Santo Domingo

[Wrx2005]

Many of the Airbnb apartments have gated secured complexes. The owners sometimes have 2 or more parking spaces and are willing to let you leave your car in the parking lot. Depending on the owner he might want a return visit to his apartment, he might want a small fee, or he might do it for gratis. The time I used one of the Airbnb apartments they had extra space so I didn't pay anything, of course I had to assume liability for any damages to my vehicle.

Thanks Camaro.

[Mr Enternational]

Although Columbus did lose one ship that ran aground, he did an amazing job of not running aground in the course of three expeditions. Oh, and he did not use maps in 1492, because the only maps that existed were the ones he made himself.

Another reason not to use maps is that maps are for land. Can't do a damn thing for you in the ocean. On the water we use charts.

[Frannie]

This is not 1492. Even the US Navy uses GPS to navigate the high seas.

Yes, but if they ignore ocean currents when on the high seas, and depth charts and tide tables when in coastal waters, they will not navigate very efficiently. Although Columbus did lose one ship that ran aground, he did an amazing job of not running aground in the course of three expeditions. Oh, and he did not use maps in 1492, because the only maps that existed were the ones he made himself.

I use GPS navigation daily and it is invaluable for finding addresses or navigating routes with a lot of turns, but it is less useful for long distance navigation in the US, because usually you just want to get onto the nearest freeway or Interstate Highway and stay on it until close to the destination then use the GPS to find the destination address.

Any online navigation system is based on and limited by underlying maps. In the US you will tend to find that streets or housing developments built within the last 2 years may or may not show up on the maps used by Google, Apple, Windows, Mapquest, etc. If cops, ambulances, and utilities do not take account of this, they will waste a hell of a lot of time running across town to similar sounding addresses suggested by their GPS navigation systems.

But in places like the DR the time lapse is much greater, and some online navigation systems still don't have Route 7 (Samana Highway) included even though it was opened on June 1st 2009. Sounds like Google Maps has still not been updated for the DR for 2009. That is why you need a better map.

[Camaro1257]

I have used it a few times without any directions from Google. I guess map reading is a forgotten art.

https://www.iheartdr.com/wp-content/...public-Map.jpg

I used maps early in my LE career but toward the end we used GPS devices to respond to our calls for service so out of habit I have become more reliant on GPS devices than maps. I guess I am a product of my environment.

[Mr Enternational]

I have used it a few times without any directions from Google. I guess map reading is a forgotten art.

https://www.iheartdr.com/wp-content/...public-Map.jpg

This is not 1492. Even the US Navy uses GPS to navigate the high seas.

[Mr Enternational]

The fact is that where there are no guns around, as in most countries, the police have time to think instead of reacting, being dictated by fear. Yes, DR, by that account is quite safe, to my experience.

Are you implying that there are no guns around in DR? Because that could not be farther from the truth. I have seen plenty of young guys carrying guns in their waistband and plenty of older gentlemen with guns on their hip. And aren't there shootings in El Flow in Sosua from time to time?

[Frannie]

I wish Google would have directed me to that route.

I have used it a few times without any directions from Google. I guess map reading is a forgotten art.

https://www.iheartdr.com/wp-content/...public-Map.jpg

[Tempoecorto]

It is natural to respond and think according to how we are trained and what we have learned from life experience. In my case had I not responded training earlier in my LE career I might not be retired now. As for this situation my senses were heightened because I did not know where I was. It is good to know that the practice is common and generally not a cause for concern.

You are quite right. We are product of our experiences. I was not trying to upbraid anyone and I apologize to you if my comments came across that way. The fact is that where there are no guns around, as in most countries, the police have time to think instead of reacting, being dictated by fear. Yes, DR, by that account is quite safe, to my experience.

[Camaro1257]

Understood. Point taken.

Having a friend with a place to park in SD is a great option. At your gated parking where you stay at (the apartment)? Were you still checked in as a guest to the apartment when you flew out? Or were you checked out, and you took a chance in leaving it there, until you returned? Also thanks for the pricing info for the airport. 1000 pesos a day can definitely add up, especially for anyone who really needs a long term parking rate.

Many of the Airbnb apartments have gated secured complexes. The owners sometimes have 2 or more parking spaces and are willing to let you leave your car in the parking lot. Depending on the owner he might want a return visit to his apartment, he might want a small fee, or he might do it for gratis. The time I used one of the Airbnb apartments they had extra space so I didn't pay anything, of course I had to assume liability for any damages to my vehicle.

[Wrx2005]

It is natural to respond and think according to how we are trained and what we have learned from life experience. In my case had I not responded training earlier in my LE career I might not be retired now. As for this situation my senses were heightened because I did not know where I was. It is good to know that the practice is common and generally not a cause for concern.

