Santo Domingo

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]At the banco leon atm, I swipe my card and a message flashes on the screen that my card is invalid and to contact my bank. At the banco popular atm machines same type of thing, I don't even get the message to put in my pin. The Banco Progresso ATM (pro acceso) worked fine in the jaragua hotel. Ban Reservas atm worked fine as well.[/QUOTE]
I have not been able to use my Canadian account card at banco Popular for a year now. I use Progresso now because the ATM in Sosua gives up to 20,000 pesos at a time, like this as I pay $5 per withdrawel.

[QUOTE=Greek Niko]I am staying in Zona Colonial at Hotel Conde de Penalba. Its a good place with a balcony overlooking Columbus square.

I told the manager I have friends looking for a good place to stay.

They will give a special discount for code: ISG just don't tell them what ISG really means tell them Niko from Afghanistan recommended you.

![/QUOTE]

Conde de Penalba is a nice hotel, I stayed there once. Dominican Hooters looks nice.

Dominican Hooters are the BEST!

I also recommend Acropolis Mall where Hooters is located at. My novia had a death grip on my hand while the other Dominicanas looked on. Acropolis is a target rich environment.

[QUOTE=BoricuaOnline]Conde de Penalba is a nice hotel, I stayed there once. Dominican Hooters looks nice.[/QUOTE]

I reserved and paid extra for a superior room at the hotel palacio. Price was about 100 per night. I was given room 117. This room is in the back of the hotel, up a very, narrow set of stairs, not easy to carry your luggage up those stairs. The Dominican woman at the front desk who has checked me into the hotel many other times, always has a nasty attitude and treats me like I am a piece of garbage. I checked in around 4pm. I was tired from traveling and fell asleep. I woke up three hours later sweating, the a/c was on full blast, it was like 85 degrees in the room. I walked down to the front desk and said the room was terrible, the woman at the front said "What, the room is too cold", she knew that the a/c in that room sucks and she was just continuing with her nasty attitude towards me. I checked out and paid another $100 to sleep at the hodelpa hotel in zona colonial. I stayed 4 hours at the hotel palacio and I was charged $100.

I wrote the Hotel Palacio an email and they didn't respond, in the tradition of al goldstein from his show "midnight blue", Hotel Palacio gets a big f_ck you.

I took Cagep1967's advice and tried using the banco popular with Spanish as the language. ATM gave me money no problem. Put your card in the machine, choose Spanish as the language, enter your PIN number, then choose Retirado efectivo (efectivo means something like cash in your hands), then choose which account, I choose "Cuentas de Cheques", no problem getting 10,000 pesos from the Banco Popular machine in the V Centenario Hotel casino today.

Seems there is a problem with the Banco Popular ATM when I choose English as the language then try to get money from my checking account.

[QUOTE=Greek Niko]I am staying in Zona Colonial at Hotel Conde de Penalba. Its a good place with a balcony overlooking Columbus square.[/QUOTE]Remember the Alamo photo was the chevy aveo, I rented from Alamo, the night I got the flat tire in Zona Colonial, the sidewall had a v shaped gouge.

Niko did all the work changing that tire. Seems like the lug nuts were crazy glued on, very difficult time loosening those lug nuts. Niko is a big strong guy, he stood on the alamo supplied lug wrench with all his weight and those lug nuts on the tire would not loosen. Eventually the alamo supplied lug wrench just bent and was totally useless.

It was a lot of fun hanging out with Niko. Niko and I took a Santo Domingo newbie, Thirdcoast around for a tour on Saturday.

We went to GBP. The bartender told me that GBP opens at 2pm and closes around 11pm. GBP had a special, two chicas for 1500 pesos, one chica for 1000 pesos. Niko took one chica and Thirdcoast took two chicas, to the rooms in the back. Milka did a strip show and quickie lap dance, she was grinding her wet pussy on my knee while I was sitting on the sofa.

While I was waiting for Niko and Thirdcoast at GBP, I went outside to smoke a cigarette, three chicas were walking by on ave 27 de febrero, I gave one chica a smile and a wink and she called me down to chat. I told the chicas I was waiting for my friends who were having sex upstairs with some chicas, the chica gave me her number and asked me to meet her at super mercado nacional which is further down the street. I didn't call her or meet her.

