Aaaahhhhh! Just what I needed. A nice little break.Good to be back and so much has happened since I haven't posted. Not much that can be printed here. But interesting all the same. I'll save it for the book. Wink, wink ... nod, nod.
Today I stopped by to see what all the buzz (read about it on Tropical Desires) was about with this new boutique guest house that has been opened for less than a month, Coco Boutique Hotel (photos above). First, its location is perfect. Two blocks from El Conde, right near the Malecon, around the corner from the Sofitel Nicholas de Ovando, and the French Embassy. The guest house has but 4 rooms (for right now), and has the feel of staying in a very chic and stylish bed & breakfast. The furniture and linens, along with beautiful details are found throughout. It is owned by a European couple (she from Ireland, he from Portugal) and they are living on premises and running the place themselves. I would recommend this place for those who just want to come and relax, but still be in the middle of all the action. I don't think it would be suitable for those who like to have too much "company." If you get my drift. If I were you, and you are looking from something small and intimate, I would definitely check this place out. Perfect addition to the Colonial Zone. The website has more beautiful photos.
The President of Republica Dominicana, Dr. Leonel Fernandez, decreed last year that the Santo Domingo Metro would be ready for him to take a ride on February 27, 2008 (Dominican Independence Day!). There is a commercial out heralding the coming of the Metro. Oh, did I mention that there is an election in May 2008? Now, if only the public hospitals could get some much needed equipment, or maybe the government would imrove education. I'm sure it will all come after the election. I have to admit, I can't wait to take a ride myself. Click here to see the commercial.
There have been many cruise ships coming into Santo Domingo's port a
t the tip of the Colonial Zone. Everyday, the Colonial Zone is humming with cruisers spending money. Royal Caribbean's, Legend of the Seas, makes Santo Domingo its departure port for cruises to the Southern Caribbean. The Dominican Government has aggressively gone after cruise lines, as well they should. So far, so good.If it is Ma
rch, then it must be time for Mario Sessions to have his annual birthday party. Mario is turning 50 this year. No, I'm sorry, it is just 43. LOL!I know I go on about the weather, but it has been really great. Most Dominicans complain that it has been a very cold winter on the island. In the mountains it has gone down to the 40's. I'm not complaining, because after watching the news and seeing the weather picture in many parts of the States, well, I will just count my blessings. And I know it will get really hot in a few months. But in the meantime, I will enjoy the humidity-free days. It sure beats s
tanding on a subway platform in -10 wind-chill weather. Right?Regular readers of this blog know how much I love Zoe Saldana. She is kicking ass in Hollywood. She is now filming the new Star Trek movie where she plays Lt. Uhura and she is one of the actresses on the cover of the Vanity Fair Hollywood issue.
Eukliptus -- new bar in the Colonial Zone -- had been closed for a minute, because of some electrical issues. But, Ruskin has called me to say that those issues have been resolved, and the place will be open from now on. Promise.
Well, that is all I can think of right now.
Until soon,
The Monaga Blogger
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Dominican escort service
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16 comments:
Brugal sold to the Scotts? The carribean with a freakin subway? Man, authenticity and serenity are slowly slipping away at the expense of the mighty peso.
With your headline, I thought that perhaps Leon had returned?!
: )
Good to read your latest as always,
Brad
Welcome back, Anthony. A great post and thanks for these links. The subway/metro commercial is over the top! When we drove past two of its spots in December, there was just a hole in the ground, so I guess the "workers" have really been going nonstop since then. Leonelito only has a few more weeks.... And believe me, be glad about the weather. It was 1/0F (-22/-35 with the wind chill) in Chicago this past weekend and around 10-5F last night, so even 40F would feel summery.
So happy you are back.
Eukliptus might just as well leave the electricity off..with the poor attitude of the employees and the slow service.......they wont have any customers anyway.
Eukliptus shady comment but true! the employees must get it from the silent owner from the states.
