January 2010

Christmas Camps in Epona Ranch

Christmas Camps in Epona RanchWith children of the French School in Las Terrenas

BREAKING NEWS: Three days of happiness and shared joy for the children of the French School of Las Terrenas and horses of Epona Ranch.

14 boys and girls participated at Christmas Camp in Epona Ranch.

The most experienced and novice ones had the opportunity to ride our horses, all with American halters. A nice osmosis between children and horses. Animations and games were successfully organized by Eliane, Vito and Mudo.

Thanks to everyone for their good humor and kindness.

Gerónimo

See more pictures of the Christmas Camp of Epona Ranch

Las Terrenas Live, 04.01.10

A new movie cycle in the CineClub of Las Terrenas begins

Movies at Las Terrenas CineclubCheck out the schedule of upcoming films

BREAKING NEWS: Yesterday Monday, January the 4th began a new cycle of movies in the CineClub of Las Terrenas, with the film Guateque (1968) The Party of director Blake Edwards.

Here’s the schedule of upcoming films presented in The Mambo Social Club every Monday at 08.00 pm, for a cost of RD $ 100 per person.

January 11th, 2010

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)

Director: Pedro Almodovar

Cast: Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas, Julieta Serrano, Rossy de Palma

Winner of the Goya for best film and best actress (Carmen Maura) / Comedy. The film that launched international fame of Pedro Almodovar, thanks to that enjoyed major success both in Europe and America, having been nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film.

Synopsis: Pepa and Ivan are voice actors. For his career he has declared his love to the most beautiful women in film and television, the trouble is that not been the only ones. After a relationship of many years Ivan breaks with Pepa, leaving a message on the answering machine that tells her to prepare a bag with her things. Pepa does not support house full of memories and places it to rent. Ivan does not arrive, or calls Pepa, and while she’s waiting, the house get filled with people going through them discover a lot about loneliness and insanity.

January 18th, 2010

Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)

Director: Woody Allen

Cast: Diane Keaton, Woody Allen, Alan Alda, Angelica Huston

Synopsis: Carol Lipton (Diane Keaton), a bored Manhattan housewife, suspects that his neighbor, an elderly man has murdered his wife, who has appeared dead, apparently from a heart failure. Carol’s husband, Larry (Woody Allen), thinks she’s paranoid and tries to take the idea of the head, but Carol is committed to investigate her neighbor and began to follow with the help of Ted (Alan Alda), a friend partner who has always been attracted to her.

January 25th, 2010

Muriel’s wedding (1994)

Director: P. J. Hogan

Cast: Toni Collette, Bill Hunter, Rachel Griffiths, Jeanine Drynan

Synopsis: Muriel is an overweight girl who lives in a fantasy world, filled with ABBA songs and wedding catalogs. She dreams that someday her prince will come to rescue her of her hateful family and group of friends who do nothing but make fun of her, but one day, tired of waiting for his arrival, she decides to go to the city and find him no matter what.

Las Terrenas Live, 05.01.10

El Portillo Beach Club signs alliance with The Registry Collection

Portillo Beach Club in SamanáExchange of residences

BREAKING NEWS: The development of a new tourism model for the country will be the result from the alliance between the Portillo Beach Club & Spa and The Registry Collection (TRC) in order to establish an exchange program whereby residential investors resort will have access to similar properties in destinations that have luxury tourist projects.

For Mr. Ramon Prieto, president of the company Development Promoters Portillo, S. A., this exchange program is a new modality in the national tourism, as it is aimed at attracting rich tourists, luxury property owners who will have our country in their vacation options from this company.

Through the exchange program, property owners in El Portillo Beach Club & Spa may exchange their properties with owners of similar infrastructure in major destinations such as United States of America, United Arab Emirates, France, Italy, Canada, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Uruguay, Mexico, among others, says the tourism entrepreneur.

This type of tourism business model exposes the Dominican Republic as a luxury destination, and places us as an attractive exchange option for high-level members of TRC.

The members of The Registry Collection will begin to travel to the Dominican Republic, known and recommended with other partners, creating a traffic and a major influx, which will help stimulate economic activity in the area, the region and its inhabitants. Mr. Prieto says.