After GBP, I drove Niko and Thirdcoast over to Cats on Ave Gustavo Mejia Ricart, but they open around 7pm and we were there around 6pm. We then drove to A-1 Divas on Ave. Nunez de Caceres, near avenida kennedy. The asian chica was there. The tall, dark, busty chica from Santiago was there. The tall busty chica did a strip show with a quickie lap dance and with her nipples in my mouth.

Niko had to get back to Zona Colonial to sanitize before meeting his novia and took a taxi. I stayed at A-1 for an hour with Thirdcoast. I exited and Thirdcoast stayed there.

I didn't ask the prices, but I am sure Thirdcoast has the prices for A-1 Divas. I took photos of the chicas at A-1 Divas and at Casa Azul.

I took Niko to Casa Azul one afternoon. I waited for him while he got his groove on with a cute chica in a room there. I was sitting on the sofa, a chica from Bani to my left and a busty 19 year old chica from la vega to my right. I bought them presidente cervezas. They were fighting each other as to which of them could stroke my dick over my pants. I had to laugh at that. One chica trying to take the other chica's hand off my dick and the other one not letting her.

I went to Bar 305 numerous times on different days. I stopped over on a Sunday night around 3 or 4am, after I had been drinking at the coppa discoteca. The front gate was locked and the inside bar was closed, but the security guys there opened the gate for me and I walked to the back yard where about 10 chicas were lounging outside. I chose a pretty light skin chica from san cristobal. Ronny one of the owners came over to me, told me the price and said he was leaving and that I could give the money to one of the security guys. I walked the chica backed to my apartment. Many of the chicas from bar 305 go to the small fried food place next to Mystik Hotel, around 4am.

The next time I went into bar 305 was midnight one night. The place was packed with chicas. I saw chicas who used to work at casa theresa, sky house and satin in bar 305. I saw one chica who I really liked, but I was surrounded by a group of about ten chicas who were trying to get my attention. I went back another night looking for that chica, but I didn't find her. That night some chica did a show with a candle and hot wax. She was dripping hot wax from the candle onto her pussy, all the the other chicas in 305 were going crazy when they saw that. I did see two policia nacional outside the front door one night.

I met Niko and the santo domingo newbie, Thirdcoast at bar 305 on Saturday afternoon around 1pm. The inside bar was closed, the backyard bar was open. Lots of clothes were hanging on the lines to dry and a chica was washing clothes using two large plastic containers filled with water and soap. There were about 5 chicas there in normal clothes. We were told many of the chicas were at the beach. Other days, I saw a few of the chicas from 305 a few times in normal clothes while walking on avenida independencia during the daytime.

There is a guy with a small sidewalk stand near bar 305 that sells the wooden birds like the one BQ Ribs bought, I'll post the photos shortly.

I met a dominican taxi driver near 305 and he was telling me about different casas. He told me that there is famous place located near to casa australia, 505 or pala something, I didn't understand him completely when he said the name of the place. He said the place is famous. I have never read about that place before.

Bar 305 has at least 30 chicas, all shapes, sizes and colors. Bar 305 does not take credit cards to pay for drinks or chicas.

It was all great fun.

Especially the Alamo incident LOL.

Casa Azul and GBP will get a return visit, plus in private the chicas gave me their number for private adventures.

Last night I took my novia and her family to the Acropolis cinema and watched Prince of Persia. They loved it and her blanca GF could not stop talking about Jao. Imagine that- you left a lasting impression Bud LOL.

Getting ready to check out in a bit and head back to USA for a few days before returning to the prehistoric Miserable East. First I need to make a leche deposito.

The best thing I loved here was the chicas all looked hot, were not wearing freaking burkas, all- especially non WG were friendly and approachable, and ahhhhhhhhhhhh the smell of a hygienically correct woman is marvelous- truly a Greeks Dee Lite.

Next time I will venture to Santiago and PP. I will look to finalize on a residence.

