This is the last port before we disembark in Fort Lauderdale. It has a lot to offer.
Some history. When Columbus “discovered” the new world, he actually landed on this island. So he named it Little Spain. He thought, because the inhabitants had brown skin that he landed in India.. His brother founded this city. It, therefore, is the oldest city in the new world. Now it has 3 million people. The Dominican Republic has over 12 million. So we were told by our “guide”. More about him in a bit. It is the second largest city in the Caribbean, after Havana.
The people are not happy about Columbus. He enslaved the local population, he stole all the gold, and there was a lot I am told, and the Spanish imported slaves from Africa and when they left they took everything of value. Emptied all the churches. You get the idea.
He was originally buried in the Cathedral
but they moved him to a new place, we did not go there
So usually we do not like cities. But this one as a Zona Colonial, old town. Right outside where we docked. The city was a walled city. So…off we went. In case you don’t know, I love castles and ruins. The city wasn’t a castle, but because of the wall, it came close enough.
Our ship was met by dancers and drummers welcoming us to Santo Domingo. (about time someone did. Usually we are met with greetings and get a goodby sendoff, but this trip this s the first time)
We asked a gentleman how to get to the other side of the wall, so we could walk around the old town. So he showed us, and took us and showed us the entire old town. We walked for 2 hours, we tasted local punch, chocolate from local cocao beans (even tasted a cocoa bean) and tea made out of cocao and back to the ship. He is a lovely man and we enjoyed our tour, even tho it was a surprise.
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