A whale and calf were spotted on Sunday playing and frolicking in the Caribbean waters quite close to the reefs along the Las Americas highway.

Hundreds of spectators gathered to watch this awesome sight.  Confirmed by the Environment Ministry's Protected Areas Director, Jose Maunuel Mateo and also the National Aquarium director Enrique Pugibet, the aquarium director said that the marine mammal and calf were in good condition.

Rarely seen in this part of the Dominican Republic, the whales proved to be an absolute show stopper with people of all ages and children with parents just stopping to enjoy the moment.

This is the season when the whales come to Dominican Republic to mate in the warm Caribbean waters after travelling thousands of miles across from the North Atlantic.

Normally though the whales reside over on the north east coast of the island in the Samana province and will stay until around mid March.  Hundreds of tourists go each year to view this once in a life time spectacle.

It is a joyful occassion to spot whales on this part of the coast line, and the last spotted humpback whale last seen here was way back in 1986. 

The Leading Hotels of the World is the renowned luxury hospitality organization representing more than 430 of the world's finest hotels, resorts and spas. Since 1928, the company's reputation for excellence derives from the exacting levels of quality it demands of its members, each of which must pass a rigorous, anonymous inspection covering 1,500 separate criteria.

Susanna Mander, Director of Brand Management for Paradisus Resorts said "Achieving the coveted status of The Leading Hotels of the World so early in our tenure is a great honor, ensuring Paradisus Palma Real Resort's position as one of the finest hotels in the world, we are pleased to be included in a group that shares our standards of service and excellence."

The Paradisus Palma Real is the third Paradisus Resort to be recognised as one of The Leading Hotels of the World, joining the Paradisus Riviera Cancun for its Royal Service and the Paradisus Playa Conchal.

Located on the white-sand beach of famous Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Paradisus Palma Real Resort offers a superlative, real-life fantasy experience with its all-suite accommodations, Royal Service with personal butlers and private beach and pool areas; seven international gourmet dining options, including Bana, an a la carte Asian bistro offering Tepanyaki, Sushi Bar and Asian Fusion cuisine and Gabi Beach, a beach lounge exclusively for guests staying in Royal Service and Family Concierge suites.

Each of Paradisus Palma Real Resort's 554 oversized luxury suites with garden or ocean views are equipped with elegant mahogany furniture, Jacuzzi for two, plasma television, CD player and a private terrace.

Adults-only Royal Service guests enjoy exclusive check-in and check-out, indulgent butlers who cater to every whim, pillow menu selections, private Royal Service lounge, and preferential reservations for specialty restaurants, spa, activities and excursions.

Rounding out Paradisus Palma Real Resorts' guest offerings are sophisticated life-enriching activities such as cooking, wine tasting, tango lessons, kite surfing and photography classes; non-motorized water sports; scuba diving; snorkeling; horseback riding; four tennis courts; three swimming pools – including one of the largest in the Caribbean at 37,600 square feet; nightly entertainment and casino action.

The resort also offers exclusive golf privileges with unlimited greens fees at the 27-hole, championship Cocotal Golf & Country Club.

To view photographs of this amazing hotel please go to:http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=22641

To close the season, the most colourful troupes or in Spanish "comparsas" will be performing on the seafront malecon in Santo Domingo, this coming Sunday.  Every region in the country has a special costume and masks and the most ornate, vibrant and original will be parading in all their splendour.  The traditional national procession will start around 4.00pm in the afternoon.

The Minister of Culture is organising this annual event and more than 150 troupes are expected from around the Dominican Republic.  Avelino Stanley is the sub-minister for culture in the country and added that "the Dominican Republic is the only country on the American continent with a procession of this kind - showcasing local folklore from all over the country", he concluded saying "We must celebrate this with pride".

If you can't get down to Santo Domingo on Sunday then the event will be broadcast live by Color Vision (check your regional cable setting for which channel number)with live commentary from Jochy Santos, Pamela Sued, Karina Larrauri and Milton Cordero (Lechuga!).

To take advantage of this offer, reservations must be made between now and April 15th 2007 with a view of reservation dates between 1st September and October 31st 2007.

The Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort shares it's wonderful beach front location with it's four sibling hotels and the facilities from each of these hotels are included as well.  The whole resort comprises:- Bavaro Beach Resort, The Barcelo Bavaro Beach and Caribe Hotel, The Barcelo Bavaro Golf Hotel, The Barcelo Bavaro Casino Hotel and the Premium Barcelo Bavaro Palace Hotel.

Special group meeting packages can be reserved directly with a Barcelo specialist on 1 866 853 5720.  To check out photos and more amenities please go to our Dominican Republic Hotels section on this website and click into Bavaro Hotels for more great details and info.

The majority of the rooms in this 2,000 guestroom Barcelo destination all have ocean views and are located directly on the beach front. 

Offering a state-of-the-art Convention Center with high speed internet access and full business services, the Convention Center can accommodate up to 5,000 people.

Also on offer are many recreational facilities to help unwind and have fun with, these include: an on site 18 hole golf course, 14 all inclusive restaurants offering a wide and varied range of international and gourmet cuisine, tennis, windsurfing, sailing and a fully equipped fitness center with spa service available. If you still have energy left then there is a casino, three theaters which include a nightly musical review and also a disco.