Thanks to Jao I am sold.

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]Remember the Alamo photo was the chevy aveo, I rented from Alamo, the night I got the flat tire in Zona Colonial, the sidewall had a v shaped gouge.

Niko did all the work changing that tire. Seems like the lug nuts were crazy glued on, very difficult time loosening those lug nuts. Niko is a big strong guy, he stood on the alamo supplied lug wrench with all his weight and those lug nuts on the tire would not loosen. Eventually the alamo supplied lug wrench just bent and was totally useless.

It was a lot of fun hanging out with Niko. Niko and I took a Santo Domingo newbie, Thirdcoast around for a tour on Saturday.

We went to GBP. The bartender told me that GBP opens at 2pm and closes around 11pm. GBP had a special, two chicas for 1500 pesos, one chica for 1000 pesos. Niko took one chica and Thirdcoast took two chicas, to the rooms in the back. Milka did a strip show and quickie lap dance, she was grinding her wet pussy on my knee while I was sitting on the sofa.

While I was waiting for Niko and Thirdcoast at GBP, I went outside to smoke a cigarette, three chicas were walking by on ave 27 de febrero, I gave one chica a smile and a wink and she called me down to chat. I told the chicas I was waiting for my friends who were having sex upstairs with some chicas, the chica gave me her number and asked me to meet her at super mercado nacional which is further down the street. I didn't call her or meet her.

After GBP, I drove Niko and Thirdcoast over to Cats on Ave Gustavo Mejia Ricart, but they open around 7pm and we were there around 6pm. We then drove to A-1 Divas on Ave. Nunez de Caceres, near avenida kennedy. The asian chica was there. The tall, dark, busty chica from Santiago was there. The tall busty chica did a strip show with a quickie lap dance and with her nipples in my mouth.

Niko had to get back to Zona Colonial to sanitize before meeting his novia and took a taxi. I stayed at A-1 for an hour with Thirdcoast. I exited and Thirdcoast stayed there.

I didn't ask the prices, but I am sure Thirdcoast has the prices for A-1 Divas. I took photos of the chicas at A-1 Divas and at Casa Azul.

I took Niko to Casa Azul one afternoon. I waited for him while he got his groove on with a cute chica in a room there. I was sitting on the sofa, a chica from Bani to my left and a busty 19 year old chica from la vega to my right. I bought them presidente cervezas. They were fighting each other as to which of them could stroke my dick over my pants. I had to laugh at that. One chica trying to take the other chica's hand off my dick and the other one not letting her.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]...We went to GBP. The bartender told me that GBP opens at 2pm and closes around 11pm. GBP had a special, two chicas for 1500 pesos, one chica for 1000 pesos...[/QUOTE]Those prices are better than the massage parlor "Dominican prices" from six-years ago!!! At US$20 a girl (at dupla rates), I could easily lose my head in that place.

BTW, thanks for the heads-up on the Palacio Hotel.

-Helpmann :)

[quote=greek niko]...they will give a special discount for code: isg just don't tell them what isg really means tell them niko from afghanistan recommended you.

i am paying $50. 00 per night with a balcony. queen bed, hi speed wi fi, safe in room, and my gf has no problems coming or going...[/quote]thanks greek niko! the penalba hotel info is exactly what i needed to make my conde hotel choice!

-helpmann :)

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]I took Cagep1967's advice and tried using the banco popular with Spanish as the language. ATM gave me money no problem. Put your card in the machine, choose Spanish as the language, enter your PIN number, then choose Retirado efectivo (efectivo means something like cash in your hands), then choose which account, I choose "Cuentas de Cheques", no problem getting 10,000 pesos from the Banco Popular machine in the V Centenario Hotel casino today.

Seems there is a problem with the Banco Popular ATM when I choose English as the language then try to get money from my checking account.[/QUOTE]
You might be onto something as my novia has a card for a sub-account on my Canadian account and she has no problem at the Banco Popular.

On the other hand I constantly see non spanish speaking tourists lined up at the Banco Popular atm in Sosua, cannot believe they all walk away empty handed

[QUOTE=Llttf]You might be onto something as my novia has a card for a sub-account on my Canadian account and she has no problem at the Banco Popular.

