It’s Marina ZarPar in the Dominican Republic
Eventually I did arrive at Marina ZarPar in Boca Chica. The marina is comfortable and offers all the usual yachting services (though at a premium), from laundry to WiFi. Even free transport to the local supermarket. But it suffers one large drawback (for me anyway).
View from the marina
A marina that does not allow me to bring visitors onto the premises, or to my boat, will inevitably get poor reviews. To be fair, it is possible. Just pay a fee and sign the person on as temporary crew. But frankly, I find this requirement both cumbersome and borderline insulting.
My boat is my house, and I feel I have the right to invite anyone I please to it. Locals with boats at the marina have no such restriction! So what gives?
Now that I have expressed my indignation, I’ll switch to the proverbial “good stuff”… and even allude to the reasons why I find the marina rules so restrictive… 😉
Marina ZarPar is well placed, beside a popular beach that extends all the way to Boca Chica, and this beach is where “it” all happens.
One continuous party extending for miles.
Pictures describe the scene better than any words so without further ado let me present:
Life is a beach in Boca Chica
The beach.
See if you can spot the tourist in this photo!
As you can see, if you want crowds…, no problem,
Waiter…., bring me a beer!
If you are more the 5 star beach resort type…
Lay down on your deck chair and order pina coladas to your hearts content.
I think I will go and chill out over here…
Want to idle away a few hours in rustic solitude…
Pull up a chair!
Fantastic! But what makes the Dominican Republic a must see tourist destination in my book are the people. Why?
For a start nobody here is camera shy. What a joy to have someone smile at you when you take their photo instead of looking at you as if you had just committed a crime.
Now don’t be camera shy…
See what I mean?
The only place I’ve visited that displayed a similarly positive reaction to my camera was the Cape Verde Islands.
I’ll buy 12!
For a smile like that I’ll buy a dozen bags of peanuts!
Who’s up for a banana ride?
Over Easter everyone was out to have a good time.
Music please maestro!!
To the accompaniment of bachata music to be sure, whether on the beach
Music in the streets!
or in the streets.
Hello sailor…
I even found a bar that catered exclusively to sailors! Sort of…
Not quite the usual fish & chips
Hungry? Take your pick. Fine dining or the Dominican Republic’s version of fish and chips.
Splendid.
Would you like to see my boat?
I could have stayed a month or a lifetime…! If the marina had allowed me visitors.
