Dominican Republic: La Romana
December 4-7, 2024
The morning dawned bright and sweet, and the sea was perfectly calm. The Odyssey anchored off Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic, sheltering us from the wave height in Punta Cana, where we were originally supposed to go.
We took the water shuttle into the chi-chi resort village of Casa de Campo. A place noted for its majestic golf courses, a luxurious resort, fast cars, $2,000 dresses, and the rich and famous.
Good-byes were said to a few guests who were on board during the holiday and hugs were given to new residents embarking. The Odyssey moved to our next port, La Romana, Dominican Republic.
La Romana is a port city on the Southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. It draws authenticity and homegrown vibes with awesome cultural moments. In the city center stands an obelisk painted with colorful images of local life.
La Romana overflows with a multitude of sandy stretches and shimmering Caribbean waters. The beaches are protected from strong currents and big waves. It’s a good place for diving among an abundance of tropical fish on healthy reefs with a variety of tunnel-like swim-throughs and caverns.
A popular place for sun, sand, chilly cocktails, and delish eats is Bayahibe Beach.
Playa La Minitas is a sports lover’s paradise. Every kind of water sport is available.
The National Park East has dense forests, hiking paths, and an ancient cave system with indigenous rock art by the Taino Indian Tribe. Hundreds of pictograms and petroglyphs are engraved in red and black on the stone walls. It is also the land of the rare Bayahibe rose, a cactus shrub that has pink or rose-colored petals and grows on the edges of limestone cliffs, now named the National Flower. The National Bird is the Sisseru Parrot, a symbol of heights and fulfilment of aspirations. Hope, Love and Happiness!
Maravilles National Park is comprised of myriad caves, showcasing hundreds of well-preserved drawings of the indigenous tribes that once lived on the islands (living and using these caves), dating back thousands of years. Archaeological excavations have found human remains as far back as 5,000 years ago.
Another spot to soak in natural beauty is Los Haitises National Park, where you see mangrove forests, seaside caverns, and an idyllic tropical cay.
Cotubanama Natural Park is a tropical forest with native wildlife, coral reefs, and natural caves.
Altos de Chavon, a replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village, is nestled in the luscious countryside, complete with cobblestone streets and Romanesque arches.
This cultural and historical museum have studios of artists actively working their craft: pottery, weaving, silk screening, and Altos de Chavon School of Design, which is affiliated with Parson’s School of Design in New York.
For the music lover and entertainment seeker, there is a 5,000-seat Grecian-styled amphitheater with breathtaking views. A place where artists from around the world have performed.
For a little slice of heaven, steal away on a 45-minute boat ride to Soana Island and chill amidst sugar-white sand dunes lined with fringy palms, mangroves and coral reefs.
Check out Mano Juania, a laid-back fishing village with colorful shacks and a turtle sanctuary.
Visit Catalina Island. Avid divers enjoy weaving in and out of the numerous impressive coral reefs that hug this tiny island. Sting-rays, starfish, and tropical fish are guaranteed. Snorkel with shipwrecks, tropical marine life, and underwater artifacts.
Deep Sea Fishing Charters are available for those that are seeking the most wanted Sailfish, Blue and White Marlin, or Swordfish.
Epic Golf: The terrain is perfect for lovers of the greens. Rolling hills, rip-your-heart-out-of-your-chest ocean vistas and luscious palms line the courses. Ride ATVs through the sugar cane fields.
Take a Jungle River Ride. Cruise the majestic Chavon River surrounded by lush tropical jungle filled with wildlife. Over the years tropical storms and hurricanes caused the river to rise 20 feet, slowly carving out the beautiful gorge you can ride through. Thousands of pirates, Indians, and colonial merchants have used this waterway. Films like Apocalypse Now, Rambo 3, and Anaconda were filmed on this stunning waterway.
A group from the Odyssey worked on a coral restoration project and helped take out a Lionfish. The local environment wins!
Eighty of my fellow shipmates went to a baseball game. Sitting behind home plate they watched La Roma Toros take on the Santo Domingo Leons. Did they discover another Rodriguez, Ortiz, Sosa, Soto, or even Tatis Jr.? Could we be so lucky?
The evenings sparkle, strolling the decorated streets all lit up with the sounds of the holiday season.
