02/01/2012 VISITING THE TOWN OF SANTA BARBARA DE SAMANA

02/01/2012  SAMANA


WEDNESDAY

0 NM

DOCKED AT PUERTO BAHIA MARINA (www.puertobahiasamana.com)                                              $1./FT/DAY FOR <7DAYS, POWER=.50/KWA, WATER=3.50/DAY

SUNRISE AT SAMANA: 7:09 AM

SUNSET AT SAMANA: 6:34 PM

February already!!?? How can it be?


This afternoon we ride from the hotel to the town of Santa Barbara de Samana (aka Samana) to uncover its charm. The Malecon or seaside promenade offered us a breezy and unobstructed view of the town’s bay. The moored tour boats are busy when the cruise ships anchor off of Cayo Lavantado. They shuttle tourist around to get an up close and personal look at the visiting whales or off to Haitises National Park on south side of the bay. Today, there being no cruise ships present, we were able to enjoy the normal calm of the town and its residence.

WELCOME TO SAMANA
GATE LEADING TO THE TOWN DOCK

DAN CHECKING OUT THE HARBOR

One of the most prominent features here is President Balaguer’s $4 million Bridge to Nowhere that links the main land to the tiny islands of Cayo Linares and Cayo Vigia. One can walk over the suspension bridge and take in the natural sights of the undeveloped islands. Bridge to Nowhere, haven’t I heard this one in the US? Seems we are not exclusive to this type of nonsense.

MOORED BOATS SCATTERED IN FRONT OF
THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE

Baseball is such a “big deal” here in the DR. Kids of all ages engaged in some form of play with a bat and ball. There were groups playing over the line while others we involved in organized games. Remember, the US league is populated by more players from the Dominican Republic than from any other place outside the states.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS!

Samana’s population differs from the rest of the DR. This part of the island was inhabited by black slaves brought in from the US in the 1800 while the rest of the island is populated by a Spanish population.  The results is a beautiful amalgamation of both cultures.