"Great chaos - Merengue, rum, beaches, party" Dominican Republic by WanderingFinn

Merengue, the music that was born in the Dominican Republic, is something very unique. Somehow it sounds to me like a mixture of Caribbean and African music. It is usually very fast by its tempo, and requires much training to dance it the right way and on the right tempo. I was watching totally amazed how the locals danced it in a open air disco. They really have the rhythm in their blood.

It was almost funny - from every car that passed by and had windows open you heard Merengue from the car stereos. People sitting on their yards or looking out at their windows, NO MATTER WHAT AGE, listened loud the Merengue. I guess there were no restaurant that wouldn't have played the Merengue.

I have to admit it happened to me too - I fell in love with this music and I had to buy a record for taking home. I tried dancing it with a local man, he was teaching me the steps slowly but I didn't learn in one time. It means that I have to travel to the lovely Dominican again...

Dominican Republic is also famous for its rums. I remember a mark "Brugal", they made it quite near in the northern part of the country. Their rum is really good.

I bought a one-litre bottle to my hotel room, also some Coke, so I could some evenings make myself a Cuba Libre. Guess how much the bottle cost me in a local small "supermarket"? Three (3) euros. And it was good rum.

A warning for those who are not used to strong drinks: when you order your Cuba Libre, they do not measure it like in many stricter European countries (4 cl alchol, rest juice or Coke or whatever). In Dominican they just poor it from the bottle; usually half a glass, and a little Coke! Once in one place I even got a whole small bottle of Brugal rum and a very small Coke. (I had ordered a Cuba Libre). Not expensive!

Dominicans are partying a lot. It seems like they are out every night. And they just start partying around midnight or rather 01.00 a.m. and they stop around 06.00 a.m.
I was always wondering how do they wake up if they work the next morning?
They dance a lot, are happy, dress well and girls make up, guys have long trousers and a skirt (can be colourful summer skirt) for evenings. They are easy to contact and very friendly; easy to make friends.

Dominican Republic has one of world's most beautiful beaches, and many that are not any hotel's area. There is still unspoilt great lonely beaches left.

If you want to see how cigars are hand made; come to Dominican. You can also buy them directly for taking home for someone if you don't smoke yourself. They are much wanted and of good quality (maybe the best after Cuban cigars).

• Pros:Lots to see and do, Merengue, beaches, party, cheap souvenirs, great people
• Cons:Personally the tourist gap restaurants and hotels
• In a nutshell:A sweet chaos - not Dominican Republic but Banana Republic :)