During the night The Odyssey will move to another port in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo.
Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo
December 8-10, 2024
It is Sunday morning. The Odyssey docks in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Local musicians and dancers greet us with a festive welcome, the sound of drums and the sway of the rhythm.
Santo Domingo is the largest city in the Dominican Republic and is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. A bustling capital city of over 4.5 million people is the most modern and dynamic metropolis in the Caribbean. This colonial town, founded in 1498, was laid out on a grid pattern that became the model for almost all town planners in the New World. The city is a mix of old-world charm and modern Latin flair. Its medieval palaces and fortresses mix with nightlife and shopping to rival any modern city in the world. You’ll find pristine beaches and hidden gems like a salsa/merengue club set inside a huge underground cave.
An essential thing to visit in Santo Domingo is El Faro a Colon, a monument built in honor of Christopher Columbus, the great “discoverer” of America. The cross-shaped architecture represents the Christianization of the Americas. It measures approximately 800 meters long and is almost 37 meters high. It is said that the remains of Columbus are found there and that it was inaugurated in 1992 by John Paul II. Now it is a museum.
Also visit the Ozama Fortress, the first “walled fortress” or permanent military structure in America. It was built by the Spanish in the 16th century. Its architecture evokes a medieval castle. The original cannons that face the Ozama River are preserved, which were used to stop attacks by invaders and pirates. There are also tunnels and dungeons.
Outside the Ozama Fortress is the most emblematic street in Santo Domingo. This is Las Damas Street (meaning ladies walked there), the first street of the colonial city.
Tour the Parque Colon and discover the surrounding beauty. This is where the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, the Cathedral Museum, the Borgella Palace and other monuments stand. In the middle there is a sculpture dedicated to Christopher Columbus. It’s a great place to sit and rest and contemplate the architecture, watch the people pass by, and the children run. Admire the architectural beauty of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, mostly Gothic in style. Its interior is eclectic style with ribbed vaults, inside there are pagan, Christian and apostle details. This religious center is the oldest cathedral in America.
The Cathedral Museum exhibits virgins, paintings, candelabras, crucifixes and other objects related to the history of the First Cathedral of America, dating from the 16th century through the 19th century.
Lovers of history find their favorite part of the city is its Zona Colonial. There you can visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, first and oldest in America founded in 1504, tour the Museo De Las Casas Reales, a chocolate tour with Kahkow Experience, sip on Dominican rum in Sugarcane La Casa Del Ron, and stop by Casa de los Dulces for authentic Dominican sweets.
The Memorial Museum of Dominican Resistance is an institution that “collects, organizes, preserves, researches, distributes, and displays the tangible and intangible heritage of the struggles of several generations of Dominicans related to the dictatorship of Rafael L. Trujillo.”
Parque Mirador Sur is a favorite place to walk and people-watch. Early in the morning, it is filled with Dominican locals exercising along its main walkway. You can find a local coconut vendor and sip fresh coconut water right out of the shell.
Take a stroll down Santo Domingo’s boardwalk, El Malecon, and you’ll pass by bars, restaurants and hotels where you can stop by for a quick drink. You can also enjoy the beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea while also looking out for the Santo Domingo Obelisk, the statue of Antonio de Montesinos, a 16th century friar who publicly denounced the enslavement and harsh treatment of the Indigenous peoples of the island.
The Three Eyes National Park is a nature reserve and 50-yard, open-air, limestone cave with three lakes, or metaphorical “ojos” (eyes). It has breathtaking views for those seeking a break from the city.
The National Botanical Garden is a stunning nature preserve filled with native flowers and trees, including hundreds of species of orchids, which is also a great place for birdwatching. You can take a trolley tour through the area and stop by the Japanese garden for a picnic.
Looking for some fun in the sun? Take a day trip (forty minutes east of Santo Domingo) to the white sandy beaches of Boca Chica. The serene water of the Caribbean Sea mixed with the swanky beach clubs and restaurants playing bachata and merengue makes it the best of both worlds, peaceful and fun!
There was a party in the Observatory, celebrating the “Gift of Life” and celebrating the moments that make life so precious. May we cherish each day.
Our ship sails to Jamaica.
Shhh! Randy Interjecting Here
At this point of the journey, Marti didn’t just celebrate her birthday, she threw a big party in our most beautiful lounge, the Observatory — and bought us all her favorite cocktail.