Never had a problem at Eukliptus. Not many customers, the drinks a wee bit weak, but overall Ruskin is giving it a shot.
It can't hurt to give the man and his bar a little support and at least drop by for a drink or two.
He has been a friend of the community for quite a while and deserves our support. We all know it ain't easy down there.
Ruskin is an asset to Eukliptus but those employees are rude, homophobic and slow as molasses.
Maybe true... but don't punish one man for the acts of the"silent" partner. Ruskin has always handled his business professionally. Return the favor by ordering a drink.
And again, the times i've been there, there's never been a problem with attitude.
Now that other well known place needs to get it's act together. Nuff said.
Anthony, dahling, so nice to have you back! I was getting a little tired of watching the waves come and go... Now, Ruskin (or whoever) has to get his act together if he wants that hole-in-the-wall to make any money. Julio and I were there a couple of nights in Dec/Jan and there was no ventilation at all. Very hot and humid, plus all that cigarette smoke. When Julio spoke up they turned on the air conditioning. They had a small, plasma TV on the wall with some tired football game! Puleeeze! At least have
music videos! When I wanted to stop by a few days later, Julio said, "No way!" and that was the end of that. I wonder how many others have made the same decision.
From Puerto Rico,
Rafael
Ok, my last try at this.
This is his first attempt at running a bar/club. The silent partner may or may not be part of the problem. But most of us are familiar with the man trying to make a go of it.
I ask, when you have these issues, do you bring them up to Ruskin directly? He may not be aware of the problem, or how it can be effecting business.
Most of the negative posts so far refer to minor, easily corrected problems... if he understands that folks may not come back because of; ventilation, what's on the tv, surly service. I think a quick "hey, if you change the channel, or limit smoking (the sportsbar did without any problem) more people would come here".. i think he'd understand.
I don't expect when we go on vacation to have to tell folk how to run their business... I think though in this case, in works in all our favors to have night life options, and people we know run them.
DR is changing rapidly. To all of us who travel down on the regular, it's in our interest to participate.
Please give something back to those who are trying to do the right thing.
(slight bow from waist, slow exit from soapbox)
I personally talked to Ruskin about his bartender and the poor service the bartender provided, the cold attitude of the bartender and the fact that the bartender was more interested in playing on the computer or looking at photos on his cell phone.....nothing happened. I like Ruskin but I am not going to be mistreated by his employees because he wont or cant make them shape up.
Is this for real? Rushing to the last link for escorts (Dominican Escort Service) I anticipated seeing a few nice male escorts.
Well...to each his own
My last try at this, too, and I quote: "When Julio spoke up, they turned on the air conditioning." Maybe I should have mentioned that Julio was speaking to Ruskin at this point. I think that the attitude may be, "Oh, there's only a few customers, so why should I turn on the air conditioning? I'll wait until a few more people show up." Well, it doesn't work that way. People will walk out rather than in.
From Puerto Rico,
Rafael
... I think the escort link is a joke.. If you can understand what the site is trying to say, the garbled language used to express it is hilarious! I think this is when you're met at the airport conked on the head and left by the side of the road.
And I quote "Ours escorts are available for appointments, 12 hours or more. It is necessary that you make a appointments with anticipation, sometimes is not easy to fix an appointment extended of completes hour. This type of appointments is very recommendable because they give the opportunity to spend one night whole with an pleasant company of quality that happen erotic and unforgettable a little while. Check our list of Prices for greater detail in extended appointments." LOL!!! Sign me right on up!! Priceless.
In regards to the Coco Boutique Hotel, I spoke with the owners and they said that even though they allow guests in the bar and lounge areas, they do NOT allow guests in the rooms. I cannot stay there. It looks to be a nice hotel, but when I am paying for a room, you cannot tell me I cannot have anyone in there whatsoever. They won't do too well with that policy, especially when dealing with vacationers. Sounds like they're just going to get couples as repeat guests and that's it.
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