Dominican Republic 28th January 2013

Boat speed reads 10 Knots!

Three days and 3 hours sail to Bocca Chicca yet again slowing down to get in during daylight.  It was also a tricky entrance with what looked like breaking water dead ahead.  Raoul the chief marina man had heard us calling on VHF 5 and asked us to switch to 6. This done he then came out to guide us in and help us berth.  It really was far easier letting him sort our all the arrival documents rather than stressing out and doing it ourselves.  He also showed us all we needed ashore to make our stay pleasant.
Buses were cheap so we had a day in Santo Domingo where we toured the Colonial district with Ben who gave us a commentary. This too is a World Heritage drain-hole so the Panteón Nacional,  Park Colón and Fortaleza Ozama were all toured. Pictures on Picasa.  We also had a morning at ‘Los Tres Ojos’. These are classic limestone caves with stalactites etc etc. Named the 3 Eyes since whenever a Dominican finds a lake it is called the first eye, obviously 3 were found hence the name. There are actually 4 lakes. 
We hired a car to view some of the island. First to the mountainous region around Jarabaçoa.  We stopped overnight at a hostel and walked to the local river, had a meal atop the ‘Lap of the Gods’ and walked a disused tourist trail to a waterfall.  Bliss- since there were no other tourists.  Then onto Puerto Plata via Monte Christi (near Luberon) and Los Hidalgos, (lunch) and Imbert to ask directions and give a lift to 6 girls who wanted a ride to Puerto Plata.  This took the whole afternoon so we only had a brief look at the town where Columbus landed.  It was the first weekend of Carnival and the waterfront was thick with costumed entries to the procession.  Here we were told that Faro a Colón a massive cruciform building to house the ashes of Columbus had suffered a fire so not open for viewing.  It would have been a highlight with the illuminations in the sky in the shape of a cross.  Needless to say we didn’t get back to ‘Piano’ until 11.30 after a stressful drive home.
  Less stressful was the trip to Santa Barbara de Samana to go Whale watching.  Yes we decided to Pay to view! OK a tourist rip off but we did get to see hump-backed whales at close range! Plus a Lobster lunch and an hour on the beach.  By far the best motorway on the island with practically no traffic also a pay road so no wonder.
Is it stll snowing in the UK????