Cabarete for the remainder

Cabarete for the remainder

This is my forth time here or something, whose counting? It was easy to talk Tamara into spending our last two weeks in the country here in this location. Our volunteer friend Lindsey joined us for the first two nights. This time around we tried two new places for accommodations. The first hotel had small, but nicely managed studios and the tastiest breakfast restaurant in town. Claro is run by Sandy, a German living in Cabarete with her husband from New York. The quiche, coffee, omelets, and fruit plates are uber good.

Tamara, Lindsey, and I stayed with another volunteer and her mom and sister at their rental house in Puerta Plata nearby for the third night. The house was really kick ass. Tamara and I stayed in the third level, cupola room. It had good views of the ocean and its own bathroom and balcony. Hands down this was my favorite place that I’ve stayed here in the DR. The house only cost Amanda’s mom $125 nightly, a good rate for a 4 bedroom house so near the beach, and includes a pool and a maid who comes to cook breakfast daily. That night we did chips, dips, pizza and I enjoyed the political conversation more than the wedding topics with the 5 ladies.

I’m now at a place called Wind Chimes, located across the street from the beach, where we’ve found the best deal with some searching. I paid $250 for two weeks lodging in a poolside studio. The room has A/C which is necessary up here on the second level under this hot tin roof. Only complaints are a fierce ant population and crappy internet connection.

The wind is not what I had hoped for. I’ve had I think 5 days of kitesurfing here in 25 days total, which works out to 20% of days with good wind. My experience here in the spot is far under what they claim for 50% windy days December through May. I won’t see June, July, or August here, when the statistic reads 100% days with enough wind. I’ve pacified myself with the surfing on some days, running and swimming on some others.

The other entertainment I’ve had good access to here above anywhere else in the country is Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage. The Canadian owned sports bar on the beach plays ice hockey on at least three of the six TV’s whenever a game is on. I like that I’m watching my favorite team, the Boston Bruins, in their cup bid from a beach in the Caribbean. Round three of the playoffs starts Saturday, and tonight Ill watch game 7 of the Detroit Red Wings vs. San Jose Sharks series. I’m rooting for Detroit, I always like to see a team who starts the series down 3 games come back and win the last 4 to move up to the next round. My guess is that Boston will play Vancouver in the final game, and I hope I see Boston take the trophy.