| s/v Nine of Cups The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico |
We left the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands and headed for the Dominican
Republic. We spent a wonderful month in the DR exploring this beautiful country.
Spanish is the official language, and few of the people speak English, especially in the
outlying areas. The Dominicans are, however, not only physically beautiful people but
are as friendly as any we've met in our travels and were very patient with our limited
Spanish vocabulary.
Our travels in-country included Puerto Plata, Santiago, Santo Domingo and an ascent
of the highest mountain in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte
Republic. We spent a wonderful month in the DR exploring this beautiful country.
Spanish is the official language, and few of the people speak English, especially in the
outlying areas. The Dominicans are, however, not only physically beautiful people but
are as friendly as any we've met in our travels and were very patient with our limited
Spanish vocabulary.
Our travels in-country included Puerto Plata, Santiago, Santo Domingo and an ascent
of the highest mountain in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte
| The island of Hispaniola is divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Due to government safety warnings, we did not visit the Haiti side. Our route is noted in red above. |
Our port of entry was an anchorage at the
tiny fishing village of Luperon on the north
coast. The DR is so pleasant a place that
we met several cruisers that intended to stay
a few days and are still there after years.
tiny fishing village of Luperon on the north
coast. The DR is so pleasant a place that
we met several cruisers that intended to stay
a few days and are still there after years.
Columbus landed here on December 5, 1492,
and named the island Isla Espanola from which
the name Hispaniola was derived. Columbus
lived here for many years until his death, and his
remains are allegedly buried in the cathedral in
Santo Domingo.
and named the island Isla Espanola from which
the name Hispaniola was derived. Columbus
lived here for many years until his death, and his
remains are allegedly buried in the cathedral in
Santo Domingo.
This is a view of Puerto Plata harbor
from Fortaleza San Felipe, the oldest
fort in the New World. Isabel de
Torres Mountain is in the background.
from Fortaleza San Felipe, the oldest
fort in the New World. Isabel de
Torres Mountain is in the background.
Our ascent of Pico Duarte took 5 days. Each
night was spent in small (and often rat infested)
huts or casitas.
night was spent in small (and often rat infested)
huts or casitas.
Marcie taking a break and sharing lunch with the
mules. The lower elevations reminded us of
Jurassic Park which was filmed here. Riding
mules 8 hours a day raised blisters in different
places than we're used to on the boat.
mules. The lower elevations reminded us of
Jurassic Park which was filmed here. Riding
mules 8 hours a day raised blisters in different
places than we're used to on the boat.
Juan Pablo Duarte was a patriot during the
struggle for independence and is thought of
as the Father of the DR. Above is a statue
of Duarte next to the Dominican flag at the
summit. (Altitude 3087 meters)
struggle for independence and is thought of
as the Father of the DR. Above is a statue
of Duarte next to the Dominican flag at the
summit. (Altitude 3087 meters)
After a month in the DR we left for Puerto Rico. The 48 hour passage was a bit rainy,
but otherwise uneventful. We headed through the sometimes treacherous Mona Passage
and anchored in Boqueron.
but otherwise uneventful. We headed through the sometimes treacherous Mona Passage
and anchored in Boqueron.
Sunrise after a long passage to
Boqueron
Boqueron
Old San Juan was one of the most beautiful
cities we've visited. This is a view of the
City Gate taken from the top of the old City
Wall
cities we've visited. This is a view of the
City Gate taken from the top of the old City
Wall
Without a doubt the image most associated
with Isla del Encanto is the sentry box or
garita. The boxes are located at the outer
angles of the bastions and along the city walls,
and protected the sentries of long ago as they
kept watch over the city. Their form and
function fascinated us and provided many
photo opportunities.
with Isla del Encanto is the sentry box or
garita. The boxes are located at the outer
angles of the bastions and along the city walls,
and protected the sentries of long ago as they
kept watch over the city. Their form and
function fascinated us and provided many
photo opportunities.