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	<title>MotoCaribe Motorcycle Tours</title>
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		<title>One Day in Haiti, Part I</title>
		<link>http://motocaribe.com/2011/07/haiti1/</link>
		<comments>http://motocaribe.com/2011/07/haiti1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:11:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Haiti releif]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Haitian Aid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Haitian Orphanage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Help Haiti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motocaribe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://motocaribe.com/?p=327</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>When we discuss riding in the Dominican Republic  (DR) with a potential client, invariably geography enters the conversation. Fact is few people really know much about the DR,  the island of Hispanola or even its exact location before contacting us.</p>
<p>So when we explain the DR is 2/3 of the island and Haiti the rest, often [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When we discuss riding in the Dominican Republic  (DR) with a potential client, invariably geography enters the conversation. Fact is few people really know much about the DR,  the island of Hispanola or even its exact location before contacting us.</p>
<p>So when we explain the DR is 2/3 of the island and Haiti the rest, often there is a silent pause.</p>
<p>We know what they’re thinking. “Haiti? Isn’t that dangerous?”</p>
<p>So we&#8217;ve become as much of an authority on Haiti as we are on the Dominican Republic, and go into great detail that about the only thing in common between Haiti and the DR is they share the same large island.</p>
<p>Recently MotoCaribe partner Robert, the MotoCaribe guy on the ground in the DR, had a chance to visit Haiti for a day to document the noble charity work that his wife Alida  and her family do for a Haitian orphanage near a northern border town. He wrote about what his experience and the stark amazing contrast with the DR.</p>
<p>_______________________________________________________________________________</p>
<p><em>So take a peek and see how different Haiti is as seen through the eyes of someone who lives in the DR.</em></p>
<p>_______________________________________________________________________________</p>
<p><strong>We knew it was going to be a very long day. What we didn’t anticipate is the emotional drain we were about to experience.</strong></p>
<p>4:30 a.m. came early, especially seeing how we didn’t get to bed until around midnight. If it hadn’t been for the aroma of the excellent Dominican coffee dripping away I’d maybe have just chucked it all. But didn’t. We got up, fed the cats and dogs, showered and drank as much coffee as we could.</p>
<p>We left home in darkness and drove down the mountain (the Cordillera Central range) to the Autopista Duarte, the main N/S road in the country. An hour later we were at Alida’s brother’s house in Santiago. They’d had less sleep than we had.</p>
<p>This will be the day’s route. Orange is where we live to Santiago, purple is Santiago to Haiti:<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/RoutetoHaiti.jpg" alt="" width="472" height="303" /></p>
<p>The mission crew was Alida, mi esposa, Raphael, Alida’s brother and a local pastor, George, Alida’s cousin and an FBI agent from California and Director of the DREAM Project, Home, George’s esposa, Argellia, Karin, their spunky 8th grader who envisioned the DREAM Project as a 7th grader, Daniel, their young son, Robyn, Karin’s Korean school pal, Dr. Enriquillo Vargas (Santiago, familiar/oncologist, radio show host) and Christian Bueno, Santiago community leader volunteer.</p>
<p>This is George:</p>
<p><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/George.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="480" /></p>
<p>I learned I didn’t understand today’s work. I thought it was for engineer planning. Nope. That was done the trip before by George/Alida/Raphael’s *other* cousin, Peter Olivo (Hope For Children International ) by his foundation; the groups work together. This was to install some water equipment, deliver a bunch of beds and build some playground equipment. The big truck, full of stuff, was already headed to Haiti. And it seems over 1000 lbs. of food -mainly powdered milk- 400lbs of canned meat, 300lbs. of pancake mix, syrup, and a bunch of other foods were still held up in Dominican Customs….waiting for the signature of a Jefe on vacation…for a month. The organization doesn’t pay bribes.</p>
<p>We left Santiago around 6:30 as the day began to brighten, Alida, me, Robin, Karin and Daniel as passengers in my car, the others in the Drs. car. We drove north to Navarette, then northwest toward Monte Cristi, then on to cross the border in Dajabon. I’d not been in this part of the country before but I’d heard it became much dryer…and it did. Cactus and dust were common, but the landscape was still green.</p>
<p><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/EarlyMorning.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="320" /></p>
<p>Dominicans call this area the “frontier” as the population gets sparse and the weather less hospitable.</p>
<p>As we got 20 km from the border, we stopped near a military checkpoint to pee and drink something. They look for illegal Haitians.</p>
<p><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/MilitaryCheckPoint.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="320" /></p>
<p>Raphael and I sharing some soda:<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/RobertRaphaelSharingasoda.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="373" /></p>
<p>Onward into Dajabon. We stop to get papers from Customs, Alida, Raphael and George go in, I stay behind with the wimminzes and kids, taking pics. It’s HOT. Our caravan, dusty from the road:<br />
<img style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/CaravaninDajabonBorder.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="560" height="373" /></p>
<p>The border, just down the street:<br />
<img style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/TheBorder.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="560" height="373" /></p>
<p>A hard-working young fellow:<br />
<img style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/WorkingHard.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="560" height="373" /></p>
<p>Moto-conchos, motorcycle taxis, lined up:<br />
<img style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/TaxiStand-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="560" height="373" /></p>
<p>Our truck, loaded with stuff for the orphanage:<br />
<img style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/TheGiftBox-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="560" height="373" /></p>
<p>Seems things didn’t go well in Customs. The three “diplomats” come down the street bummed out.<br />
<img style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/NotHappy-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="560" height="373" /></p>
<p>Seems Customs wants a letter outlining all the stuff on the truck…again. So George and Raphael go to the internet café down the street to print one. We can go into the Custom’s office and wait…in air conditioning. Relief! And while there I see an interesting box and sneak a pic while the manager went out for a minute (no photos in their office.). It was plugged into the wall, had a big coil inside, had several plugs and a fuseable link. I dunno, you tell me: Dominican extension cord? Voltage regulator? Beats me:<br />
<img style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/ElecDeviceinCustoms.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="560" height="373" /></p>
<p>To Be Continued&#8230;.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>One Day in Haiti, Part II</title>
		<link>http://motocaribe.com/2011/06/haiti-part-ii/</link>
		<comments>http://motocaribe.com/2011/06/haiti-part-ii/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:43:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Haiti releif]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Haitian Orphanage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[helping hand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motocaribe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://motocaribe.com/?p=371</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>One Day in Haiti-Part II </p>
<p>So finally we’re on our way heading through the border. I’m driving and Alida snaps pics from inside the car. We go through the gate into a crowd:
</p>
<p>The river is the border, both banks are Haitian. From the bridge:
</p>
<p>We are now in Haiti:
</p>
<p></p>
<p>Unbelievable. The pictures don’t give a full image of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">One Day in Haiti-Part II</span></strong> </p>
