaña organizado por los Surfistas Cristianos y Macao Surf Camp. Tiene la bendición de darle alojamiento a surfers de todo el país donde cantamos, oramos y surfeamos en familia, la alegría que nos proporciona no tienen precio.

SURFING FOR ENGLISH EXCHANGE PROGRAM Este es un programa donde varias profesoras de ingles de algunos de los colegios de la zona imparten clases a nuestros instructores y miembros de la comunidades de El Salado, El Macao y La Seiba a cambio de clases de surfing.

MANTENGA A MACAO LIMPIO Este es un proyecto con ECOSERVICES donde organizamos charlas y limpiezas de la playa, además de poner puntos de recolección de botellas plásticas y otros desechos que de no ser así terminarían en nuestra querida playa. En las limpiezas damos charlas ecológicas y de protección de los océanos. Es un evento familiar y un pequeño aporte para mejorar nuestro planeta.

MACAO SURF INVITATIONAL Estas son varias competencia que hacemos en unión con la Asociación de Surfing del Este y comercios de la zona donde compiten surfistas de todas partes del pais. En nuestras competencias compiten jóvenes desde los 4 años hasta 65 años y fuimos los primeros que hicimos una competencia para niños de 4 a 8 años (Categoría PeeWee).

Además hacemos una de fogueo infantil donde los de 4 a 12 años compiten y nos muestran sus habilidades. Este encuentro es uno de los más esperados.

Learn to Surf in Punta Cana!

www.macaosurfingcamp.com

Riders del asfalto SKATEBOARDING . TABLA-RUEDA

El skate ‘lomboard’ es originario de Ohau, Hawai, ideado por los surfistas los cuales comenzaron con esta modalidad de rodar en asfalto en la década de los 60 como entrenamiento para el surf. Rápidamente se puso de moda en California, el resto de Estados Unidos y posteriormente en todo el globo terráqueo. Hace alrededor de tres años que esta modalidad deportiva comenzó a arraigarse en Bávaro-Punta Cana cuando un grupo de jóvenes surfistas de la zona buscando mejorar su calidad en el surf comenzaron a usar las bajadas que se encuentran entre los farallones de Cap Cana, en un largo descenso de más de dos minutos donde se pueden practicar los movimientos del surf: el ‘Cove bad’, ‘Carving’, ‘Slide’...cambiar de posición de los pies en la tabla, entre otros.

ASPHALT RIDERS

About three years ago the sport began to take hold in Bavaro-Punta Cana when a group of young surfers looking to improve their quality in the Surfing began using some Cap Cana’s steep roads. In those long over-two-minutes descents they were able to practice some surfing movements such as Cove bad, Carving, Slide... foot position change, among others.

There are two sports shops that have been the key to the development of the sport: the legendary BILLABONG franchise, with stores in Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana & Palma Real Shopping Village and, COAST RIDER DR, located in San Juan Shopping Center. SJSC has the only skateboarding park in the area -open to the public every day- with Skate & Longboard teaching lessons totally free.

ROLANDO ASTUDILLO

Night and day, boys and girls. Anywhere. All ages.

Soccer

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Estos jóvenes sedientos de adrenalina rápidamente probaron el sabor de la velocidad que este deporte les podría proporcionar alcanzando un promedio de hasta 80 KPH! por lo que la modalidad ‘Down Hill’ [descenso] rápidamente se volvió popular. En la actualidad estas modalidades deportivas son practicadas por niños, adolescentes y adultos en diferentes sectores como Palma Real Villas (Cocotal), Villa Bávaro o plaza San Juan.

Existen dos tiendas deportivas que han sido que han sido clave para el desarrollo de este deporte: la de la legendaria franquicia BILLABONG, ubicada en Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana y plaza Palma Real; y COAST RIDER, ubicada en plaza San Juan, que consta con el único parque en la zona -abierto al publico todos los días- con clínicas de skate y lomboard los fines de semana totalmente gratuitas.

Por favor, si aprecian su salud es aconsejable usar las protecciones adecuadas al hacer deporte.

THE one worldwide sport, Football (Fútbol...) or Soccer is played by millions of people including in Punta Cana. Since all the resorts belong to Spanish hotel chains, we have availability of Soccer courts.

Baseball

Baseball -and Softball- are DR’s favorite pass time and sport. We inherited them from the United States in the early 20th century. In Punta Cana, we have some facilities yet outside of the hotels.

