Jul – Dec 2020

Dominican Republic

After almost four months in Chile, it was about time for a change! So I traveled with my new friend Mariel to the Dominican Republic. 😊 Read more

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Trip start
July 19, 2020
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- Day 1
- Sunday, July 19, 2020
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 27 m
- Dominican Republic Santo Domingo 18.47847, -69.8844618°28’42” N 69°53’4” W
First day in Santo Domingo
July 19, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Our first day in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic!! 😎✌️

After a delicious breakfast in the hostel, we got ready, chilled again 😂 - that heat just makes you lazy - and went outside to walk around a little.

We walked down the road Isabel La Catolica until the end of the street Conde, which is like a busy shopping mile with lots of bars, restaurants and souvenir stuff. 🤑

We had a little lunch in a cafe - first time after months!! - and had a delicious smoothie ❤️

Afterwards, we walked back on the street Las Damas to the big Plaza España and to the hostel, where I felt asleep. 😂

I really enjoy this hot weather, but it also makes me really lazy and tired. 🤭😏Read more
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- Day 2
- Monday, July 20, 2020
- ☀️ 32 °C
- Altitude: 23 m
- Dominican Republic Santo Domingo 18.4785, -69.884518°28’43” N 69°53’4” W
1st week in Santo Domingo
July 20, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
I still can't believe that we finally made it to the Dominican Republic, in all this Corona madness! Cheers to our success 😎✌️

We saw so much in this first week and yet could also chill some days without any duties. Just the sun, the pool and a Cocktail! 🍹

I really enjoyed the day, when Mariels Cousin picked us up and drove us around her neighbourhood. I met Mariels family and saw a world, that is so different from our European world, yet fascinating and interesting. 🤔😯
She cooked a so delicious meal made out of rice in beans, chicken and platanos. 🤤

I also enjoyed, that we get free breakfast in the hostel every morning and you can choose between fresh scrambled eggs or pancakes. 🥞

The Dominican Republic offers some fresh fruits on the streets, that you would usually buy for much money in a supermarket, like the dragon fruit or coconutwater. 🥥🤤

Unfortunately, I couldn't get a look at everything in the capital because of Covid-19. However, I do believe that I made the best out of the situstion. 🙂✌️Read more
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- Day 7
- Saturday, July 25, 2020
- ☀️ 31 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Dominican Republic Puerto Cabarete 19.75092, -70.4144219°45’3” N 70°24’52” W
Arrival in Cabarete
July 25, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
This morning, I took the bus to drive to Cabarete, a little tourist town famous along surfers and kite-surfers, in the north of the island. The ticket cost 400 pesos and the bus had air conditioning & a tiny tv. 😂

I was suppose to take a bus earlier but the taxi driver didn't show up, so I had to call an Uber to get to the bus terminal. 🚎

After 3 hours I arrived in Sosua and took a taxi to the hostel in Cabarete. It is really big and nice, most of the things are new and you can see that Kristina, who runs this place, has so many ideas to better the community, but so little time and help. 😰 And now with Corona, there are more beds than guests.
There is also a Pool and a little pug called "Jose" to get some distracting throughout the day. 🐶

Now I only need to learn how to deal with the giants spiders ... 🕸️🕷️Read more
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- Day 8
- Sunday, July 26, 2020
- ☀️ 34 °C
- Altitude: 61 m
- Dominican Republic Río Jamao 19.655634, -70.45193819°39’20” N 70°27’7” W
Sunday Funday at the Bar Gecko
July 26, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Today, we went to the Pool/Bar Gecko in Sabaneta for a Sunday Funday! 🧡💛💚

We had some drinks, eat tacos and went into the small river to swim, cool down and got a peeling with the brown mud (which is also being used for the massages here for the tourists) 😎

Before the curfew, Angel drove me home on the moto. 🏍️Read more
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- Day 12
- Thursday, July 30, 2020
- 🌧 27 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Dominican Republic Puerto Cabarete 19.75092, -70.4144219°45’3” N 70°24’52” W
Tropical storm Isaiac ️️
July 30, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
It is Hurricane season in the carribian! 🌪️