<p>So finally we’re on our way heading through the border. I’m driving and Alida snaps pics from inside the car. We go through the gate into a crowd:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=CrossingtheBorder.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone" style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/CrossingtheBorder.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>The river is the border, both banks are Haitian. From the bridge:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=InsidetheBorderI.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/InsidetheBorderI.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>We are now in Haiti:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=InsidetheBorderIII.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/InsidetheBorderIII.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=InsidetheBorderII.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/InsidetheBorderII.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Unbelievable. The pictures don’t give a full image of what we saw:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=InsidetheBorderIV.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/InsidetheBorderIV.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>We saw several UN trucks and soldiers:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=UNTruck.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/UNTruck.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>But onward we go. We pass the police station/customs department. They would hold the truck up later on:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=CustomsPolice.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/CustomsPolice.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Deeper we drive through the town of Ouanaminthe. The orphanage is outside town. Some street scenes:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=StreetScene.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/StreetScene.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=StreetSceneI.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/StreetSceneI.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Wherever there was a stream or puddle, folks were doing their laundry:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=StreetSceneII.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/StreetSceneII.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Finally, we arrive at the orphanage:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=OrphanageOutside.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/OrphanageOutside.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Alida is greeted at the door with smiles:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=FrontDoor.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/FrontDoor.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>The front porch of the home:<br />
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=FrontEntrance.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/FrontEntrance.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>(Contunued)</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>One Day in Haiti, Part III</title>
		<link>http://motocaribe.com/2011/06/one-day-in-haiti-part-iii/</link>
		<comments>http://motocaribe.com/2011/06/one-day-in-haiti-part-iii/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:36:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rcooper</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://motocaribe.com/?p=483</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>The orphanage has 50 kids. These are throwaway kids. And a kid isn’t truly a throwaway until they are a Haitian throwaway.</p>
<p>I’ve got to say at this point I’m humbled and somewhat emotional. What we saw was hard to fully comprehend, and the orphanage added to the sensory overload. I discover how lucky I was [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The orphanage has 50 kids. These are throwaway kids. And a kid isn’t truly a throwaway until they are a Haitian throwaway.</p>
<p>I’ve got to say at this point I’m humbled and somewhat emotional. What we saw was hard to fully comprehend, and the orphanage added to the sensory overload. I discover how lucky I was to be from a rich country. What I used to think of as “poverty” wasn’t poverty at all.</p>
<p>I went in and scouted around, because I knew it would be a while before the others got here since the truck got held up by Haitian Customs. George, Raphael, and Madame Troussant, the head of the orphanage, former government employee and somewhat of a local celebrity, went back to Customs to get the truck away from those thieves. The doc was setting up his “clinic.”</p>
<p>I found the well that had recently been built (15’ to water, then 10’ of water, not bad) along with the pump to the tinaco and filtration system. Pretty sweet:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=WellI.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/WellI.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="504" height="336" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Tinacofilter-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Tinacofilter-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Only one problem: they get power maybe once a week for maybe 2 hours…and don’t know when. Otherwise they use those buckets on a rope for their water. Part of today’s mission was to install a manual pump.</p>
<p>The clinic was now open. The patients wait patiently in the waiting room:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=WaitingfortheDoctor.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/WaitingfortheDoctor.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Some kids had never been examined by a doctor before:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Doc.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Doc.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=DocGirl.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/DocGirl.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=DocGirlI.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/DocGirlI.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=DocGirlIII.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/DocGirlIII.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Seems EVERY kid in the place had intestinal parasites. One was epileptic, two others had water on the brain, all were malnourished, some anemic. These kids are 3-4 years older than they look. I was shocked. The doc brought a ton of medication. Every kid got parasite meds, vitamins, antibiotics, and iron pills. Madame will be in charge of making sure they take them.</p>
<p>But how effective could they be with the sanitary conditions? This is THE bathroom:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Banos.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Banos.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=BanosII.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/BanosII.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>BTW-I had to use that…once. That’s not water on the dirt floor or concrete seat.  You can imagine the stench. The distance from the hole to whatever is semi-solid below is maybe a foot. Do the math. I’ve had nature call at times that weren’t the best, but this was the worst. The doc had some antibacterial gel; I wanted to bathe in it.</p>
<p>So kids poop and pee pretty much wherever they want on the grounds, or:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=PeeCorner.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/PeeCorner.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="640" height="426" /></a></p>
<p>(Continued)</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>One Day in Haiti, Part IV</title>
		<link>http://motocaribe.com/2011/06/one-day-in-haiti-part-iv/</link>
		<comments>http://motocaribe.com/2011/06/one-day-in-haiti-part-iv/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2011 02:03:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rcooper</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://motocaribe.com/?p=492</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>But now it’s lunchtime, and the young kids get fed first, helped by the older kids:</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>The chef prepares today’s meal, the same meal as yesterday and the same meal as tomorrow. They eat just once a day:</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>The meal: rice, coarse pasta, a few onions…and a big blob of mayonnaise 3 times a week. They eat [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>But now it’s lunchtime, and the young kids get fed first, helped by the older kids:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=WaitingforLunchI.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/WaitingforLunchI.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=WaitingforLunchII.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/WaitingforLunchII.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>The chef prepares today’s meal, the same meal as yesterday and the same meal as tomorrow. They eat just once a day:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Kitchen.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Kitchen.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=KitchenI.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/KitchenI.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Lunchtime.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Lunchtime.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>The meal: rice, coarse pasta, a few onions…and a big blob of mayonnaise 3 times a week. They eat little if any protein and the mayo gives them ~some~ fat. It’s no wondering these kids…and the adults…are malnourished.  I was quietly pissed the Dominican customs was holding up hundreds of pounds of canned meat destined for these kids.</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=LetsEat.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/LetsEat.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=LetseatI.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/LetseatI.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></p>
<p>But they seemed to enjoy it.</p>
<p>I wandered around some more and found what I was later told were the “classrooms” (on the left):</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Classrooms.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Classrooms.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>I heard some muffled sounds in one and investigated:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=ClassroomII.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/ClassroomII.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>That’s water from the cooked pasta they’re eating. It looked like dishwater. They thought it was dessert.</p>
<p>Chef was working hard and seemed like a nice man:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Handyman.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Handyman.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></p>
<p>I liked his boots:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=HandymanShoes.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/HandymanShoes.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>(Continued)</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>One Day in Haiti, Part V</title>
		<link>http://motocaribe.com/2011/06/one-day-in-haiti-part-v/</link>
