General Info

[QUOTE=Frannie;1539138]Not specifically, but there are a number of stores in Puerto Plata that I have seen when driving around that claim to offer this service. Cost and so on may depend on the type of phone, but I don't think you would pay more than 1000 pesos.][/QUOTE]Thanks for the info. I got one HTC unlocked here by buying the code on the internet : cost me about $10. But I am also looking at a Samsung galaxy S and I can't find anything for less than $30. Kind of stupid when the phone is about $100 but perhaps the brand has its suckers as usual. No Samsung for me in future just like I avoid the Apple syndrome like the plague.

[QUOTE=Tempoecorto;1540451]Thanks for the info. I got one HTC unlocked here by buying the code on the internet : cost me about $10. But I am also looking at a Samsung galaxy S and I can't find anything for less than $30. Kind of stupid when the phone is about $100 but perhaps the brand has its suckers as usual. No Samsung for me in future just like I avoid the Apple syndrome like the plague.[/QUOTE]If anyone is interested, you can now get the unlocked Nokia 520 Windows phone NEW for only $100 on Amazon.

[url]http://www.amazon.com/Nokia-Lumia-Unlocked-Windows-Phone/dp/B00CKUBLFQ[/url]

This is a pretty good deal and includes the following features (I have one, so I know).

Pros:

1. Removable battery. Replacement battery is about $5. (Can't do this with I-Phone.)

2. Removable memory card. You can add up to 64GB of memory. (Can't do this with I-Phone.)

3. Can be used as a wifi hotspot for other devices like tablet or notebook computer if you have data service. (Can't do this with I-Phone.)

4. Can be used as a wi-fi receiving device any place there is wi-fi.

5. Includes free Nokia maps and navigation. The maps can be downloaded onto the phone and used without a phone connection. This includes maps of the DR. Obviously you need an active GPS signal to use the turn-by-turn directions.

6. Excellent call quality.

7. Easy cut-and-paste transfer of any mp3 music or photos from PC in either direction. (Can't do this with I-Phone.)

7. Can use with ATT or StraightTalk in the US, works with Orange and Claro in the DR.

8. Charges with any mini USB connector. (Can't do this with I-Phone.)

9. Has free music from Nokia (with data or wi-fi connection) so your chica can download her favorite hits or YouTube videos for free any place there is wi-fi. You can also download playlists from Nokia and play them on the phone when offline.

10. If you plug in headphones to use as an antenna, the phone will also act as a digital FM radio tuner.

Cons:

1. Only has back facing camera, so you can use it with Skype, but it is a bit awkward as you have to choose whether you see the person you are calling, or they see you, but not both at the same time. However the 5 megapixel camera is OK and comes with some neat Nokia software for improving pictures, for example one where the camera takes 5 pictures in sequence, and you can choose the best one, or another in which you can take selfies and then improve your appearance, for example making your teeth whiter, eyes bigger, etc. (You know your chica will like this one!)

2. Does not have flash for camera.

3. Battery life is a bit short when using it as a wi-fi router or with wi-fi receiver turned on.

4. Some people say the Windows store does not have enough apps, but I have found it has enough not to be an issue. It has Skype, Whatsapp, Instagram, YouTube, FayBoo, Adobe Acrobat, Tune-In Radio, Amazon, Wikipedia, Cheap-O-Air, etc. It does not have Amazon Cloud Player, Google Translate (but Bing translate is a fine alternative). It does not have my credit union or my brokerage, but you can use the mobile internet sites, so not really a problem. Apart from that, the Windows phone operating system is fine and fun to use.

So why spend $70 for a used phone and $30 to unlock it when you can get a very decent unlocked phone new for the same money and get the free maps and music?

You can also get the same phone from AT&T locked as a Go-Phone for about $70 and AT&T will give you the unlock code for free after 3 months.

I know this sounds like a commercial, but how often do you find a product that really works well and seems to offer better value than the competition.

[QUOTE=Frannie; 1540771]If anyone is interested, you can now get the unlocked Nokia 520 Windows phone NEW for only $100 on Amazon.

3. Can be used as a wifi hotspot for other devices like tablet or notebook computer if you have data service. (Can't do this with I-Phone.) [/QUOTE]Not true, at least since the iPhone 4S.

