We chose to ride dune buggies for our excursion outside the resort in Punta Cana. A bus took us about 30 minutes from the resort to a large operation built just for resort tourists like us. Seemed like they ran several groups in the morning and afternoon. We drove on side roads mainly, some paved, some 4×4 worthy. No dunes.
We wore masks because of the dust and fumes from the other buggies. We were caked in dust once we were finished. Ben and I took turns driving.
We had a good time, though driving in a line along a road gets old after a while. We stopped at a place where we were hustled through quick origin stories for chocolate, coffee and Mama Juana liquor. We got a small sample of each before being ushered into the store section of the stop. The park in Costa Rica had a much better show on coffee and chocolate. We sat here for about 30 minutes before moving on.
We heard at the resort that it’s muddy, and that you get very dirty on this trip. We wore clothes we didn’t mind messing up. We now know they mean you get dusty. The small mud experience was made with a hose. Makes sense there’s no mud if it hasn’t rained recently.
The second stop was at a beach. We had some excitement on the way there that livened up the trip. One buggy hit a pole with its tire. Luckily for them, and us so they didn’t block our way, they were able to bump their way around it. The driver just kept trying to go forward, and the movement pushed them to the side enough. I’m pretty sure the broken down buggy we passed a few minutes later was that one.
We had quite the slow build-up to the second moment of excitement–literally, two buggies ahead of us was going SOOOOO slow. We lost the main group. Ben and I were the last of our group, and the cleanup man had stopped to help that broken buggy. We had help from a local to make one turn; however, the slow buggy missed the next one. Lucky for us, the people in front of us saw the other group down the road and made the correct turn. Try as we did, there was no chance that wayward couple was going to hear us yelling at them to turn around. We’ve heard that couple now has a lovely home just outside Punta Cana.
Just kidding, of course they went back for them when we caught up to the group. They weren’t about to give away a free buggy.
The beach was a nice one. We were here for about 30 minutes as well. We didn’t get in the water, just enjoyed the view.
It was a good day, and we enjoyed spending time with our friends. We even got a sunset drive!
Ben and Megan Travel the World 