		<comments>http://motocaribe.com/2011/06/one-day-in-haiti-part-v/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:25:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rcooper</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://motocaribe.com/?p=498</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>I wandered around the innards of the house. The kitchen, no refrigeration:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Bedrooms:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Kids napping:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Finally, I heard some welcome noise on the other side of the wall. The truck was back:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Backed it into the compound and we begin to unload.</p>
<p>Beds:</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>While Madame had the kids sit and sing. Creole is a beautiful language in song:</p>
<p></p>
<p>They also brought a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I wandered around the innards of the house. The kitchen, no refrigeration:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Kitchenindoor.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Kitchenindoor.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Bedrooms:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Bedroom.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Bedroom.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Kids napping:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=NapTime-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/NapTime-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Finally, I heard some welcome noise on the other side of the wall. The truck was back:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=TruckArrives.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/TruckArrives.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Backed it into the compound and we begin to unload.</p>
<p>Beds:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=TruckUnload.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/TruckUnload.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Beds.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Beds.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>While Madame had the kids sit and sing. Creole is a beautiful language in song:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=WaitforTruck.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/WaitforTruck.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>They also brought a swing set. I took videos with the camera of the process, so not many pictures:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Swingset.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Swingset.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=SwingsetHelpers.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/SwingsetHelpers.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/SwingsetII.jpg"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/SwingsetII.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /></a></p>
<p>And toys, mainly balls. This girl had never seen bubbles before and thought they were magic!</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Toys.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Toys.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>Nobody wanted to tell these kids this stuff wasn’t personal toys, but part of the swing set:</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=ToysI.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/ToysI.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>(Continued)</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>One Day in Haiti, Part VI</title>
		<link>http://motocaribe.com/2011/06/one-day-in-haiti-part-vi/</link>
		<comments>http://motocaribe.com/2011/06/one-day-in-haiti-part-vi/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:40:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>rcooper</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://motocaribe.com/?p=501</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>We went to work on the manual pump (sorry, no pics because Alida was taking video that are on George’s website.) George didn’t really know much about it, but I did, being an old, experienced sailor. It was a very elegant engineering solution: a heavy duty marine bilge hand pump, 6 gal. a minute. George [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We went to work on the manual pump (sorry, no pics because Alida was taking video that are on George’s website.) George didn’t really know much about it, but I did, being an old, experienced sailor. It was a very elegant engineering solution: a heavy duty marine bilge hand pump, 6 gal. a minute. George installed it, dropped the hose and filter into the well and the kids stood around singing while he pumped it for the first time. And no sooner did the water come jetting out the hose that the pump failed. George was mildly upset and perplexed as to what to do because the screws, way to short, IMO, had stripped from the heavy duty plastic housing. So we drilled the holes out and tried nyties. Nope. No go. Water squirted out from the sides; the pieces weren’t held together close enough. </p>
<p>So I asked Madame if she and her assistant would take me to the closest hardware store and off we went. We found bolts, washers and nuts here (I’m in the orange shirt):<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Parts.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Parts.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>And back we went. I drilled the holes out more and through-bolted the pump halves. Perfect. We had water! Lots of water!</p>
<p>We give the kids the plaque to hang at the orphanage:<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Sign-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Sign-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>It’s now 4:15, and we’re several hours behind schedule because of the time we lost while Customs held the truck hostage. The border closes at 5pm. NOTHING goes through then, period. We did NOT want to spend the night. No way. So we bid a fond farewell, loaded up and headed to the border. We approach it:<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=NearBorderReturn-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/NearBorderReturn-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>There were a few minor paperwork hassles, but these guys watched:<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=UNSoldiersReturn.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/UNSoldiersReturn.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>They were Chilean, Uruguayan and Canadian.</p>
<p>Finally, back in the DR!</p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=DominicanBorder.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/DominicanBorder.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p>We didn’t get back to Santiago until 10 p.m., dead tired, too tired to drive back to Jarabacoa. So we checked into a hotel, grabbed some dinner in the restaurant and crashed. Hard. We were as emotionally drained as physically drained.</p>
<p>And despite the extreme poverty we experienced, I still have some images in my mind I’ll never forget, images that will make us go back when my help is needed:<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=GirlFace.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/GirlFace.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=GirlFaceI.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/GirlFaceI.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=Kidsfaces.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/Kidsfaces.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=KidsfacesI.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/KidsfacesI.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=KidsfacesII.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/KidsfacesII.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=KidsfacesIII.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/KidsfacesIII.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="560" height="373" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/?action=view&amp;current=KidsfacesV.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/cobra_boy_FL/KidsfacesV.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></p>
<p>My intent here is not to solicit donations. But if you want to donate some money or food to real folks who will use 100% of donations for children in need truly deserving, George&#8217;s www.allaboutthedream.org group is worthy of consideration.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Let&#8217;s Do Some Math!</title>
		<link>http://motocaribe.com/2010/03/lets-do-some-math/</link>
		<comments>http://motocaribe.com/2010/03/lets-do-some-math/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:33:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[caribbean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coconut groves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[desert region]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motorcycle holiday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motorcycle journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motorcycle tour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motorcycle touring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motorcycle tours]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motorcycle vacation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[narrow peninsula]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[samana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[samana peninsula]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[santiago]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[suzuki dl-650]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[v strom 650]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[v-strom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://motocaribe.com/?p=301</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>MotoCaribe offers 7 Day All-Inclusive Motorcycle Tours of the Dominican Republic on the Suzuki DL-650 V-Strom. When we say “All-Inclusive” we mean All-Inclusive!</p>
<p>Baseline – Our Single Rider Tour package is $2195.00</p>
<p>We challenge you to find a motorcycle touring package that offers the same value at the same price anywhere on the planet.</p>
Brass Tacks.
