Monday, April 8, 2013

Dominican Republic


It was a dark and stormy night the eve before Good Friday when we arrived in the Dominican Republic.  And it was late.  We found perfect shelter from the northeast wind behind a big hill in Los Cacaos Bay.  Surprisingly the whole town was awake and playing music and playing in the water and partying in general.  Semana Santa (the week of Easter) is a big deal here.  
The next day was still rainy but the partying continued for most.  The hard-working fishermen were not partying.  They were fishing. They spread out their huge nets with their rowboat and 2 swimmers stationed themselves at either end.  The swimmers splashed the water to scare the fish into the net while the fishermen heaved on the lines.  They were out every day we were there.

Scary concrete thing that the fishermen used to organize their nets.
The wind changed in the middle of Saturday night, so we dropped anchor in the lee of the big island to the left.  It was only about 1.5 miles away.  Still raining!

I think this is the most beautiful place I've seen.  The mountains are dramatic and green. There are flowers and palm trees.  We rode horses to a waterfall.  On the way, many plants were pointed out to us.... coffee, cocoa, grapefruit, breadfruit, anise, avocado and pineapple.  The land is very rich and the inhabitants poor.


Cascada El Limon

On the road between Las Terrenas & Sanchez.  Lots of steep hills!

Overlooking Samana Bay
Tomorrow we head south and west from here - we are at a marina near Samana - to Los Haitises National Park.  We will return here to clear out of D.R. to go to Puerto Rico.  No wifi!  

For Ona & Aunt Grace.... truck selling orchids.  They have roses in the back.





One of Dale's flower creations.













Ray made us pancakes.  I think it's a sign!!!






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