Views from the never ending bus ride…

On our way back to the resorts, we were scheduled to stop at a replica town. I never really understood why we were going to a fake town. Just take us to a real one and let us wander. As we got there, the skies opened up and it really started to pour rain. I wanted to go take pictures, but it was raining too hard, so we all stayed on the bus while those who wanted to get drenched spent about a half hour at the wannabe town. There were only a handful that went.

Was there something interesting going on there J?

The bus ride was taking an especially long time heading back to the resorts. Again, “Dominican time” at its best.

This country really is very, very poor. The stuff they want you to see, doesn’t look too bad, but you catch glimpses of such poverty that can be heartbreaking. Some of these shacks they live in have no plumbing or electricity, it’s terrible.

Here’s some more views from the bus on the way back from La Romana:

The final stop on our tour through La Republica Dominicana was the Columbus Shopping Center. This was the shopping area that we were promised this morning, a good 12 hours earlier. Remember, we left Isla Catalina at about 2:30 in the afternoon. It’s now after 6 and we still have almost another hour before getting back to the resort.

All I can say about the “shopping center” is that it was pure and unadulterated shit. The wares were crap and the prices were ridiculous. For example, there was a cigar store in this place. The price for a box of cigars (all Dominican brands, btw) were so ridiculous, I could buy the same box in JR Cigar on 46th & 5th in Manhattan for about half the price!

Needless to say, the bus company didn’t get any kickbacks from us shopping there.

The best part of the never ending ride back to the resort actually happened while in the tourist trap, but I’m saving it for another post. It really needs it’s own post. But I will say that it involves this woman:

 And it goes well beyond her highly questionable choice of swimwear. So onward we go.

The “shopping center” and I do use the term lightly, had security:

Yes, that IS a 12 gauge, pump-action shotgun he’s holding. The store was full of shit. What’s to protect?

We FINALLY got back to the resort after 8pm. We were due back at about 6pm. Our dinner reservations for tonight were for the Thai restaurant. Clearly, we didn’t make that. So we didn’t get to see how Dominicans do Thai. I’m sure there was Chorizo involved.

So, we rounded up Karen and Tyler and hit GABi Club for a late dinner.

Up next…Another day poolside and ridin’ in style…