4+ weeks in DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Farmers ride to town on their mules with a milk can either side of their straw saddle.
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The Island of Hispaniola is occupied by Haiti and Dominican Republic.

Haiti is not on our agenda so our first stop in DR is Luperon Bay. It is not too far but far enough away from Haiti.This north west coast area of DR is a great place.....very green and lush with life being very simple and countryside is dotted with small villages.

A picture says a 1000 words...so have included plenty of pics.

Lots of - motor bikes, motoconchos (bike taxi for around 30pesos, A$1),men playing dominoes, cheap fresh produce, friendly locals offering to play baseball with the gringos, cruisers (sailors) in the bay, lotto shops (gambling is big in DR),prostitution in Luperon (subtle), men "perving" at all women (regardless of age), good looking people.

Typical housing in Luperon...no glass in windows, just shutters and often bare or painted concrete floors.
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Very Little- glass in house windows,locals with money....difficult to see what it has little of as we think DR has so much to offer.

2nd stop..Oceanworld Marina, Puerto Plata....1 hr and a world away from Luperon! This is very touristy, but still enjoyable.

3rd stop....Punta Cana,the eastern most point of Dominican Republic...short stop here...the eastern coast is "littered" with resorts so we were pleased to leave whilst we still had fond memories of the unspoilt country towns of the north coast of DR!

Touring to Isabella,the first site of Columbus landing in Americas (1492).
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Trivia- Leading fashion designer, Oscar de la Renta ((born Oscar Aristides Renta Fiallo 22/7/1932) was born in  DR.

Beach Boys performed at the grand opening of Oceanworld, Puerto Plata in Dec 06.