The first one I was about to witness turned out to be "only" a tropical storm here in the Dominican, called Isaiac. I felt safe here in this building and its robust walls. However, it is sad to think of all the poorer people in their wood cabines! 😰

In the end, there were a few death and millions left without fresh water and electrity for days! 🤷🏼‍♀️

My Cousin from the US kept me updated with pictures of the status of the storm.
It looks scarier as it is and even a lot of my friends and family asked me how I am after the storm, I never felt in danger! 😉👍

The next morning, we cleaned everything in the house, while the Military took care of the outside and cleaned the streets from the wood and stones.

Well, bye bye Isaiac and hope to NEVER see you again in my life! 🤔😊Read more
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- Day 14
- Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 2:00 PM
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 194 m
- Dominican Republic Los Peñones 19.62503, -70.4187719°37’30” N 70°25’8” W
Trip to Rio Partido
August 1, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Today, our neighbour Angel took me on a little trip to Rio Partido with his Moto. 🏍️

Usually this place is crowded with people, tourists as well as locals selling food.

But because of #fuckingcorona there was almost nobody, except some people swimming im the river and a lot of street dogs! 🐶

The way to this place was sooo beautiful already and my videos cannot even capture the blue of the sky, the green of the trees, the wind in my face and the rumpling of the old streets. 😂Read more
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- Day 14
- Saturday, August 1, 2020
- ⛅ 31 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Dominican Republic Puerto Cabarete 19.75092, -70.4144219°45’3” N 70°24’52” W
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A little fiesta
August 1, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
A lot happens really spontanious in this country, like a house party! 😂

My job was to prepare the salad (which turned out to be really good)! 😉 Antonio took care of the meat on the grill, guests brought different kind of food and so we had a lot to eat! ❤️

Kristina found a DJ who played music that night and we had so much fun eating together and then dancing together. 👯

The neighbour kids swam in the pool and later that night, everybody was in the pool having a good time together! 😊👍Read more
Traveler Buen provecho 👍🏽😄
8/14/20Reply
Traveler Gracias 🙏
10/26/20Reply
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- Day 16
- Monday, August 3, 2020
- ⛅ 32 °C
- Altitude: 81 m
- Dominican Republic Puerto Plata 19.78191, -70.6881419°46’55” N 70°41’17” W
Puerto Plata with Antonio
August 3, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
Antonio and I drove to Puerto Plata for few days. I left my stuff at Kristinas place and only took a light package with me. 🎒

We had an Appartment with Air Conditioning, an working oven and close to the beach. ⛱️

We spend our days at the beach, in the old memorial of the Fortaleza de San Felipe or cooking together delicious meals. 🥙

It was a beautiful trip and I was kinda sad when we had to head back to the hostel. ☹️

Can't wait for our next trip, tho. 😘Read more
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- Day 18
- Wednesday, August 5, 2020
- ☀️ 30 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Dominican Republic Puerto Cabarete 19.75085, -70.4145819°45’3” N 70°24’52” W
Reunion with Mariel ❤️
August 5, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
I was several days in Cabarete already, when Mariel arrived as well.
She is staying at a different hostel and therefore, I don't see her all the times like in the Muffin hostel! 😰

But today was the day of the reunion and we met at a second hand store, where I had bought some second hand cloth for this hot weather here. ❤️

We went to the Mojito Bar at the beach, had drinks and ate a delicious dominican menu. 🤤
Afterwards, we walked in the sand at the beach to find a perfect spot and went into the water to swim a little. 🌊

#islandlife🌞Read more
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- Day 25
- Wednesday, August 12, 2020
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Dominican Republic Boca El Pontón 19.66075, -70.0672119°39’39” N 70°4’2” W
Playa Caleton ️
August 12, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Mariel & I took an early bus to go to Rio San Juan and from there to the beach Caleton. 🏝️

We spend the day swimming, reading a book and chilling in the sun. 🌞
For lunch, we had a big plate with fish, platanos and a coconut to drink! 😋🥥

We had to leave around 4ish already to be back at the hostel on time for the curfew. 🙄

Luckily, a family gave us a ride in the back of their truck! One of the boys was so in love with Mariel, he gave her a necklace.

