I've been advised to get to the falls early, and it seems like I'm the
first,
A wide trail leads down to the river, but the
suspension bridge have gone. We cross the cold water, and head in to the
forest. Here are a few
It start to drizzle, and I'm kind of glad I didn't go
for the four hour track. After around 20 minutes, we reach the fall, and it
is the creek. Here are fall number one and two, each around three meters
high and less than half a meter wide. Considering the amount of money I have spend on
entrance, shoos and guide, I shoot quite some photos of the falls and the
primitive
We
head back, and start meeting other guests: All dressed up in swimming suits,
closed shoos, life jacket and helmets. It look more like a theme park, than a
national park! It have taken less than a hour, and I have to come up with a
plan for the rest of the day.
The fare north-west seems tempting, and I anticipate I
might be more dry. I set the GPS for Monte Christo, and hope the roadwork
will get an end. Here start to be some palm-leaves- I've been following the coastal mountains inland, but
as I get closer, the landscape dry out a bit. Strangely enough, rice fields
start to emerge at the same time. Guess they have a rich river to feed them.
Then there are more tobacco fields, and a single large field with epiphytic
cacti. It is for the tasty Dragon Fruits. In the bigger town of Maimon, a huge settlement along the road starts. It closes both sides for around 20 kilometres. Here are many butcher shops along the road, mainly with goats, but also cattle. All the meat is displayed under a palm-leaf shelter, next to the road. Some have live animal tied op to the poles too.
The
Here
start to be some military I finally make it to Monte Cristo, and it is fare from the large city I have expected. I do a few loops around the central part, but here is nothing that get me out of the car. Then Then I meet the perfect beach, and that gets me out of
the car. Here are not a soul, but some interesting snails and shells are
found on the white sand. The road then leads through a mangrove, and while I'll do another photo stop, a police car pulls up. Their English is worse than my Spanish, bit after several tries, they ask for a tip. They get my, for the occasion so firm handshake, and a wide and friendly smile. The road end at some small hills in the beach. Here,
it is a rocky beach with rounded stones. A single little agama sit on the
rocks. I do a short walk, but it is getting late, and I saw a restaurant
with cars in front.
It is getting late, and I start the tour homewards. I get
pulled over by a police control, and the officer claims I have been
careened. Well, considering the area is more pot-holes than sealing, I can't
really rule that The rest of the tour home is pretty eventless. I follow whoever drives the fastest of the locals. A big bus is really stepping on it, but I looses him to the police, after quite some time. I like having a pilot, screening for cops and "dead-cops", which are numerous. Waterfalls of Damajagua, Monte Cristo, the north-western part.
In Navarrete, I turn east, and see the mountains ahead. Highway 1 runs around the big city of Santiago, but I head into it. I find a huge monument, which relate to their heroes. It was commissioned by the dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, only to honour him. Here are huge statues of the heros around, and the view to the city is complete. The sun disappears, and I head down-town to find an early lunch. The town is pretty dead, and then it starts to rain. I
passes a little restaurant,
I find another place, and
head back. Here are several small but tree covered and green parks, and a
great view over the river and the orange suspension bridge. I find an
umbrella,
just to be safe, and do a few loops without finding anything I continues down the RD-1 to La Vega, and turn right into the hills and towards Jarabacoa for 22 kilometres of RD-28. Small wooden huts dominates the road sides along with green bushes and trees. I can't find the hotel I have a reservation for tomorrow and the coming days, but I find a posh resort nearby. I feel like I can treat myself with a bit of luxury, like a hot shower.
The Then I head down to the mountain town of Jarabacoa.
I had expected something more cosy somehow. It is not especially old,
interesting or pretty, but here are a lot of music! The middle of town is
closed to cars, and all the bars have expanded out on the streets. Posh cars
with several
It is not only a newly sealed road, it is really pretty.
