Memories of Casa: The beach adventures of Mignon Bellini

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As one of our most popular features published so far in TODO Casa de Campo, here we bring you “The beach adventures of Mignon Bellini”, so that those of you who didn’t yet see the printed version can enjoy it here online – and we’ve even added in a few extra photos not included in print.

As seen in TODO Casa de Campo #5

Memories of Casa: The beach adventures of Mignon Bellini In the late 1980’s, Casa de Campo was a small and simple place, a tight-knit community of about 100 villas. There was Minitas Beach, the Teeth of the Dog and Links golf courses, the polo and tennis, as well as Altos de Chavón and of course the hotel – and transport was via the resort bus.

Catching the Casa de Campo resort bus to Minitas Beach

Mignon Bellini, like many others, first arrived in the mid 1980’s and falling in love with the beautiful tranquil lifestyle, made this little piece of paradise her second home for the last 3 decades. Nowadays, Mignon spends her days and nights playing golf and socialising with friends, but back in the late 1980’s and 1990’s, she enjoyed many a lazy day on Minitas beach, as well outside of Casa – exploring Macao, Palmilla, Saona and Bayahibe. Just getting to Minitas beach was an adventure. At that time living in Vista de Altos, Mignon and her friends would wait in the shade of a small wooden palapa until the resort bus called by to take them to the hotel, followed by a second bus to the beach. Although always a man-made beach, Minitas was certainly more rustic and natural back then – everyone simply lay in the sand under the palm trees. A simple lunch was enjoyed in the giant palapa overlooking the water at the “El Pescador” restaurant, which is now the elegant Beach Club by Le Cirque. Just like today, Minitas beach was a meeting place for friends and family and a popular relaxed way to spend the day.

Mignon Bellini relaxing at Casa de Campo’s Minitas Beach in the 1980’s

As a relatively unexplored and unknown destination at that time, most, if not all visitors to the Dominican Republic, were the “adventurous type” – and Mignon was no exception. Being one of the few who rented a car, she often set out to explore the beauty of the DR, and in doing so discovered numerous untouched beauty spots. A favorite was Bayahibe, which was also popular with many other CDC “locals”, the Fanjul family included. Here the place to be was the pristine beach to the west of the village – now Dreams hotel, and for lunch everyone ate at a taberna ran by a local named Olga – a place which today goes by the name of “Captain Kidd”. Then just a very simple fisherman’s village, the menu was basic – fresh lobster with tostones washed down with Presidente beers – often served warm due to a lack of electricity.

Feasting on fresh lobster in Bayahibe

Another great adventure was Macao beach, still relatively untouched even today, Macao 30 years ago was essentially a wilderness! Joined by fellow villa owners (now and then); Harvey and Carol Rhein and Enzo and Louisella Givigliano, Mignon went off-road down a track of coconuts to the waters edge, where on the deserted beach, they would sunbathe and swim. Lunch was always catered by a local, whose basic home doubled as a restaurant called “El Coco” – with food (fish or chicken) served at a picnic bench.

Having lunch with friends and Macao beach

Saona island, now the Dominican Republic’s most visited tourist destination was popular even then. Visiting in a private yacht, Mignon and friends would enjoy lazing on the beach – complete with sun loungers and basic food facilities – where they were joined by tourists visiting on tours. Sometimes they would even visit the village of Mano Juan and eat in a restaurant. Meanwhile, Palmilla natural swimming pool was everyones most-loved destination, popular for it’s crystal blue water – a spot which is just as beautiful today as it was then.

Chilling at Palmilla

A BIG thank you to Mignon Belllini for collaborating with us on this fabulous article! Mignon has many “old” photos, so we’ll be publishing more of her memories in the future! 

Do you have “Memories of Casa”? We are looking for members of the community to contribute to our “Memories of Casa” section in future edition of TODO Casa de Campo, so if you have “old” photos of Casa de Campo please contact us on: rhughes@silgon.net – or use the contact form below. We look forward to hearing from you!

Memories of Casa de Campo by Carol Burke

The ‘Memories of Casa de Campo’ series of articles was started by Carol Burke, who lived in Casa de Campo from August 1987 until January 1999, during which time she was an enthusiastic photographer, whilst her husband worked as Food Director for Casa de Campo and their 3 children attended the Abraham Lincoln School in La Romana. Over more than 1 year, Carol shared her photos and memories of the old Punta Aguila airport, the Dueños events, polo tournaments and so much more! CLICK HERE TO VIEW CAROL’S “MEMORIES OF CASA” Thank you so much Carol for sharing all your fantastic memories with us!