Users of these programs are men and women entrepreneurs or senior executives, usually belong to social clubs or golf, whose income is greater than 300 thousand dollars a year and in their majority come from North America and Canada. We’re talking about people who could see in the Dominican Republic as a possible destination for their next investment, emphasizes Prieto.

Las Terrenas Live, 06.01.10

Metro Group signs alliance with Gamma Investment Ltd

Beach in Las Terrenas, Samaná ProvinceTo rebuild the country’s beaches

BREAKING NEWS: The Metro Group has signed an alliance with the Cuban firm Inversiones Gamma SA in order to regenerate the country’s beaches for the benefit of domestic and foreign visitors.

Company Vice President Granik, providing regeneration services, Luis Jose Asilis Elmúdesi has stated that this project gives the tourism industry the opportunity to keep in good beaches.

Gamma Investments SA is a company specializing in engineering, hydrotechnics, oceanography, geomorphology, hydrogeology, and coastal processes. With this alliance is seeking to keep in good condition beach environments in the nation.

Las Terrenas Live, 07.01.10

Las Terrenas has great development potential

Tourism and Real Estate in Las TerrenasBoth in tourism and real estate sector

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Tourism is good in the Dominican Republic despite the crisis, as many foreign investors and the Dominican upper class have looked at new tourism market taking place in the main destinations of the nation.

Las Terrenas in Samaná has such great potential in tourism and property development. Model has changed from hotel tourismto residential tourism, since this mode is fast recovery, through outright sales or mortgage loans.

One factor that has contributed to the development of this area is the construction of the highway from Santo Domingo-Samaná which offers an opportunity for tourism in the region by reducing the transport time between the capital and the destination.

One element that contributes to the strengthening of Las Terrenas as a great destination is the fact that French investments continue to grow in that region. There are currently installed about two thousand French in this tourist enclave, and recently a group of French investors acquired a hotel in the area of Samaná, according to the French ambassador, Roland Dubertrand.

Las Terrenas Live, 11.01.10

Bad weather should continue throughout the week

Fishermen in Las TerrenasSamaná is on green alert

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The Emergency Operations Center (COE) issued a green alert on Monday afternoon for residents in the provinces of Montecristi, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Duarte (especially Bajo Yuna), María Trinidad Sánchez (Nagua), Samaná, El Seibo and Hato Mayor, because of the consequences that could result in a frontal system located over the country.

COE indicate that the phenomenon remains favorable conditions for the occurrence of light rains and strong winds at times mainly on the North, Northwest and Northeast, gradually spreading to other parts of the country

It adds that this system brings an area of cold air which is entering from the north of the country, generating a sharp drop in temperatures.

In Las Terrenas, the temperature will remain between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius, and cloud coverage will reach 100% on Thursday January the 14th. The rain will continue today, Tuesday, and will weaken on Wednesday. It will return to experience heavy rain starting Thursday and at least until Saturday.

The waves may reach 2.7 meters at the coast of Las Terrenas, so fragile and small boats are advised to stay in port, while in the Bay of Samaná must navigate within it and not venture out to sea.

The COE requires that residents in those provinces and in areas of steep slopes vulnerable to landslides, those with poor drainage flooding generators, but especially those near rivers, streams and creeks should take the precautionary measures against flooding.

Las Terrenas Live, 12.01.10

Solidarity with Haiti

Help in HaitiHow to make donations

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Across the country, help to Haiti has begun to organize, providing food, drinks, and medicines to the survivors of the earthquake that occurred Tuesday in Haiti.

To make donations to Haiti, please contact the Tatiana Lauture, Secretary of the Dominican Chamber of Commerce-French, working in cooperation with the Dominican-Haitian Chamber, by calling at 829 866 5324.

Individuals can leave their donations in the French School of Las Terrenas, in the French School in Santo Domingo or the French Alliance of Santo Domingo, while professionals can contact the French Embassy in the Dominican Republic, located on the Calle Las Damas in Santo Domingo. Haitians need canned food, water to drink.

You can also make financial contributions.