<p>1 –  Search [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>MotoCaribe offers 7 Day All-Inclusive Motorcycle Tours of the Dominican Republic on the Suzuki DL-650 V-Strom. When we say “All-Inclusive” we mean All-Inclusive!</p>
<p>Baseline – Our Single Rider Tour package is<span style="color: #0000ff"> $2195.00</span></p>
<p>We challenge you to find a motorcycle touring package that offers the same value at the same price anywhere on the planet.</p>
<h2>Brass Tacks.</h2>
<p>1 –  Search and find motorcycle rental rates for your destination. ($175.00 to $250.00 per day)</p>
<p>2 –  Find hotels along your routes for six nights.  ($85.00 to $125.00 per night)</p>
<p>3 –  Factor in breakfast lunch and dinner for your entire tour.  ($40.00 to $75.00 per day)</p>
<p>4 –  Factor in snacks and beverages along the way. ($10.00 to $20.00 per day)</p>
<p>5–   You will need gas for the motorcycle for the entire trip. ($15.00 to $25.00 per day)</p>
<p>6–   Add in the price of admission for the attractions where you stop.  ($10.00 to $20.00 per day)</p>
<p>7–   Airfare to that that destination.  ($350.00 to $500.00)</p>
<p>8–   Fees for Guides and Support. ($100.00 to $200.00 per day)</p>
<h2>Other factors to consider.</h2>
<p>You will have to carry your luggage on the bike you rent. You will have to do all your hotel reservations and planning. Route planning. You know the drill.</p>
<p>Let’s use an example of a rider wanting to get away and ride in South Florida, and they live in New York City area.</p>
<p>Here are the totals – and to prove MotoCaribe’s value proposition we’ll use the low side of things from the table above:</p>
<table style="height: 200px" width="216" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<col span="1" width="66" />
<col span="1" width="64" />
<col span="1" width="86" />
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="66" height="25">1</td>
<td width="64">Bike</td>
<td width="86">$1050.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="25">2</td>
<td>Hotels</td>
<td>$  525.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="25">3</td>
<td>Food</td>
<td>$  280.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="25">4</td>
<td>Snacks</td>
<td>$    60.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="25">5</td>
<td>Gas</td>
<td>$    90.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="25">6</td>
<td>Stops</td>
<td>$    60.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="25">7</td>
<td>Airfare</td>
<td>$  350.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="25">8</td>
<td>Guide</td>
<td>$  600.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000">TOTAL &#8211;   $3,015.00&#8230;<strong>IF</strong> you get the best deals. Good Luck!</span></p>
<p>We’ll be blunt. The thing that is not included when you tour somewhere else is the amazing beauty of the Dominican Republic. It has it all, amazing roads that our guests describe as “Epic” or “Mind Blowing”. Our tours are proven, we stay at the best resorts and hotels, and we know the local culture which maximizes your enjoyment. This is a motorcyclist’s vacation.</p>
<p><strong>To motivate you to come join us this coming season, if you book a tour before March 15, 2012 and we’ll knock $350.00 of any 7, 8 or 11 day tour price making it as low as $1845.00! </strong></p>
<p><strong>Now your airfare is not an issue!</strong></p>
<p><strong>7  Day MotoCaribe Tours include:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Deluxe Package of Seven (7) Nights of Resort Hotel Accommodations</li>
<li>Full Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day</li>
<li>Beverages, Snacks, and Freshly-brewed Coffee</li>
<li>Full Six (6) Days usage of your own Suzuki V-Strom 650cc</li>
<li>All Gasoline for the Entire Trip</li>
<li>DOT Modular Flip Up Full Face Helmets</li>
<li>Dedicated Seasoned American Lead Motorcycle Guide</li>
<li>Dedicated Bilingual Professional Tour Manager</li>
<li>Dedicated Tour Support Staff</li>
<li>Use of our 15 person Tour Support Van for Organized Excursions</li>
<li>Paid Admission Fees to all Attractions</li>
<li>Beach Chairs, Towels, Beach Umbrellas during Excursions</li>
</ul>
<h2>This about sums it up.</h2>
<p>&#8220;&#8230; If you want to see, hear, feel, and taste the Dominican Republic, this is your wildest dream come true. This is a riding trip that perfectly matches the extremely nimble Suzuki V-Strom 650 with winding, twisty roads, like &#8221;The Tail of the Iguana.&#8221; This bike is the epitome of what a dual sport bike is about, with quick acceleration and superb handling, on different road types that will challenge your ability to ride without whooping and hollering. Forget the boring Americanized vacation to a resort, looking at the same beach all week and talking to someone from your hometown. THIS is the full Dominican riding experience. The rice paddies, pineapple plantations, coconut groves, crashing ocean waves and high mountain vistas&#8211;that is what you will get. Smiling faces, kids in school uniforms waving and shouting &#8220;Hola!&#8221;&#8211; Native tour guides who know where to go and how to get there&#8211;that is what you will get. A face that hurts from smiling all day&#8211; Take my word for it, this is a trip that is NOT to be missed!&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>RoadStarGirl &#8211; Boston MA</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://motocaribe.wordpress.com/files/2009/12/img_0625.jpg"><img src="http://motocaribe.wordpress.com/files/2009/12/img_0625.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="382" /></a></strong></p>
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		<title>Testimonials&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://motocaribe.com/2010/03/testimonials/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:00:27 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[

<p>From the mountains to the sea and back to the mountains:</p>
<p>Now that over 3 months has pasted it is time for me to reflect on my adventure with MotoCaribe Motorcycle Tours.   Time to write a few words on my experience.</p>
<p>I had been to the Dominican Republic on two previous occasions in the past and have [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4><em><a href="http://motocaribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/headed-to-gaspar1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-592" src="http://motocaribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/headed-to-gaspar1.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="300" /></a></em></h4>
