Hispanola
Dominican Republic/Haiti
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The Island of Hispanola lies between Cuba and Puerto Rico on the north edge of the caribbean sea. The island is divided into two countries, Haiti, french speaking, and spanish speaking Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic was visited by Christopher Columbus in 1492. It was a Spanish colony in the 16th and 17th centuries. The east province of Santo Domingo remained Spanish after partition of Hispanola in 1697. The country was taken over by Haiti on several occasions, but became independent from Haiti in 1844 as the Dominican Republic. It was occupied by the United States from 1916 to 1924.
We have been to this island once, on a cruise aboard the Seaward. We decided on the Santo Domingo beach excursion. Sand, sun, warm water and free rum. Some of the bathers must have thought they were on the Frech side of the island, as many of them opted for topless, which is illeagl. The many policemen guarding the beaches, however, seemed reluctant to enforce the laws. We had a nice relaxful day.
We did hear some scary stories from the tourist that went on a Santa Domingo shopping trip. Some of the women on the tour were individually presured by certain taxi drivers to leave tour group and their husbands to go with the drivers. They didn't do it because the circumstances had made them a little fearful. We weren't there and don't know any more than that, but the excursion guide had hinted there were rumors concerning womens saftey in Santa Domingo.
Click on the icons below to see some pictures of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
hotel & beach
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hotel & beach
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beach
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port building
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activity in port
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leaving port
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Christopher Columbus Memorial Building
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Under Construction
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