Fly to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Today's destination was Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. It would be the longest overwater portion of our trip. However, halfway to the DR, there was a Bahamian island called Great Inagua that had a runway so that was a nice option to have.
Even if we had stayed overnight at Staniel Cay, we would have had to stop at Exuma Intl anyways to top off our fuel and check out with customs/immigration. So starting out at Excuma Intl. worked out well.
Because we were leaving the Bahamas for a different country, we had to do a full check-out with customs/immigration. There is a $25/person exit fee. Also I had to file an international flight plan with Nassau Flight Service. The Odyssey FBO was very helpful. They had a computer with full internet access so I could check weather, etc.
Here is a picture of Great Exuma just after takeoff.
I tried calling Nassau Radio on a couple of frequencies to open my flight plan but could get no response. So I called Exuma Intl. and asked them if they could contact Nassau Flight Services and have them open my flight plan. No problem, Mon!
From Great Inagua to Puerta Plata, we paralleled the Cuban ADIZ, and then later on, the Haitian coast.
Here we are cruising east-southeast down the Dominican Republic's coast and have started our descent into Puerta Plata.
The Dominican Republic controls their airspace so when we crossed into their airspace we had to contact Santa Domingo Approach. This is when I really appreciated the fact that the international language for air traffic control is English! The controllers speak excellent English. We were with Santa Domingo until about 20 miles from Puerto Plata when they switched us the Puerto Plata tower.
Safely on the ground with the plane tied down.
Since the Dominican Republic is a spanish-speaking country, and neither Jack or I speak spanish, I wasn't sure how things would go next. Because there was no signage, I wasn't even really sure if we were in the General Aviation area, although I was pretty sure we were because there were a few other GA planes. But this guy named came out to meet us. His name was Victor and he spoke English reasonably well. He ended up walking us through the entire process. He waited while we unloaded the baggage and tied down the airplane. Then he took us into the building and had us finish off the General Declaration forms. We used Jack's smartphone to call Nassau Flight Service and cancel the flight plan. Then Victor took us into the main airport area where we went through customs and immigration. Then we were out in front of the airport and Victor helped us get a taxi. He even arranged to have a friend meet us in two days when we were leaving, since he was off that day. You can be sure I gave him a big tip! So the arrival process was very quick and hassle-free thanks to Victor.
We stayed at one of those all-inclusive resorts where you get everything -- room, food & drink -- for one flat price. It was on the beach, had a huge pool with floating bar and was very nice. The DR is less expensive than the Bahamas which was nice.
We didn't feel like spending the entire day at the beach and pool so we went on a 3-hour tour of Puerta Plata. A driver took us down there, stayed with us, and drove us to the various spots.
Here we at the main square of Puerto Plata. The status on the right is that of General Gregorio Luperon -- the airport is named after him -- the main leader in the restoration of the Dominican Republic after the Spanish annexation in 1863. Sorry, I didn't write down who was on the left.
I taxiied over to the fuel pump area. But it was't self-serve. Our guide called the fuel people and a guy drove up in his fuel truck. But he used the fixed fuel pump, not the truck. Whatever works, as long as I get my gas. I paid him cash for the fuel on the spot. The gas price was the same as it was throughout the Bahamas: mid-7.50s per gallon, U.S. Gotta pay to play.
Once we were fueled, we jumped in the plane, started up, called ground control and we were on our way.
