Valentine's Days at Paraíso Caño Hondo, Los Haitises National Park, Dominican Republic. Sharing Plenty Love Today, and Every Day.
****
"And there's another &%$ cold front coming" said Dave, quite disgustingly, as he looked at the Weather Predictions on PassageWeather et al, while simultaneously listening to Chris Parker, morning coffee in hand.
We did say we wanted to explore the D.R., but being "stuck" here because of winds out there, ("stuck" by the way being a statement that only cruisers will understand), sort of makes one feel, well, stuck.
And so we requested and received once again, permission for a visit to Los Haitises National Park. Anything to save a few marina dollars, and it was so gorgeous the first time round, minus all our dinghy problems, that we really did want to go back,
stuck here or not.
"I'd like to visit that Eco Lodge" I mentioned, and eagerly continued "and there's that Grey Owl Cave, and explore La Arena as well.."
With friends Gwen and Guillaume (SV Slow Waltz) we ventured forth and quickly hatched plans for a walk to the Eco Lodge on Valentine's Day.
First a dinghy ride meandering along and exploring Caño Chiquito,
our surroundings sure kept our eyes, and our cameras, busy.
We reached the end of the stream, docked & locked our dinghy, walked past the swamped rice fields
and at the end, where the road forked, we turned right, and were greeted with this sign,
All we had to base our Adventurings on were a scant few Active Captain reviews.
There was mention of an Eco-Lodge, whose green roof we could see from our anchorage, noted to be
a short walk up the road. And that it was
Gaudi-Esque, in nature. And
well worth the visit.
Gaudi being a Spanish Architect of unique (and earth-based) designs.
"Let's go" we chimed in unison. The 100 peso entrance fee was rather dubious in nature and probably didn't need to be paid (in hindsight) as we really didn't use the facilities since we didn't know about them in the first place.
The Eco Lodge in Los Haitises National Park, is actually an Eco-Tourist destination, a resort called
Paraíso Caño Hondo & Altos de Cano Hondo
We walked around amazed and dumbfounded at what we were seeing.
Here in this gorgeous National Park that is Los Haitises, an Ecological Reserve, a Land with Forgotten Nature surrounding you on all sides, the air so quiet you can literally hear the leaves drop from the tree and gently lay on the water, we found these unobtrusive Gaudi-Esque resort type of place, that was in fact, gorgeously hidden between the mounds of land, type of place.
Check out the chandelier,
the attention to the little details were incredible. This was found imprinted on almost all the roughly placed stairs we walked up and down on.
The pools were being used by people there for the day,
and we climbed Altos, to get a better view,
After all that walking and all that marvelling, it was time for an ice-cold refreshment for the boys, and the best ever Caipirinha's Gwen and I had ever had.
The lunch was cheap, and delicious,
Chicken breasts "Caño Hondo style"
and Pollo Frito with Vegetables,
and a couple of sides of Papas Fritas, just to be sure we wouldn't go hungry, and even though we were full, we devoured those too.
So two of the best Caipirinha's we've ever had, one very large ice-cold beer, two meals and Papas Fritas was a little under $30 U.S.
This was an amazing find. A perfect way to Adventure. A lovely way to spend Hearts Day. It was even a
Banyan type of day: "Great Food, Great Friends, Great Times".