Tenis/Paddle

FOR practicing, or playing, you will need to buy court time in some of the Bavaro-Punta Cana beach resorts. Some all-included covers limited free time for using their tenis courts.

Dominican Gateway MAGAZINE 2012

Mountain Biking is Roaring!

itsAltagracia best in Punta Cana Trail ridingTrail at itsriding best inatLa Province THE Altagracia Province, hence Punta Cana District, is perfect for mountain biking: since this easternmost side of the Hispaniola Island has the form of a ship bow, we have coastal plains -with marine breezes- on both Caribbean and Atlantic sides, with a modest 150 meter-high mountains on the back. That means that hoteliers certainly choose Punta Cana for its unique combination of almost perfect Caribbean weather, beaches and a lot of different terrain as backup for outdoor activities.

As well as the rest of the world, the mountain biking mania has captivated us also! The Bavaro

Bicycle Club started in 2004 with a few cyclists and today we have 4 clubs with more than 300 weekend warriors. Some estimate that in the DR we have near of 5,000 mountain bikers with a population of 10 million people.

Mountain bikers have been taking the northern savanna and beaches of Uvero Alto for smooth cross country rides combined with a relative stiff climbing in the nearby mountains. That ends in a relative good first time for novice MTBers and, also for veterans: rides could be in the 20K, 35K or 50+K range. You can cross back and forth any of the routes and return to base anytime. That’s the

reason in Uvero Alto we can bring along category A, B and C riders together and all have a good time. You just choose whatever loop you are capable of doing without getting injured or excessively tired.

In the end, since all Altagracia’s three thousand square kilometers are essentially safe, it can offer a unique variety of year-long trail rides. You can either bring your bike, borrow one from the hotel (if available, although they are simple and, we do not recommend riding in the streets) or rent a bike. A couple of bicycle stores with professional workshops are available.

Punta Cana

An amazing trail ride along the seashore

El territorio donde se encuentra Punta Cana, por tener llanuras costeras y montañas tiene innumerables opciones para hacer ciclismo todo-terreno (mountain biking) todo el año.

Entre las favoritas están las llanuras y playas de Uvero Alto donde las rutas permiten su uso por tanto novatos como expertos escogiendo rutas de 20K, 35K o más de 50K. Usted puede traer su bicicleta, tomar una del hotel (pero no son todo-terreno y no recomendamos ir por las calles) o alquilar una localmente que cuentan con buenos talleres de mecánica también.

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Dominican Gateway 2013

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Mountain Biking has developed into a major outdoor sport in Punta Cana District

1 Cap Cana Heights. 2 Punta Espada National Park. 3 Cape Engano dirt road. 4 pond in Cape Engano Plains. 5 Deep in the countryside over muddy roads. 6 Hoyo Claro Natural Reserve, 7 The always present sugar cane fields. 8 A flat in Uvero Alto Plains. 9 Some tropical dirt roads. 10 Rocky roads. 11 Sand is always part of the rides. 12 A creek in the Anamuya Mountains FB/ Biciclub Bavaro

Moto Touring. A traveling option from Punta Cana to the rest of the country What is it with the human, err…okay, male, fascination for motorcycles? The second step after the incredible feeling of freedom that brings to a kid his/her first bicycle? In a motorcycle, with a slight throttle hand twist, you feel, you are powerful: a machine you control –or not- goes forward…mostly all the times.

Bicycles and motorcycles have been around for more than a century.

In fact, they were created before cars. But you can see a dude, of course, getting down from a big muscle car in a parking lot almost break his neck turning to watch one of those BIG bikes standing there. It doesn't matter if it is an American Harley-Davidson, a Japanese Yamaha/Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki or, the Europeans BMWs, KTMs or

whatever has two wheels in style, Man! Better yet. In Hispaniola, counting from easternmost Punta Cana, we have kilometers of reasonable safe paved roads –and dirt roads alikeare waiting for you to roll. You can ask for a cool ride for USD 100+ a day, or special prices for the long run.

A note of advice: The DR is packed with millions of scooters riding along, uh…impatiently. Some people dislike, very much, those little motorcycles bugging us all. Although Dominicans do love Motor Sports, Racing and Motocross are among the most popular. If you are on the road, please use a DOT helmet and proper riding attire. Obey the traffic signals (it doesn't matter if the little ones don't…) and do not overspeed. And, remember that in traffic, motorcycles are invisible.

Ask your tour operator for information and enjoy!

