Доминикана 2011 Dominican Republic 2011

Went here with a friend for 12 days in early June. Aeroflot really liked the service on board, the brand new planes, the opportunity to watch movies and at least somehow brighten up a long flight. It was more relevant on the way back, we flew there at night and we slept, or rather tried to do it. We flew to Punta Cana, 12 hours in the air, thanks for the fact that there were no delays both there and back. The Dominican airport is very funny - you don’t get off the sleeve or on the bus, but you walk, the airport building, which, by the way, is international - several houses with roofs made of palm leaves. ))) The hotel at first made an unpleasant impression. A small hall, like a courtyard, someone comes, someone leaves. And it has always been like this - all the time we lived. Anthill. I liked the territory, large spacious, green, there is a pond with small turtles. But it seemed that everything was a little neglected here - the lawn is well-groomed, but the palm trees are all with withered yellow leaves. Yes, and the hotel itself is very old in places and in some places insistently requires restoration. . The tiles are cracked and chipped, the paint lies sloppy and falls off, the wood is scratched, the railings are almost falling apart in places, which is no wonder - in such humidity it is becoming unusable faster and faster. Funny houses-buildings, reminiscent of a pioneer camp, such three-story long blocks, painted in bright colors - red, green, blue. I liked the room - we had to wait a couple of hours, because we arrived early, and here we have to wait until 3 (we settled in a little earlier anyway), but it was worth it. The room is fresh, after renovation, it is felt. In turquoise. Dark furniture with wicker inserts. The tables are decorated with cactus. There were robes. Iron, ironing board - everything is there, in vain they only dragged their own iron. Mini bar, but without beer and alcohol. There is a coffee machine, but we didn’t try to make coffee ourselves, why, if they always pour it in the bar. The safe was taken immediately, it costs $ 20. This is for a week. It may not be cheap, but we didn’t regret it and we don’t advise anyone to skimp on it - having met another pair of Russians, we learned from them a story about their friends who left a week earlier, how they lost money right on the very first day. Simply put, they were stolen. But everyone understands that it is difficult to prove it, they went around swearing and complaining, they only spent time and nerves. Everyone shrugged - the administration is not responsible for things left unattended and not in the safe. So immediately advice - take the safe, you will sleep peacefully. Do not skimp on this!! ! There is no Internet in the room, there is in the lobby, but we did not take a laptop, sometimes we went to a sports bar - there you could sit at a computer for $ 4 for half an hour. There are no problems with food - if you want, there are 2 restaurants with a buffet, if you want - order a restaurant from the menu in advance for dinner, to choose from, we went a couple of times and realized that we like the buffet better, the kitchen is stronger. The bar pours whatever you want and without restrictions. I really liked the cappuccino, but the cocktails seem to be tasty, but too sweet and they put too much ice in them. Moreover, if you ask for a pina colada, the bartender will not be wiser over the glass for a long time, topping up one ingredient or another - he has a blank in a special bottle, he just mixes it with ice and crushes it all in a blender))) The beach is a dream from the picture !!! ! Light sand, blue-blue sea, especially in sunny weather. And palm trees, like grass growing from the sand. The whole party happens at the beach during the day - who rested on the beach, who was in the pool, who was in the bar, everything is nearby. We are addicted to playing volleyball - a good shake-up for the calories stuck at lunch and dinner. Towels are issued by card. Sunbeds are free. Yes, everything is practically free here, All inclusive system. In general, after three trips to Turkey, I can say that here is a very worthy alternative. I liked the rest. And if there is an opportunity to buy a hotel more expensive and more luxurious - in general, it will turn out to be a paradise. The downside is that it takes a long time to fly. Tours are not cheap. We only got out for Caribbean adventures, it costs $195, it's a boat trip - fun, carefree and you can get burned badly. In vain we took it at the very beginning, when we wanted some impressions and something to see, it is better to go after a little rest, when at least a little tan has already stuck to the skin. Because no matter how much you put on cream, even with a protection factor of 45, you still suffer after 3 days. The money was not even exchanged for local money. They paid in dollars - they are accepted everywhere without problems, and often just the price tag is already in dollars. Moreover, the dollar here is stronger than the euro, so if you pay in euros, you will lose, the exchange rate with the dollar is almost identical. What costs 22 in dollars, was counted as 20 in euros. Souvenirs of the sea - like all sorts of traditional crafts that are in every country, all these cups, plates, piles, etc. , also dolls, wooden figurines, interior stuff , well, and products - coffee, cocoa, vanilla, rum and herbal liquor "Mama Juana". It’s expensive to buy in hotels, but since they don’t walk outside hotels, it’s better to go to a shopping center if necessary, we went to one huge one, where you can buy everything you need - clothes, shoes, by the way, very cool, and souvenirs , and products. The taxi driver must be told - San Juan shopping center. Well, that's all. Finally - keep in mind that there are now strict rules on Aeroflot flights - a suitcase is not heavier than 23 kg, even if 24 kg - that's all, they take a surcharge. Moreover, the excess is not paid per kg, but simply paid and not weakly so - $ 170 for the excess!! ! So weigh your suitcases before check-in, throw out unnecessary things or put them in your hand luggage. Good luck to all! )))