A Different Kind of Adventure - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

At the end of April, the weather was so depressing and the forecast wasn't offering any improvement on the horizon. To give you some idea, here was the scene from my kitchen window:

Last fall then the weather was horrible before I was scheduled to head to the US,  I had been kicking myself that I hadn't thought of going somewhere else and I just couldn't let history repeat itself, so I decided to try and arrange to go somewhere that the weather would be better. 

I only need to be in Ontario 5 months out of the year in order to keep my Provincial health care. I'm only allowed to be in the USA for 6 months of the year, so I was looking for another country to visit for a week or so. I checked the weather for several Caribbean Islands and found that the best forecast for the next 10 -14 days was in the Dominica Republic. I used to travel there annually from around the mid 1980's to the mid 1990's and always enjoyed it so was keen to go back. 

The travel agent at the CAA in Hamilton suggested Dreams Palm Beach Resort in Punta Cana, which didn't charge a supplement for traveling single. 

I was scheduled to leave in a couple of days!

I borrowed a traveling golf club case from a friend, packed my suitcase and headed to the airport in Toronto. 

Though my flight didn't leave terribly early in the morning of April 30th, it was short enough that, even after having to wait about an extra 30 minutes for one couple to find their way to the van that was transferring about 9 of us to our resorts, I was able to have a late bite of lunch shortly after arriving at the hotel. After lunch I spoke to the concierge about arranging a round of golf for me the following day. 

Swinging bench with selfie photo opportunity/advertising.

The beach was nice and long, with some seaweed 
washing ashore, which the staff work hard at collecting.

This hotel has several specialty restaurants (only open for dinner) and a large buffet restaurant with a lot of variety (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.) There is also a grill on the beach and "pop-up" food carts sometimes near the pool. Unlike some other similar resorts, this one does not take reservations for dinner at the specialty restaurants. From their experience it is better to just seat people as they arrive, that way tables don't sit empty waiting for people who never show up! I liked this method. The first evening I tried to get into the French specialty restaurant (my least favorite of the types of food on offer, but I wanted to try them all), but was advised to try somewhere else because they had just seated a large party and it would be quite a while before I would be able to get a seat. They suggested I try the Italian place, which happened to be next door, which was fine with me. I got a table and good service right away. The restaurant had a modern flair in a black, white and crystal color scheme. I enjoyed my meal.

The following morning I enjoyed some beach time:

Then I changed into my golf clothes, had a bite of lunch and went to the lobby to wait for the ride to the golf course. Apparently there was some miscommunication, because they didn't come and when they called the course they thought I was playing the following day! Oops. At this point it was too late to get a ride anywhere and play 18 holes. I wasn't very happy, but to make the most our of it I changed out of my golf clothes and back into my bathing suit and went to the swim up bar. I chatted with some people at the bar and tried a few new drinks, like a lemon drop and Iceberg (frozen Margarita in draft beer.)

The following day I played my first round of golf at La Canna Golf Course (not the one I was supposed to go to yesterday.) I played with an American fellow staying at the resort, who was traveling with a group of couples who were friends, but he was the only golfer. One of the tour operators in the lobby had been booking golf for him and suggested we go together in the taxi. We got along fine. He took the picture of me below. They use fallen, painted coconuts as tee markers. There were some nice holes along the ocean. The course was in good shape. They have 27 holes. We were only going to play 18, so I asked that we play the best reviewed pair of 9's, which were called Tortuga and Arrecife. If I go back some other time I can give Hacienda a try. Caddies are optional at this course and we didn't take one.

After golf I showered, changed and went to the Japanese cooking table restaurant. I was able to get a seat as soon as I had arrived. The table seated 10 and there were already 8 people there. The chef was already busy cooking. It seems it is a preset menu, so they don't ask what you want. The standard meal starts with miso soup and a green salad. The chef then prepares fried rice, chicken, shrimp and steak with some vegetables, along with a few good stories and some flaming and juggling tricks. Everything except the beef was great. I had my doubts about the beef when he first started cooking it. Unfortunately it was the toughest beef I have every encountered, to the point of being inedible. (Good think it was all included in the overall price of the trip.) The folks at the table weren't as friendly as some I have met at similar cooking tables in the past. Drinks were included also, so I asked for warm Saki. The waiter said they were out of it, but low and behold they found a bottle and brought me some. 

Every night the hotel brings in different local acts to entertain the guests. I generally went to watch at least part of the show. 