Maimon Beach

Macao Beach

40

Punta Cana District’s Highway FB/ Ride to the Beach

¿QUÉ ES EL MÉTODO PILATES? El metodo Pilates es un procedimiento de actividad fisica y mental creada a principios del siglo pasado por el alemán Joseph Pilates.

Es una mezcla de distintas especialidades como la gimnasia y traumatología, uniendo dinamismo y fuerza muscular con el control mental,la respiración y relajación. Sus ejercicios se basan en la facultad del cuerpo a deformarse (movilidad) y a resistir esa deformación (estabilidad).

En sus principios fue llamado -por el propio Pilates- como CENTROLOGIA, debido que fomenta el uso de la mente para controlar el cuerpo, pero buscando el equilibrio y unidad entre ambos. El método se practica en todo el mundo y debe una parte de su cada vez mayor popularidad a que es practicado por personajes famosos del mundo de la música,cine,danza y deportes.

El control, la precisión y la fluidez son algunas de las bases de los ejercicios fundamentales compuestos por movimientos lentos, muy conscientes y coordinados con la respiración adecuada, con el fin de crear un cuerpo armonioso, coordinado y flexible. A través de la práctica, la mente va tomando conciencia de sus capacidades, limitaciones, fortalezas y debilidades del cuerpo y es ahí

donde empieza el trabajo equilibrado y pensado para mejorar el estado físico y mental.

HISTORIA Joseph Humberto Pilates nació cerca de Dusseldorf, en Alemania, en 1880. Durante su infancia padeció algunas enfermedades que le provocaron debilidad como raquitismo, asma y fiebre reumática. Ésto desarrolló en él un afán por superar dicha debilidad, dando lugar a la práctica de diversos deportes como esquí, gimnasia, buceo y el fisiculturismo. En 1912 se trasladó de Alemania a Inglaterra, donde trabajó de boxeador, acróbata e instructor de autodefensa a los detectives de Scotland Yard. Cabe destacar que en esta época tenía una forma física excelente que seguiría manteniendo hasta muy avanzada edad.

Durante la Primera Guerra Mundial fué internado a causa de su nacionalidad alemana en un campo de concentración.

Pilates quiso seguir manteniendo su forma física, a la vez, que así ayudaba a poder mantenerse física y mentalmente en buena salud, pero no solo lo hizo consigo mismo sino que lo trasmitió también al resto de sus compañeros que se encontraban como él prisioneros en el mismo lugar.

Pilates no solo les ayudó, sino que desarrolló -improvisando con lo que tenía en el pabellón- un sistema de muelles que, tumbados o sentados sobre las camas, o fijándolos en las paredes conseguía practicar ejercicios con resistencias para poder fortalecer los músculos. Así podían practicar, incluso tumbadas, las personas que no podían levantarse por la debilidad que se adquiría por las situaciones de esos momentos.

Fueron en los años veinte cuando Pilates siguió formándose aprendiendo distintas tendencias como Yoga, Zen y regímenes físicos griegos y romanos antiguos. Por aquella época conoció a un bailarin llamado Rudolph Laban y a través de él conoció a una bailarina y coreógrafa llamada Hanya Holm. Pilates, por esos años comenzó a desarrollar un sistema de ejercicios más concretos para hacerlos en el suelo los cuales denominó Contrology realizados en junto a los bailarines que le aportaron sus ideas, completando así el metodo de trabajo Pilates.

Años más tarde, observando cual era la situación de los que fueron a la guerra, desarrolló para ellos una institución llamada Nurse Caretaker para aquellos que fueron internados en tiempos de guerra con lesiones físicas. Pilates ideó un equipo de rehabilitación con partes de camas

Dominican Gateway MAGAZINE

sueltas para crear resistencias y crear «el movimiento en resorte», para el postrado en la cama.

Nos encontramos ante un método que fusiona la mente y el cuerpo para realizar un entrenamiento físico que hace que lleguemos a tener una salud mucho más plena.

BENEFICIOS DEL PILATES -Elimina el estres y tensiones musculares -Consigue un tono muscular fortaleciendo, tonificando el cuerpo y estilizando la figura -Aumenta la flexibilidad,la agilidad y el sentido del equilibrio -Mejora la alineacion postural,aliviando dolores de espalda -Previene y rehabilita lesiones del sistema musculo-esqueletico -Aumenta la autoestima mediante la fusion cuerpo-mente -Aporta vitalidad y fuerza,aumentando la capacidad pulmonar y sanguínea.

