Interesting Places and People

 I am making this posting with the possibility that many might get the wrong impression here. I am going to show you a few pictures of weekend adventures. We stay very busy during the week and sometimes on the weekend so I will quote our predecessors, "Work hard, play harder." I am not saying that is OUR motto but sometimes it feels that way. We are not really beach people too much and when we have the opportunity just minutes away it isn't as valued as it should be, which is sad. I believe I will send some pictures of interesting people and places on this blog and try to catch up a little.

The first pictures here are of an unexpected afternoon with the Riggs. Anona and Ben Riggs are the missionaries at the church camp at Banao. It is a beautiful place and hopefully I will post pictures of the camp later. The pictures are of the view we had from Adrian Topical, the restaurant where we had lunch.  We watched a young man fishing there by the rocks. The Riggs are on the right and her brother and sister-in-law the Despains were with them. We enjoyed lunch and then took a short tour of the colonial zone. It was a very warm day but we enjoyed the good company.

A few weeks ago an international air show was sponsored here in Santo Domingo. And although the show was down by the malecon (the road that runs by the Caribbean Sea) a mile south over the water, we found we had a perfect view from the top of the casa. It was great. It got a little warm but the company was fun and the planes were spectacular.  Old vintage planes were here to perform as well as the latest in US Airforce fighters doing maneuvers and about everything in between.  Here are a few pictures,,,, look close for the planes in the all blue sky picture.

As you can see we came prepared with cookies water and umbrellas to keep the heat down.

Our friends the Mehrs went home about a month ago.  We have traveled a few places with them and they have shown us some very nice places to eat, to visit and to enjoy.  Here are a few.

I know this looks like it is an island out of Lord of the Rings or something.  I assure you it is real.   It is cross the bay from Samana and is a part of the Haitises Nation Park.  The park is really swampy mangrove and caves.  It is only assessible by boat.  

The picture above and below is at Salto Limon, a waterfall near Samana.  The Mehrs in front of the main falls.  The smaller falls just above the main ones is the backdrop for our cowboy picture. 

We stayed at the Ballister Hotel in Samana.  It was brand new and lovely.

Rebecca and I at the Botanical Gardens in Santo Domingo.

The Garden of Eden, really it is the Botanical Gardens here.  It is really the only place that is garbage free.

Our memborable walk at the botanical gardens.

This is at a whole other place called Casa Bonita.  While Samana is  on the North East part of the island.   Casa Bonita is to the West of Santo Domingo which is on the South side of the Island.  It is toward Haiti.  It is a gem.  So beautiful.

The Mehrs, whom we miss.  They actual plan to come back on a 6 month mission to Puerto Rico in the Summer.  They have been serving as the Public Affairs missionaries here and will do the same in Puerto Rico if all works out well.