WELCOME TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Tuesday, January 27, 2009
La Romana, Dominican Republic
Sunny, some clouds, 77 F

This morning’s port La Romana, Dominican Republic is on the largest island we are visiting, Hispanola, the 2nd largest island in the Caribbean. The terrain is less hilly than other islands. The Dominican Republic is about 18,700 square miles with a population of 200,000. The other country on it this island is Haiti. The area the Grand Princess docked at is new and quite suitable for disembarkment. Island dancers wearing native costumes of flowing multi colored skirts, short capes, and a huge pink hibiscus flower in behind their ear for the girls and green pants/white shirts and straw hats for the men and a small band entertained us as soon as we docked. It is especially nice when our balcony is facing the docking area—this is the 4th port that we have been on the dockside.

We were told that there was not much to do in this port, but Tim and I got off and took a shuttle to the downtown area ($5 round trip per person). We were told that a taxi would take us for $30 per couple round trip or we could walk a mile. Others went to the beach or an artists’ colony called Altos De Chavon. I really wanted to go to the artists’ colony, but information on cost was nebulous.

The shuttle bus aisle was extremely narrow and we got truly acquainted with other passengers. The ride was short and bearable. The island architecture is reminiscent of southern France, New Orleans, Key West, and many other islands—small two story housing with small balconies, narrow streets, wrought iron, and in yellows and pastel greens, and so on.

The market was located in a park downtown dedicated to Juan Duarte. There were more island dancers in a gazebo entertaining the crowd. The vendors were aggressive, but friendly. The goods were mostly jewelry, some leather goods, regular souvenirs, and a lot of artwork, mostly oil paintings in colorful tropical fashion. I purchased a lovely small oil painting of a sailboat on wood ($5) and made a friend for life when I asked the older artist to write his name down for me, Omor D. Alvarez. He included his e-mail. I also bought two colorful beach towels.

After an hour we returned to the ship—lunch, sun, and reading.
After an hour we returned to the ship—lunch, sun, and reading.

Tonight was the 3rd formal night. The Captain’s Circle Cocktail Party was for those who have cruised on Princess before. This is our 3rd Princess cruise—31 days. This cruise line goes by days instead of cruises. One man had 964 days on Princess cruises.

We enjoyed lobster at dinner tonight. Beef Wellington was another choice. The carrot cake and the petit fours could have been better. Our group of 12 is always the last to leave the dining room—10 p.m. tonight. We went straight to the production show, “Do You Wanna Dance,” with a variety of dancing in the style of Mexico, Ireland, U.S. and other countries. Very elaborate costumes and quick costume changes.

We turn the clock back one hour tonight.

Culinary Delight of the Day: lobster tail, prawns, chilled fruit soup.

TK’s Takes: He did laundry today.

This has been a very nice cruise. Princess cruise ships are a little more laid back. This has been a port intensive cruise, but each island has been unique and we have thoroughly enjoyed every second. The only negative thing so far has been the coffee. Tim has the coffee card and he enjoys the fresh brewed specialty coffees. I only drink black coffee and Dunkin Donuts is better! Of course, that is not a big deal in the scope of things!