Coming back to the Dominican Republic we spent two days in the colonial part of Santo Domingo, the capital.

Santo Domingo quickly became the center for Christopher Columbus and the Spanish after finding “The New World” 1492 and was a “hub” for further exploration.

Columbus wanted to be berried here (and he was for 40 years) but is now berried in Sevilla, Spain.

All way into his death Columbus was convinced that he had found India which was his only goal from the beginning. The Portuguese were controlling west Africa and in this way the sea route to India around Cape of Good Hope. Convinced the world was round, Columbus aimed to find another route to India sailing west. People who blame Columbus for colonialism are probably not aware of these historical facts.

The colonial part of Santo Domingo is beautiful but unfortunately the house of Columbus son was closed due to restauration. He spent his life here bringing up his family and on the contrary to his father he is berried on the island.

After two days in Santo Domingo it was time to take the bull by it’s horns and do a three hour drive to Puerto Bahia/Samana, and Dora Mac