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<p><strong><em>From the mountains to the sea and back to the mountains:</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Now that over 3 months has pasted it is time for me to reflect on my adventure with MotoCaribe Motorcycle Tours.   Time to write a few words on my experience.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>I had been to the Dominican Republic on two previous occasions in the past and have enjoyed the country, the culture and its people immensely.  This tour gives an alternative exploration of the country that most tourists do not see.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Down to the real deal both Robert and Alida are fabulous hosts, never having to worry about any of the logistics. Any needs that came up they were happy to finds ways to accommodate and advise on how achieve my needs.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>There was always great food, and plenty of it.  In fact every time I thought I had a great meal, another better one was around the corner.  I was delighted with the accommodations.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>The tour itself was a amazing blend of a tour of a tropical island in all it‘s wonders and diversity that was done from the seat of a motorcycle.  The motorcycle riding was a blast. Everyday was always a new adventure each day having its own unique virtues and experiences.  From the funky ”Tail of the Iguana” to the fabulous road to Constanza . </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>When looking back at this tour I get this big silly grin on my face, Every time I tell my stories about the adventure I get a great big silly grin on my face.  Now when I think about going back for either the north tour again or the southern tour I get an even bigger silly grin on my face.  What more could one want than a little adventure in paradise?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Great people, great roads (for the most part, just enough other to keep it interesting), great bikes, great riding.  Spending time with Robert and Alida was like spending time with friends.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>My fondness for the Dominican Republic has even grown more from previous visit.  </em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left"><strong><em>-Rick Grahn, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada   August 2, 2011</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left"><strong><em>______________________________________________________</em></strong></p>
<h4><em><strong>&#8220;MotoCaribe is the best Motorcycle Adventure Vacation for your dollar&#8221;</strong> </em></h4>
</div>
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<h4><strong><em>Motocaribe tours are fun, inexpensive, exciting, eye opening, and close (for US travelers).  I have ridden motorcycles for 32 years.  I&#8217;ve ridden all over the US, and in 13 other countries in Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean, and my experiences with Motocaribe equal or better them.  I liked my northeast tour so much, I went back and did the southwest tour the next year, and it did not disappoint.</em></strong></h4>
<h4><strong><em>Dr. Todd Wolf,  New Jersey</em></strong></h4>
<p>_____________________________________________________________<em> </em></p>
<h4><em>&#8220;Forget the boring Americanized vacation to a resort, looking at the same beach all week and talking to someone from your hometown. THIS is the full Dominican riding experience. The rice paddies, pineapple plantations, coconut groves, crashing ocean waves and high mountain vistas&#8211;that is what you will get. Smiling faces, kids in school uniforms waving and shouting Hola!&#8221;</em></h4>
<h4><em>– Roadstargirl</em></h4>
<p>_____________________________________________________________</p>
<h4><span><em>&#8220;On Jan31st 2010 my husband and I embarked on a brand new adventure&#8230;.a MotoCaribe Motorcycle Tour.</em></span></h4>
<h4><em>Being a travel agent and having worked in this business for 20 years enabled us to take many fabulous vacations all over the world..however I must say I entered this vacation with more than a bit of trepidation&#8230;lets see.. I&#8217;m going to be a passenger on the back of my hubby&#8217;s bike&#8230;.one of which he has never ridden before for 6 solid days of travelling unknown terrain in the Northeast Dominican Republic!!!!</em></h4>
<h4><em>We arrived to spectacular sunshine and a tall handsome smiling man holding a MotoCaribe sign..this would be Robert our leader for the week. Throughout our week we stayed at amazingly quaint resorts, ate some of the best local food I have ever had, saw vistas that no words can describe, rode an incredible machine that stuck like glue to every road condition and had more fun than one words can ever describe.</em><em> </em></h4>
<h4><em>Robert and Alida took care of the smallest of details and our every need. We never once felt unsafe in fact we truly were at home amongst the smiling Dominican faces we passed every day.</em></h4>
<h4><em>This vacation had everything we needed we were able to fulfil our passion of riding a great bike in an exotic location through winding mountain roads as well as along turquoise beaches.</em></h4>
<h4><em>The MotoCaribe team are the best and we would highly recommend this to anyone wanting a truly unique experience..it is not for the faint of heart but what is better than an adventure awaiting you at every turn.</em><em> </em></h4>
<h4><em>One must live life to the fullest!&#8221;</em></h4>
<h4><em>-Cindy &amp; David McKiver</em><em> </em></h4>
<h4><em>clmckiver hotmail.com</em></h4>
<p><em>_______________________________________________________________</em></p>
<h4><em>&#8220;A seven day adventure tour with MotoCaribe is like being in a great movie for a week. There is number one, plenty of action packed riding, beautiful scenery, colorful characters, guided by lead rider Ed. MotoCaribe ramps up the plot every day and add their share of light comedy all along the way. Robert is definitely the director in this production with Alida being the producer working behind the scenes to make things run smoothly. This crew will take care of you. You are going to have a great time starring in your own adventure in the Caribbean. Riding V-Stroms around paradise…what&#8217;s not to like? Do it NOW! This is a real thumbs up and just too good to miss. I loved it.”</em></h4>
<h4><em>- ThorHiney</em></h4>
<p>_______________________________________________________________</p>
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<h4><strong><em>&#8220;Fantastic! That sums it up, but I&#8217;ll give details. </em></strong></h4>
</div>
<h4><strong><em>Before going on our tour of the north coast with Motocaribe, I&#8217;d looked for reviews on here and hadn&#8217;t found any, so I guess I&#8217;m the first. This is a tour, on motorcycles, of the moutainous area centered in Jarabacoa and also the Samana Peninsula. The Motocaribe website (</em></strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.motocaribe.com/" target="_blank"><strong><em>www.motocaribe.com</em></strong></a><strong><em>) has tons of details and other trip reports with tons of pictures about what you do each day. Excellent reviews! My main question before going on this trip was if it was too good to be true. <img src='http://motocaribe.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  The website write-ups and pictures looked phenomenal, and the price for a motorcycle tour was less than all the others we were looking at. The answer to my question is, it WAS too good, <img src='http://motocaribe.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  but it was ALSO TRUE! </em></strong></h4>