[QUOTE=Jooks;1540780]Not true, at least since the iPhone 4S.[/QUOTE]Sorry, you are correct.

Anyway the current version of the iPhone is $579 unlocked on Amazon versus $100 for the Nokia 520 unlocked.

With the new four lane freeway between Punta Cana and Boca Chica / SDQ does anybody have any ideal how long it now takes to drive between the two locations? When I was last in Punta Cana it was two lane roads most of the way.

I have a 2:00 PM flight out of SDQ and trying to figure out if I want to leave from Punta Cana in the morning or stay the last night in Boca Chica and not have to get up early.

Thanks

[QUOTE=Bogiemaker; 1541231]With the new four lane freeway between Punta Cana and Boca Chica / SDQ does anybody have any ideal how long it now takes to drive between the two locations? When I was last in Punta Cana it was two lane roads most of the way.

I have a 2:00 PM flight out of SDQ and trying to figure out if I want to leave from Punta Cana in the morning or stay the last night in Boca Chica and not have to get up early.[/QUOTE]1 hour 40 minutes. The four lane freeway does not go the entire way unless they have finished building it since the last time I went through there. You had to get off and go through La Romana before you could get back on where that big pretty bridge is. If your flight is at 2, I would leave Punta Cana at 10. That will give you just enough time to turn the car in (I always stop and get gas at the station in Boca Chica that has the Burger King. Shell or Exxon (Esso) I think it is.), get checked in for your flight, and make it through security and immigration.

I was promptly banned for 6 months! I think by Why Nobody Likes Him and OK'd by Jimmy DR! BTW, My Doc feels that I have won my about with Prostate Cancer!

Hi Guys, I've been browsing this website and noticed many of the girls have inaccurate weight and cup sizes. They usually list themselves as much heavier and not as busty as their photos depict. Anyways I'm curious as to your success rates with meeting these girls. Thanks.

The only information that is important is the picture most girls have translation problem s o Go for it.

QUOTE=D Cups; 1546615]Hi Guys, I've been browsing this website and noticed many of the girls have inaccurate weight and cup sizes. They usually list themselves as much heavier and not as busty as their photos depict. Anyways I'm curious as to your success rates with meeting these girls. Thanks.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=OldKool;1546960]The only information that is important is the picture most girls have translation problem s o Go for it.[/QUOTE]Dude there is no translation problem. The site is in Spanish for them. Most are just stupid/uneducated. If you know Spanish then you can tell the difference right off when talking/chatting to them or even just reading what they wrote in their profile.

No need to fear D-Cups. I have one with me right now. She didn't know she was going to stay last night so didn't bring daytime clothes. We are on the way to her house now. She is going to cook for me.

I have a new chick that I met in Santiago. She is a law school student. Yesterday my allergies started acting up. We were at her house so she gave me one of her Lortadine tablets. It worked damn good. I told her that I wanted to buy some today since allergy season is about to hit in the southern USA where I'm from.

We went to one pharmacy in downtown Santiago and the lady said 40 pesos each. She told her to just give us one (at the same time she told me to hush up). When we left she said she could get it much cheaper at the university. When we got there she took 200 pesos from me. She ran in but shortly returned. She said they were out of them. We went to another branch close by and this time she only took 100 pesos inside with her. She came back with a box of 100 and 65 pesos change.

The point is if you need prescription/over the counter drugs then and if you have any friends that are university students, then get them to buy them for you at school for much cheaper than a regular pharmacy.

Can anyone comment on the road that takes one from San Francisco de Macoris to the North Coast (at Gasper Hernandez) via Tenares? Google map is showing some strange routing on checking directions and I was wondering if the road condition is comparable to the one at Luperon that brings you to Sosua across the mountain from Santiago.

Thanks in advance!

This is a perennial topic regarding cell phone usage, roaming etc, but one factor is that wi-fi is rapidly improving in the DR with the advent of 4g services, and if you have a smartphone or tablet or notebook computer with Skype you may not need a phone at all for a short visit.

Here's how it works. You can buy calling time in $10 units from Skype with which you can call the US or Dominican cell phones or fixed phones. The rate in minutes varies depending on the type of phone you are calling to, but the rates are discounted and very reasonable.

