Puerto Plata

Two years ago was my first and only mongering trip to the Caribbean. I went to Curacao and had a great time. Dealing with the logistics was easy. I stayed at a legitimate dive resort and it was easy and cheap to call my SO in the states. The days were spent diving world class reefs and the evenings at the Campo. This year I thinking about trying the DR. I know the diving is only fair but the TLN concept appeals to me. Since I’ll be traveling alone and speak no Spanish a place like BB’s which spoon feeds it customers sounds like the way to go.

I have a couple of questions which hopefully someone can answer.

What is the cheapest and easiest way to call the states? I’ll have to check in with my SO on a daily bases. I’m also not sure how I will explain where I’ll be staying. Any suggestions on developing a alibi would be appreciated.

Anyone ever have stomach problems caused by the water, ice or food. I’m particular concerned about the ice. I like my booze on the rocks with a little water. Beer just does not make it for me.

The BB website lists diving as an activity but provides no info or a link. Can anyone recommend a dive shop and the easiest way to get to the shop/boat each morning?

[QUOTE=John from NJ]Two years ago was my first and only mongering trip to the Caribbean. I went to Curacao and had a great time. Dealing with the logistics was easy. I stayed at a legitimate dive resort and it was easy and cheap to call my SO in the states. The days were spent diving world class reefs and the evenings at the Campo. This year I thinking about trying the DR. I know the diving is only fair but the TLN concept appeals to me. Since I’ll be traveling alone and speak no Spanish a place like BB’s which spoon feeds it customers sounds like the way to go.

I have a couple of questions which hopefully someone can answer.

What is the cheapest and easiest way to call the states? I’ll have to check in with my SO on a daily bases. I’m also not sure how I will explain where I’ll be staying. Any suggestions on developing a alibi would be appreciated.

Anyone ever have stomach problems caused by the water, ice or food. I’m particular concerned about the ice. I like my booze on the rocks with a little water. Beer just does not make it for me.

The BB website lists diving as an activity but provides no info or a link. Can anyone recommend a dive shop and the easiest way to get to the shop/boat each morning?[/QUOTE]

If you get a local cell phone in the DR, a call to the US is the same price as a local call, which is kind of expensive. To conceal the number you are calling from you might want to open an account with a service like Tel3 by which you prepay for a certain amount of calls ($25). From the DR you then call a Tel3 access number in an area where you want to seem to be, and when the call goes through to her it won't show the DR number you are calling from.

Or you can buy calling cards in the DR and use them the same way from any phone. Or you can call quite cheaply from phone call centers (like Internet cafes only with phones.)

Of course, she can't call you back with any of these.

You can buy bottles of water, same as in the US. Don't drink tap water. The ice should be made from boiled water (gelo hervido), but make sure first. Also use the bottled water to brush your teeth.

I don't know what diving is available around Costambar. I think not much, but maybe I am wrong. Sosua has several dive shops. You can write to BB, and they may give you some information or e-mail addresses.

Tell you SO that you are diving, but omit all mention of muff. That should fool her.

[QUOTE=John from NJ]Two years ago was my first and only mongering trip to the Caribbean. I went to Curacao and had a great time. Dealing with the logistics was easy. I stayed at a legitimate dive resort and it was easy and cheap to call my SO in the states. The days were spent diving world class reefs and the evenings at the Campo. This year I thinking about trying the DR. I know the diving is only fair but the TLN concept appeals to me. Since I’ll be traveling alone and speak no Spanish a place like BB’s which spoon feeds it customers sounds like the way to go.

I have a couple of questions which hopefully someone can answer.

What is the cheapest and easiest way to call the states? I’ll have to check in with my SO on a daily bases. I’m also not sure how I will explain where I’ll be staying. Any suggestions on developing a alibi would be appreciated.

Anyone ever have stomach problems caused by the water, ice or food. I’m particular concerned about the ice. I like my booze on the rocks with a little water. Beer just does not make it for me.

The BB website lists diving as an activity but provides no info or a link. Can anyone recommend a dive shop and the easiest way to get to the shop/boat each morning?[/QUOTE][QUOTE=John from NJ]Two years ago was my first and only mongering trip to the Caribbean. I went to Curacao and had a great time. Dealing with the logistics was easy. I stayed at a legitimate dive resort and it was easy and cheap to call my SO in the states. The days were spent diving world class reefs and the evenings at the Campo. This year I thinking about trying the DR. I know the diving is only fair but the TLN concept appeals to me. Since I’ll be traveling alone and speak no Spanish a place like BB’s which spoon feeds it customers sounds like the way to go.

