This was the question I asked myself when the dive master of the Hotel came to my aid. A very nice man and now I can also say an honest man. He is a Spaniard and answered my question saying that if I as a novice really wanted to see something, I should decide on snorkeling. This lost him US$180.00.

Thus informed, I left, grateful for the honest answer. We wanted to book the Samana excursion this morning anyway and then call Germany. After breakfast we went to Plaza Playa Dorada to make our call. There are some stalls selling excursions directly at the entrance. Of course we were approached and Stanley (a very nice guy that we knew from previous visits to the Plaza) made me an offer for a snorkeling tour at Paradise Island close to Punta Rusia. The trip would have cost US$150.00 for the three of us. Since I wanted to call first, I promised to come back and book the tour then.

After having called home and having booked the Samana tour at Univers-Tours, we went back to Stanley. He had a customer and I waited. I was approached by somebody on the other side of the passage and this person wanted to sell us the tour. I usually keep my word and pointed to Stanley. Now, this guy wanted to sell us the tour at a better price. Meanwhile, Stanley was done with his client and saw how the other person tried to get my business. All of a sudden I was between two fronts and have to admit, the tour got cheaper and cheaper. After a few minutes, the two agreed and all of a sudden I could book the tour for only US$130.00. As promised, I booked the tour with Stanley.

The excursion took place on Thursday and we were collected very early. I was happy to see that we were not the only ones in front of the Hotel. Saskia, Susanne and Hans, who we had met before, were also going. It seemed we were the last stop and then we were on our way. We knew the road through Puerto Plata and past the Riu Hotels from a previous jeep-safari. At one point, we stopped and made a breakfast stop and drank coffee in a small restaurant.

When we were on the road again, the landscape started to change. We passed several villages and then the sugar cane plantations gave way to more and more rice paddies. It was fascinating to see the many faces of the Dominican Republic. We passed an incredibly loaded truck and had to laugh when we saw a Dominican blissfully sleeping above the load.

After a few kilometers, the bus drove to the right and onto a dirt road. The tour guide explained that the road was under permanent construction but never seems to be finished. All of a sudden it seems as if we had come to the end of our trip, construction vehicles blocked the road (left track) and did not plan on leaving. A pile of sand at least 3 meters high blocked the right track. It seemed that several vehicles had already passed over it. I was really surprised when the bus started to drive over this big pile of sand. I only thought I hope he makes it! But as the tour guide had mentioned, we got a very good driver. He mastered the hill without ever having to stop. Now we continued our trip and saw the changing landscape. The vegetation now consisted mainly of cacti.

Finally we arrived in Punta Rusia. After this long trip our backsides were sore. A few children were sitting outside and were grateful to receive our untouched lunch packets and immediately took them to safety. Then we were handed out life jackets. We were told that this was a regulation of the Marine Ministry. We gamely put the things on and got on the powerboat. Our boat had 2 motors each with 200 PS.

The “Captain” started slowly. We passed the coast and then went out into the Atlantic Ocean. I tried again and again to spot the island but saw nothing. After about 15 minutes, we had a view that up to then I had only known from books and travel catalogues. A sandbank that was approx. 60 meters long and 25 meters wide, totally white. There were 3 huts covered with palm fronds. When we arrived, I got an incredible feeling since the island was not totally crowded and we were among the first to get there.

We put our bags down and then first got the obligatory Cuba Libre. We were given snorkels and masks and thus equipped jumped into the water. I did not yet mention that you could go into the ocean without getting a shock from the cold. Normally, I have to let my favorite wife know two hours in advance the time I think I might drown so that she is in the water on time to save me.

Now, she always got directly into the water without saying anything and without a grimace. It was a pleasure to walk or swim the 30 meters to the corals. When I got to the corals, I put my mask on and took the snorkel into my mouth in order to see what was going on in the water.

Wow, what I saw can only be compared to the Aquarium in Barcelona, except that here the fish were swimming around in the wild. You can imagine that I had my head out of the water as little as possible. Even my favorite wife, who usually does not like to dive, stayed under water for almost 2 hours. Those who have not done this really have missed something. The forms and colors of the ocean’s inhabitants are truly fascinating. My entire family enjoyed what they saw and I noticed that Saskia, Susanne and Hans felt the same way. You may look at pictures on the page of under water photos.

After a good 2 hours it was time to pack up. Our boat got up to the island and a couple got on the boat before it had turned under protest from the captain. The young woman had already said: “hurry, then we can sit in the front!”. I was not jealous since I prefer to sit in the back. Meanwhile, the ocean had gotten rougher and we were also driving against the waves. After a short ride, it was exactly this couple that complained because during such a trip, the boat goes up in front and then crashes back into the water. The others of course wanted speed…..

Half way to our point of departure, Punta Rusia, we drove through mangroves. It was a marvelous sight since everything we saw we had only seen in travel guides before. We all enjoyed everything we had experienced that day and everybody was in good humor except for 2 people.

Oh, by the way, I was given a bottle of Brugal rum and told to watch it. I said: “o.k., if the boat sinks, men and Brugal rum first!”. The rest of the way, upon request of some passengers, the captain showed us how fast his boat was and we realized that changing into dry clothes on the island had been in vain. We reached Punta Rusia cheerful but wet to the bones.

We had lunch in a small restaurant. Here too, the food was excellent. We noticed that sea air really makes you hungry because everybody had a healthy appetite. Now we were on our way back. We noted that a caterpillar had distributed the pile of sand and we could continue our journey without problems. Without complications? No, every few kilometers we had to stop because a Pole was addicted to Cuba Libre. Constantly we heard: “I need to pee!” It was getting on our nerves.

After a short stop at the restaurant where we had had breakfast, we were on our way home. I took the hat of the tour guide and passed it around the bus. Everybody gave something since the driver and also the tour guide had really taken pains to make the day as beautiful as possible. The only exception was the Pole who had made us stop so many times. Saskia made a very angry face and told me that he had put US1 and 30 Pesos into the hat and then took the 30 Pesos out again saying: “it is all inclusive, after all!” I refrain from a comment.

This day was not only a great experience for us because we ended it at the bar of our Hotel with Saskia, Susanna and Hans. Somewhat tired but full of wonderful impressions, we all had a final drink. Today still, I gladly remember the tour and it certainly has not been my last trip to Punta Rusia.