<p><strong><em>First of all let me immediately dispel some common myths: </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>1.  &#8220;The Dominican Republic  (DR) is dangerous &amp; lawless&#8221; &#8211; NO WAY!!  Dominicans are friendly, outgoing, god fearing, helpful, and kind, and I NEVER, ever felt unsafe.  I felt welcome everywhere.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>2.  &#8220;The DR is just another little &#8220;beachy&#8221; caribbean island with little to see&#8221; &#8211; The DR is a HUGE country, and has amazing geography, topography, and culture.  It also has unique ecosystems, wildlife (found nowhere else), rivers, lakes, desert, rain forests, cloud forests, HUGE mountains (the tallest being over 10,000 ft), and more national parks per square mile than most countries on earth.  The roads will challenge your skills and make you a better, more alert rider, and the scenery will impress you.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>3.  &#8220;Its a pain to get to the DR&#8221;  -  Flights to the DR are easy to find, and inexpensive, direct flights are available from most major cities.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>4.  &#8220;It will be difficult to plan the trip, and there will be a ton of hidden fees&#8221; &#8211; no again!  All you have to do is get in touch with Robert &amp; Alida &amp; tell them what tour you want to do, then get your flights, grab your gear &amp; go.  Thats it!  from the minute you get to the DR they will be there &amp; will handle everything (schedule, transfers, meals, bikes, gas, luggage, activities, etc) and, except for alcohol &amp; souvenires, you will not have to open your wallet again for anything.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>As a serious rider, traveler, and adventure tourer, I highly recommend these tours to anyone who loves motorcycles, travel, adventure, and fun (oh and a great bargain as well), as much as me.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Dr. Todd Wolf, Parsippany, NJ, USA</em></strong><em>______________________________________________________</em></p>
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<h4><strong><em>Overall, when someone asks me how our vacation went, I say, &#8220;Perfect. In any way it could have been perfect, it was.&#8221; My husband says, &#8220;It was the best vacation we&#8217;ve ever taken.&#8221; I&#8217;ll skip saying and reviewing what we did on each day, as it&#8217;s already on the website, but here&#8217;s the 4 categories I just loved about this vacation. </em></strong></p>
<h4><strong><em>1) The scenery. Wow!!! We got to see so much of the Dominican Republic!! We really got to see mountains and gorgeous lookouts the entire time we were riding the bikes. Other places we&#8217;ve been, I see one great lookout and think, &#8220;that was beautiful!,&#8221; but this was moment after moment after moment of beautiful mountains. Amazing! The beaches were fantastic! Playa Rincon Beach &#8211; nothing like it anywhere! We rode through jungle-looking area and that was fascinating, and we saw great caves and rock formations. If you like nature, this is a trip to take! </em></strong></p>
<h4><strong><em>2) The activities. This is a motorcycle tour, so we were riding, and that was awesome! through such great scenery. But it didn&#8217;t stop there. We got to swim in and behind a secluded waterfall, swam in a crystal-clear lagoon, snorkeled at the beach, went horseback riding, and hiked to a different waterfall. There was so much fun! It was more than just a motorcycle tour where you ride all day, and that&#8217;s great, but we kept stopping at amazing different sites to do different things, and it was wonderful! My husband and I love all-inclusives, but we do tend to get a bit bored unless we plan a bunch of excursions. This Motocaribe tour is like having paid for a new, different excursion each day. They chose fantastic things to do, it&#8217;s exciting, never a dull moment, and so fun! </em></strong><strong><em>Aside &#8211; so many people before we left were questioning if I really thought we&#8217;d be safe riding through the DR. One friend suggested I learn the Spanish word for &#8220;ransom&#8221; before going. <img src='http://motocaribe.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  I can say I felt very safe. They mentioned that any place we might potentially not feel safe, they had avoided on the tour. Also, it is a motorcycle tour, but one of the people in our group just rode in the van the entire time. You can go do all these fun things from the van, even if you don&#8217;t ride. </em></strong></h4>
<h4><strong><em>3) The culture. I have always been so interested in cultures of other places and countries. I do think it&#8217;s fun to see a tiny bit of another culture from an all-inclusive, but I think it&#8217;s hard to really get an understanding of a country or culture when you&#8217;re always in a tourist town. This Motocaribe tour kept us completely out of the normal tourist destinations. We saw and did a ton that the average tourist never would. In the process, I feel like I have a much better understanding of the country. As we rode past some houses, I could sometimes see in between the slats of wood that comprised the house. Very enlightening. We saw people going about their daily lives along the side of the road, riding a moto with a chicken coop full of tons of chickens attached to the back, etc. So interesting to see real life. We had Dominican food at our meals every day. Delicious (especially all that fresh fruit! Yum!) and very interesting to me. I am going to try to make red beans and white rice like they did. And we were encouraged to speak Spanish, which was great fun, although I&#8217;d only ever taken French and German, it was just so interesting to try to &#8220;get into&#8221; the culture. </em></strong></h4>
<h4><strong><em>4) Robert and Alida. <img src='http://motocaribe.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  Robert and Alida are the husband and wife team that comprise Motocaribe. They are wonderful people and so fun to be around! They chose perfect places to see, rides to take, places for meals and to stay. Robert is originally from the U.S. and Alida is Dominican. Alida translated everything for us that needed to be translated, and was a wealth of information about the country and the people. They were both so thoughtful and eager for us to see the country and have a great vacation. I can&#8217;t give them enough compliments. They even got me a birthday cake when they found out it was my birthday while on the tour. They go above and beyond and I thoroughly enjoyed them. </em></strong></h4>