Now you can call numbers both in the US and the DR. You can also get a free North American number from Skype at which Dominicans can call you. It is an international call for them, but cost the same as a local call, and of course you can call them back after less than a minute of charges.

In the DR wi-fi is available free in many strategic locations such as airports, Caribe Tours bus stations, hotels and rental apartments, and restaurants and bars, so this may be all the average monger needs on a short visit.

Obviously there are some gaps in the service and you cannot send or receive calls while in a taxi or rental car, but it is certainly a useful and economical alternative to getting a DR cell phone or signing up for overseas roaming charges with a US provider. I was able to use it from my balcony to call a chica cell phone in the kitchen to send me a glass of water, so the potential is infinite.

In the past Skype calling was pretty unreliable, but with improving wi-fi and wireless in the DR it is becoming mor useful now.

[QUOTE=Frannie; 1549203]This is a perennial topic regarding cell phone usage, roaming etc, but one factor is that wi-fi is rapidly improving in the DR with the advent of 4g services, and if you have a smartphone or tablet or notebook computer with Skype you may not need a phone at all for a short visit.

Here's how it works. You can buy calling time in $10 units from Skype with which you can call the US or Dominican cell phones or fixed phones. The rate in minutes varies depending on the type of phone you are calling to, but the rates are discounted and very reasonable.

Now you can call numbers both in the US and the DR. You can also get a free North American number from Skype at which Dominicans can call you. It is an international call for them, but cost the same as a local call, and of course you can call them back after less than a minute of charges.

In the DR wi-fi is available free in many strategic locations such as airports, Caribe Tours bus stations, hotels and rental apartments, and restaurants and bars, so this may be all the average monger needs on a short visit.

Obviously there are some gaps in the service and you cannot send or receive calls while in a taxi or rental car, but it is certainly a useful and economical alternative to getting a DR cell phone or signing up for overseas roaming charges with a US provider. I was able to use it from my balcony to call a chica cell phone in the kitchen to send me a glass of water, so the potential is infinite.

In the past Skype calling was pretty unreliable, but with improving wi-fi and wireless in the DR it is becoming mor useful now.[/QUOTE]A question I have been asked by PM is how you can be sure your smart phone Skype app is connecting via (free) wifi and not by (expensive) roaming cellular data. What is the default for Skype? For example if you are with AT&T, your phone will automatically connect to Claro, so how can you be sure you are not racking up expensive roaming data.

Here is the solution.

To turn off cellular data and cellular call roaming altogether, put your phone into "airplane" mode on your flight. This shuts off wifi, bluetooth, cellular calls and data, all of it. Now when you arrive, keep your phone in airplane mode, but activate wi-fi via your control panel, but do not activate cellular data. Now you are good to go.

Another way of making sure Skype is using wi-fi data is to check that you are connected to a wi-fi data source. Skype has no default data connection, but wi-fi and cellular data cannot both be turned on at the same time, so if you have a wi-fi connection, you cannot have a cellular data connection at the same time.

[QUOTE=Tempoecorto; 1548049]Can anyone comment on the road that takes one from San Francisco de Macoris to the North Coast (at Gasper Hernandez) via Tenares? Google map is showing some strange routing on checking directions and I was wondering if the road condition is comparable to the one at Luperon that brings you to Sosua across the mountain from Santiago.

Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]I don't know for sure. My downloaded Nokia map of the DR shows it as a road described as a "careterra" all the way, so it should be good enough. The route directions just show the one road to Tenares and a right turn at Tenares. However the road does change its NAME several times along the way, and I wonder if that is the problem. Like in North Florida FL Hwy 228 also calls itself 5th Street, and also calls itself the Korean War Memorial Hwy. (You'd think the Korean War was best forgotten, but then I am not a road namer.)

The problem with maps is that we don't know which company has the most up-to-date maps. Nokia provided a 48. 2 megabyte update to its DR map in September 2013.

[url]http://here.com/directions/drive/Gaspar_Hern[/url]%C3%A1ndez, _Dominican_Republic%5B19. 62653-70. 2789%5D / San_Francisco_de_Macor%C3%ADs, _Dominican_Republic%5B19. 29783-70. 25314%5D/ata79afc8d3ff753307872c30fb9b449ea / map=19. 4621791-70. 1781267, 11, 0.0, normal. Day