DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REGION: 6.5 Earthquake :9/22/2003

AS AN ENGLISHMAN I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED AN EARTHQUAKE BEFORE AND THIS WAS OUR FIRST NIGHT ON VACATION. AND WE HAD A TREMORS FOR THE FOLLOWING TEN DAYS ON THE 29TH WE HAD A MINOR EARTHQUAKE BUT WE ALWAYS LOOKING OVER OUR SHOULDERS FOR MORE TREMORS EVEN WHEN WE RETURNED TO ENGLAND ANY UNEXPECTED NOISE MADE US THINK WE WERE ABOUT TO HAVE ANOUTHER QUAKE. FOR ALL THOSE THAT EXPERIENCE EARTHQUAKES ON A REGULAR BASIS HAVE MY DEEPEST ADMIRATION. sam@thecaravanman.fsnet.co.uk

(Posted by guest: SAM BROWN)

how does it feel to be living with earth quakes

(Posted by guest: joshua burgos)

It was my 2nd visit to Puerta Plata. I stayed in the Iberostar Costa Dorada in 2002 and September 2003. The earthquake was on our last night on holiday. Like the previous poster states, any noise has me jumping out of my skin. The scariest and wierdest sensation ever

(Posted by guest: Alan)

We were in Sun Village Hotel and spent the night by the pool or sunbeds. It was the most frightening experience and for this reason would never go back to the Dominican, but I have to say the people working in the hotel were absolutely wonderful and I would love to see them all again. One of the fears of going back is that with all the tremors too we feel their building must be weakened and would not risk another stay there.

(Posted by guest: Sheila Smith)

Myself and my partner were on our 3rd night of our holiday when the earthquake struck. I must admit I have never been so scared in my life but always wanting to experience different things in life, that was one to tell our Grandchildren. Don't want to experience it again though.

(Posted by guest: Dennis Goodwin)

myself and my fiance Stuart were staying at the Marien Coral by Hilton (i have to add the best hotel ever!) we went for dinner quite late and after eating went back to our hotel room. i woke to find the bed voilenty shaking and everything in our room falling over. The noise was unbelievable. It was th loudest noise I've ever heard, sort of rumbling. I woke Stuart and after what seemed like a life time the earthquake stopped. We got up turned the light on and everything was on the floor, the water from the toilet had been shaken all over the bathroom floor!! we quickley got some things and went to the main reception area where other guests had gathered. there were quite strong after shocks so we all had to wait outside the hotel so the staff could check the building over. we all ended up staying on the sun loungers around the pool!!! it was the scariest thing i've ever experianced, but i have to say it added to the holiday. i wouldn't hesitate at going back to the Coral, it was the most amazing holiday we've ever had and hopefully we'll be going back soon!!!!

(Posted by guest: cait )

Just read the entry from another guest of the Coral Marien and thought i'd write. As Cabin Crew I have been to The Dominican Rebublic at least a hundred times and is one of my favourite stop overs for the simple reason that its so peaceful. Slightly different this time though! The rest of the crew and I had just flown in and were staying at the Coral marien. It was an exhaustingly long day and we were sat around near the beach when there was a low rumble and everywhere shook so violently i was knocked off my feet. The lights went out and I managed to get out of the way of a falling palm tree. Everyone was in shock and the hotel was a mess. We couldn't stay in our rooms, we were told it wasn't safe; mine had a large crack in the wall and was a total mess. We were evacuated into the car park for hours and the rest of the night was spent on a sun bed. There were aftershocks all night and day making relaxation impossible due to the fear of another earthquake. I was glad to fly home the next day but felt awful as many tourists knew i was crew and kept asking me to get them home as their own flights were cancelled or not till later in the week and i just couldn't help them. I am trained to deal with diverse situations- though i don't think earthquakes is top of the list! I definately found it an unforgettable experience and in light of the Asia earthquake feel so deeply for anyone involved in it that i decided to volunteer.

(Posted by guest: Emma)

My Fiance and i had only been in the country for 12 hours when it felt like a freight train going through our room which turned out to be an earthquake it was the worst experience in my life did not help as in 5 days we would be getting married and 4 of them days i was in shock if it wasn't for the staff at the Puerto Plata Village Hotel i would of been on the first plane out! Over a year later i still suffer flash backs from loud noises i was also finding myself planning an escape route if it happened here. My husband completely different really enjoyed the experience. And how many times can you hear "the earth definatly moved for you"!!

(Posted by guest: Claire Dainty)

This was my first vacation to the island and my first experience in an earthquake. I was quite shaken but this won't stop me from going back. All the people there from California said this quake was nothing.

(Posted by guest: Suzy)

I was there when the earthquake hit staying at the Iberostar Hotel. I have been in several earthquakes but this was the worst. Said I would never go back. Went back the next year and hurricane Jeanie hit the island I am staying away for a few years.

(Posted by guest: Margaret)

My friend Hayley and myself were on our last night of our holiday when the earthquake started. We had been having the best holiday ever when it turned into a nightmare! We had decided to get an early night as our flight was the next morning (or so we thought!) when our windows and walls in our room started shaking! The next thing we knew our beds had been thrown to the other side of the room and we were in darkness. We grabbed our things and ran. We could hear people screaming from nearby rooms and everyone just made a dash for the front of the hotel. We had never been so scared in our lives! We were gathered outside reception listening while the rep informed us of what was going on when it started again. Everybody went to the front of the hotel. Most people were petrified but others were unphased by the situation! We most of the night in reception drinking tea and coffee and chatting with the other guests, exchanging stories and our fears! We sat together and waited while each aftershock passed. We were truly grateful for what everbody did to help and the other guests who kept us two 20 yr olds calm throughout the horrible experience! We also got to fly out back to the UK in the afternoon the next day. Hello to everyone who stayed at the Coral Marien, and if you remember us then we thank you for keeping us company and making a scary experience not seem so bad after all!! :)