A Dominican Feast
With the hotel full and everyone looking to have fun on their kiteboarding vacation, we at eXtreme Cabarete decided to have a group dinner. What started out as something small grew into a group gathering, because as soon as wood got out that we were having a pig roast, everyone from the surrounding hotels wanted to come and join us. It started while figrefighter Allie was on her way back from visiting the farm. As we drove past the sign for Cerdo Asado (Roasted Pig), the though came to mind – why don’t we have that for dinner. As soon as we got back to the hotel we started to ask the other kiteboarders who was in for dinner with us, and everyone started to say yes. Typically the guests here at eXtreme Cabarete end up eating together in the restaurants as a group. At the end of a kitesurfing day, you’ll hear people asking each other what they are up to, as many of the solo travelers make instant friends here as it’s such a social place to stay. It part of what makes staying here so much fun, and it’s a great way to meet and find out what’s going on in town. It’s normal for many restaurants to smile with relief as the eXtreme Van or the gang shows up, as there will often be 20 or 30 kiteboarders and surfers looking to eat… but it can make for long waits! So as you can imagine, the list of people who wanted to join us for the Dominican feast grew quickly. And then the guests from the neighboring hotels stared to hear the list of kiteboarding holiday makers grew and grew – until voila, instant part at the eXtreme cabarete restaurant, the Funky Carp. The Funky Carp was gracious enough to help us throw the party, with their staff staying late. The icing on the cake was that one of our Norweigan guests had her birthday, and her brother organized a cake (or 3 cakes) for her, so we all sang happy birthday and enjoyed desert! After the meal, everyone relaxed to allow the huge feast to digest, but not for long. Tonight the crew headed out for some dancing in town, as the music was played loud at Onos. It’s hard to beat all the fun that people have here at eXtreme, and this was just one more example why it’s the ultimate place to stay on your next kiteboarding vacation!
Another great day kiteboarding
It’s nice to see the students learning to kiteboard at the Kite Lounge improving so rapidly. After three solid days of kiteboarding here on kite beach, everyone’s kitesurfing skills have improved greatly. I’ve heard from some of the Canadian guests at eXtreme Hotel how in the last few days they’ve managed to work the kinks and rustiness out and have already improved their kiteboarding abilities from last year. Last night was a social evening here in Cabarete with a large group of people heading into town to experience the Cabarete nightlife excitement. After dinner of real chicken wings at Residencia Dominicana, with homemade sauces, everyone headed out to Lax bar for dancing and chilling on bozo beach at tables, on lounge chairs or even bean bags. After a few (or more than a few) drinks many people found themselfs either heading back to eXtreme or to the Casino which has an excellant nghtclub that is in full swing from 3am until the sun comes up. All in all everyone is making the most of their kiteboarding holiday here in Cabarete. No other kiteboarding destisnation offers so much fun, all in one great place!
Kiteboarding Lessons on Kite Beach, Cabarete
The Kite Lounge makes kiteboarding lessons so easy, even a child can learn! Here at eXtreme Hotel, people of all ages and from around the world come to learn to kite, improve on developing skills or take their tricks to the next level. We currently have students under 10 years of age and students over 40. Scandinavia is well represented with kitesurfing students from Denmark and Swedan. North America is also well represented from Ontario, Quebec, New York and Kentucky. Europe is represented by a very nice couple from Austria and a young woman from Spain. There are always new friends awaiting you here on your kite vacation. Extreme Hotel guests meet up every night to head into Cabarete for food and drinks. Each night of the week boasts a different place for dinner, most of which can be enjoyed by those travelling on a budget. Options include Chinese, German, Sushi, traditional Dominican, Mexican and a host of others. After your belly is full of good food you have the option of heading back to the hotel to get some rest before an exciting morning of surfing at Encuentro Beach or going to one of the many fun beach bars in Cabarete for drinks and dancing. Come experience what it’s all about and live the dream at eXtreme Hotel located right on Kite Beach in Cabarete, Dominican Republic.
