The Dominican Republic - 2nd Anniversary Trip!

 Brian and I were so blessed to be able to go to the Dominican Republic this year for our 2nd anniversary.  One of the best parts about having an anniversary in February is that we get to take a much needed break from the snow and the cold of Montana and head south for a week or so to thaw out and enjoy the ocean.  This year Brian found out that there was a humpack whale migration off the north coast of the Dominican from the end of January to the beginning of March, and because seeing whales in the wild has been on my list of things to do for quite a while we quickly placed the D.R. on the top of our anniversary destinations.  We had been hoping to check out some opportunities for micro-financing while we were there but it didn't work out to go with the organization that we had been planning on going with.  We were then free to do some other things during our stay such as scuba diving and hiking to some amazing waterfalls!  So, I hope you enjoy the picture story of our trip below...


First, Brian and I were anxious about getting out of Missoula as our flight was delayed over two hours due to the extreme blizzard conditions...  Thankfully we made it to Seattle and, even though we missed our  connection, we were able to get booked on an even better connection that got us to the Dominican an hour earlier!


When we got to Santo Domingo, we quickly (Dominican Time:) rented our car and got on the road to the Samana penninsula for our first part of the trip...






Brian driving along the toll road - notice the crazy harvested palm trees in the background. 
We did get pulled over about ten minutes into our drive...Whether because of our speeding or our nationality we will leave up to you.  In the end we negotiated down from $100 to about $3 for our "ticket" a.k.a.  gift to the police man

A closer look at the palm tree grove...I've never seen them like this before!

 

Some of the changing landscape.  Most of the road had a lot of lush vegetation around it



Brian was impressed with the red sand - I told him he needs to go to Wyoming for some amazing sand color!



Finally along the ocean with gorgeous white sand beaches, turqoise waters, and palm trees...Ah the Caribbean!!!

Our first hotel in Las Terrenas.  Brian specifically asked for the top floor - for exercise or for the view I still don't know:)



We had just enough time for a walk along our beach on our way in town for dinner.  This is directly across from our hotel.

Another view of the playa las ballenas - which means the beach of the whales:)!!

The next day we drove to the nearby town of Samana and boarded a boat to go out to the bay and watch the humpback whales.

My handsome husband on our way out to see the whales - They eventually made us wear life jackets because of the regulations.

We had a quick stop at and island called Cayo Levantado to drop off some people and then we went in search of the whales...

It took a few minutes to find them, but then we were able to spend an hour watching the whales come up for air and swim around.

It was so fun to watch them come up for air and breath out the blowhole...I think they are absolutely majestic creatures!

We were, at times, within yards of the whales!

The distinctive tail flip of the humpback...

On the way back we stopped off on the Cayo Levantado for a couple hours to eat lunch and enjoy what is, reportedly, one of the prettiest beaches in the Dominican Republic.

It was so nice to jump into these waters after being on the boat under the hot sun.

When we got back to Samana Brian and I spent some time touring the town and doing some shopping.

That night we were back in Las Terrenas and checked out a couple different beachside restaurants...pizza for dinner, and banana en flambe and ice cream for dessert.

The next day on our way to the Cascada de Limon we found out that we had a flat tire.  No big deal, we just stopped for lunch on the beach to relax before fixing it...

It is quite the feat to jack up a car on sand...but we got it done!  And, thankfully, no more car issues for the rest of the vacation.

We took a guide and horses to help us make our way up to the Cascada de Limon

Brian showing off his riding skills - the guides walk instead of ride which was a bit wierd for me...

The first of the two waterfalls

The Cascada de Limon

We had to immediately jump into the refreshing the waters after the horse ride.  We also found some sweet caves back behind the falls and explored them as well.

Brian propped up on a rock in front of the caves

The end of our trip.  Notice the sweet stepping stone to help us get on and off the horse.  How sweet it would have been to have that growing up.

We got back to Las Terrenas in time for a nice walk along our beach before another oceanside dinner. 

