Home

Dominican Republic

07/05 - 12/05 Pictures from the Dominican Republic, Hispaniola.

The harbor, and the town of Luperon....

View from beach of the channel into Luperon    Luperon Bay, or as we know it... Bahia Luperon    A lucky rainbow over the harbor    A spectacular view of the harbor, from the hill where we rested the horses   

Another beautiful day!    Coming down the hill - looking down on the town of Luperon    The main street of Luperon leading to the dock    Both master and dog, enjoying the front porch at the end of the day   

One of several vegetable markets in town. This one run by Abuela, a very nice "Grandma", who dealt fairly with us "gringos"    Vegetable Truck in Luperon    The butcher, along the main rode through town    Here's where you buy your fresh chickens every morning!   

Capt. Steve's Place... one of only a few restaurants owned by ex-cruisers, who cater to cruisers' needs. Steve and his Dominican wife, Annie, will cook a meal for you, wash your clothes, rent you a motor bike, sell you ice or vegetables, and help you arrange anything else you may need. They were very nice to us, and the kids liked their food and playing pool there.    The Yacht Club in Bahia Luperon. At the time we were here, two of our favorite cruisers, Chuck and Jan were managing here. We enjoyed numerous meals and parties here! Look for the pictures of the jam sessions here!!!    Gina's - a fun restaurant owned by Gina and Max, a Dutch couple. Gina is a great chef!    Puerto Blanco Marina. Lots of fun events here including a swap shop every weekend followed by BBQ, karaoke nights, dancing, and bridge and poker games

A whole family probably lives here, and is happy to have it!    A good example of the average Dominican residence.... and drying the laundry.    The easiest way is often the best....the laundry on the fence drying...    Laundry Day in Luperon itself   

Here's the typical Dominican kitchen... with smiling faces, always!   Washing the dishes   A very typical store in the neighborhoods outside Luperon   The larger market in Imbert, a twenty minute ride by Motor-Concho or Gua-Gua from Luperon  

Que' hoy? Vegetables or Underwear?????

The waterfalls.... a fabulous day!

 On the way to the Waterfalls    On the hike to the Falls with our guide, Pablo    First of twenty-three waterfalls to climb up! Most people only do the first seven levels...    Shuttle bus

 Waterfall Tourist Van... we just took a Gua-Gua from Luperon    Dominican Republic National Tree (Royal Palm)    Dad and his girls at the airport. Jamie had to go back to the states shortly after the waterfall adbenture.   

Modes of transportation....

The easiest way, no complications... except maybe your shoulder aching! But she's still smiling!    If that's not enough, fashion a litter to pull behind your donkey    Typical mode of transportation    Parking Lot   

The milk is on its way to town....    Take a closer look at the wonderful saddle!    Rachel's ready to hop on, but he doesn't look too sure!!!!    Yes, that's a pig in a blanket (well, a sack, really!) He was very unhappy, and you could hear the squeals way down the lane   

More Popular mode of Transportation    Motor-Concho corner in town! Ready to take you anywhere.    Some combination of the two works also...    If all else fails, use your boat, or walk across the bridge! This is outside of Luperon, over one of many rivers.   

Traffic    Heavy Traffic!    Rush Hour Traffic    Traffic Jam!     

Our turn to go horseback riding.... one of our favorite memories. We loved riding through the mountains, river, salt flats and by the harbor!   

Jeff and Jillian riding     Looks like a collision course!!    The girls got through the river fine, but the guide fell off mid-stream!   Jeff and the girls heading into the trees!     

The girls running through the salt flats...    Our guide, had to help this Mom find her calf, who was layng in the grass, invisible   

Trick-or-treating, cruisers' style! Just shows you that even on the water, you can always find ways to celebrate holidays "properly"!

Princesses & gypsies abound!  Cheetah with Mommy the Mummy  A pregnant Mommy and a bunny   Ninja Cruiser   

Huge rollers in the hair, a skimpy top.... must be going to the grocery store!  The cutest, littlest Indian!  You have to click on this one for a close-up of Tori's face in the back, and her sister Ali in the front   Trick-or-treating, by dinghy - great fun! We went boat to boat in the anchorage, and then on to the party at the yacht club.   