QUIEN PUEDE PRACTICARLO El método lo pude practicar todo el mundo, jovenes, mayores, personas que practican otro deporte o las que llevan una vida sedentaria. La única premisa es encontrar un instructor experto.

Clases impartidas por Yolanda Huditian, reconocida instructora española diplomada en «Matwork» y «Reforme» por la Escuela Nacional del Deporte de España en nivel básico, medio y avanzado, con más de 40 certificaciones en diferentes convenciones otorgadas en Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca, Sevilla, entre otros y avalada por más de 16 años de experiencia profesional!

YOLANDA HUDITIAN: PERSONAL TRAINER

Las Canas Golf Course

SPORTS that use boards either in land or sea...like Surfing or Kitesurfing are booming both in the north and south coast. Kitesurfing in reining in Playa Blanca Beach with steady participation of both locals and expats. We now have international events with famous kitesurfing champions.

Fore!

Brief history of golf in the East Region

THE very first golf course outside Santo Domingo During the late 80s and early 90s some half a the Catalonia Caribe Golf Club, designed also Mr. (first ever, Santo Domingo Country Club in 1920) dozen golf courses were built. Along the east Sola. Northbound, the White Sands Golf Club, was built in 1972 in La Romana, in Central coast, eastbound, in 1990 the new Barceló resort designed by American expatriate Jack Corrie.

Romana Corporation’s Casa de Campo resort. complex built a 18-hole court, designed by the With the Punta Cana construction boom of They hired the then small firm of P.B.Dye and Spaniard Juan Gordillo, carved in the tropical years 2005 to 2008, golf became the main OBVIOUSLY Polo is not for the masses, but it is called forest. complimentary tourism attraction. the ‘Sport of the Kings’. In Cap Cana, they run sand gave him all the space he could need -and all the money he could ask forfor laying a worldCap Cana adds a superb Jack Nicklaus design: Punta Cana District's 12 golf courses version events. A tougher one for horses and riders. class golf course for marketing purposes. The the Punta Espada Golf Course, (now among the The first golf course was built in 1990 in the now famous “Teeth of The Dog” was born! Also, 50 best golf courses in the world), plus a second BARCELO complex (today remodeled by P.B. Dye) with a Par 4 along the coast with an impossible court, Las Iguanas. Another Nicklaus signature is and, the second one, P.B. Dye's Las Canas, was green the other side of a cliff, shooting through located in Cana Bay, 30 Kilometer north, owned opened ten years later in the pioneer Puntacana the emerald waters of the Caribbean. It was an by the Mexican-owned Palace Resorts.

Resort & Club. In 2009, they opened a second instant sensation, plus the villas and apartments golf course, a Tom Fazio design, 18 holes, Par 72 Also in the mid 00s were built Punta Blanca, a loaded with the rich & famous jet set of the 70s Nick Price design –in the tropical savanna– with half of the holes facing the ocean. and 80s. Casa de Campo put the DR in the along with the back nines of White Sands.

The late 90s also saw the opening of Melia's tourism map. Soon that first golf course was Another P.B. Dye 18-hole golf course was built in 27-hole court Cocotal (a Jose ‘Pepe’ Ganzedo followed by another two golf courses and today Iberoestates Country Club and, northbound, the design), the first nine holes of Catalonia Beach SOME tour operators are offering hiking trips to the they have six courses, 2,000+ villas, a Marina superb Nick Faldo design of Roco Ki, a 18-hole Resort (plus a 'Pitch & Putt' course) designed by neaby mountains. The hikes will take you through and the also famous Altos de Chavon artists city. golf course facing the Atlantic.

Spaniard Alberto Sola and, later in the mid 00s authentic Dominican villages...some rivers, ponds, even caves. Photo -above- in Anamuya town, EL primer campo de golf del país se construyó en 1920 en las cercanías de diseñadores estadounidenses: en Puntacana Resort & Club, Las Canas y bottom, in Hoyo Claro Natural Reserve, some 20 Santo Domingo y luego el Santo Domingo Country Club en las afueras de la Hacienda, de P.B. Dye y CORALES de Tom Fazio. En Cap Cana, se realizaron del miles west the airport. ciudad capital. Para los setenta se abrió Casa de Campo con su emblemético maestro Jack Nicklaus, Punta Espada (considerado entre los 50 mejores del «Dientes de Perro» del estadounidense Pete Dye, uno de los dos campos mundo) y Las Iguanas. dominicanos considerados entre los primeros del mundo.