Brian enjoying his lobster...I just stuck with the chicken and penne

The next day we moved out to head to our next destination on the north shore of the Dominican.  Brian became quite adept at driving there.  I heard it explained that they drive like cows being herded on the road...they drive wherever there is a space.  You can easily put four or five cars across on a two lane road:)

The room in our next hotel.  Brian had to get a picture of the swans on the bed surrounded by flowers.

The view from our next hotel in Sosua

The beach in Sosua is lined with hundreds of little cafes and tourist shops like this... It was fun for a while, but we were thankful for our private beach for the relaxing times.

Enjoying my new favorite drink in the Dominican - the tequila sunrise...

Brian enjoying his Presidente

Our breakfasts on the veranda.  What a wonderful way to begin the day!

Our first day on the north shore we wanted to make sure we got in the famous "27 Chargas" or waterfalls.  Most people are only able to climb to the first 7 waterfalls due to time or physical limits.  Thankfully, we had the whole day and wanted to see them all!  This is reputedly one of the coolest things to do in the Dominican.  We agree.... 

  

We hiked up to the top of the waterfalls and then spent a couple hours jumping and sliding down them. It is like a natural waterpark.

Some of these jumps were from as high as 50 feet and into spots only 6 feet in diameter - hence the helmets:)

After 27 such jumps and slides down the falls we were more than willing to admit that this was the highlight of our vaction!

After all that hiking and jumping we stopped in Puerto Plata for a delicious Tex-Mex meal

We also took a tour through a museum to learn more about amber, larimar, cigars, and rum.  The main exports of the Dominican.  I was able to learn about the different types of amber - including the uniqe "blue" amber of the Dominican, and we got to watch some people makng cigars.

They even let Brian have his turn rolling and cutting a cigar.

A new profession perhaps:)

After such an amazing day, there is nothing like sitting at a beachside cafe watching the sunset...

The next day we got up early to head out diving.  We did three different dives during our time there but our last one was definitely the best.  Aside from the beautiful coral and fish, we were also able to swim through a natural tunnel...

Sea urchin anyone?  They start to stick to your hands after a few seconds...

That afternoon we had been planning on trying out windsurfing or kitesurfing at Cabarete, but after eating lunch and some time shopping - and finding me  the oerfect blue amber pendant:) the wind just wasn't strong enough.  Plan B? Snorkeling and relaxing on our hotel's private beach.

We found a coral garden filled with fish just yards from our beach.  The Dominicans are in the process of preserving and restoring their reefs...

Another beautiful sunset with drinks before dinner. Brian trying out his Captain Morgan's pose:)

Enjoying the evening playing pool while overlooking the ocean...

The next day we came back to the south side of the island and spent our day in the Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo - supposedly the first European town in the "New World".  This is where Columbus first landed.

The courtyard of our Colonial Mansion turned hotel.

Brian in front of the first cathedral in the "New World".  The cornerstone laid by Diego Columbus - the son of the
(in)famous explorer.

A statue of Christopher Columbus in the park named after him.

Enjoying a snack in a cafe on the outskirts of the park.  A great place to peoplewatch...

Exploring the forts built to protect this new territory.

On top of the fort looking out at the bay and the city of Santo Domingo.



Another picturesque row of restaurants surrounding the plaza dedicated to Mother Spain.

The next morning we were more than just a little sad to be heading back to the States.  Yet, we were thankful for the time we got to have in the Dominican.  We flew to Philadelphia, ate an "authentic" philly cheesestake , and then flew on towards Seattle.  Due to a schedule change with our flight out of Santo Domingo. we were pretty much assured  that we would miss our connection in Seattle and have to drive back to Missoula from there.  However, nothing is impossible for our God.  Not only did we arrive into Seattle ten minutes early, our plane to Missoula was all boarded and closed and on the tarmack when the captain had an issue with his chair, and everyone had to get back off the plane...giving Brian and I just enough time to catch the flight!  What a sweet blessing at the end of the trip...