From there, things got a little fuzzy. I’m not entirely sure how we made it to the car, but within 10 minutes, I was at the Cabarete Medical Center. And this is when I received the second biggest shock of the day (the first being the hard fall). I proceeded to receive the best medical attention of my life.
The English-speaking doctors patched my knee up in no time. I received a local anesthetic and 10 stitches, along with a tetanus shot as a precaution. Wait—isn’t this a third-world-country? Wasn’t I supposed to be worried about my safety, let alone, receiving minor surgery?
Following the knockout blow to my knee, surfing plans, and ego, it was time to regroup. Fortunately, something wonderful happens when you become incapacitated. It turns into the perfect excuse to relax! Having no 6:00 a.m. wake-up call to catch the best waves allowed for some serious enjoyment of Cabarete’s beaches, restaurants, and nightlife.
The appeal of Cabarete draws people from around the world. Over the years, these expatriates have set up restaurants, which offer a wide range of international and local cuisine, at differing price levels. Alohas is a relaxed joint with a surfer vibe featuring a fun, laid-back atmosphere. They have great food and a popular Thursday night barbeque buffet. We also enjoyed outrageous seafood at La Casita Papi. After dinner, we stopped at Blue Bar.
For nightlife, Cabarete’s main strip features numerous beach bars with everything from an Irish Pub to dance clubs pumping a variety of sounds from hip-hop, reggae, and local Dominican music.
Make sure to try some Mamajuana, a local Dominican drink that consists of rum and honey that steeps in the glass with wood chips and herbs. It’s sort of one of those “cure-all” drinks, considered to have medicinal powers. Getting home from the bars is simple. Just hop on a motorcycle taxi (moto)—driver included.
During my trip, I never once worried about my safety or even felt uncomfortable. The Dominican people are warm, friendly, and helpful. Every negative thing that I was told before I left the United States never manifested itself, and turned out to be nothing more than uninformed speculation. That is the beauty of travel and personal exploration. The true adventure is discovering, for yourself, what makes a place unique.
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