I have a couple of questions which hopefully someone can answer.

What is the cheapest and easiest way to call the states? I’ll have to check in with my SO on a daily bases. I’m also not sure how I will explain where I’ll be staying. Any suggestions on developing a alibi would be appreciated.

Anyone ever have stomach problems caused by the water, ice or food. I’m particular concerned about the ice. I like my booze on the rocks with a little water. Beer just does not make it for me.

The BB website lists diving as an activity but provides no info or a link. Can anyone recommend a dive shop and the easiest way to get to the shop/boat each morning?[/QUOTE]I have travelled with guys in your shoes. You can always say you are renting a condo or villa. You can even visit a condo or villa that are for rent near BB and take some photos. Most condos and villas don't have telephones. I know in Sosua they have call centers where guys call home. You are forced to use the call centers (the excuse) because the condo or villa does not have a telephone, and where you are staying you get no cellular service on your cell from the states. Doesn't matter what number appears from the call center, if your SO calls back I doubt anyone will answer at the call center. A call center is a business with maybe five or more telephones, usually each phone is in a small open booth. You choose a booth and make your calls, when you are finished, you pay for the call with the person who works there. Call centers are cheap in Dom Rep, maybe a few dollars for a 20 minute or more conversation with someone in the states.

I believe BB is in cabrera or someplace close to there. In Google do a search for condo or villa rentals in Puerto Plata. The search results will show you sites with at least 10 rental properties near where Blackbeards is located. You can always show your SO the search results, so she has an idea where she believes you will be staying. You will pay in cash, so that if your SO checks your bank statements, then you have an excuse for the condo or villa rental not appearing on your bank statement. You can always say that you are leary of using your credit card in Dom Rep.

I had a super jeaolous ex-novia here in New York, she would check everything.

I don't know blackbeards, but I would imagine they would have a call center close by. If not, I am sure a short taxi ride could get you to one. Your cell phone from the states may work there, but roaming is expensive and I doubt you want your SO to be calling you, when you might be busy. Or you can say that the service on your cellular is terrible and you only get service while standing far away from your condo or villa and you can say you are calling her from a location not close to the condo, I think its best if you use the call centers. You can always activate a Dominican cell phone and call with that and tell your SO, that the guy who rented you the villa or condo lets you use his cell everyday to make your call home. With that option you would have to keep a close eye on the cell and be careful when you answer the cell.

Take some immodium or pepto bismol (over the counter) with you. I have been to the Dom Rep close to 20 times. Had diarrea only a few times. I dont think you will have any problems with the ice. I have drunk/drank plenty of coca colas with ice. Mixed drinks with alcohol would probably kill anything.

I never drink the tap water and usually rinse my toothbrush and mouth with bottled water and listerine.

You can always do some touristy things near blackbeards, beach, go diving, visit the mountain with the Jesus statue (Mt. Isabela). Take photos at the touristy spots so that you can say that is how you passed your time.

One thing that always worries me a little, is that I am sure there are some clever women out there, who may read these boards.

[QUOTE=John from NJ]Two years ago was my first and only mongering trip to the Caribbean. I went to Curacao and had a great time. Dealing with the logistics was easy. I stayed at a legitimate dive resort and it was easy and cheap to call my SO in the states. The days were spent diving world class reefs and the evenings at the Campo. This year I thinking about trying the DR. I know the diving is only fair but the TLN concept appeals to me. Since I’ll be traveling alone and speak no Spanish a place like BB’s which spoon feeds it customers sounds like the way to go.

I have a couple of questions which hopefully someone can answer.

What is the cheapest and easiest way to call the states? I’ll have to check in with my SO on a daily bases. I’m also not sure how I will explain where I’ll be staying. Any suggestions on developing a alibi would be appreciated.

Anyone ever have stomach problems caused by the water, ice or food. I’m particular concerned about the ice. I like my booze on the rocks with a little water. Beer just does not make it for me.