From Samana to Cabarete
How to get from Samana to Cabarete, is a question we often here at the hotel. Samana is definitely worth a trip if you are staying for a while in the Dominican Republic and getting there is already an adventure itself! “Colibri”, “Papagayo” and “Transporte El Canario”, are all private buses, leaving Puerto Plata along the North Coast of the Dominican Republic through until Samana. “Transporte Papagayo” is a maroon colour bus with PUERTO PLATA – SAMANA written on the windshield. The North Coast Bus route leave Puerto Plata at 6:45 a.m. from the front of the Brugal Hospital in Puerto Plata. It passes by Sosua around 7:00a.m, and will stop to pick up passengers in front of Playero Supermarket, before continuing on to Nagua. It will arrive in Sanchez around 9:30a.m. Get off in Sanchez if you want to head to Las Terrenas. The Bus continues along the Samana Peninsula and ends in Samana at 10:30a.m. The route back to to Puerto Plata leaves at 2:00.p.m. Las Terrenas is about a 45 minute drive from Samana City. Contact the driver :(809) 749-6415(Spanish only) for his schedule. Another option for the route to Las Terennas is “Transporte El Canario” or the “Chicken Bus”. This bus is light blue colour, but it don’t have a daily route. Instead, the owner drives it whenever the owner whants or needs to . “Transporte El Canario” also stops in Sosua to pick up more at Playero Supermarket. The phone number for “Transporte El Canario” is (809) 291-5594. The third option is the “Colibri” bus, from Puerto Plata to Samana, departing from Puerto Plata early in the morning from the Hospital in POP. There are also some Caribe tour buses leaving puerto plata for samana, best to contact them directly. Update Jan 2012 Transportes Papagayo 809-749-6415 leaves Puerto Plata Hospital around 6:45am once a day for Samana. They stop in front of Janet’s but will stop anywhere in Cabarete/Sosua if you call them. I was told they go through Cabarete at about 7:15am. To be safe, I would be in the sub stop at 7am. They stated it is a blue bus (not purple) but I wouldn’t trust that what we may consider purple is shade of blue for Dominicans. They will stop at the airport entrance for you. Update June 2018 There’s also the option to take a public Guagua for 350 Pesos. Ask reception to call the day before and to ask for the latest schedule, usually they pass the hotel at around 6.30am. http://www.las-terrenas-live.com/las-terrenas/transportes/guaguas-publicas.html
Kiteboarding Lago de la Presa de Hatillo
Most people are surprised to find out that the Dominican Republic is home to two of the biggest lakes in the Caribbean. One is a salt water lake below sea level, the other, Lago de la Presa de Hatillo, is a man made lake near Cotui. There are few words to express the majestic beauty of Lake Hatillo, The beauty and charm of this unspoiled 23 square mile lake is breathtaking. The lake is surrounded by lush green mountains around the town of Hernando Alonso. This man-made lake is a hidden corner of paradise, pristine, and untouched. The serene tranquility and peace that adorns you when you glance this blue body of water is nourishment to body, mind, and soul. This is where time comes to a complete stand still. Many of the small homes are decorated with modest gardens of colorful wild flowers. Then, a short distance turn across the little village of Hernando Alonso we reach “La Presa El Hatillo”. We found this while hunting for exotic flowers and tropical fruit, and saw the virgin kiteboarding lake and realized what an epic hidden gem it was. It is also the best freshwater lake fishing for 2000 miles. In a country known for its ocean waters, the Dominican Republic offers excellent fishing in crystal clear mountain streams and rivers. No one would have know that. The lake is actually an attractive reservoir that holds large quantities of Lake Bass and other fish. The German tour operator that runs fishing tours boasts that he catches Bass twice the size of anything he’s ever caught in the US right here in the DR. Who would have guessed?
Kiteboarding Samana Bay
Kiteboarding vacations in Samana Cross the bay of Samana with your kiteboard! The 35 km trip can be done with the prevailing wind, as you make your way across to the Los Hatises National park. With breath taking scenery about, this is one kiteboarding holiday you will not soon forget. There are multiple places to leave from, as much of the coast is still untouched by tourism.. There are long sandy beaches with sideshore breeze making for a perfect voyage across. In the distance you have breathtaking views of teh bay, and crystal clear water. Spend the day riding in virgin kiteboarding territory, with flat water conditions that are also the mating grounds for the whales There are sandy beaches worth checking out the entire way, so it’s wise to hire a fisherman to follow you as that gives you a lot of freedom to kite wherever you like.