February 16th, 2021 The Caribbean

This was a short and sweet trip. Dominica Republic was a decent locale for beginners. Saint Lucia stay ranks the highest and the island of choice in this locale. 

February 16th, 2021 Financials

I spent 904.90 USD on this trip. I would say since it is figuring to be under 500 USD per country, it is a decent spending per buck. Haiti and Dominica Republic are relatively cheap. Dominica Republic is much more developed and a more suitable destination for vacation.

January 25th, 2021 Los Angeles, California to Phoenix, Arizona

5PM After grabbing some sushi from Sugarfish, I went to my 1 year orthodontist appointment. We did not make any changes and I then returned my car.

8PM I checked in after spending a couple of hours in the Delta Lounge using AMEX Platinum. I arrived at 10:30 or so and drove 2 hours back to Tucson.

January 24th, 2021 Port-au-Prince, Haiti to Los Angeles, California

5AM I woke and took off to see the Cathedral again. I got to it but could not find a way in. There was people armed with cars with smashed windows and barricades. I quickly made it out of there. I made a 4 USD deal with the driver from yesterday but he could not pick up his phone in time. I found another motor bike driver to take me the airport for 3 USD.

Park Hotel

Local prison

9AM The wait was long, about 2 hours to get my ticket from the check in counter. The plane was full and it took off almost 40 minutes late for Fort Lauderdale. I had lunch there and then arrived at LAX at midnight. I stayed in terminal 5 and rented a car from NU car rental.

January 23rd, 2021 Santo Domingo, Dominica Republic to Port-au-Prince, Haiti

5AM I took an Uber to the airport. I met Maud, who working for an NGO in Haiti. She informed me that downtown, where I was staying at, was not safe and recommended me to go to Petion Ville instead. My flight was supposed to leave at 7:50AM but did not until 30 minutes later. 

8AM We arrived in less than an hour and Haiti was also behind by an hour. I then took a 10 USD taxi to Park Hotel, which was this very old and quaint hotel built 100 years ago. I then took a motorbike to Petion Ville. I definitely overpaid at 5 USD. I had a Mocha frappe and then had some skewered shrimp at Le Coin des Artistes. I paid 4 USD to back but likely could have gotten away with less. I did get the motorbike to pass by the Sainte Anne Church and then the Notre Dame Cathedral ruins. It was closed. I was determined the following morning.

Church in front of Place Saint-Pierre

Le Coin des Artistes

10PM Air conditioning did work in the room but was off for most of the night. There was also a mosquito that bothered me all night.

January 22nd, 2021 Santo Domingo, Dominica Republic

 9AM I left for Boca Chica, a smaller beach area near Santo Domingo.

10AM I arrived and strolled around for 30 minutes before leaving for lunch.

11:30AM I arrived at Sully. The lobster was decent but not as good as the ones from Jellyfish yesterday. It looked better though but I don't think it was as fresh.

1PM I returned my car and took a taxi back to old town. I returned at around 3PM. All four locations, Alcazar de Colon, Museum of the Royal Houses, Fortaleza Ozama, and Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación were closed. There was not much time before 5PM, when everything had to be closed. I had a paleta ice cream. Since I could not go into any of the locations, it was much faster to photograph the sights. I returned at around 5:30PM. I got the change perfect again for the money I owe to Hotel Jade, 9 USD and 163 DOP for the 11.84 USD that I owe. I did have to go look for change for an hour because they ran out the singles. They forgive me for the water. I was willing to pay for using credit card.

   Paleta ice cream

Last game before curfew

8PM I went to bed.

January 21st, 2021 Santo Domingo, Dominica Republic

10AM I woke up and started my 3 hour drive to Punta Cana, a beach town on the easternmost coast of Dominica Republic.

2PM I arrived and ordered a lobster and a Pina Colada at Jellyfish Restaurant. It was decent and there are some nice restaurants, beach hotel and resorts here. After an hour here, I started driving back toward Santo Domingo. The battery was low by midway. I was on the phone with Paoula. I had to charge it for 30 minutes at the restaurant in the gas station.

Jellyfish Restaurant

Resort at Punta Cana

Charging at pole

7:30PM It was difficult to get through the rain. I had to get off the phone to conserve battery. I arrived at around 7:30PM and went to bed thereafter.

January 20th, 2021 New York City, New York to Santo Domingo, Dominica Republic

7AM I left pretty early to return my car at Newark. I then took a train all the way back to JFK. I stayed at American Express Lounge. It was new and even had a little area in the back they made and called it a speakeasy.

American Express Centurion Lounge

11:30AM My flight took off for Santo Domingo.

4PM My flight arrived and I rented a car from Avis Budget and drove to the hotel. Everything was closed as they enforced a curfew with a hefty fine and possible jail time. I bought 2 sodas at Hotel Colonial. I parked the car right next to Hotel Jade and took a room and went to sleep at 9PM.

Imposed curfew at Santa Domingo