Puerta Plata

I just finished reading "Treasure Island"--there are parts of the Dominican Republic that truly are a treasure.  Puerta Plata is one of them in my experience.  This is a scene from the cable car ascending to Pico Isabel de Torres at 2600 ft. Incredible!

One of the many street urchins who survive on the few pesos they earn shining the shoes of kind-hearted people.  They ought to be in school--education is the only way they will break out of this cycle of poverty.

These Dominicans have learned to live with the vagaries of life in this crazy country.  Using a treadle sewing machine may seem archaic to us, but when there is no electrical power (it happens often!) they can just keep on working!

Dominican flora

The stunning flora in this country never cease to surprise and please my eyes!  The cacti bloom for only a day, perhaps twice a year.  The flamboyant are in bloom for a good month as new blossoms open and the old ones fall to create a flaming carpet beneath.

We see olives in various shades of ripeness as we walk along the Anacoana trail  each morning. Black olives are obviously not nearly as appreciated as black ones because these are just falling on the ground to be trampled. Big black pitted ones are more expensive than green ones in the stores, however.

This cathedral in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo DR was begun in 1514--making it the oldest church in this hemisphere. That was only 20 years after Columbus discovered this land! It is a beautiful building--and a testament to the devotion of early explorers for whom religion was reason enough to risk their lives--and take the lives of certain others.

A delicate balance

This mangrove swamp on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic protects the island and its wildlife from the havoc of its frequent hurricanes. They call this red mangrove, one of many kinds, though I couldn't see that the roots looked red. There are no dangerous or poisonous animals on this island--maybe the hurricanes provide enough fear.

Mama, with baby humpback whale following close behind, cavort in Samana Bay.

House breakers

This is the DR's version of a house breaker! All by hand and sledge hammer, these walls come tumbling down. Most construction is cement with little design imagination. Excavating to build below ground level has its unique challenges as this island seems to be nothing but a pile of coral!

For $350,000 cool smackers, this beautifully restored 1932 Packard touring car can be yours!

Your potential

Your potential is only as limited as your view of the world!

Remember what I said about silky sand? You have to feel this to believe it!

Samana Bay

Just to let you know about the other side of the DR--incredibly azure water and sand that feels like silk between your toes!

This beautiful bay is where the great humpback whales do their yearly cavorting from January to March. They return at the same time next year to give birth to their young.

A common sight on the highways of the DR that would never be allowed in the USA! How many bodies can one small pickup actually transport?

How do you know you are in the DR? Look at the palms! I don't know what you do with this kind of palm fruit--anyone know?

Did someone say the Dominicans love their rice? This is the ultimate rice cooker! It must cook at least 20 pounds of rice at a time! This kitchen is in the old folks home-and they don't eat much, you know!

I think plastic chairs must be the most common piece of furniture in the country.

Dominicaners never throw them away. They would make our grandparents proud who used to say "Use it up, wear it out, Make it do, or do without."

So many things in the DR seem to reflect this old-fashioned couplet as demonstrated here by this tree giving leg-up stability to an otherwise useless three-legged, one armed chair.

Look like fun? This fine example of a people mover is found in nearby Mirador Park. We often see people sitting inside, but the train never moves. It's a good way to save on fuel--and to avoid expensive tire repair expenses!

A common experience on Santo Domingo roads is sharing it with other types of transportation. Two wheeled carts pulled by skinny tired horses haul produce to some wide spot on the road where the guys set up shop to sell their produce. Maybe I should follow the example of this horse and wear paper plate blinders so I don't get so nervous in this crazy traffic!

So many avocados on sale--and so many people buying that these bins prove to be very efficient. Note the platanos--same thing, staples in the Dominican diet! These huge avocados were 24 pesos each--about 75 cents.