LE training or none, what you observed could be an excellent way to rob unsuspecting travelers. The key is "unsuspecting". I thought about that possibility as well, when I ran into those rope / string holders. And like you, got past it without panicking or jamming on the gas. LOL.

Individuals assuming every string / rope scenario is comprised of regular folks soliciting donations, are the perfect targets.

Because as soon as they see a rope up, stopping motorists, they are likely going to assume it's only donation time again. In the history of the DR nobody ever got robbed by a phony traffic stop?.

My other observation is the safety of the individuals running up to and along side of vehicles, and those holding the rope. You don't want any of them to slip and fall under someones wheel or get dragged if the rope gets caught up while individuals are holding it.

[Wrx2005]

All of the aforementioned concerns are legitimate. I have probably spent more money in total flying out of SDQ between gas, lodging, food and chicas, however in my case my objective has been to break the North Coast monotony and possibly build a South Coast network.

Understood. Point taken.

In the past I have used different options for my vehicle, once I used the gated parking at one of the apartments I stayed at, I have also used a friends gating parking who lives in Santo Domingo and finally I used the parking at Las Americas. Parking at Las Americas for long term is not desirable because they have no long term parking rates like we are accustomed to in the United States they charge 1000 pesos a day which obviously adds up. One thing I will give them credit for is their parking lot security is pretty tight, I was thoroughly impressed.

Having a friend with a place to park in SD is a great option. At your gated parking where you stay at (the apartment)? Were you still checked in as a guest to the apartment when you flew out? Or were you checked out, and you took a chance in leaving it there, until you returned? Also thanks for the pricing info for the airport. 1000 pesos a day can definitely add up, especially for anyone who really needs a long term parking rate.

[Camaro1257]

Hey Camaro. I feel likewise about these high ass airfares to and from POP. And they do not seem to be coming back down as fast as they used to later on in the year. I have used public transportation (Caribe Tours and Cibao Transporte) to get to STI. Flew out and back to STI. Using SDQ to go back and forth is even cheaper. It's just the effort, time, added potential risk of problems on the road, and the total expense between the north coast and SDQ can be an issue.

Staying in SD a day or two, and make it a mini excursion may make it easier and enjoyable. But still I wonder will it be worth it for me? When part of the reason for flying out and in SDQ was to save money from expensive POP? By the time I pay for any public transport, gas for my vehicle / rental, hotel in SD, I would think that my savings would have been mostly consumed?

In this report you mentioned driving around in SD, driving back to Puerto Plata. And you flew out of SDQ to head back to the US. So did you drive your personal vehicle OR rental to and from the north coast to SD, and then fly out of SDQ? If it was your vehicle, where did you park it, how long did you park it there, and the cost? If it was a rental, which company and how much did that cost you?

All of the aforementioned concerns are legitimate. I have probably spent more money in total flying out of SDQ between gas, lodging, food and chicas, however in my case my objective has been to break the North Coast monotony and possibly build a South Coast network.

In the past I have used different options for my vehicle, once I used the gated parking at one of the apartments I stayed at, I have also used a friends gating parking who lives in Santo Domingo and finally I used the parking at Las Americas. Parking at Las Americas for long term is not desirable because they have no long term parking rates like we are accustomed to in the United States they charge 1000 pesos a day which obviously adds up. One thing I will give them credit for is their parking lot security is pretty tight, I was thoroughly impressed.

[Camaro1257]

I'm talking about the JP2 out near the airport. It is 1.5 hours faster to get to Puerto Plata than going up DR1 through Santiago.

I wish Google would have directed me to that route.

[Camaro1257]

I came across that plenty of times on my way to Santiago from Sosua, using the mountain road, and umpteen times elsewhere. Never did it occur to me that this was a robbery plan and it was kids, almost always, doing the deed. If one does not stop, they automatically lower the cord as they do not want it ripped. Cause or no cause (Parkinson's photo), it is their way of raising a bit of money and has never been a concern for a non law enforcement mind like mine. Thank god for my third world upbringing where police do not over-react with guns, over thinking things.

It is natural to respond and think according to how we are trained and what we have learned from life experience. In my case had I not responded training earlier in my LE career I might not be retired now. As for this situation my senses were heightened because I did not know where I was. It is good to know that the practice is common and generally not a cause for concern.

[Tempoecorto]

My LE mind kicked in and I thought that would be an excellent way to rob unsuspecting travelers of their money or their vehicles and I considered myself to be fortunate.

I came across that plenty of times on my way to Santiago from Sosua, using the mountain road, and umpteen times elsewhere. Never did it occur to me that this was a robbery plan and it was kids, almost always, doing the deed. If one does not stop, they automatically lower the cord as they do not want it ripped. Cause or no cause (Parkinson's photo), it is their way of raising a bit of money and has never been a concern for a non law enforcement mind like mine. Thank god for my third world upbringing where police do not over-react with guns, over thinking things.