Our group traveled to Puerto Plata on Saturday. I had to get up at 6:45am to be at the office at 7:45 so we could leave by 8. (I feel like every morning is earlier than the last.) We took a bus (a guagua) that was blessedly air-conditioned and drove the two hours to this costal town. I’m not sure what I was expecting (I find myself at times comparing the Dominican Republic to El Salvador- which doesn’t really serve me because they are very different) but the brilliantly green countryside surprised me. There are palm trees everywhere here and emerald hillsides and trees that are always in bloom. On my first full day here I told my host mom: “There’s just so much color!”
The first thing we did in Puerta Plata is take a cable car ride to the top of a mountain/really big hill to get a view of the city and ocean. Below the town was spread before us, the horizon between the ocean and sky indistinguishable. When we reached the top, not only was the view beautiful but we were up out of the humidity. You could actually see the cool air blowing up the steep hillside in a foggy mist.
Next we visited the Fortaleza- an old military defense fort built during the DR war for independence. The castle like structure is right on the coast and the canons are still there, pointed towards the waters, ready to defend. The fort was left rough and unfinished for years (centuries really) but was finished during the Trujillo era and used as a prison. Now, it is a bit of Dominican history and a tourist attraction.
Last but not least was the beach. I love the water and I love the ocean! The water is clear shades of blue and warm. The sand is soft and not too hot. What more could anyone ask for?
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