How cute!! 💛💚🧡Read more
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- Day 31
- Tuesday, August 18, 2020
- ☀️ 32 °C
- Altitude: 86 m
- Dominican Republic Puerto Plata 19.7816, -70.6883719°46’54” N 70°41’18” W
Day out with the Chicks
August 18, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Bella, Mariel & I took a little local bus to Puerto Plata in the morning. 🚐
The assistant of the bus driver tried to over-charge us and asked for 200 pesos per person! But we argued and in the end payed only 100 pesos - still too much but better than before! 🤷🏼‍♀️

We went to a big second hand cloth-market downtown and I bought like 5 pieces (of course I had to go "all in" 😂) and payed 250 pesos. 50 pesos per piece, that is around 70 Cent.

Afterwards we had a delicious lunch at a small kiosk and we walked a bit around the city. Went to the Castillo, a memorial of a plane crash that happened in 1996 and went up to this old house on the hill to take more pictures with this amazing view to the ocean! #islandlife 🏝️

Nice day together, Chicks! 😘Read more
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- Day 40
- Thursday, August 27, 2020
- ☀️ 28 °C
- Altitude: 802 m
- Dominican Republic Isabel de Torres National Park 19.764143, -70.71037319°45’51” N 70°42’37” W
Pico Isabel de Torres
August 27, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
When in Puerto Plata, you should go up the 793 meter high mountain of Isabel de Torres with a cable car 🚠 (or for lazy people with a car) and enjoy the lovely view of the Atlantic and the beaches in the distance! 🏔

Or, you just arrive on a foggy day and enjoy the endless grey of the clouds ... ☁️

Antonio & I drove up the really damaged streets with his car. On top is a restaurant, little souvenirs stores of course & a giant little Christ Savior statue, which is one of the landmarks of the province. 😍

Definitely worth a trip, maybe just on a sunnier day 🙃Read more
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- Day 43
- Sunday, August 30, 2020 at 11:24 AM
- ☀️ 30 °C
- Altitude: 30 m
- Dominican Republic Cabo Tutinfierno 19.677957, -70.01879519°40’41” N 70°1’8” W
Snorkling close to Playa Grande ⛱
August 30, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Antonio & I checked out some beaches around the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. 🏖

I wanted to go snorkeling at last!! 🤿

One beach, we spend some time, is the beautiful Playa Grande next to Río San Juan.

I could finally swim in clear water with some fishes & crabs!! 🤗😍

🦀🐠🐟Read more
TravelerQue buen viaje! 😃 ..Ya esta abierto Peru 🇵🇪 ...todos los centros arqueológicos, Machu Picchu y todos los lugares son gratis! Aqui comienza el verano 🌞🎶😎🌊 ven a Peru 🇵🇪!!! 🥳🤩
10/25/20Reply
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- Day 71
- Sunday, September 27, 2020
- ☀️ 31 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Dominican Republic Cabarete 19.74457, -70.40778419°44’40” N 70°24’28” W
Fotoshooting with the Puppies
September 27, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
These 2 cuties are looking for a new home to live. 🐶

So I decided to make a professional photo shooting and use the pics later for the Facebook post. 📸

They are still here, but I love the pics and share them with you now! 😍
❤️🧡💛💚💙Read more
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- Day 86
- Monday, October 12, 2020
- ⛅ 32 °C
- Altitude: 237 m
- Dominican Republic Santiago de los Caballeros 19.450794, -70.69477119°27’3” N 70°41’41” W
Daytrip to Santiago de los Caballeros
October 12, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
I joined Antonio for a couple of days on his trip to Puerto Plata and Santiago de los Caballeros. 🚗