Completan la docena los campos de Iberoestate (también de P.B. Dye) y En Punta Cana-Bávaro el primer campo se abrió en 1990 en el complejo Cana Bay (Palace Resorts) de la firma Nicklaus. Un campo adicional en hotelero Barceló (luego remodelado por P.B. Dye) seguidos de los canchas terminación es el Roco Ki de Nick Faldo en el Morro de Macao frente al de Catalonia (Solá), Cocotal (Ganzedo), White Sands (Corrie) y Punta Blanca, Atlántico. Otras canchas se encuentran en planificación para el futuro. este último de Nick Price. Luego vendría una oleada de campos de famosos Los campos tienen disponibles áreas de práctica, carritos y pro shop.

MARATHON-style races -5K, 10K, 21K and 42K- have been run regularly since 2007 in the streets, first, of Bavaro and then in Puntacana Resort & Club. The Tricana Club run also half & full Triathlons.

Cocotal Golf Course

44

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Leisure Ocio Jewel Disco. Palma Real Shopping Village

JEWELPUNTA CANA DISCO CLUB IN case that you don't know yet…in their own words: “the Jewel of the Caribbean is a 3-level 'SUPER CLUB', with a combined square footage of over 10,000 sq. feet [~1,000 sq. meters], loaded with the world's foremost, cutting edge, sound, laser and lighting equipment available, including 315,000 LEDs, 60 Elation robotic heads, seven 3.5-watt lasers, 12 Led Cryo Blaster Cannons and, over 100,000 watts of pumping sound…that will re-define the “night club experience” in the Dominican Republic!

JEWEL CLUB consists of four areas: the main dance room, the VIP balcony on the second level, the glass-enclosed Retro Techno room overlooking the main dance floor and, the more laid back outdoor terrace located on the roof which overlooks the surrounding Cocotal Golf Course, the MELIÁ Hotels and Bavaro Beach.”

If that description doesn’t making it sound tempting yet…Jewel has “elegant VIP tables over-looking the dance floor and stage. Ensure a premium view or sit into one of our VIP tables on the sunk in dance-floor and be right in middle of the action with the service to match. You won't miss a second of those international DJs live shows, or one of many crazy parties and surprises that our massive animation team has in

store for you!

Have you ever been to a…Full Moon Party?

These will be monthly events that are surely NOT to be missed. The sky is the limit when you're jumping around on the dance floor in the middle of our brand new, breathtaking, rooftop terrace. Or, reserve one of the three VIP Jacuzzis and gaze at the full Caribbean moon, like you've never seen it before! Of course our roof-top terrace will be open for regular nights as well, so that you may sneak away for a quick dip in the middle of the fiesta! without the pretention, and the outrageous prices that usually go along.

JEWEL aims to be DR's Premium Night Club, with premium service…without the premium prices!

Its concept derives from the many years of disco and nightclubbing evolution from all around the world, infusing the perfect equation of the five senses, (smell, touch, taste, sound & sight…) to elevate the nightclub experience to a level that will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.”

LA nueva joya del Caribe, JEWEL DISCO CLUB, es una espectacular discoteca de más de mil metros cuadrados con tres niveles y el más avanzado equipo de música y sonido de la región. Como detalle sorprendente, se le colocaron 315,000 bombillas tipo 'led', 60 robot de luces giratorias, una docena de cañones de sonido y más de 100,000 vatios de sonido!

Esta inversión de capital estadounidense en Palma Real Shopping Village trae la novedad de 30 bailarines de planta provenientes de Ibiza (la capital mundial disco) y un diseño de interiores con la gran pista al entrar, un balcón VIP en el segundo nivel, un salón cerrado en vidrio tipo 'retro' y la terraza en tercer nivel con vista al campo de golf Cocotal, los hoteles MELIÁ y la playa de Bávaro.

Como si no fuera tentador… JEWEL incluye elegantes mesas VIP con vista a la triple altura sobre la pista central de baile con servicio personalizado. Así no se

perderá ni un detalle las mezclas de los afamados DJ en vivo o alguna de las locas fiestas y sorpresas que el equipo de producción de JEWEL tiene para sus clientes. ¿Alguna vez has estado en una fiesta de luna llena?

La discoteca tendrá eventos mensuales que nadie se podrá perder. El 'cielo será el límite' cuando se pueda bailar arriba en el tercer nivel con luna llena o simplemente disfrutar de los jacuzzi! Todo, sin pretensiones ni precios exagerados.

JEWEL DISCO apunta a ser el club nocturno Premium de la República Dominicana con servicio Premium…sin precios Premium!