Luperon's own version of pirates, looking to steal our booty!    More pirates waiting for us at the Yacht Club!   Even Minola, the owner of the Yacht Club, got into the act    Likewise his two waitresses... they were a big hit!   

Two full kimonos, one wench & one Bruce Van Sant (a rather famous cruiser/author who lives in Luperon)    I don't know what to call it, but it was a great costume!    Dr. Dave, Gypsy Accordionist Jessie & husband Kenny

Other pastimes...

Dominoes on deck with friends Justin and Tori    Hanging out at Gina's Restaurant, playing games...    Another fun ride! Jeff and I rented a MotorBike and rode to Isabela    Buddy, observing the dalmation on the boat across the way

The ballfield in town. Dominicans take softball & baseball VERY seriously!    Rachel & Marcie being during the pep talk before the women's cruisers vs. locals    The crowd loves a ball game!    Marcie with coach Rick

Marcie, Jillian & Ali swimming at the pool at the Luperon Resort, over the hill from the anchorage    Jeff, reading and relaxing by the pool.... he deserves it!    Rachel & Justin in the pool    Ali, Marcie, Rachel, Tori, Jillian & Jeff on the banana float, ready for a wild ride!

Musical entertainment...

A Dominican Band playing at Puerto Blanco Marina... excellent!    Dancing at the marina, another favorite of locals and cruisers alike - this happens to be at Halloween    Karaoke at Puerto Blanco Marina.... this picture is from Halloween, as you can tell from the costumes    Libbie & Annie - did they plan these costumes together???

The infamous jam sessions at the Yacht Club... anyone welcome to bring their instrument and participate    Two of the best musicians here... Nancy, who gave me guitar lessons. And Dr. Dave who composed wonderful songs, and handled our veternarian needs!    Anthony, my Australian yoga instructor, and player of the Aboriginal "didgeridoo"    The music was usually great, and it was a lot of fun for everyone!   

The multi-talented Dr. Dave!    I'm glad I'm not the only one who needs reading glasses!    And along with all that great music, comes the dancing... and crusiers enjoy that just as much!

Hacienda Melodia - a wonderful farm up the mountain from Luperon, owned by former cruisers Wolf & Melody. They invited us to come enjoy farm life any time, and so we hiked up the mountain several times and enjoyed their animals, riding horses, meeting their family & enjoying the view from their beautiful spot. Jillian has pictures on her page of the various animals the girls saw there - baby chicks, puppies, kittens, calves, etc.

 We would take a Gua-Gua to the next town, then hike two miles up the mountain to Hacienda Melodia      The view from just part-way up the mountain towards the Hacienda     Melody at the gate to her land    Melody's parents, who were visiting from the U.S., Wolf, Melody & their "adopted" daughter, Jasmine

Miamar.... a nearby Inn and Restaurant which is a must see.... very good food, atmosphere and company! We all loved taking a swim, touring the excellent museum with Taino native/Columbus artifacts, and then enjoying a superb dinner.

View from Miamar Hotel and Restaurant    The outdoor restaurant and bar at Miamar - beautiful!    The opposite view across the pool    Very good friends Jennifer & Sam, enjoying the view!

Touring Santo Domingo.... We took a five-hour bus ride to the south coast of Hispaniola, and stayed here for several days...

The Malecon in Santo Domingo    One of many beautiful churches in the Historic District    The fort right along the Bay    Can you imagine a gate to one of our US cities like this?   

Perfect aim for the bay below!     Another fine, old church   A closer look at its bell tower    Hotel Conde on the main square by the cathedral, adjoining the main "conde" shopping street   

The statue outside the main attraction - the oldest cathedral in the city    The architecture inside the catedral is truly amazing!    A particularly interesting side entrance...    A wider view...   

The main altar    Beautiful stained glass, carvings and archways    A better view of the incredible architecture inside    Just one example of the fine craftsmanship   

The Botanical Gardens in Santo Domingo:

One of several neat statues at the Botanical Gardens    The Dominican Republic, or Japan?    What an amazing tree!  Another spectacular tree   

Orchids, orchids, orchids...               

            The girls loved the gardens... very nice!

Copyright © 2007 Jeff Lucia. All Rights Reserved.