Last one is the second biggest city in the DomRep with more than half million people living there! 😲

Despite Corona, Santiago is packed with people in the bars and restaurants. 🍻

We drove around and visited different places, like the Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración and had an amazing view over the city! 😍

The next morning, we had a little breakfast at a French bakery. Antonio dropped me off at the Caribe Tours bus stop and I took the bus to Sosua and a Guagua to Cabarete and the Castillo 🏰🤗Read more
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- Day 91
- Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 6:07 PM
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: 19 m
- Dominican Republic Punta Cabarete 19.750621, -70.40445319°45’2” N 70°24’16” W
Sam’s Gig @ Drifter Cabarete
October 17, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Sam, one of the managers of the “Castillo”, is also a musician and a pizza maker. 🍕

He works at this super cute but really expensive bar close to the beach and was able to play with a friend there this Saturday. 🎶🎵🎶

Almost the whole hostel visited and watched for some time. Mariel had to work in the hostel and couldn’t see the Gig. 🙈
So, when I found this sweet little stand that sold Xmas cookies, I bought 2 packs and we killed them on the Couch later that evening ... 😏

🍪🍪🍪Read more
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- Day 98
- Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 3:00 PM
- ⛅ 31 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Dominican Republic Cabarete 19.744522, -70.40772219°44’40” N 70°24’28” W
Braids for Mariel
October 24, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Today Bella visited us in the “Castillo” with the Intention to braid Mariels hair. 💁🏽‍♀️

We were expected maybe 2-3 hours for the process and Mariel bought 4 packages of plastic hair at the chinese store earlier this week. 🛒

I made pancakes with Oreo Cookies and apples for dinner. 😋🥞

In the end, we had so many breaks and interruptions, that Bella needed around 7 hours and 6 packages. Mariel had to text an Motoconcho to get 2 more packages, together with a coke and ice. 😄🧊

But it was worth the time ...
😍❤️👍😉Read more
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- Day 98
- Saturday, October 24, 2020
- ⛅ 31 °C
- Altitude: 23 m
- Dominican Republic Plaza Independencia 19.797781, -70.69493119°47’52” N 70°41’42” W
Night in Puerto Plata
October 24, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Antonio picked me up around the late afternoon and we drove to Puerto Plata. 🚙

On our way, as many times before, I passed the spot where the famous Austrian Singer Falco died in 1998. I never really saw this spot until a friend told me where he died and I checked it online. 😳
His car got hit by a bus and he died directly ✝️

Later that evening and before curfew, we went into the bar “Casa 40” to drink a really delicious Mojito. 💚

Cheers 😉Read more
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- Day 102
- Wednesday, October 28, 2020
- ☀️ 29 °C
- Altitude: 20 m
- Dominican Republic Punta Cabarete 19.747111, -70.39612619°44’50” N 70°23’46” W
Chicken Wings Wednesday
October 28, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Wednesday’s is Chicken Wings Day at the Goddess Beach Club in Cabarete! 🐥

For no more than 100 pesos, you can get a big plate with Wings, a Salad and a baked potato. 🥔

It is a little bit to far to walk, so we usually take a Motoconcho or someone with a Pasola or Moto can pick us up and take us there.

They also have really good Mojitos there ...
😅😏🤭😂Read more
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- Day 103
- Thursday, October 29, 2020
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 14 m
- Dominican Republic Puerto Cabarete 19.746712, -70.41546619°44’48” N 70°24’56” W
Chilling @ Bellas new place
October 29, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
I wanted to get a little Tattoo today, but my appointment got canceled like last minute! 🤷‍♀️

Sooo, we decided to chill at Bella’s new place instead. She moved there with her bf Angel and their dog Firu on Tuesday and we wanted to check out the place and chill in the Callejon a little. 😎✌️

