On our first full day in Luperon, we boarded a bus for a trip to the waterfalls, this beautiful garden, and the cheese factory.

This beautiful baby girl was sitting with her mother right in front of me. I couldn't resist....

I was struck by the beauty of the flora and the lovely gardener's home on the propery of the botanical garden we visited. This was far less strenuous than climbing the rocks to the water fall!

A street in Luperon ...the homes and businesses are modest and the people are lovely.

There are two shoe repair shops in downtown Luperon (clinica de zapatos), something we seldom see in the land o' plenty.

A fire station in Puerto Plata on the north coast of the D.R....

An elderly woman gathers her things around a camp fire. This is her home that she has crafted from throw away cardboard, drift wood, and other debris. There are many very poor people in the D.R., but one doesn't see many this poor.

Leaving Luperon...

The north coast of the Dominican Republic is so beautiful, and it is steep to so you can sail very close in for a stunning view of the rocks and caves.

Another passage on the north coast...

Market day in Samana!

The DR is the beginning of pineapple-banana-mango- papaya paradises. From the large platanos to the tiny sweet bananas, all are plentiful and delicious. Pineapples and papayas are also abundant, and when mangos are in season, they are plentiful as well. Of course, coconuts can be collected from the ground and eaten right from the shell. A wonderful snack for anyone trying to put on pounds!

This market was one of the best we've seen. It was so nice to find fresh vegetables and fruits. A drive through the country side reveals fertile soil and rich farmlands planted with fruit trees, coconut palms, pineapples, tobacco, coffee, and many other crops that we could not identify.

The carrots in the islands are some of the best I've ever eaten.....so sweet and flavorful....look out California!

Dogs can enjoy a day at the market too!

Hams come in all sizes...

Fish cleaned while you wait.

The one and only picture of Puerto Rico. I guess we fell asleep on the job! This is Salinas and is a typical south coast picture.

And this is the one and only picture of the Virgin Islands. This is St. Thomas by night. The picture doesn't do justice to the light display...it's much prettier at night than during the day.

No fish tale this!!!!