Boca Chica

[Dr Travel Man]

Looking for some advice. I am coming down January 29th. I am planning on staying in BC at thr Europa through the weekend. Is the scene worth it for 3 days? I like to have an afternoon scene as well as a night scene. I can always just stay in SD like always but I wanted the beach. Has the reopening of the 3 places helped the scene?

[RearWindow]

PGApro,

Are you getting 47:1 on the street, or at cambios? I monitor DR1 , but have noticed that they no longer have the RD-US posted on the rail at left.

I will be back to BC in about 30 days for my third visit in 8 months, and am wondering about the political climate there. Most are not happy with Hippo's policies,but I guess he's got a respite from the Summit.

This will be my longest stay yet, and a quick BC climatic synopsis (ie are prices increasing to offset the falling RD) would be great, if you could.

On a much brighter note, if the nightime pickins ramp up from what they were, I may not leave. (brighter for me, anyway).

To your post 9/11 question, I have never travelled as much as I have post 9/11. And I never worry about it, except that some a-hole might inadvertently close down an airport, thus negatively impacting my mongering time.

[Dr Golfer]

Just to let anyone who is thinking about heading down here anytime soon, the peso has hit an all time low to the dollar, or is that high, 47:1. Tougher times are coming for the home fans, so I am sure the nightly show will get even better. There has not been alot of Americans or Canadiens down here this year, as I have stated previously. I am not sure why?? Is it a post 9/11 effect? There isn't a better place to spend a week in the sun, with a whole lots of fun, than the country I am in now for the price. For all you longtime mongers of BC, if it has gotten old to you, it is a big country, with some real beautiful areas to tap into, so to speak.

[Dr Golfer]

what info i have:

hotel europa is open, was at least up through last night. seems everyone who stays there is happy with the scene. i just think it is a bit pricey, but we are not at all talking american standards pricey.

yes, the three places that were previously closed due to having **** gals, which is a farse, are now all opened. the third one, not mentioned and my hangout, the former route 66, is now named after the owner's son and is open also. back to normal in those regards anyway. i do think the politur have eased up alot from last year in the number of arrests, sure, they are still walking up and down the beat, but not often do you see one of the "ladies of the night" in tow.

wolverine, i am not a daytime monger, so playa vista is not a hangout of my own. the older gentleman who you are referring to i believe is richard. a man who has more knowledge of this island than anyone i have met as of yet. a great guy to boot, but he is getting up there in annuals. my only hangout is the former route 66, which is now open again, and back to normal.

my understanding with darren's portofino's is that his wife's family is a "green" title owner for the property. which doesn't help good ole darren much i guess. nothing is there as of yet. it would be a bad investment for anyone to open up here now. things are not good economically, and won't be for the long run. the dollar is again yielding about 43 pesos on the street.

[BacknBlack]

I used to stay at the Europa all the time when I went to BC. Batrand is a good guy but I guess he got sick of dealing with all the BS in BC. I also think more mongerers including myself started to go to Sosua which probably hurt his business. I would like to know if he is running a hotel or business in Margarita Island so I can stop by and say hello next time I am there.

[Gutter Meat]

I just got an E-mail from the Batrand who used to run the Hotel Europa and he has imformed me he has left the Hotel and turned back over to the owner becuase of all the receant problems in Boca Chica. Its a shame because he was a great guy. He is now living in Margarita Island with his wife.

Can anyone who has been in Boca Chica in the last 2 months tell me if the Hotel Europa is still open or closed?

Thanks

Mike

[Member #1553]

GREAT NEWS. The Madhouse and Austria bars have reopened but with different names. Ahhhh, the memories. I have been following this for a while now because I really enjoy the Madhouse and the proprieters, Didi and Peter, two crazy Germans I don't know the new names of the places but they are in the same location and maybe PGApro would let the board know, I have all ready asked Peter and Fleming at La Playa Vista while they were still closed but hate to bother them while they are doing business at their beach bar.

PGA pro, I wonder if I have run into you before. When in BC I always hang at La Playa Vista or La Isla Bonita during the day, I don't like to use names but sometimes talk quite a bit with the older gentleman who lives in BC from Boston who spends much time at Playa Vista and know someone who goes to BC several times a year from Canada and hangs out at Playa Vista all the time as well.

