December 10, 2024

Dominican Republic - Santo Domingo 

Our Port greeting into Santo Domingo on Sunday was one of our fanciest to date - dancers, musicians & artists performed, and they even had a free shuttle bus, for us to the walled colonial zone of town. 

Santo Domingo is the Capital of the Dominican Republic and is one of oldest Caribbean's oldest cities. Its walled, cobblestoned historic core, The Zona Colonial has buildings that date back to 1500s, including the Cathedral where I went to noon Mass. The Cathedral Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion was the first built in the New World. The inside of the Cathedral was stunning, but photos were not allowed, so my interiors photos below are from the internet. I also had to put a provided shawl on my bare shoulders before entering for Mass. The 50+ person choir was spectacular. I walked around the colonial streets before Mass. Everyone was so friendly.   

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HAPPY EASTER or FELICES PASCUAS (in Spanish)
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CARTAGENA, COLUMBIA - EASTER SUNDAY 4/20/25
By Patricia Patrick May 5, 2025
To cap off our FUN week with the Miller's, Bosco suggested we go to one of his favorite restaurants in Aruba, Faro Blanco (or the white lighthouse) at the north end of island. The meal was delicious, lots of homemade pasta and it seemed every table was celebrating somebody's birthday. Not to be left out, when I stepped out to use the restroom, the Miller's and Bosco plotted to celebrate my upcoming Birthday. So upon my return to the table, I was surprised by a flaming torch in a piece of cake with singing wait staff! A nice surprise!