That day she wrote,
December 10, 2024
I woke up, grateful for being alive.
Not just celebrating years,
Celebrating the moments that make life so incredibly precious,
Taking time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds me,
And, embracing the Gift of Life.
Happy Birthday again, Marti!
Jamaica
December 11-12, 2024
After a day at sea, The Odyssey docked in Port Royal, Jamaica, for an eleven-hour visit. Bathed in the warm light from the sun, musicians on the pier sang Bob Marley’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” to the beat of the drum, ensuring an energized start to our day.
There’s a lot of mystery and fascination surrounding the sleepy fishing village of Port Royal, a historic small town located on Jamaica’s southeastern coast at the very tip of Kingston, the capital city.
Port Royal is out in its own harbor, far away from the capital city’s flashing lights and busy thoroughfares. The charismatic town hides a dark and enchanting past. During the late 17th century, Port Royal gained notoriety as a hub for piracy, privateering and lawlessness. Buccaneers stored their booty, caroused, and gambled their gold and jewels on prostitutes, earning Port Royal the nickname “Wickedest City of the West”. There is something in the salty atmosphere, sea breezes and sunshine that conjures up a sense of the past, lost wealth, debauchery, and ghostly excitement.
Port Royal is famous for its rich maritime history. Originally settled by the Spanish in the late 15th century, the British captured Port Royal in 1655 and quickly developed the town into a major center of commerce and trade due to its strategic location, natural harbor, and proximity to shipping routes.
When the city was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 1692, which led to two-thirds of the city sinking underwater (and still now buried on the seafloor) and the death of thousands. The effects of the earthquake are still evident today and make for a fascinating journey back in time when you walk the cobbled streets.
Explore the Underwater Sunken City. This underwater site, also known as Sunken Pirate City, has been the subject of extensive archaeological exploration, yielding valuable insights into the quotidian lives and activities of the people who once lived there. The underwater city of Port Royal is now a protected site. Divers can explore the submerged streets, buildings, and artifacts which include cannons, pottery, and other items that tell the story of Port Royal’s golden age and its dramatic downfall.
Fort Charles is a historic military fort built in the late 17th century during the English colonial period in Jamaica. It was named after King Charles II of England, and constructed to protect the bustling port and to safeguard English interests. Fort Charles was partially damaged by the earthquake of 1692, but rebuilt.
During your Fort Charles visit, check out the Giddy House. The building originally served as a military artillery house designed to store cannons and ammunition for the defense of the town and naval base. Following a powerful earthquake in 1907, the building partially sank into the sandy ground, causing it to tilt at a precarious angle. When you enter the Giddy House, you’ll experience a disorienting sensation as the floors and walls lean at odd angles. It’s almost like being inside a funhouse, and walking across its floors quickly will give one a “giddy” feeling, almost like being drunk. The Giddy House serves as a reminder of the Caribbean’s geological instability, as Jamaica is located near the boundary of the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates, making it prone to earthquakes.
As with any town-built centuries ago, lots of beautiful old buildings remain today. Some are well preserved, or even modernized and still in use while others lie forlorn and dilapidated. St. Peter’s Anglican Church, standing since the early 1700s, has on display interesting pieces from the past. You’ll see the grave of one of Port Royal’s famous pirates with a fascinating story on his tombstone.
The jailhouse is standing and well maintained. Gloria’s is a famous seafood restaurant. Go for the catch of the day and the fresh air. The Plumb Point Lighthouse, erected in 1853, stands on the Palisades Peninsula at Great Plumb Point near the entrance of Kingston Harbor and in the vicinity of Port Royal. This stone and cast-iron lighthouse stands at 70 feet and flashes a light every eight seconds. The light is visible as far out as 25 miles at night, but is still worth admiring in the daytime for its unique shape and history.
Port Royal has a unique history as a pirate haven and its subsequent transformation due to natural disasters make it an intriguing destination for history enthusiasts and those interested in exploring Jamaica’s past.
After provisions are loaded, The Odyssey will sail out of Port Royal. Tomorrow is a day at sea as we sail to Colón, Panama, for two days.
Life is beautiful and I can’t stop smiling.
Next stop, Panama!
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
