Aparthotel Residencia Del Paseo Las Terrenas

After Shen's disappointing attempt at surfing Thursday morning, we decided to head to Cabrera, a relatively small town not far from Playa Grande. Through my work with HSI, I know an English woman who lives there and runs Animal Balance, an NGO that brings veterinary services to island dogs around the world. She does tremendous work, and her impact was quite apparent in Playa Grande, where the dogs are friendly, well-fed, and free of the myriad diseases ...

Our good luck with the guaguas continued, or maybe they're just good here. Our trek to Rio San Juan required four buses, and we weren't really sure of the route, but we made it quickly and with no complications. We headed straight for a hotel listed in the guidebook that sounded great, but we had heard different prices from different people. When we walked in, we both said, Oh no, this doesn't look like a place ...

... lots of energy, to say the least. I would like to propose a couple of projects to get it going in a more productive direction though sometimes! 3) My Brigada Verde (environment youth group) has become more motivated since returned from the regional conference last weekend. The Yaritza, Massiel and Ileidy, the three girls who attended the conference, gave a charla (presentation) during our ...

This weekend I travelled with six other girls to the Samaná peninsula. We arrived Friday afternoon and it poured down rain for the rest of the night. We also had an hour-long debate about which hotel to stay at because our original plans turned out to be much more expensive. But we ended up at a fairly nice place right on the beach. To my surprise there are a lot of businesses run by foreigners in ...

... common to most. But, as the Dominican Republic deals with growing pains of a swelling population, changing economy, and movement away from agriculture and jobs working with one's hands, I believe it is important to reinforce and model these important skills of self-sufficiency and good nutrition. All in all, I feel like my work here is valuable and that there is potential to make small difference in someone's life. I am fulfilled ...

... national pride. Of course, despite the current trend to demonize and villify the Latinos - primarily the illegals - who come to the US fleeing war, violence, poverty, economic ruin, or simply in search of opportunity and a better future for their families (as did most of our ancestors from Europe and beyond), Americans seem to have little if any problem with those who can play ball, thus valuing at least one of the many ...

... burned to a crisp from being in the sun all day(ouch). We reach our bus and board for the four hour trip home tired but so pleased with all we saw today. We made one stop on the way home to have coffee and Mamajuana (Dominican drink made from honey,rum,tree bark and who knows what else) Now we can rest as the bus drivers tackles the traffic all the way home. This is definitely a trip that we would recommend to everyone!!!!

... I will working with a dance group. And believe you me, if we ever have a dance recital, all yall will be expected to purchase a ticket and come see it, because I give you my word that it will be worth the travel! Aside from that, not too much is going on. I have been to the gorgeous beaches twice, but got an ear infection the second time. When I woke up two days later with a clogged ear and sore jaw, my Don (host father) told me to squeeze a ripe lime in my ear to ease the ...

... moved away from the edge and stayed there for the rest of the trip. Swimming ~ though offered ~ was out of question. Wild orchids are part of the national flag and Domenicans are very proud of them, you can find some of those on the islands as well. At the end of the tour we had to get back to the mainland. Needless to say that I did not look forward to another speedboat ...

... drinks in a cozy, shallow place in the water. First the ambiance is unbeatable and second you won't realize that you're being roasted alive. After building up some courage (and blood alcohol) we decided to snorkel around the coral reefs that were everywhere (this place is not for surfers!). Evertime you get close to a reef the ocean floor seems to drop off and my heart started to join into the ...