Page 6: Dominican Republic Adventure 2024!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course skip all the dribble if you like and just check out the photos
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bleeding has mostly stopped and I'm feeling good, I just need to continue eating whatever I can. Oh Yeah!
Next morning before riding out of town I stop for a giant plate of Mangú with fried eggs and coffee. Mangú requires minimal chewing and is perfect road food. All good! I'm wondering what the bright yellow stuff is? I think I would like it...
I like all of this!
Riding to the Barahona area today. This is a beautiful area that didn't have much going on years ago when I was last here. My recent research has shown a lot of lodging along the coast now. The plan is to
maybe splurge a little and stay somewhere on the water. We will see...
I use this same technique to load a motorcycle when I don't have a ramp. I can tell these guys have done this before.
The plan is ride as far down as Paraiso today looking at places to stay along the way and in Paraiso. My research shows a lot of lodging near Paraiso.
Riding the Barahona area.
I always enjoy helping for a good cause.
Fresh water oasis.
Wild!
It feels like Paraiso is really trying. Fun atmosphere.
A few people around but a little slow. The hotels all seem closed or not places I want to stay at. I enjoy the park, hydrate and start riding back along the coast. On the ride down I didn't like the budget places I looked at so now I need to step up my game and check out more upscale lodging.
Looking for affordable lodging in the Barahona area:
The second hotel I check has the word 'Lodge' in the title so I thought it would be too expensive. $80 US I have my own place with infinity lap pool overlooking the beach and crashing waves. Breakfast included at the restaurant. OK this is what I'm talking about!
Local guy is fishing with a line wrapped around a coke bottle.
Restaurant view.
A great breakfast to order is included with the room. A large portion of Mangú and scrambled eggs with coffee. Easy to eat and a super way to start the day.
My route today is to the Southeast area of the island. I'm backtracking now so I'm messing up my longest continuous motorcycle ride but that's OK, I'm doing what feels best. My main concern is getting around Santo Domingo. I've taken a bus there many times and that has convinced me I never want to drive there, especially on a motorcycle. This should be interesting...
I like to pull over and chill where the motoconcho drivers are gathered, it's usually a good spot with shade and food. I like it when I get a glance or two and nod of approval once they see what I'm doing. It's a good feeling being a solo moto traveler. We are all one as bikers here on the island and that feels good.
The plan is to stay the night in either Bani, San Cristóbal or somewhere past Santo Domingo.
The traffic around Bani and San Cristóbal is just insane, I don't like it at all. Kids are riding wheelies down crowded city traffic. I‘m sure I’m about to see someone die. I need to make sure it isn't me. The plan is to ride north starting at San Cristóbal on a secondary road then loop over on what looks like an autopista bypass around Santo Domingo then East toward Punta Cana. Looking closer at the map I don't like where I'm heading, crowded city after city and fast roads.
I love to chill near river crossings. The way it looks I’m thinking these guys are panning for gold.
I like these back roads and the feel of the countryside. My plans are changing on the fly. I want to get the heck away from Santo Domingo and skip the Punta Cana area. The feeling I'm getting is that the traffic will get worse, the cities more hectic and there's the tourist effect near Punta Cana. Not what I want not what I enjoy.
Hang on, tons more!.