Our Dominican Safari

We began our day At 7 and getting ready fot a 7:30 breakfast. We ate breakfast all together at several different tables. The breakfast was a buffet. There were eggs, croissants, cereal, and bacon. After our stomachs were full we started on our safari!

We began the journey by visiting the sugarcane fields. The Dominican Republic covers 18,000 square miles, most of which is farmland. One of the most famous crops, sugarcane, was introduced in 1593. It is a very important export for the economy of the DR. The crop is planted year round and there are two harvests, one in the summer, and one in the winter. Many immigrants come from Haiti to the DR on temporary employment to work the sugarcane fields. We saw many of the small towns where these immigrants stay.

After seeing the sugar cane fields and pretty country side views, we drove up through very hilly country and stopped at a Cacao vender.

There was a cacao tea and a cacao “hot chocolate” prepared for us. We tasted these two drinks and then continued through the shop, observing the techniques used to make them. Continuing our safari, we stopped at Rancho Valencia. This ranch had many animals: horses, crocodiles, rein deer, iguanas, chickens, large cows, dogs, and horses. We took these horses out for a quick scenic ride.

After a nice horse ride we strolled on over to the cafeteria. The Ranch had prepared a fantastic buffet of rice, beans, meat, and salad. It was a great meal and to top it off we basked in the sun on hammocks and swings. We then left the ranch and traveled through the town of Higuey and arrived back at the hotel at 4 pm, an hour and a half later.

2017 Experiences, Dominican Republic: Service & Sun