El concepto deriva de los muchos años de experiencia de sus productores combinados en la ecuación perfecta que deleita los sentidos de olfato, tacto, gusto, sonido y vista. Su promesa es de elevar las experiencias a un nivel que deje grandes memorias para toda la vida.

HUMOR:

How to Drive in The Dominican Republic...

T

o understand why we drive the way we do, you need to understand that although we do have a nice Caribbean country, we…uh, lack of certain things here: First, the average age of the population is… 24. But really, if you take off a good chunk of the DR age-pyramid…should be only sixteen or less. Our streets are full of pre-teens and teenagers. Thousands of them! Yet, sadly, only one-third of our minors, from five millions, are going to school. Worst yet. In our public schools, our kids only use their brains ONE hour a day, for five days, eight months a year. Japanese kids, on the other hand, go to school from 7 am to 6 pm and also go on Saturdays! That's the reason we drive Toyotas, Nissans and Hondas (plus some Fords and Chevrolets…lots of Mercedes Benzes and BMWs) and not [could it be] Rodriguezes, Perezes or Martinezes…

“Look Hashimoto…a brand new Rodriguez Prelude! Man, you should see the Martinez 300 Z, it can do 0 to 100 KPH in six seconds flat!”

Nah… MONZA. Valentino Rossi won again the Italian GP on board a PEREZ 1000 SXZ in front of a crowd of more than 35,000 screaming fans. The famous Caribbean motorcycle brand is leading the factory championship in a fierce battle with their counterparts MARTINEZ –currently in second place– and the newly LOPEZ 1000 ZRX motorcycles. A fourth brand coming from the island is expected for this summer. Rumors say that it could be a new brand called Alrod-Bigdaddyson…

So, when you are driving in the United States, Canada, Argentina or Spain what is going through your mind?

“Oh, oh. Traffic light is turning yellow. I'll start to slow down. I don't want to occupy the intersection. Good Lord! I could be involved in an accident. Did I pay the insurance…of course! I did it in January! This car in front of me could not make it. Let me slow down more to give him space. Yes. Okay.”

HERE… [Radio on its possible MAXIMUM louder tone, six passengers crushed inside the, it-was-a-Toyota-once, car. Driver –named Jose– dressed in battered jeans, t-shirt and blue or red baseball cap (mandatory), left arm hanging from left door, right thumb over the claxon].

“How many beers did I have last night? Twelve or thirteen? Did I do it with…? I don't remember. I was out. I'm hungry…where is that f… new fried chicken street vendor that gave me credit last night? I promised her to pay today. Maybe if I get another passenger inside the car… Nah. I have a pounding headache. I don't want to argue with passengers…again. It's yellow! This bunch of a…! Go! Go! Go! What are they waiting for…red? And who cares? I know that I have time to pass them all… bunch of idiots, f… sleepy heads!”

All 300 million of Americans (minus 30 million of Latinos of course) learn how to drive at sixteen. Exactly a couple of hours after sunrise, the day of your 16th birthday, your mom or dad will take you for your first driving lesson: “Brian, you are sixteen already. It's time to learn how to drive properly a car: this is not a game, it's a responsibility. A car is like a gun, you could kill someone, part of your family or yourself on it.

So, do not speed, drive always to your right and obey traffic rules.

Son, we love you. Congratulations.”

Then, you will take your driving license test in a yellow car with two wheels in the dashboard and, a middle age, white shirt with Z knot, driving professor on the right side.

The DR… “Where is little Jose? I don't see my taxi in front of the house.

Don't tell me that this little bastard –he's only eleven, damn it!– took my car, again! I'll kill him! What time is it? Eleven…Shit! I'll have to wait until noon to lunch. Well, anyway, he better learn how to drive. He'll need it soon. His mother is pregnant again and my compadre took off…again. This is the sixth time…five kids already. What a macho man!”

So, there are some local rules to have in mind if you dare to drive down here:

RULE #1: Traffic lights are OPTIONAL. Even if they are turned on or off. It depends on your mood at this moment. If you had a fight with your spouse, f… it! If he is asking you for… don't.

RULE #2: Road signs are only part of the scenery. There's no need to be that…civilized. Outside the island, a STOP sign means a dead halt. You do know that you will be ticketed for that! Here, those red pentagon metal signs have the Spanish word...“PARE” on them. Since you don't speak Dominican: smile! No police patrol car is going to stop you… we don't have police patrol cars…

RULE #3: Beware of light-green-shirt guys in the streets! We call those AMETs (they are policemen, same as the guys dressed in gray) and they are supposed to work with the traffic. OUR traffic.

