Merry Christmas!

Have a happy holidays!

Sabana de Mar

A beautiful place on the way to Los Haitises in Dominican Republic.

Weather in December

The weather in winter is so changeable. Yesterday during the day it was sunny, so we decided to walk along the beach. But by the time we got home in the evening the weather had changed completely.

Beautiful flower that grows on the coral beach of Juan Dolio.
It has funny curves. So tender.

My poem

Green lizard

One of my favorite lizards. I took this picture in 2005.
This lizard had caught a wasp and was eating it when I interrupted.

Storm Olga

It's so odd to have a storm in December. But it's true. Subtropical storm Olga is over Dominican Republic. Showers and strong winds during the day and at night.

Enriquillo Lake

There is a beautiful place in Dominican Republic. One of the most unique places on earth. The largest salt water lake in the Antilles. It has rare nature and it's 40 meters below sea level. The water of this lake is 3 times more salty than the sea water. No only its flora is rare but also fauna. For example, crocodiles of salty lake, iguanas and flamingos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Enriquillo
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/nt/nt0903.html

Cold December

I think, this winter is the coldest in 3 years that we have been living in Dominican Republic. Probably, it's because we are getting used to tropical climate. Brrrr. I think if I go back to Russia in winter, I am going to freeze to death. Oh my!

HOTELS in Juan Dolio - useful links

http://barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/en-GB/DP/Dominican-Republic-Hotels.htm
http://www.bocachicaplaya.com/Albatros_italiano.htm
http://www.coralhotels.com/
http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Plaza_Real_Resort_Juan_Dolio.htm
http://www.emelytours.com.do/index.php?page=hoteles.php

Hotels in Juan Dolio Part 2

Coral Costa Caribe is a 4* all inclusive hotel with all rooms having garden or sea view. It has 4 restaurants and 7 bars, 3 pools, club for kids, tennis courts, discotheque. However, I have read some disappointing reviews about service, rooms and food. Since this hotel is no longer by Hilton, a lot of tourists marked that it became worse. I know myself that service is slow due to Dominican character. People here do not hurry. But the fact that people find roaches and ants in the room is not acceptable.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g317145-d207897

Hotels in Juan Dolio Part 1

Juan Dolio is a small resort on the south of Dominican Republic. It has three "all inclusive" hotels and many apart hotels: Сoral Costa Caribe 4*, Barcelo Talanquera 3*, Barcelo Capella 4*.

One of the most popular among tourists is Barcelo Capella 4* hotel. It is situated in Villas del Mar street. The territory is quite large with beautiful gardens and palm trees. It has 2 pools in different parts, flamingos and peacocks. There are 4 restaurants, and 6 bars, including snack bar. Entertainment is very good. Every day they have different activities and at night beautiful shows and discoteque. The rooms have TV and a/c.

Christmas and New Year holidays

This new year celebration will be the third one with palm trees. Here, in Dominican Republic people celebrate it in a different way.

In Russia we always have a real Christmas tree on 31st of December with beautiful toys. I love the smell of the tree. We have a lot of different food like salads, meet, cakes and more. Of course, champaign. We make speaches, wishing each other all the good things in the coming year. We all wait untill 12 o'clock to make our own wishes and after that we have fun all night. In the morning friends open their presents. Then we go to the park and have fun there. Our Christmas is on 7th of January but we also celebrate on 24th of December. Some people go to church and participate in a very beautiful event. Some watch it on TV. Families usually gather together that day. Russians love holidays.

For Dominicans Christmas day is also family holiday, hovewer more important than New Year Celebration. They decorate their homes, make special food, wear nice clothes and go to church. But their tradition and attitude are different.

What I miss here the most during winter is snow. Most Dominicans will never touch snow. They will never see real snowflakes falling from the skies.

There's a hope

The sun is shining at last. We are living again. According to ONAMET Noel has gone to Cuba. Poor Cuba.

Cyclon Noel

It seems like Noel is never gonna leave Dominican Republic. Showers every day. Electricity on and out several times a day. It's good to be unemployed during autumn period. Sitting at home and enjoying the day.

Dominican people

Well, they are happy most of the time. No hurry, no worry. Singing whenever they feel like. Dancing whenever they hear the music. Talking a lot with everybody. Almost always loud. They love to eat. They love cakes, chocolate and cookies. A lot of them prefer music to silence. THEY ADORE THE WORD MAÑANA (means tomorrow). They live today and they work MAÑANA :)

Colors of Dominican Republic

Blue skies and water, green plants and palm trees. My favorite colors. The nature of the island is rich and beautiful.

Check out some pictures I've made http://www.flickr.com/photos/16421225@N06/

Rain again

Somebody forgot to turn off the rain?

My latest music discoveries

Feist and Maria Mena. I listened to their music and I liked it. Soft and amuzing. You can listen to Feist right here on the right side of the page. Later I will upload some of Maria Mena compositions. Enjoy!

Grue and Bleen

It's fascinating! Grue is green and blue. Bleen is Blue and Green. I love it!
Language and Colors is fun!