The BB website lists diving as an activity but provides no info or a link. Can anyone recommend a dive shop and the easiest way to get to the shop/boat each morning?[/QUOTE]


I've made over 500 dives but none in the DR. If your lucky 40' to 50 ' vis and burned out reefs. Take your own regulator and mask, I heard there equipment is ancient. A taxi to and from Sosua,2 tank dive maybe 150.00 to 175.00.
[url]www.dolphindivecenter.com[/url]

[QUOTE=John from NJ]
Anyone ever have stomach problems caused by the water, ice or food. I’m particular concerned about the ice. I like my booze on the rocks with a little water. Beer just does not make it for me.
[/QUOTE]

I cannot speak for everyone else but while at BB's I used water from the sink to brush my teeth and the rum punches (like you I do not drink beer either) and orange juice with my breakfast always had ice in it. We also had buckets of ice with our rum and pineapple juice while at Classico's in Sosua.

None of us ever fell sick. Not even the chicas who drank with us...

[QUOTE=John from NJ]...I have a couple of questions which hopefully someone can answer.

Anyone ever have stomach problems caused by the water, ice or food. I’m particular concerned about the ice. I like my booze on the rocks with a little water. Beer just does not make it for me....[/QUOTE]

I have been there multiple times and never had any problem with ice in the drinks or the water used for the different punches they have there. The first couple times I was at BBs I used the bottled water in the mini-fridge to brush my teeth, but I have used just tap water the last several times down with no problems.

I may be wrong, but I recall having a conversation with either David or Tim a while back and they told me all the water was treated throughout the hotel. I would not trust anyplace that does not look very substantial on ice and water outside the BBs compound. By this I mean those little restaurants and bars that "pop up" here and there and you definitely question their "health standards".

I had ice and water at Solo Mia's, Atlantic One and L'oase in Costambar, as well as Las Tres Coco's and felt comfortable with things. I have visited some "restaurants" on the beach and in Pueto Plata I would not touch anything to drink but what comes in a bottle (cervesa, coke, etc.).

I've never been to BBs, but have been to a hotel in Cabarete a couple of times. I used bag ice all the time, and brushed my teeth with bottled water.

On one of my trips the water from the tap turned brown and smelly one day, and didn't clear up for two more days. Of course I wasn't drinking it, but it wasn't pleasant to shower in.

The reason for the brown water was that there had been storms for a few days, which delayed the water trucks. Apparently the whole resort complex drew water from a cistern which needed to be filled every week or so by water trucks. When the trucks didn't arrive the pumps started to draw up the dirty sludge at the bottom of the cistern. A few days later the trucks arrived and the water was clear again, but it sure didn't make me want to drink from the tap. I know that the same thing would happen anywhere water came from a well or cistern that ran dry, but I couldn't get the idea of that brown water out of my head.

[QUOTE=
Anyone ever have stomach problems caused by the water, ice or food. I’m particular concerned about the ice. I like my booze on the rocks with a little water. Beer just does not make it for me.
QUOTE]

I would buy bottled water at Jenny's in Costambar.
Never had any trouble with the ice, etc., but I don't believe the tap water is suitable for drinking. Even when I've used it for brushing, I would rinse my mouth afterward with some bottled water.
It was a few years ago that one of the managers recommended avoiding the water. I don't believe the water supply has changed since.

[QUOTE=John from NJ]Two years ago was my first and only mongering trip to the Caribbean. I went to Curacao and had a great time. Dealing with the logistics was easy. I stayed at a legitimate dive resort and it was easy and cheap to call my SO in the states. The days were spent diving world class reefs and the evenings at the Campo. This year I thinking about trying the DR. I know the diving is only fair but the TLN concept appeals to me. Since I’ll be traveling alone and speak no Spanish a place like BB’s which spoon feeds it customers sounds like the way to go.

I have a couple of questions which hopefully someone can answer.

What is the cheapest and easiest way to call the states? I’ll have to check in with my SO on a daily bases. I’m also not sure how I will explain where I’ll be staying. Any suggestions on developing a alibi would be appreciated.

Anyone ever have stomach problems caused by the water, ice or food. I’m particular concerned about the ice. I like my booze on the rocks with a little water. Beer just does not make it for me.

The BB website lists diving as an activity but provides no info or a link. Can anyone recommend a dive shop and the easiest way to get to the shop/boat each morning?[/QUOTE]

I have gone diving while staying at BB's several times in the past. They use a dive operator in Cofresi which is run by a German couple so is pretty good standards. If you do that they pick you up at BB. Agree you should bring your own equipment however. The best diving is off Sosua which is only so so. A wreck called Zingara at 100ft is interesting but otherwise reefs are pretty burnt out. The dive boats suck as just outboards and hard to get in and out of. But diving not to far offshore.

