Capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic with a population of over four million. Founded in 1496, by Bartholomew Columbus, brother of explorer Christopher Columbus. The city is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. The city’s colonial-era old town, known as the Zona Colona, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sunday, 27th October 2019
Tony inside the Altar de la Patria (Altar of the Homeland), a white marble mausoleum that houses the remains of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic: Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez and Ramón Matías Mella. They are known collectively as Los Trinitarios: statues of the three can be partially seen behind. The mausoleum is located in Parque Independencia (Independence Park). The statues of Juan Pablo Duarte and Matías Ramón Mella in white marble on top of plinths. Looking through a doorway into Our Lady of Las Mercedes Church (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes). People sitting on pews inside. Construction of this historic church began in 1527. Tony in a plaza outside the Panteón Nacional. Tony outside the main doorway to the Panteón Nacional. The building was originally a Jesuit church built between 1714 and 1746 in neoclassical renaissance style. Today it is a national symbol of the Dominican Republic and serves as the final resting place for the Republic’s most honoured citizens. Again outside the Panteón Nacional. Tony at Fortaleza Ozama. An outer wall with old canons pointing out towards the mouth of the Ozama River. This fortress was built between 1502-1508 by the Spanish, it is the oldest fortress built in the Americas. The Fortaleza is located at the end of Las Damas Street. Tony in front of a stone pillar at Fortaleza Ozama. Tony in front of a bronze statue of Frey Nicolas de Ovando, standing on a stone base, located in Plaza España. Nicolas de Ovando (1460 – 1511) was a Spanish soldier from a noble family who arrived in Santo Domingo in 1502 and became Governor of the Indies (Hispaniola) until 1509. His administration brutally exploited and enslaved the island’s indigenous peoples. Tony touching large carved letters on the base of the Frey Nicolas de Ovando statue. The inscription says ‘Comendador Mayor de la Orden de Alcántara’ (Grand Commander of the Order of Alcántara). Tony in front of the Alcázar de Colón in Plaza España. This was once a colonial palace belonging to the Columbus family, beginning with his son Diego. It is now a museum displaying period furniture and decorations. The building was originally built in 1510 and restored to its current appearance in 1952. It is part of the Zona Colona UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tony inside Alcázar de Colón in front of a life-sized model of a knight in armour on the back of a horse. Period furniture, including a dining table and chairs, inside Alcázar de Colón. Tony on the veranda of the Alcázar de Colón. The Ozama River can be seen below, just before it enters the Caribbean Sea. Another view over the Ozama River from the veranda. The walls that bound the Zona Colonial can be seen immediately below with palm trees and a road beyond. Boats moored on the river’s far bank. An old bed and other furniture in the Alcázar de Colón. Looking up a sloping cobblestone street to the main gate of the ruined Monasterio de San Francisco. The gate is a tall stone arch built into a wall. The monastery was built between 1509 and 1560 and is notable for being the first monastery built in the Americas. Looking down Calle Emiliano Tejera away from the Monasterio de San Francisco’s main gate. The road is lined with colonial-era buildings. Another view of the main gate at Monasterio de San Francisco. There is a small stage set-up in front perhaps for a musical performance. Tony outside Monasterio de San Francisco with the temporary stage immediately in front. Looking across a square to the small church of San Miguel (Iglesia San Miguel). This old church has a rectangular main doorway with a gently curving roof above. There is a small bell tower on the left side. Tony selfie. Tony and a Canadian guy, Linald. Taken at Living Backpackers, Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo on 6th November 2019. Again Tony and Linald at Living Backpackers.
Jarabacoa
A town centrally located in the Dominican Republic in the Province of La Vega at an elevation of 529 metres (1,736 feet). A good location for hiking and trekking. It’s located 155 kilometres north of Santo Domingo, capital of Dominican Republic.
Tuesday, 29th October 2019
Selfie of Tony whilst hiking through forest to Jimenoa Falls (Salto Jimenoa). View through a gap in the trees towards a rocky cliff interspersed with vegetation. Tony next to an information board in the forest. Tony touching the flat face of a large boulder near Jimenoa Falls The foot of Jimenoa Falls (Salto Jimenoa). A single narrow stream of water is pouring over a near vertical cliff into a shallow pool. The waterfall looks very calm in this photo, but often the flow of water is much more dramatic. The waterfall is approximately 35 metres in height: only the lower part is in view. Tony directly in front of Jimenoa Falls. Trail through the forest. Looking at ground level showing dead leaves, roots, as well as forest floor plants and natural debris. The trail passing the top of a steep slope or cliff. Trees and vegetation in view. A clearing in the forest with a man-made wooden viewing platform looking out over a boggy area. A cluster of fruit on the branch of a tree. The fruit are green ripening to a dark red. The fruit look quite similar to small plums. First view of Baiguate Falls with a large pool beneath. Tony with Baiguate Falls behind. The waterfall is crashing over a cliff into the muddy-looking pool it has created beneath. A steep slope covered in vegetation above. Tony with a man and woman at Baiguate Falls. The guy is possibly Tony’s guide Porfilio.Water flowing out of the pool beneath Baiguate Falls. Rocks and small boulders in the water. A small beach on the far side. A moth with its wings closed sitting on a small rock near Baiguate Falls. The moth with its wings open now. It is brown and orange in colour. Tony with a field in the background. A green-leafed crop is growing, perhaps tobacco. Tony sat on a local horse near the confluence of the Jimenoa and Yaque del Norte rivers, near to downtown Jarabacoa. Another view of Tony on the horse. Tony stood by the confluence of the Jimenoa and Yaque del Norte river in Jarabacoa. Forest covering the far bank.
Paragliding in Jarabacoa
Morning of Thursday, 31st October 2019
Tony attached to a harness with an instructor while paragliding high above the ground. Excellent view of the surrounding landscape: a mixture of small fields and forested areas.Closer view of Tony while paragliding.Tony paragliding. A semi-wooded hill in the background.Again Tony paragliding.
