Casa de Campo is a remarkable place. Its a massive gated resort. The Marina is just one aspect of it, the rest comprises masses of posh housing set in tropical surroundings, five golf courses, polo fields, shopping centre boutiques, etc, etc. However like many of these resorts it is totally soleless. Half the properties are empty most of the year. Most of the boats never leave the marina and the staff sit around in the boutiques looking bored for lack of custom. There are many places free in the marina but the marina is full as the places all belong to people who are not using them. We have been allowed to anchor up off a very pleasant beach within the marina cove. As a consequence our anchorage is free. There is a nice little  bar and restaurant we can use so we are fine.

 

On our first full day in DR we all went into Romana the local big town. Everyone said there was nothing to see however it was a real antidote to C de C and found it really interesting in a mundane everyday life sort of way. A little bit how real DR works.

 

The other day Pat and I went to Bayahibe, a few miles east of Casa de Campo. This as close as it gets to free for all on the beach but its well control if not a bit crowded. Its a jumping off point for Saona Island and tends to get packed in the mornings and late afternoon when the punters depart and return from Saona.

 

Pat left us today to fly back to Blighty. I hired a car and drove her the 80 odd Km to Punta Cana International Airport. This another resort/s along the same lines as Casa de Campo. We managed to get into a restaurant and hotel on Playa Blanca, a beautiful stretch of beach. The east coast line facing the Mona Channel  is idyllic and its not surprising that many resorts have grown up in this area.

 

We will move on shortly but first must get a Despacho from the Customs and Immigration people. They like to know where you are and we have to declare our next destination in DR which will be Boca Chica. We are not strictly supposed to stop on the way as the authorities don’t understand that we might want to stay at a lonely anchorage on the way. They tend to think you are up to something.  I think they have a bit of drugs problem here. If we do stop the line is to say, you were tired or had a problem, give them $5 and that seems to do the trick. We will let you know how we get on from our cell maybe.

 

 

A Rare Shot of The Skip, just before his Romana haircut

 

Casa de Campo Marine, RT Anchored in the Background

 

Rolling Cigars Romana

 

River in Romana

 

Street Art Romana

 

Central Park Baseball Hall of Fame Romana

 

The Main Church in Romana

 

Taxi Motorcycles Crowd around as Passenger get off the Long Distance Bus in Romana

 

We bought out DR Courtesy Flag from the Souvenir Sellers at Bayahibe

 

Debris from the Saono Boat Trips, Its supposed to be a National Park

 

Punt Cana Beach Scene