Las Terrenas Live, 14.01.10

Help for Haiti

Dominico European Association in HaitiCall for donations

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The Dominican-French Chamber of Commerce (Mrs. Tatiana LAUTURE) and the French School in Santo Domingo (Mr JR Saati) are coordinating the logistics that will store and transport donations to Puerto Principe coming from all sides.

JR Saati, Haitian, trustee of the French school and trader in the Dominican Republic is in charge of coordinating the logistics.

We think it would be ideal to link the different initiatives created in Las Terrenas. A meeting took place on Wednesday January the 13th. Different personalities French Dominican and Haitian, representatives of social and economic life of Las Terrenas attended this meeting. Their ideas, their contacts in the country and in Haiti for some, helped to develop a logistics that will enable optimizing the generosity of everyone.

Unity is strength is the national motto of Haiti. Let us unite to help.

Call for volunteers for sorting centers in Santo Domingo:

Warehouses have been made available in Santo Domingo to receive all donations. However, dozens of trucks have already arrived and the emergency is primarily to find volunteers to help sort the goods arriving at the stores. To all people interested in volunteering, please write an email to annesatin@gmail.com to coordinate volunteers heading from Las Terrenas, to stores in Santo Domingo, and according to the needs expressed by Lord Saati.

Priority Goods:

For now, avoid the sacks of rice and pasta. Indeed, the Haitians don’t have for the moment the possibility of cooking food. Additionally, these foods can be damaged during storage. The priority is to get edible food right away (canned food, sardines, corn, beans etc…) and in individual portions.

  • Water, juice cartons

  • Baby Food (powdered milk, liquid milk Similac dose, diapers, etc…).
    It is also important to know that donations of food and are very numerous, domestic support is mobilized to send planes full of edible goods to distribute.

Care centers in Haiti in urgent need and in great numbers:

  • Gauze, cotton, serum, medicine, all medical equipment, alcohol;

  • Sheets and Blankets.

Where to leave your donations:

You can leave your donations in the old office on the Paseo AERODOMCA, BAHIA TOURS, in the Latin Quarter, in the CHANEL BOUTIQUE TOUR as well as LE BAR BISTR’EAU.

The transportation of your donations:

We will need trucks. Every truck owner is welcome to make it available with his driver. They are organized from Las Terrenas.

Alexandre Ahouisse coordinates transportation in cooperation with the Lord Saati.
Only gasoline will have to fund.

Money Donations

All money donations must be deposited each morning from 10.00 am to 01.00 pm in the Dominican European humanitarian Association Library next to the Ferretería Bamboo, on the first floor (Across from the doctor POLANCO).
Contact: President MONIQUE: 1 829 725 52 31
All donations will benefit from a larger budget for the purchase of medical supplies, medication, etc.… in collaboration with the pharmacy of the Paseo, finance transportation (gasoline and truck rentals, transportation of volunteers to Santo Domingo etc…).
You can make a donation directly deposited into the account of the association.


BANCO POPULAR
Swift: BP DODOSXXX
ORDER: Asociación humanitaria dominico europea
Number: 723943205
Thank you all.

For your information:

The promenade pharmacy offers to buy drugs at cost price.
Lindo Supermarket offers individual sleeves composite cost for a liter of water, a liter of juice, canned food, and baby small pot, a packet of biscuits, powdered milk, candles, and matches. The covers cost 100 or 205 pesos.
CHANNEL 10 launched a fund-raising telethon. Do not hesitate to express yourselves, or suggest things if they have ideas.

For any further information or suggestion:

Contact:
Dominique: 240 56 56
info@cb.lasterrenas.com

Lisette is also coordinating aid coming from the Dominican shops and all good wishes.
For transportation: KENZO: 809 935 02 11
To volunteer for the classification of goods in Santo Domingo: annesatin@gmail.com
For money donations monique.michault @ hotmail.com 1 829 725 52 31 (European Association Dominican humanitarian).

The network of websites Dominican Republic Live is available to any legal body, Dominican or foreign, to disseminate information and appeals for donations.