Usually, they are young, bored and hungry all the time. No one, even tough taxi drivers, argue with them. Only DR Army Generals when they want to overpass 20 cars in front of the –turned off– traffic light. You just go with the flow. But, if one AMET stops you, put your best tourist smile and try to talk some Dominican (go AGAIN to chapter one). A cool 200 Pesos bill could help also…but only between 11 o'clock and 3 o'clock…

RULE #4: If by any chance you find yourself near of a RED traffic light, and it's ON…Oh no! Remember that Jose is four cars behind you! He will start to honk you -in red- to see if you jump over the big SUV in front of you and pass the intersection as quickly as your Japanese rent car could do the quarter of a mile.

But, if you, poor thing, happen to be IN THE intersection, with a live red light in front of you waiting for green… that other big SUV (we have more SUVs than in Colorado…) behind you will honk exactly 4.7 seconds before turning to green and, if you dare not to imitate your comrades in Daytona, Silverstone or Monza… Hew! A teenage girl on the wheel chatting over her new BB will try to kill you with her honking with a repugnance face looking at you from above in between twitters…

RULE #5: Nobody cares if you are doing 80 KPH (not miles per hour, please) in a highway (we do have some, thank you…) with 60 KPH road signs on it. Speeds are also, optional. Those guys in the “Painting Department of Public Works” (Jose's friends) have a particular pride of their job: it is easier to always put the same “60 KPH” number whatever new metal road sign is in front of them, no matter the type of road, town or corner. Besides, they all were…drinking beer with Jose last night…

RULE #6: At night, aha! All local drivers become… high-beam light psychos! If you are driving at night, let's say in the Santo Domingo to Punta Cana semi-highway (only half is ready) as soon as you passed La Romana (some 150 kilometers/90 miles east the capital) you will find yourself surrounded by mini buses called…

Voladoras. It means speeders or flying tortures. Since they make money by round trip done… they go FAST! Another thing is that they love to put extra lights in front of their vehicles. Dozens of them! If you are doing, 80 KPH, you are, slow. So, they turn on ALL their lights –and honk– at the same time, even if there is NO space to pull over. Why? Because they LOVE to play with their lights and make noise! So, a powerful, evil, streaming ray of white light will come from the mini bus behind you, it will cross your skull and will end the other side of your

From the book ‘Tales from Punta Cana’

by Robert J. Mena. DG Editor. editorialdietsch@gmail.com

brain. And, of course, you won't hear the HA! HA! HA! Texas Chain Massacre-style hysterical laugh from the “chauffer” all dressed up in red with smoke coming from all over! But it is there. A couple of seconds later, a huge shadow will pass you and it will disappear into the night.

Since you will become, speechless, please, watch out for any mini bus –or whatever is coming– in FRONT of you. And above all, please! Be careful with the high beams of your car! Don't you dare to use them closer than 5 miles (8 kilometers) in front of the incoming vehicle! Since NO native never ever turns the lights down… if you make some attempts, dare, to raise and lower the lights waiting for a good Samaritan to pardon your life, sorry: 9.5 of 10 cars won't give a shit. They will pass you like nothing. BUT, if you have the misfortune of getting in the way of another incoming mini bus… Freeze! Don't touch that lever! Your whole life will pass in front of you, Memories of the good moments in life: remember that first time when dad taught you how to drive his car? Your first credit card debt? Having to go to the supermarket by yourself? First time in an airplane to the Caribbean (not this time please!), CNN, the World Series of 1999…

You are tired after dealing for hours with Santo Domingo's traffic jams, street vendors, policemen, noise, window cleaners and the zillions of little Japanese taxis driven by the very same Joseses. But you did have a good time after all. On-foot Dominicans are pretty good people.

Now, it's time to return to the hotel in Punta Cana, and it's only 200 kilometers (120 miles) away. No problem. Hit the road east at 4 o'clock in the afternoon and you'll get there around eight o'clock at night. No hurry. You are on vacation…

Five miles away on the road, an UFO will appear in front of you.

Lights are so bright that they will hurt your retina. You are defenseless. All passengers around you are asleep. You, are, alone, with the monster coming: “Look to the side of the asphalt to avoid the lights. What asphalt? I don't see no asphalt!” you said to yourself.

Four miles: everything starts to clear (“weird, I though dawn wasn't that early in the Caribbean”, you think again) and all those green sugar cane fields that you remember look now, white.

