11/2022 - Camaro's Journal 2023

[camaro1257]

El Letero de Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata.jpg

[psriches]

I agree. The magic wand is fun to use…really gets the girls going for multiple rounds.

I always get a kick when a chick sees it for the first time and immediately tells me that the magic wand is too big to go inside her ����

Is that the Hitachi magic wand? I don't know which one is the original. I guess there's alot of knock offs out there.

I even saw a travel wand. Nice!

https://www.amazon.com/Original-Magi...08BJ9S3ZW?th=1

[MrHappy]

Is that the Hitachi magic wand? I don't know which one is the original. I guess there's alot of knock offs out there.

I even saw a travel wand. Nice!

https://www.amazon.com/Original-Magi...08BJ9S3ZW?th=1

That's the same thing I have. The original is named a LuLu, and this is a knockoff but they all do the same thing. And very well at that.

[camaro1257]

Buen dia Santo Domingo!

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[camaro1257]

Hotel Matum, Santiago

I would like to share an ex-pat update with the group. I have lived in Puerto Plata for 8 years and sometimes visit Santiago and spend the night. My preferred hotel in Santiago is El Centro Hodelpa, the reason I like the hotel is because they have a restaurant on the roof with an incredible vista view of the city. The view is especially beautiful at night.

On this occasion I switched and stayed at Hotel Matum which is closer to El Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración. When I arrived, the concierge was very friendly in fact he helped me park my truck carried my bags etc. Normally hotel concierges are friendly, but he appeared to be extra friendly.

In the morning at check out the concierge asked me for the keys to my truck which I thought was strange, I thought he was just going to put my bags in as a convenience to me. While I am waiting at the front desk to finish the check out he pulls my truck in front of the hotel and…and…this guy starts washing my truck and I was like WHAT?? I was soooooo surprised I have never had anything like that happen to me before. Not only did he wash and dry the exterior, but he cleaned out the trash on the inside.

Anybody who has lived in the Dominican Republic as long as I have can tell you stories about customer service but in this case all I could do is SMDH!

Sometimes it’s the little things that become big things that just make you want to smile.

matum.jpg

[MrHappy]

Ha! He does the same for me too. Nice guy and deserves a nice tip.

What year is your Escalade, Cam? 2008?

[camaro1257]

Ha! He does the same for me too. Nice guy and deserves a nice tip.

What year is your Escalade, Cam?

2007 I have had it for 7 years now still running like a champ! So you know this guy? How long has he been doing washing your vehicles?

[camaro1257]

El Carey Dia & Noche, Costambar-Puerto Plata

El Carey is on the east end of Costumbar beach. It is a 4-star restaurant the ambiance is incredible with a very good staff. The breeze is great, and the lights are beautiful at night.

Prices are on the high side I paid 2200 pesos for my ribeye that I have gotten at another place for 1500 pesos. The steak was decent, but I should have stuck with my salmon.

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There was a photo shoot while I was there.

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This is one of my go to spots, although Playa Dorada is closer I really enjoy the ambiance at this restaurant.

[Hunter]

Hotel Matum, Santiago

I would like to share an ex-pat update with the group. I have lived in Puerto Plata for 8 years and sometimes visit Santiago and spend the night. My preferred hotel in Santiago is El Centro Hodelpa, the reason I like the hotel is because they have a restaurant on the roof with an incredible vista view of the city. The view is especially beautiful at night.

On this occasion I switched and stayed at Hotel Matum which is closer to El Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración. When I arrived, the concierge was very friendly in fact he helped me park my truck carried my bags etc. Normally hotel concierges are friendly, but he appeared to be extra friendly.

In the morning at check out the concierge asked me for the keys to my truck which I thought was strange, I thought he was just going to put my bags in as a convenience to me. While I am waiting at the front desk to finish the check out he pulls my truck in front of the hotel and…and…this guy starts washing my truck and I was like WHAT?? I was soooooo surprised I have never had anything like that happen to me before. Not only did he wash and dry the exterior, but he cleaned out the trash on the inside.