Afterwards, Mariel & I took a Motoconcho back to the Castillo.Read more
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- Day 110
- Thursday, November 5, 2020
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 57 m
- Dominican Republic Bella Vista 18.460051, -69.93989618°27’36” N 69°56’24” W
Santo Domingo - Arrival & 1. Day
November 5, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
On Thursday morning, Barlin (Mariel’s boyfriend), Calum (the Scottish volunteer) and I drove down to Santo Domingo in Barlins car. We left around 11 am and arrived early around 3.30 pm. 🚙

The first 2 days I stayed at the Ramada Hotel, which I booked on AirBnb. In the evening I walked a little around and discovered the area. 🔭

The next day, I had breakfast at a cute place called Pastry and later Karli picked me up and we walked through the city to Zona Colonial. 🏛

There, we went to a bar called La Espiral and had some Cocktails & beer.🍹Read more
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- Day 112
- Saturday, November 7, 2020
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: 17 m
- Dominican Republic El Algodonal 18.437325, -69.94216218°26’14” N 69°56’32” W
Santo Domingo - Citytour, Mall & Bar
November 7, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
I spend the day today with Antonio. First, he drove me around in his Moto and showed me the city. 🛵
Just amazing!
How did I miss this big city feeling! 🥰

Then, we had breakfast at the Blue Mall and bought groceries at a supermarket for the hostel later. 🍍

In the evening, after he returned from the office, we walked to a small bar close by and watched a live Gig of a local band. We had a snack and went back to the hostel. 🤗Read more
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- Day 115
- Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 10:26 AM
- 🌧 29 °C
- Altitude: 23 m
- Dominican Republic Los Tres Ojos de Agua 18.480207, -69.84314718°28’49” N 69°50’35” W
Santo Domingo - Lago Los 3 Ojos
November 10, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ 🌧 29 °C
Monica from the hostel and I went to one of the few attractions here in Santo Domingo: Lago los 3 ojos, three eyes lake. 🌊

It is the name of a 50-foot open-air cave in the Park Mirador del Este parish in the Dominican Republic. 🗺

We were supposed to meet my friends Karli and Sally with her Dominican boyfriend there. But the clocks run slower in the Republic and they all needed more time to arrive ...
So Monica and I decided to enter the park already and the rest can come later. Karli came 2 hours later 😅🙈

We walked around, viewed the beautiful nature and the breathtaking landscapes inside the caves. I can really recommend this place, it is absolutely stunning!!

😍😍😍Read more
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- Day 115
- Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 3:30 PM
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 12 m
- Dominican Republic Arroyo Hondo 18.508278, -69.92707818°30’30” N 69°55’37” W
Santo Domingo - ZOODOM
November 10, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
After our tour to the Lago los 3 ojos and a delicious creole lunch, Monica, Karli and I decided to go to the Parque Zoológico Nacional - Zoodom. 🐸

They have a nice collection of mammals, reptiles, birds and exotic animals. 🦖

We arrived really late. Because of the curfew, the zoo closed in 2 hours already and it’s a big area to walk.

But luckily, there was the possibility to take a guided tour in a train 🚂 that drove us and some other visitors through the zoo.
#forlazypeople

How cool is the black panther climbing on the tree, right? 😍🐆😍Read more
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- Day 124
- Thursday, November 19, 2020
- ☁️ 29 °C
- Altitude: 22 m
- Dominican Republic Barahona 18.208768, -71.09527718°12’32” N 71°5’43” W
Trip to Barahona - Day 1
November 19, 2020 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
I took the Caribe bus to Santo Domingo again and stayed the night at Karlis place. 🏘
The next morning, we picked up Mariel and Sally and then started our chaos trip to Barahona, further South of the Island. 🏔

We did a little trip to the Caves of Pomier, saw Goats and Iguanas🦎 on the road, went to the dunes of Bani and took a short visit to the salt mines. 😍

We checked in a great hotel with dinner and breakfast included. Let’s see what tomorrow will bring ...Read more
TravelerEstas haciendo muy buenos viajes 🧭 👍🏽 Avisame cuando llegas a Peru 🇵🇪 🎉
1/1/21Reply
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Trip end
December 12, 2020