The next morning I discovered the coffee shop, which is much like a Starbucks, but included in the price of the stay. I tried a slushy decaffeinated coffee. My only real disappointment with the resort was the the decaffeinated coffee at the shop was instant, whereas I know they had ground decaf at other establishments on the property that they could have used in the espresso machine. But, it was good enough that I had a second one. The shop also had some gluten free pastries (I'm trying to avoid wheat flour, if I haven't mentioned that before), fresh fruit and yogurt. 

The same day I played Cocotal Golf Course. I was paired up with a father, son and son-in-law. The father and son were pretty good golfers. The son-in-law, who rode with me not so much. He ended up hitting from my ball when his went astray, which helped keep us moving. 

This wasn't the most photogenic course I played,
but I did note this very tall fan like palm near the entrance.

That evening I was invited to join the group belonging to the fellow I played my first round with as it was their last night at the resort. They were going to the French restaurant. I agreed to join them and had an enjoyable dinner. I had the salmon, which was nicely prepared and presented in a way I hadn't seen done before, a filet with some skin still attached: 

My next round of golf was a Punta Blanca, where near the practice putting green they display flags from all the countries their guests are native of:

It is hard to tell, but the Canadian flag is there, next to Germany.

Being a Saturday there were quite a few locals warming up to play. I ended up playing on my own. The groups I approached let me play through. This course wasn't in the best of shape, but the price was the lowest and did include snacks at the turn and lunch after the round. 
After golf I showered, changed and went to the steak restaurant, which was a short ways down the beach for dinner. It was nice to hear the surf while dining. I sat next to a nice couple from New York City, who were on a short get away and were there checking out various resorts to possibly have a destination wedding at. There were quite a few weddings taking place the week I was there.  The dinner was very good. Thankfully the steak was much more enjoyable than the one at the Japanese place a couple of nights prior. 

Sunday I played The Lakes, an inland course. The course was quite well maintained. The price isn't as high as those along the coast with ocean-side holes. There were Lakes, as the name suggests. Many of them were located around the par 3's making them attractive holes: 

The pace of play was good for most of the round, but with 3 holes left the group behind me caught up with me, so we played in together. They were a mostly Spanish speaking family, Mother, Father and grown Son. The father was the weakest golfer among them. The mother was quite good. Too bad it wasn't possible for me to play another round with her.

Following golf I had dinner at the Mexican restaurant. The meal started with this colorful and tasty appetizer of guacamole, salsa and multi colored chips. 

My final round of golf on this trip was at Corales, which recently started hosting a tournament on the PGA Tour offering FedEx Cup points. The course was immaculate. Perhaps it isn't very difficult to maintain when there seems to be very little play on it, due to the high price. The green fees are quite pricey and caddies are mandatory (I found out after I arrived with little cash on me.) There are two holes which are quite unique in that they are par 4's with two greens each, which I was told they alternate from day to day. Additionally the course has many holes along the coast, which adds to the beauty and challenge due to onshore breezes. I played alone with my caddy and it all seemed to be a bit rushed. We encountered a two-some of men, who I wouldn't have minded joining, but we instead rushed to play through them on a difficult hole, which I didn't play well on due to the rushing. The driving range is quite a drive from the 1st tee. My caddy asked if I wanted to drive, but I thought it would be best if he did seeing as he knew the course. In hind sight perhaps I should have at least started out driving, so I could have more control over the pace of play. 

I tried to get a cash advance on my VISA card, the same one I was paying the green fees with, but they said they couldn't do that. They said there was a bank machine in town I could go to and withdraw cash for the caddy. The caddy rode with my driver and I to the bank, but it turned that didn't work, so seeing as the caddy knew the driver, the driver agreed to wait for me to go to my room at the hotel and get my cash out of the safe to give to him and he would give the money to the caddy the following day. I hope the driver was honest and delivered the money as agreed. 
My hotel room was spacious with two queen beds. The air-conditioning was effective, but a little on the noisy side, which I reported and a maintenance guy came quite quickly to try and fix it. He make some improvement. The shower was a generous size and had good pressure. The butler (male maid) kept it clean and tidy. Each day he refolded the coverlet/foot runner. Here are a couple of his creations. Other places I have been they do towel art. There was an mini bar, but he never caught on that I didn't want coke but rather extra beer. Oh well, there was at least one bar open nearly 24 hours of the day.

 







The flights there and back were fine. The hotel exceeded my expectations in every way and I was able to play five golf courses I hadn't played before, as I was in a different part of the island. They have made a lot of progress in the preceding 25 years. The hotel also had excellent free WiFi. I was able to make calls back to North America over WiFi. I'd be happy to go back another time.

If you happen to be going to Punta Cana, my ranking of the courses I played from best to worst is as follows:
1) (Los) Corales
2) La Cana
3) El Cocotal
4) Barcelo The Lakes
5) Punta Blanca.