Little GTO

This morning we took a tour and both drove a Slingshot. This is a super, red car with three wheels, two in the front and one in the rear. It's a two seater convertible and super fast. Jeff says it has a Chevy engine and transmission. There were three cars in our group with our leader and a photographer in a Toyota sedan in the lead. With no training or checking to see if we had a driver's license, we drove off for about 20 minutes on a highway. Lots of speed bumps were annoying, but the ride was great. First stop was a public beach area where we got out for a short while.

Now Jeff and I traded places so I could drive. I had not used a stick shift in many years, but it came back quickly and I got us safely to the next stop. Have to say it was lots of fun to drive and the day was sunny and hot, so just perfect.

This stop was a cigar and chocolate factory and the obligatory gift shop. A small museum had displays about growing and curing tobacco. A gentleman was hand rolling cigars and none of us took him up on his offer to smoke one. This is a big industry here in the Dominican Republic using locally grown tobacco and leaves from Connecticut and Cuba. We also tasted a local liquor called Mamajuana. We could not understand what the guide was saying as he kept asking if we want try Mamajuana. It is good and can cure any ailments and also an aphrodisiac when you add rum and honey.

The other side of the building was a chocolate store with anything you can imagine made from chocolate including cosmetics, creams and, of course, chocolate to eat. We had samples of a hot chocolate tea flavored with brown sugar and little chunks of dark, milk, and white chocolate.

Now we are back in the cars and Jeff drove us home.

It was a nice excursion and good to see a little more of the area. Time for lunch and we took a tram from the main lobby to Isla. That is the restaurant closest to our rooms and one of three that are independent buildings facing the beach. It is large and airy with a huge buffet and a grill. Today I had a nice salad with greens, beans and couscous. A small bowl of crema de vegetable soup and small rolls with mantequilla. Jeff had them grill him a hamburger and I went back for a grilled chicken thigh with rice and beans. I really enjoy the island food and we are both using lots of Spanish to order food and talk to the staff. Everyone seems thrilled that we speak Spanish and are helpful correcting our words and encouraging us.

After lunch it is siesta time. We had so much sun this morning we decided not to go to the beach or pool. Instead we sat on the shady balcony and now it is nap time. We plan to eat dinner at Toro tonight. It is the only restaurant we have not been to for dinner.

Dinner at Toro was very nice. our waiter was so attentive and friendly. Jeff had Caesar salad and a rare steak. I had French Onion soup and BBQ chicken. We both had baked potatoes and I had creamed spinach. Ice cream sundaes were our dessert choice. We walked part of the way home trying to burn off a few calories after such a feast.