Reason #7, #6, & #5

Counting down the Top Ten Reasons Why I Love the Caribbean (especially in winter):

7. Tropical animals and plants:

Iguana feeding frenzy in Honduras.

Mama sloth and baby in Costa Rica

Higuero tree in the Dominican Republic (for making maracas, not eating!)

6. Sunsets & libations:

No green flash.

Sailing past Cuba.

A mimosa greets us upon boarding.

5. Shopping!!! (not that I bought much)

Carved mahogany tables in Honduras.

Sundresses in Panama.

The shopping mall in Cartagena.

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love the Caribbean (especially in winter!)

Counting down:

#10. It's happy!

Dancers in Roatan, Honduras dance all day on the pier.

Calypso music in Costa Rica.

Panamanian dancers and musicians entertain us on the ship.

#9. There are stunning shades of blue:

Cozumel, Mexico.

A day at sea.

Grand Cayman shines.

#8. Random bursts of color:

Dolls in the Dominican Republic.

Fruit vendors in Cartagena, Colombia.

Panama.

Dominican Republic--Part 3

Santo Domingo is a large, sprawling city of 3 million, complete with urban issues. Like traffic. And pedestrians walking on elevated highways!

The Tainos lived on the island before the Spaniards' arrival, and some of their artifacts are preserved in the Museum of Dominican Man.

Christopher's brother, Bartholomew Columbus, built Santo Domingo in 1496 as the first European city in the New World.

Pigeons flock in front of the oldest cathedral in the Americas.

The Colonial Zone is quaint and colorful.

It's still a center for artists.

A lazy day along the seawall of the Malecon.

Obelisk to the butterfly sisters on the Malecon.

Next up: 10 reasons why I love the Caribbean!

Dominican Republic--Part 2

Casa de Campo is two hours east of Santo Domingo on the south coast overlooking the Caribbean shore. We rented a villa that came with a maid/cook and butler, and we felt like royals!

We showered under the palm tree that grew out of our bathroom.

You can jump into the pool from the bedroom and swim under waterfalls.

The neighbors here drive fancy yachts!

A replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village sits on a cliff overlooking the Chavon river and Pete Dye golf courses.

Of course the village has its own Greek amphitheater.

The Dominicans think it's too cold in winter to go to the beach, but we thought mid 80's at Playa Minitas was perfect!

We also enjoyed our "beach bed" at Juan Dolio, which is halfway between Casa de Campo and Santo Domingo.

Next up, Santo Domingo!