In Santo Domingo a few days

Flew via Gatwick to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. I used to drive a lot in the country but hadn’t in years. I decided to rent a car for a few days, a Toyota SUV similar to the car I used to have here. It took a lot of time getting the car at Hertz at Punta Cana airport but it seems I was lucky. Many who had reserved online beforehand were still waiting when I left and at Avis especially. Here you can never know what is best to do. One American lady was saying “next time I’m vacationing in America”. Can’t blame her. Maybe she mellows at the Caribbean beach.

It was then dark and at first I wanted to drive to Bayahibe as most hotels were booked in Punta Cana and I had called a small hotel there. But I had to give it up. I didn’t feel comfortable driving at first in the dark on the highway. So I went back to Punta Cana and was lucky to get a room at AC Hotel from the Marriott chain. Finally the next day I drove. I felt relaxed after I passed Bayahibe and La Romana. Seemed now like in the old days. Had a second breakfast at Tipico Bonao in La Romana. I am a big fan of breakfast. This was a Dominican breakfast – Tres Golpes with Mangu.

Now having coffee in Santo Domingo at Bella Vista Mall, my old flexible office.