About to be More!: Vacation! -The Dominican Republic

We went on vacation - without our children - from February 15-22 with our brother & sister-in-law. We went to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to enjoy some sun, beach and relaxation!!

So I apologize, but my pictures are completely out of order but I'm going to just go with it!

This picture was taken in Punta Cana at a local restaurant - not in the tourist area- (recommended by our dive instructors) where we found great seafood that was really cheap. Here is a photo of the fish we ate.

More photos of our meal. The round yellowish things were tostones which are fried plantains. Plantains are starchy potato-like fruits that are sliced battered and fried. I really loved them!

Troy & Angela at the restaurant

Here is the beach right outside our condo.

More beautiful beach

El Presidente is the local Domincan beer.

So Saturday, February 21st, Angie and I took a day-trip to Santo Domingo - the capital of the Dominican and also the oldest city in the new world founded by Christopher Columbus. Here is a national park in The city called "Mirador Este Park" and these three lakes were located in a cave system. The lakes are called Los Tres Ojos. They were so beautiful.

The following are all photos from this park. The lakes and caverns were originally inhabited by the indigenous people of the Dominican called the Taino people.

We had to take a boat to the second lake which was really cool.

This lake had an open "ceiling" which was really neat. The guide told us a James Bond movie had been shot there. It was very unique!

Another location we visited in the capital was the "Zona colonial" (colonial zone) This area is the oldest area of the city and has been preserved beautifully. One landmark we visited was the home of Christopher Columbus. It was built in 1509. It was where he and his family lived while they were in the Dominican.

Here is Angie inside the home of Christopher Columbus.

Here we are again in front of the home of Christopher Columbus.

This was an old church that is now where the heroes of the Dominican are buried. There are always soldiers guarding it and an eternal flame.

Inside the memorial church

Here we are in front of the soldier who guarded the church.

Here is the oldest church the the New World: La Catedral Primada de America. It was built between 1512-1540.

Inside the cathedral.

I wasn't allowed to wear shorts so they gave me scarf to cover up my legs.

Impressive. Beautiful.

Here we are in front of the Cathedral.

Here is the national palace where the president lives!

Here is a little town we went through named San Pedro. Here is the Catholic church for that town.

There were all kinds of Dominican flags flying as they were getting ready to celebrate independence day. (Feb. 27th 1844) They celebrate their independence from Haiti on this day.

Here we are on our way to Catalina Island which is located in the southern part of the island called La Romana. It is a beautiful island about 2 miles from the mainland. The Caribbean waters were breathtaking.

A little bit of the island,

Look at this water.

On our way to the island we saw the sugar can factory (Sugar Cane is one of their biggest exports) The factory has the black smoke piling out of the chimney.