Anybody who has lived in the Dominican Republic as long as I have can tell you stories about customer service but in this case all I could do is SMDH!

Sometimes it’s the little things that become big things that just make you want to smile.

matum.jpg

How was Matum overall? Recommend? Hear girl friendly more than your other high end one...Hodelpa

[MrHappy]

2007 I have had it for 7 years now still running like a champ! So you know this guy? How long has he been doing washing your vehicles?

I've only stayed there a couple of times over the last few years. He really bends over backwards to assist folks.

Have you ever checked out the Nueva Suiza in Constanza?

[camaro1257]

I've only stayed there a couple of times over the last few years. He really bends over backwards to assist folks.

Have you ever checked out the Nueva Suiza in Constanza?

No I have never heard of it.

[camaro1257]

How was Matum overall? Recommend? Hear girl friendly more than your other high end one...Hodelpa

Hodelpa's basic room is about 5k but it is Chica friendly I have never had any problems with Chicas there.

Matum is dated but decent, the room was about 4k. The restaurant wasn't open all night which was a bumber, but the front desk could order take out if you like. The casino is closed but there is a club in the back, and you can hear the music at night.

Yes, Matum was girlfriendly my Chica did not have to show a cedula or anything, the staff was very friendly, and I might make it my number 2 spot in Santiago.

[Mr. Smooth]

El Carey Dia & Noche, Costambar-Puerto Plata

El Carey is on the east end of Costumbar beach. It is a 4-star restaurant the ambiance is incredible with a very good staff. The breeze is great, and the lights are beautiful at night.

Prices are on the high side I paid 2200 pesos for my ribeye that I have gotten at another place for 1500 pesos. The steak was decent, but I should have stuck with my salmon.

1.jpg2.jpg2a.jpg

5.jpg4.jpg3.jpg

There was a photo shoot while I was there.

6.jpg7.jpg

This is one of my go to spots, although Playa Dorada is closer I really enjoy the ambiance at this restaurant.

Of all the places you have ordered up your salmon, do you have a favorite spot that prepares it exactly how you like it? I swear, was just in the supermarket the other day and while walking past the seafood display section in the back of the store, I saw a few very nice salmon fillets lined up next to each other and thought of you!

I love it too, but preferably grilled. I'm going to buy a Weber charcoal grill this week or next and as the weather will hopefully turn a bit warmer here in Vegas (been a pretty cool March, below average temps by at least 10-12 degrees so far) and I can slice up a fillet into about 4 sections, sprinkle with lemon pepper, add a couple broken up pads of butter then wrap loosely in foil and 6-8 minutes a side.

Done!

But no matter how good it tastes, you have much better scenery around you to enjoy it, just like these pics show.

[camaro1257]

Of all the places you have ordered up your salmon, do you have a favorite spot that prepares it exactly how you like it? I swear, was just in the supermarket the other day and while walking past the seafood display section in the back of the store, I saw a few very nice salmon fillets lined up next to each other and thought of you!

I love it too, but preferably grilled. I'm going to buy a Weber charcoal grill this week or next and as the weather will hopefully turn a bit warmer here in Vegas (been a pretty cool March, below average temps by at least 10-12 degrees so far) and I can slice up a fillet into about 4 sections, sprinkle with lemon pepper, add a couple broken up pads of butter then wrap loosely in foil and 6-8 minutes a side.

Done!

But no matter how good it tastes, you have much better scenery around you to enjoy it, just like these pics show.

I like how you prepare yours, but I almost always do green peppers and onions with mine.

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I think we talked about this before. 11 POP is on the Malecon right across the street from Club Miami. I get salmon with green peppers and onions, green salad, sauteed potatoes for just under 1000 pesos. Everyplace else I pay 1200 pesos and up for the same meal. Yes, they prepare it how I like it and since I am there once or twice a week, they already know what I like.

Here are some photos taken at night.

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It has a good view during the day and at night. The food is just as good if not better than El Carey and it's 5 minutes from my house as opposed to trekking to Costambar which is about 15-20 minutes.

