08/2013 - August 2013

[Jao]

The secret to making great coffee with a Greca is to not pack the coffee tightly in the little metal basket. Just a spoon or two of grounds to fill the basket, and no tamping down. That allows the boiling water to pass easily through the grounds. That makes a big difference on how well it comes out.

Ms. Coffee International 2011, Sofinel Báez, from María Trinidad Sánchez Province (near Samana), Dominican Republic. Received her crown in Manizales, Colombia, http://eje21.com.co/sociales-seccion...l-del-caf.html

[Jao]

They're finally getting serious about fixing up the Colonial City....

http://arquitexto.com/2013/08/tu-nue...udad-colonial/

I was told sometimes in can be difficult because some of the buildings in zona colonial are about 500 years old.



Narai Residence is a nice restoration, www.narairesidence.com (has at least one apartment available on flipkey for short term vacation rentals).

The Hotel Palacio in Zona Colonial might be for sale for 7.5 million dollars (former residence of an ex-president of the Dominican Republic, Buenaventura Báez Méndez, who had negotiations with the U.S. to annex the Dom. Rep. and receive Samana Bay for 2 million dollars).