See our special page of help and donations for Haiti

Las Terrenas Live, 15.01.10

Cineclub Comedy Cycle continues in Las Terrenas

Las Terrenas Cineclub On Monday, Manhattan Murder Mystery by Woody Allen

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Bar Restaurant El Mambo Social Club continues to host each Monday Cineclub of Las Terrenas, with a presentation during the January Cycle Comedies.

This evening, Monday January the 18th, will be presented the film Manhattan Murder Mystery by Woody Allen, starring Diane Keaton, Woody Allen, Alan Alda and Anjelica Huston.

You can attend from 08.00 pm at a cost of only 100 pesos. For next week, will be presented the film Muriel’s Wedding, directed by PJ Hogan.

Las Terrenas Live, 18.01.10

Tourism projects greater hotel occupancy in high season

Hotel occupancy in Las TerrenasThe northern hemisphere winter draws tourists to the country

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The executive vice president of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores), Arturo Villanueva, highlighted that for the high season from January to April, the country has already adopted with 363 flights, and although one can not have a projection of occupancy and rate, the sector aims to maintain a proper rate and time to ensure profitable off of hotel occupancy.

Villanueva has reported that the prospects are promising for this year because both the Ministry of Tourism as Asonahores makes efforts to maintain the flow of passengers to enable sustaining and improving employment levels and benefits.

For his part, the government of President Leonel Fernández has maintained a strategic foreign policy of openness and tourism entrepreneurs have followed that policy, which has made a big profit, so they hope that 2010 is better.

In that order, there is a projection that unlike what happened in other nations that compete with the Dominican Republic, investment in tourism continue to grow this year on building projects and golf courses, of which 25 are in the country.

In addition, former Secretary of State for Tourism, Ellis Pérez, said that the winter that has occurred in the northern hemisphere in both the U.S. and Canada, and Europe is a good omen for hotel occupancy in the Dominican Republic.

He noted that expectations for this year occupation are very positive, and expected that from 20th of this month the arrival of tourists to this region to begin to level off as a result of the great tourist potential exhibits the Caribbean destination.

Las Terrenas Live, 20.01.10

Finest House Music in Paco Cabana

DJ Junior Rivero at Paco CabanaDJ Junior Rivero

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- This long weekend is, as usual, reason and party in Las Terrenas, Samana.

One of the most coveted restaurants when celebrating on the beach is the Paco Cabana , that this time offers us a night of electronic music with DJ Junior Rivero from New York.

Finest House Music is the name of the event, which will take place this Saturday January the 23rd 2010 from 11.00 pm.

Red Bull, President and Brugal are some of the sponsors of this great celebration of House music, which is projected to be a success.

A night full of joy and magic, do not miss it !

Las Terrenas Live, 21.01.10

Spanish investors highlight quality of Dominican tourism

Cosón Beach in Las TerrenasMost important destination in the Caribbean

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- Representatives of Spanish hotel chains investing in Dominican Republic have highlighted the tourism service quality experienced in the country and the Government’s interest in protecting this economic activity.

Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia, has received reports of investors who expressed the Dominican destination has grown in quality in recent years and the Dominican offer has nothing to do with one or three years ago. The comments by the chairmen of hotel chains were external at a luncheon led by Garcia at the Hotel Villa Magna in Madrid.

Dominican Republic remains the most important Caribbean destination for investors and tourists from long-distance markets, both in Spain and other European countries.

Garcia has announced that the Ministry of Tourism concluded Land Management Plan of the poles of the country, including in National Signaling Plan, which allow for easy mobility of international visitors.

In that order, has announced the renewal of the fleets of tourist taxis, uniformity and regulation of drivers and vehicles serving this sector in all poles of the country, which ensure the safety and efficiency in service.

Also, Garcia stressed that tourism is working on paving the main roads and streets of the hotel areas of the country and in the construction of sidewalks and curbs in the communities where these poles are embedded.

Las Terrenas Live, 25.01.10

Tourism Ministry of Dominican Republic participates to International Tourism Fair 2010

International Tourism Fair 2010Good results are obtained

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The Dominican Republic gained significant benefits in the International Tourism Fair (Fitur-2010), which concluded yesterday in the city of Madrid as the country has made contact with stakeholders, especially the Spanish market, which is keen in the Caribbean region.

Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia, the president of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores), Haydee Kuret de Rainieri, representatives of hotel companies have said that the nation has benefited at the fair.

In this sense, García has said that the Dominican booth was a significant flow of professionals seeking information on Caribbean destination and around the diverse range of hotels.

There were many people looking for new features, new market niches and new opportunities, the truth is that it was a fair production that we can not complain with the behavior of visitors from Europe and other issuers markets, he stated Garcia. For her part, Haydee Kuret de Ranieri, has said that the Dominican participation in Fitur is always important because it is a way to be present in Europe.

Tourism continues to demonstrate that the world economy is the business segment that has suffered under the economic crisis that has gripped the world, so that continues to show strength, and this is good news for us, as we have in tourism the engine of national development and main source of foreign exchange, he pointed Asonahores president.

Kuret de Ranieri has said that while in 2010 there is no recovery in hotel rates, is expected to be a significant increase in the number of guests, would enable the sector recovered gradually to normal.

Meanwhile, Ramon Tejada, director of sales and marketing for Coral Hospitality Corporation, stated that the chain performed well, as it approached new markets like Russia and Switzerland.

We have prepared comprehensive plans for the promotion and international marketing for the European market, which seeks to broaden the recruitment base by offering our products in Puerto Plata, Samaná and Punta Cana, clarified the hotel.

Las Terrenas Live, 26.01.10

2010 will be a positive year for tourism

Beach in Dominican RepublicAccording to the Tourism Minister

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- The Dominican tourism, the first source of revenue, last year moved 4,200 million dollars (2,986 million), four times the volume of foreign exchange generated by the export sector in the Dominican Republic, according to Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia.

In terms of expectations that keeps the sector this year, Mr. García has said that 2010 is called to be a positive year, good for tourism as you improve the global economic recovery.

Referring to the arrival of Spanish tourists to the Dominican Republic, the Minister of Tourism has reported that this market has presented a fall of 4% over the previous year. But Garcia has assured without advancing figures, Spain is the country that represents the most of tourism foreign investment in this Caribbean destination.

He has also stated that another major attraction for visitors that the country offers is the variety of tourism offerings focused on cruise ships, thanks to the fact that the nation has 12 ports that allow the ships dock, which guarantees the country a competitive advantage elsewhere.

In fact, the city of Barahona will welcome next month in the Dominican Republic to the major cruise companies around the world, something very important to this Caribbean destination.

Las Terrenas Live, 27.01.10

Cineclub of Las Terrenas celebrates the Oscars

Cineclub of Las TerrenasChoose your favorite movie each Monday during the month of February

BREAKING NEWS: Las Terrenas.- On February, the Cineclub celebrates the delivery of the Oscars. Every Monday on February, you will be the jury and choose your favorite movie. Below is the list of movies to choose from for this Monday February 1st in The Mambo Social Club at 08.00 pm.

February Monday the 1st: Oscar for best foreign film

Amarcord (1973)

Director: Federico Fellini
Actors: Pupella Maggio, Armando Brancia, Magaly Noel
Synopsis: A year in the life of a small town on the Italian coast in 1930.

Die Blechtrommel (1979) The Tin Drum

Director: Volker Schlöndorff
Actors: David Bennett, Mario Adorf, Angela Winkler
Synopsis: His third birthday is a decisive date in the life of Oscar, the little child who would not grow. Not only is the day that the decision to stop growing, but receives its first Tin Drum, an object that will become an inseparable companion for the rest of his days.

All About My Mother (1999)

Director: Pedro Almodovar
Actors: Cecilia Roth, Marisa Paredes, Candela Pena, Penelope Cruz
Synopsis: Manuela (Cecilia Roth) feels the pressing need to find the father of the child who just lost in an accident. The great obsession was the boy’s vital to know who his father, something she always hid. In this spirit Manuela travels to Barcelona, where he reunited with him, though now transformed into Lola (Toni Cantó).

Las Terrenas Live, 29.01.10