[Prtyr2]

PGAPRO, you seem to have the scoop on Darren's. Darren was a character, but there were usually some cool people hanging out there. Did he own the building. Did he rent it. That place has a great location for daytime crowd.

Darren never seemed to focus on attracting new customers etc. I think that place could do very well if the rent was the right price etc.

I'm thinking American menu, but good food, amrican tunes, and cute girls in bikinis as waitresses etc.

Buffalo wings, Beer and Bikinis. . . . .a great combo.

[Gutter Meat]

I don't know what has happened to Boca Chica over the last 2 years but I hope the town can start fresh in 2004. In the mean time I'll be hitting Sosua.

[Dr Golfer]

A long time lurker here in the BC reports, a poster from the RI board. I am here living in BC, where i have been for about 7 years now. I guess I can be considered of the snow bird variety. I will try and help any newbies on here in BC and elsewhere in the DR. I have traveled most of this country from the mountains of Constanza to the Samana Bay. If I can help, I will do so. I saw a post earlier about Darren and his former restaurant Portofino's. Its closed, will be closed, and never will reopen. Darren flew the coop back to Bean town, rumors are all over the place on why, so I won't add to them. I was not here when he left so I am not sure for certain why. I have confirmed though that it will not re-open. I wasn't a big fan of the restaurant nor of Darren's, so no loss here. His ego was worth a few laughs now and again. I might miss that. Drop me a line here if you need anything answered. Biggest thing that can help those who come here are two things. First and foremost, LEARN some spanish. You will go a long way with just a little bit. Secondly, treat the gals with just a little respect, that will put you one up on most down here.

[Mokwe]

Wolverine7l:

Sounds good. Thanks for the information, I appreciate it. I look forward to mongering for sure come next year. I can only imagine what New Year's Eve would be like over there. Party nonstop!

[Member #1553]

Mokwe,
You are one year older than me. I have 5 trips to the DR since May 2002 and had a blast each time. For amateurs, you will have a leg up on the older gentleman if in Santiago province, Santo Domingo, etc but for pros, it usually doesn't make a difference what color, size, and age you are. Boca Chica is all pros/semi pros so you will do fine. Don't worry about hanging out with people older than you. I have always been one of the youngest mongers wherever I go and I have partied, chased women with mongers from around the world up to about mid 50's in age. No problem whatsoever and a good buddy to hang with is very cost efficient for taxi's, safety in numbers, etc regardless of age.

[Mokwe]

Hello everyone,

I'm a newbie (posting anyway), but I've been following this Forum for a bit, and now I'm looking to take a trip(business and pleasure) to the DR early next year. I've learned a lot from you all, but here's my one question: Will the fact that I'm 28 years old be a problem? My impression from this forum is that many if not most of you guys are much older than I am, and I've never hung out with older dudes before. I'm just asking cos this is all new to me, that's all.

*******, you are a wealth of info. Thx a lot in advance.

As I said, I'll be travelling to the DR in about two months, and I'm hoping to have a blast(with your advice and help, of course).

As the time draws nearer, I'll be posting more to get better advice and directions, dos & don'ts, etc.

Ciao todos

[One Tree Hill]

**** LAST MINUTE FIRST CLASS AIRFARE*****

Avaiable to DR mongers!

Puerto Plata/Santo Domingo from the US $850 incl taxes.

NEW YEARS EVE IN SOSUA or Boca Chica!

Anyone interested, I might be able to hook you up for the New Years Eve of your life.

Very limited:

For example:

JFK - Puerto Plata on Dec 30 and return Jan 6

JFK - Santo Dom. on Dec 30 or 31 / return Jan 4

regular F class fare = $1458 incl taxes

Many holiday travelers have paid over $800 for COACH.

PM with contact info if interested.

I hope you guys dont mind me posting this here. As a sort of fraternity least we can do is help each other out!

Seasons Cheer!

[RearWindow]

Sluth,

Probably the best thing to do would be to go to Santo Domingo and check around if you are sour on BC. A lot of the girls on the weekends in BC are from SD , but i'm not sure what the weekday scene in SD is like.

I will be back to BC Feb 19-26 and hanging around Playa Vista during the day. I always like to meet fellow enthusiasts. Good luck and have a great time!