[QUOTE=Anyone ever have stomach problems caused by the water, ice or food. I’m particular concerned about the ice. I like my booze on the rocks with a little water. Beer just does not make it for me.
[/QUOTE]

I am surprised I am the only one speaking up here.

Everytime I go down there I get the "squirts" after about 7 days. I dont drink the water that I know about. That is, I brush my teeth with the tap water, I drink the restaurant water as a side beverage supposedly bottled and containing ice cubes made from "who knows what". Others I have been down there with have reported the same thing.

The condition clears itself up after returning to the states in about 2 days.

[QUOTE=Ehunter]I am surprised I am the only one speaking up here.

Everytime I go down there I get the "squirts" after about 7 days. I dont drink the water that I know about. That is, I brush my teeth with the tap water, I drink the restaurant water as a side beverage supposedly bottled and containing ice cubes made from "who knows what". Others I have been down there with have reported the same thing.

The condition clears itself up after returning to the states in about 2 days.[/QUOTE]I get the same thing too, I have been down there about 8 times now, gotta bring that PEPTO! Also a key to everyone who has this problem, bring pepto with you take it once or twice a day before you even start having the squirts it helps a lot.

[QUOTE=Ehunter]I am surprised I am the only one speaking up here.

Everytime I go down there I get the "squirts" after about 7 days. I dont drink the water that I know about. That is, I brush my teeth with the tap water, I drink the restaurant water as a side beverage supposedly bottled and containing ice cubes made from "who knows what". Others I have been down there with have reported the same thing.

The condition clears itself up after returning to the states in about 2 days.[/QUOTE]It's funny, I have been doing as I do at home. I drink the water clean my teeth with it, wash in it. I go to the restaurants a never think about the icecubes. I used to think of it, but I have never had a problem. In el campo I always drank bottled beverages. I can see some hotels water is better than others, and by no means am I suggesting to drink tap water. What I say is be leery of food left out for a time. And follow a protocol as far as drinking something in general.

[QUOTE=Ehunter]I am surprised I am the only one speaking up here.

Everytime I go down there I get the "squirts" after about 7 days. I dont drink the water that I know about. That is, I brush my teeth with the tap water, I drink the restaurant water as a side beverage supposedly bottled and containing ice cubes made from "who knows what". Others I have been down there with have reported the same thing.

The condition clears itself up after returning to the states in about 2 days.[/QUOTE]My last trip to the DR I had been there about three weeks and then I contracted the "revenge" lasted the rest of my stay, another week. When I got back home I had to take Cipro for two weeks before I got over it.

Good heads up on the water guys, I appreciate that. The last thing you want on a trip is to squirt cocoa all day. Hopefully I will be embarking on my first trip to DR and BB in May, just wondering how much cash I should have on deck for my room and food and resort "activities". I know I have other posts with this similar questions, and I have searched, but I didn't find any clear answers. BTW getting away for just a long weekend, Thursday. Sunday. Let me know how much you've brought on similar trips.

Thanx,

Bond

Many moons ago on my first trip I was sidelined with the "squirts". After my trip when I was leaving POP airport, there was a sign in English which read, "Do not ingest water, fruits or vegetables. Mind you, there was no sign as I entered the country and these days, there are no signs or warnings at all.

D. R. Tap water or crap water as I like to call it is bad, bad, bad for a gringo's tummy. Lots of third world bacteria and parasites. Fruits and vegetables are washed in tap water. Moi Mia restaurant in sosua is expensive because they import their greens from Florida.

The first spanish words I learned were "sin helo"(no ice/without ice). Ice or no ice doesn't matter when your drinks are watered down.

To protect your ASSets, go to GNC or local health food store and pick up Acidophiles. This is the natural healthy bacteria found in your bunghole. The refrigerated one is strongest without a prescription. Take them one week before your trip, during, and one week after your trip.

Those of you who read or watch the news know the F. D. A. Found walmart bottled water to be filtered tap water. What da heck do you think is in d. R. Bottle water. Read the label, stick to Agua Purificada, this is distilled water. Avoid waters labeled bottled water or natural spring water. There are no snowy mountain tops in D. R. And there is no F. D. A. Either. YOYO (You're On Your Own) and BYOBB (Bring Your Own Brown Bag) apply

Funny how guys won't drink the water but will gobble mouthfuls of sosewer pussie.

Thanx 4 listening

The Catfish Hunter