<h4><strong><em>I suppose this is long enough, but to sum it up &#8211; Motocaribe provides an awesome tour! We loved it!! I need to build up babysitting credits with my parents, and then we&#8217;d want to do their tour of the southwest, too! &#8221; </em></strong></h4>
<h4><strong><em>Jodi &amp; Charles Utter</em></strong></h4>
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		<title>How to Ride in the Caribbean</title>
		<link>http://motocaribe.com/2010/02/116/</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:08:57 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zynova.net/sandbox/motocaribe/?p=116</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Toto, I&#8217;ve a feeling we&#8217;re not in Kansas anymore.</p>
<p>-Dorothy</p>
<p>Having visited the country repeatedly for over 20 years and now living and working in Paradise full time, MotoCaribe has developed a different perspective of riding in the Dominican Republic. Our stable of V-Stroms has over 60,000 miles riding all over the country on all kinds of roads [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><strong>Toto, I&#8217;ve a feeling we&#8217;re not in Kansas anymore.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>-Dorothy</strong></em></p>
<p>Having visited the country repeatedly for over 20 years and now living and working in Paradise full time, MotoCaribe has developed a different perspective of riding in the Dominican Republic. Our stable of V-Stroms has over 60,000 miles riding all over the country on all kinds of roads and in all sorts of conditions. And we’ve learned a few things that can not only enhance the enjoyment of riding motorcycles in this incredible place, but keep a rider safe and accident free. <strong><em>Safety is the single most important aspect of the sport of motorcycle riding…or it should be.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Rules of the Road: There IS a Pattern to the Chaos</strong></p>
<p>Simply stated, roads are used differently in the DR than here in the States. Your home motorcycle riding environment exists no more. You are a visitor in a highly evolved system and there are certain expectations of you simply because you are on a motorcycle within that structure. Understanding how to integrate within that developed traffic pattern is the key to your riding safety in the DR. Ready to surf the edge of chaos?</p>
<p><strong>The Basic Riding Dynamics:</strong></p>
<p>You need to have a complete disregard for the localized traffic rules that you love and understand from home. Rules exist in the DR, but they are different. Accept that premise and realize that it will take some time for you to acclimate to the new dynamics, the sooner the better. We have found it takes the average rider about 4 hours until they begin to reach a comfort level with the new rules. We aren’t talking about legalities or rights or wrongs here. We are talking about the unspoken realities and how they relate to your safety. Remember: You are a new species in a very established ecosystem.</p>
<p><strong>Size Matters:</strong></p>
<p>The bigger the vehicle the more it has the implied Right of Way. Embrace this dynamic because it ain’t never gonna change, Sparky. Never assume that that bus or SUV coming at you is going to get out of your way. That’s your job.</p>
<p><strong>Right Rut:</strong></p>
<p>The center of the road is the most dangerous place to be on a motorcycle. The right rut is the safest place to be, since the dangerous threats come from two places:</p>
<ul>
<li>Someone coming directly at you crossing the center line while passing a slower vehicle or avoiding a pothole. This happens quite frequently, two lane roads in the DR being the norm but often driven by Dominican drivers as if they were three lanes.</li>
<li>Someone overtaking you and you don’t see or hear them. Any movement out of the right rut should always be preceded by a solid visual and aural assessment of what is directly behind you.</li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>A Special Note:</strong></em></p>
<p>When approaching a blind uphill turn on a mountain road, exercise special caution. Staying in the right rut and beeping twice is mandatory. Dominican drivers know the roads very well and are likely to carry speed down those hills, passing trucks and slower vehicles that commonly use engine compression to save their brakes. They could be over the center line coming downhill. Having your bike near the center line is a sure recipe for disaster.</p>
<p>The right rut is especially important going up steep hills. You’ll see many overloaded trucks belching smoke and oil onto the road as they labor mightily. Their engines are under considerable pressure, resulting in a spray of some nice, fresh oil on the center of the lane. Unless your bike has special “oil tread” tires…and I’ve yet to see them&#8230;stay away from the oily center rut as much as possible.</p>
<p><strong>Use Your Horn!</strong></p>
<p>Using your horn to let other drivers know your intentions is as standard as using your turn signals. The norm is two beeps before you pass someone and approaching a blind curve.</p>
<p><strong>You Will Get Passed, So Let Them By:</strong></p>
<p>If you’re thinking about blocking that SUV wanting to pass you, even when traffic is tight, and you think you have the Right of Way, think again. That SUV will pass you, even if it means forcing you off the road. Never, ever challenge it.</p>
<p><strong>Passing Slower Vehicles:</strong></p>
<p>You will be passing slower vehicles on a regular basis and there are virtually no rules. Caution is all that matters.</p>
<p><strong>Always:</strong></p>
<p>Check behind you before maneuvering into a position to pass. Dominicans will pass multiple vehicles at a time and yours may be one of those when he’s behind you. Then check the road ahead to determine what is approaching you, put the blinker on, use a hand signal and beep, quickly get around the vehicle and back into the right rut. The key is staying off the center line as much as possible.</p>
<p><strong>Ride In the “Bubble&#8221;:</strong></p>
<p>This is the common practice of positioning yourself in traffic in clear space. There is no one close on your rear nor are you on someone else’s rear. This means getting past slower traffic when necessary and letting faster traffic pass you. On a big motorcycle you are traveling faster than motos and most trucks, and sometimes slower than cars, so this is a very natural state of operation. Always give yourself space.</p>
<p><strong>Group Riding Single File:</strong></p>
<p>With few exceptions, single file is always the best option for group riding. It gives all riders maximum road to react and avoid road hazards and other traffic. Adhering to the “2 second rule” between the bikes is not just important but should be mandatory, as it allows riders to have time to react safely to hazards. Staggered group riding should not be used, because no rider should be near the center line where it would limit his ability to avoid road hazards. Hand signals should always be used and passed back, lead rider to tail gunner, with lead rider reinforcing these continuously. “Lost Man” procedures should be implemented in the event a problem occurs that splits the group.</p>