[MrHappy]

Hodelpa's basic room is about 5k but it is Chica friendly I have never had any problems with Chicas there.

Matum is dated but decent, the room was about 4k. The restaurant wasn't open all night which was a bumber, but the front desk could order take out if you like. The casino is closed but there is a club in the back, and you can hear the music at night.

Yes, Matum was girlfriendly my Chica did not have to show a cedula or anything, the staff was very friendly, and I might make it my number 2 spot in Santiago.

Cam, do you use pedidosya? Easy way to get food.

[camaro1257]

Cam, do you use pedidosya? Easy way to get food.

No, I have never heard of it. Thanks for the reference.

[psriches]

Hotel Matum, Santiago

I would like to share an ex-pat update with the group. I have lived in Puerto Plata for 8 years and sometimes visit Santiago and spend the night. My preferred hotel in Santiago is El Centro Hodelpa, the reason I like the hotel is because they have a restaurant on the roof with an incredible vista view of the city. The view is especially beautiful at night.

On this occasion I switched and stayed at Hotel Matum which is closer to El Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración. When I arrived, the concierge was very friendly in fact he helped me park my truck carried my bags etc. Normally hotel concierges are friendly, but he appeared to be extra friendly.

In the morning at check out the concierge asked me for the keys to my truck which I thought was strange, I thought he was just going to put my bags in as a convenience to me. While I am waiting at the front desk to finish the check out he pulls my truck in front of the hotel and…and…this guy starts washing my truck and I was like WHAT?? I was soooooo surprised I have never had anything like that happen to me before. Not only did he wash and dry the exterior, but he cleaned out the trash on the inside.

Anybody who has lived in the Dominican Republic as long as I have can tell you stories about customer service but in this case all I could do is SMDH!

Sometimes it’s the little things that become big things that just make you want to smile.

matum.jpg

Yeah, he's been there for years. Matum was an ISOC favorite back in the early 2000's. Great pool, free breakfast and so much history about the 1965 revolution. It's like going to a museum.

[camaro1257]

Puerto Plata - Sosua detour

The bridge has been out on the main highway from Puerto Plata to Sosua for a few months now and this is the first time I have made the trek since the bridge has been out.

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The route takes you through the town of Montellano and lets you out close to the airbase. The trip with the bridge was about 30 minutes and I was told the detour adds an extra 30 minutes for an hour total. Traffic was light so I arrived in Sosua in 45 minutes.

Because it's only a two-lane road I suspect the timing depends on traffic. I remember back in my mongering days when I would make that trek almost every day with the bridge, but I would hate to make that trek at night and woe to those who are drinking trying to navigate those narrow roads.

I hope the finish the bridge soon.

[sopranostingray]

Puerto Plata - Sosua detour

The bridge has been out on the main highway from Puerto Plata to Sosua for a few months now and this is the first time I have made the trek since the bridge has been out.

D1.jpgD2.jpg

The route takes you through the town of Montellano and lets you out close to the airbase. The trip with the bridge was about 30 minutes and I was told the detour adds an extra 30 minutes for an hour total. Traffic was light so I arrived in Sosua in 45 minutes.

Because it's only a two-lane road I suspect the timing depends on traffic. I remember back in my mongering days when I would make that trek almost every day with the bridge, but I would hate to make that trek at night and woe to those who are drinking trying to navigate those narrow roads.

I hope the finish the bridge soon.

The detour is a pain when a truck breaks down and blocks the narrow two way street. When the traffic is light it only takes 10 minutes, but I've also been stuck for nearly one hour. The bridge will take 1.5 to 2 years to finish, so best get used to using the detour.

[camaro1257]

The detour is a pain when a truck breaks down and blocks the narrow two way street. When the traffic is light it only takes 10 minutes, but I've also been stuck for nearly one hour. The bridge will take 1.5 to 2 years to finish, so best get used to using the detour.

...or avoid going to Sosua altogether...Haaaaaaaaaaaa!