Two miles: now you remember your first time under the dentist lights! And the pain!

ONE mile… lights are so bright that you don't care now: Pinky and the Brain? Who was Pinky, the mouse or… no, the two of them were mice. “Geico: fifteen percent of car insurance”… who was that little green lizard anyway? British or Australian? Finally!

I see the light! Man! Isn't that beautiful? And everything is going on with the low lights on in your car. Imagine if…

When finally ANOTHER blurring evil shadow passes you by (bet you couldn't hear the other HA! HA! HA! of the mini bus evil driver, could you?), Still, the light is all over. You are losing it. Even you, hear, white! Instinctively, you had slowed down during the last 30 seconds. That is so that your spouse will wake up and ask you: “What is it baby? Why are we going only at 5 miles per hour?

Brian, what is it? You are starting to scare me”.

“The Light, the Light”…

“What light honey? Brian, did you have that beer?

“Pinky and Geico. Fifteen percent of Australia”…

“Brian, are you all right? Do you want me to drive, honey? I can do it, even in this country. It cannot be that difficult, I drive when your mother visits us”…

“No, no…I'm good. Go back to sleep.”

RULE #7: Next time, hire Jose as a driver…

PUNTA Cava is a Tapas Bar -inspired in the Spanish-flavored tradition- located in the pioneer Puntacana Village, Punta Cana, just in front of the Punta Cana International Airport.

They have an extensive menu of the best coffee blends, wine and both national and international cocktails. PV Tapas Bar is possibly one of the best popular places in the tourist zone.

The evenings are characterized as the most enternaining, where guests can enjoy from a delicious cup of Dominican coffee to a refreshing wine & fruit blend called Sangría.

The nights in Punta Cava are distinguished to be among the must chic and fun in Punta Cana.

The ambiance is unique and music is played even for the most demanding so you can spend the best of the nights. Its thematic parties are also famous and solicitated.

Punta Cava

Puntacana Village’s Tapas Bar

Punta Cava es un bar de tapas ubicado en la pionera urbanización Puntacana Village, en Punta Cana, justo frente al aeropuerto internacional de Punta Cana.

Cuentan con un amplio menú de cafés, vinos, bebidas y cócteles nacionales e internacionales y nuestro exquisito menú de tapas.

Las tardes se caracterizan por ser las más amenas, donde los clientes pueden disfrutar desde un delicioso café hasta una refrescante sangría.

Las noches de Punta Cava se distinguen por ser las más chic y divertidas del área. Con música para los gustos más exigentes y un ambiente único puedes pasar la mejor de las noches.

Sus fiestas temáticas son famosas por estar entre las más dinámicas y solicitadas.

DUX Dux Chivas Club abre sus puertas en Marina Sands de Cap Cana Joven en espíritu y clásico en esencia, allí se mezclan los elementos decorativos más originales junto a la última tecnología en visuales, iluminación y sonido. ¿El resultado? Un ambiente acogedor e intimista imposible de resistir.

CAP CANA. Existen tres elementos que caracterizan a Dux Chivas Club: música en vivo todas las noches, proximidad al mar y una decoración exquisita en base a piezas únicas de distintos diseñadores de todo el mundo. Joven en espíritu y clásico en esencia, allí se mezclan los elementos decorativos más originales, con la última tecnología en visuales, iluminación y sonido.

Dux el club más importante que hay en España, donde han pasado artistas como Coti, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Sueños de Morfeo, Ana Torroja, entre otros, abre sus puertas y como uno de los requisitos indispensables es la vista al mar, no existe mejor entorno que Marina Sands de Cap Cana.

Al dar las palabras de bienvenida, Laura Acevedo, gerente general de Dux Chivas Club, expresó que los Grupo OBK de España

invitados eran los auténticos protagonistas. “Dux quiere que el público asistente sea parte integral de esta celebración”, comentó, y luego agregó: “es un concepto innovador que seduce de inmediato, donde los diferentes espacios, tanto al aire libre como en interior, se adaptan al espíritu –romántico o aventurero– de cada quien”.

El evento, se caracterizó por ser un fin de semana lleno de actividades donde los invitados disfrutaron del club, el lounge, la terraza y la zona VIP. La actividad inaugural contó con sorpresas como el famoso dúo español OBK, pioneros de la música electrónica en España y las acrobacias de Pablo Méndez quien ha trabajado para el famoso Cirque du Soleil de Francia.

FOTO: Joselle Heinsen