A lot of steep cattle fields, some pines and huge fields on the slopes with
La tayota/Chayote; Sechium edule, an odd looking cucumber. On some of
the growing fence-poles, I find a single flowering orchid and many species
of Bromeliads along with a Golden Orb Spider; Nephila clavipes.
I
try two pizzerias, but they do not have vegetarian pizzas, nor do they want
to try making one. Then it is Penne Tres Tipos de Queso. Not that good, but
more expensive than a night in my last guesthouse. It have turned dark, and
I retire to work.
Santiago, Jarabacoa and a mountain road and more from the mountain
road;
Calle La Cienaga. |
From
although it is half passed nine. It is within the national park, and
I don't avoid a guide. Well, he is a nice guy and
don't talk much. Next problem is; We can walk to fall number one or seven.
From seven, it is swimming, jumping and sliding down the river to number
one. So is the higher falls. Well, I would not only like my camera along: I
would prefer it dry. We head for number one. I have to rent some closed
shoes, which might become useful higher up.
large trees, a lot of under growth and a few
bromeliads, large Peperomias, Begonias and orchids, but mainly bushes. 
ladder connecting them.
barns
on the hills, and then I see the first tobacco fields. I stop in one of the
small towns, and find a generous ATM. I look for an early lunch, but fail to
find anywhere, serving anything but dead animals.
some pick-ups with sweet potatoes, here are a lot of bananas and
coconuts. I don't see the fields, but some of the small stands along the
road offers roasted corn, and it have to be fresh, I think.
road have found its way inland, and when the houses finally disappears, I
have reach the semi desert area. Here, the Acacias and Cereus
dominates. I drive for a long time, trying to find a hole in the neatly
maintained barbwire fences. A single large field have Aloe veras,
although they do look dry. Then a gate offers access, and I find some small
Opuntias as well, but not as many interesting plants, as I have hoped for. I
guess 500 years with cows and especially goats have taken its toe on the
flora. Back at the roadside, I find some Jatrophas.
control posts, but only checking cars going the
other way. Next town is Villa Vasquez, which take itself serious. I
fail to figure why. The road head out towards the sea again, and more rice
fields are found along the road. Here, the white egrets are numerous.
I try the coast, and that is interesting. The
first part of the road leads through some salt lakes, for harvesting salt.
Some are bright white, some bluish and some dark pink. Each pond
have its own really lousy wooden sheet, but it seems like the area is still
in use.
out. It take him forever to get to how much he want. I give
him 25% and tell him in a firm way; that is what you get. Mainly because he
did have my driving license.
27.
I feel I have seen anything interesting around here, and skip the last day
in Puerto Plata. It start raining a bit, and I sit and find the best photos
from Haiti. Then I set the GPS for Jarabacoa, and drive 50 kilometres back
west and then inland, where I went yesterday. Some parts of the road are
rather flooded, but the traffic is light. It is actually Liberation Day, and
most get to spend it home. The poor guys, standing every 100 meters along
the 50 kilometre roadwork still stand waiving their flags. I can't figure
why? 
Now I see the cruise-ship behind the trees.
and hurry back. I get a huge cheese-ham
sandwich, remove the ham and get two fried eggs instead. A
Malta along, and it is one of the better meals in a long time. The rain have
stopped, and try to find the old centre. As expected, I find it down at the
river, but a police officer whistles after me: Despite everyone else is
parked here, I can't?
else
interesting. Here are still a few old wooden houses, but most are rather
new.
restaurant is right next to the great looking river, and I get a small cup
of coffee while I write the booked hotel. I could easily live with staying
here, but considering I stay at hotels for 100 days a year, I have to find
some less expensive. Just the food here is four times more expensive than my
lunch.
square meters of speakers on the roof compete, and it is sure
above 110dB. I make
sure I won't miss anything, and head out a 25 kilometre mountain road,
heading west towards the little town of Manaboa.
Some
of the pine trees are overgrown with Spanish Moss. I end op at a blocked
road, where the locals are celebrating Independence Day with loud music and
a lot of beers. I hear around, and enjoy the tour back as well.