<p>In the rare occurrence of having to stop for a red light, an exception to the single file rule should be made by riders splitting the lane side-by-side to keep the group together. Left in single file, motos would bunch in and all around the column, creating all manner of havoc and confusion. When the light changes, proceed in a single line.</p>
<p>(If you&#8217;d like to know more check this out: <a href="http://motocaribe.com/two-wheels-in-paradise/">http://motocaribe.com/two-wheels-in-paradise/</a>)</p>
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		<title>Vacation? Adventure Instead!</title>
		<link>http://motocaribe.com/2010/02/vacation-adventure-instead/</link>
		<comments>http://motocaribe.com/2010/02/vacation-adventure-instead/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:56:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<category><![CDATA[mountains and valleys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[narrow peninsula]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salt water crocodiles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[samana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[suzuki dl-650]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[suzuki v strom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sw tour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tropical drinks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[true desert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unparalleled combination]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[v strom 650]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[v-strom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[warm weather]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[waterfront village]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[yacht basin]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>MotoCaribe SW Tour of the Dominican Republic&#8230;</p>
<p>Riding a motorcycle through this unparalleled combination of roads, sights, stops, food, and culture will simply blow your mind. It&#8217;s the only way to describe it.</p>
<p>Mind Blowing.</p>
<p>A MotoCaribe Motorcycle Tour of the South West Region offers you the following:</p>
<p>Start off riding in the highest mountain range in the Caribbean.
Next [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>MotoCaribe SW Tour of the Dominican Republic&#8230;</p>
<p>Riding a motorcycle through this unparalleled combination of roads, sights, stops, food, and culture will simply blow your mind. It&#8217;s the only way to describe it.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000">Mind Blowing.</span></p>
<p>A MotoCaribe Motorcycle Tour of the South West Region offers you the following:</p>
<p>Start off riding in the highest mountain range in the Caribbean.<br />
Next day touring around a salt water lake that is 144 feet BELOW sea level.<br />
Exploring the &#8220;Frontier&#8221; region of the DR.<br />
On the amazing Suzuki V-Strom!<br />
Riding roads that hug the Caribbean for endless miles&#8230;</p>
<p>A true desert region with:</p>
<p>Iguanas.<br />
Cactus.<br />
Salt Water Crocodiles.<br />
Flamingos.<br />
Sand Dunes.<br />
Always supported by our dedicated staff that will take care of everything &#8211; it&#8217;s all-inclusive &#8211; just bring your warm weather riding gear.</p>
<p>Watch the SW Tour Video Below&#8230;. I triple dog dare you!</p>
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<p>FULL TOUR DETAILS BELOW!</p>
<p>Day 1</p>
<p>“The Adventure Begins.” After getting acquainted with your V-Strom 650, you rally through mountains and valleys to the nearly-hidden waterfront village of Las Salinas on a narrow peninsula snuggled between a bay and the Caribbean Sea. Along the journey, you’ll tour a cavern with ancient drawings by the indigenous people and see the vegetation morph from tropical green to desert arid. Dinner is served on the veranda overlooking the yacht basin. Simply magnificent!</p>
<p>Day 2</p>
<p>“Into the Desert.” You’ll blast further into the only desert in the Caribbean. Along the route, you’ll venture onto side roads for lunch at a mountain ”rancho” and experience a strange place that gravity “forgot”…where your bike rolls uphill on its own! Your destination is the bustling town of Barahona where you’ll be greeted with tropical drinks at your sea-front resort. Dinner is a buffet of Dominican specialties.</p>
<p>Day 3</p>
<p>“Loop of the Lake.” A fascinating day of amazing riding as you circumnavigate Lago Enriquillo, a salt lake 144 ft. below sea level in the largest true desert in the Caribbean. The road is a riders’ dream as you blast through miles of salt flats, rocky mountain passes and sugar cane fields, with stops that include a BBQ cook-out lunch in an real oasis, ancient cave carvings, and a National Park where giant iguanas scurry around like hungry kittens. A scrumptious dinner buffet ends a fantastic day.</p>
<p>Day 4</p>
<p>“THIS is Adventure Touring!” Many of our riders have claimed this is their single greatest motorcycling experience of their lives, an epic adventure of pure motorcycling awesomeness and a day you will never forget. You’ll rally south along the majestic hills next to the Caribbean Sea for miles…think Pacific Coast Highway…through quaint seaside villages, then blast down a frontier National Park road ending in the border town of Pedernales.</p>
<p>After a stop at the Haitian border crossing in Pedernales you’ll ride fantastic hard-packed desert roads to a tiny seaside village. There you’ll feast on a scrumptious seafood lunch in a quaint thatch-roof restaurant just feet from the postcard-perfect blue sea. This is living large, MotoCaribe style, and you will NOT want to leave! And the best part? You get to ride those spectacular roads back to the resort!</p>
<p>Day 5</p>
<p>“A Beach in Paradise” Day.  The MC crew sets up Camp Moto Beach in Los Patos, with shade tents, chairs, coolers full of your favorite beverages, snacks, beach toys and snorkel gear. Today’s goal: pure relaxation, Caribbean Style. Lunch will be freshly grilled seafood with all the trimmings, prepared riverside. You’ll take a quick cleansing dip in the cool, clear water of the nearby freshwater stream flowing into the sea, and van back to the resort in time for a beachside BBQ.</p>
<p>Day 6</p>
<p>“Back into the Valley.” You get a lot of seat time today as your adventure leads back to the mountains of Jarabacoa. You’ll be making great time as you blast along highways with a lunch stop at a natural water park. A long riding day ends with a Farewell Dinner high overlooking the city.</p>

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