On the other hand I constantly see non spanish speaking tourists lined up at the Banco Popular atm in Sosua, cannot believe they all walk away empty handed[/QUOTE]The problem with the banco popular started for me within the last three months. The banco popular atm in the hotel v centenario casino is a newer machine.

As Cagep1967 suggested there probably is a glitch somewhere in the programming for users who choose English. I think the problem is that when I use English on the banco popular machines and then choose to withdraw cash from my checking account, I believe the ATM tries to get money from some other account like savings.

Generally there are more Banco Popular ATM machines throughout the Dom Rep, they are usually more modern and located in convenient places. I am glad that I can get money from them, saves me time from having to search around for other machines.

[QUOTE=Helpmann]Those prices are better than the massage parlor "Dominican prices" from six-years ago!!! At US$20 a girl (at dupla rates), I could easily lose my head in that place.

BTW, thanks for the heads-up on the Palacio Hotel.

-Helpmann :)[/QUOTE]From what Niko told me the air conditioning is very good at the hotel conde de penalbe. I just don't know what the situation is at hotel de penalbe, if you have a car. I don't know if they have secure parking.

Hotel Palacio is a nice hotel, all the other rooms I used at the Palacio the a/c was good. I reserved and paid for my first two nights at the palacio because the apartment on the malecon was not available those nights.

Customer service in Dom Rep is hit or miss, oftentimes it is a miss. Would have been nice if the chica at the front desk or the german manager guy said hello and welcome back, but they didn't. Appears they don't want my business. For a chica friendly hotel that has secure parking and that most chicas will be impressed with, the palacio is good for that, just don't stay in room 117.

Before checking into Hotel Palacio, I had been at Gran Paradise Massage where I was treated very nice by the owner who had just met me. After such good treatment at gran paradise massage, maybe I was expecting a little warmth and hospitality from hotel palacio, I didn't get it.

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]From what Niko told me the air conditioning is very good at the hotel de penalbe. I just don't know what the situation is at hotel de penalbe, if you have a car. I don't know if they have secure parking...[/QUOTE]Because of location, restaurant, and balcony view, Conde de Penalba had been my first choice Conde hotel. Nevertheless, two months ago, I ruled it out in favor of the Palacio. Because there wasn't enough information on the Penalba, the Palacio appeared to be the sure thing. After reading your trip report, I know that the Palacio is anything but a sure thing. That, Niko's trip report, and the fact that the cost of the Penalba is 50% less makes my decision much easier.

Once I get to DR, I'll have a couple of days to look into everything, including parking. The Hotel Conde de Penalba and the location remind me of the Florida Ave. apartment I stayed in while in Buenos Aires.

-Helpmann :)

The Hotel Conde de Penalba has 24 hour security on site just remember to tip the guard at least a couple of bucks US. Let him know what car you have and he will reserve a spot for you and keep an eye on it. On the side street is a bar thats packed at night so get his cell number and call when you are coming back and he will save a spot.

On the ATM issue I went to Intercontinental and Jaragua to use their machine in both English and Spanish to no avail. At Acropolis mall ScotiaBank ATM gave me $$$$$ in English. I watched the locals hit the same ATM in Spanish and everyone that used it got $$$$$

Find a Scotia ATM and you should be good to go, there is even one around the corner from Hotel Conde de Penalba.

[QUOTE=Helpmann]Because of location, restaurant, and balcony view, Conde de Penalba had been my first choice Conde hotel. Nevertheless, two months ago, I ruled it out in favor of the Palacio. Because there wasn't enough information on the Penalba, the Palacio appeared to be the sure thing. After reading your trip report, I know that the Palacio is anything but a sure thing. That, Niko's trip report, and the fact that the cost of the Penalba is 50% less makes my decision much easier.

Once I get to DR, I'll have a couple of days to look into everything, including parking. The Hotel Conde de Penalba and the location remind me of the Florida Ave. apartment I stayed in while in Buenos Aires.

-Helpmann :)[/QUOTE]