Higuey

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Higuey (General)

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micas
micas
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3 out of 5
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1
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Higuey

  • August 10, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by micas from Lisbon, Portugal
Higuey

Higuey is a city situated somewhat near Punta Cana, and it is the capital of La Altagracia Province. We ventured on a public bus and visited Higuey for an afternoon. Visiting this city by ourselves, we managed to have a real feel of authentic Dominican lifestyle, and not only the idyllic beaches and landscapes that the guides showed us before. Looks like that “real life” is so different from the things we had seen so far on the island.

Markets are a place I like to visit, as I enjoy seeing food and habits. The market I visited here left quite a “big” impression on me, mainly the smell, as it wasn’t pleasant at all. Habits are undoubtedly different, and butchers, for example, hang the raw meat on front of the shops leaving it hanging there the whole day. The main reason for the smell, is that there isn’t a sewer system and water and garbage run on the street on the open air. There is also a part of the city that is tourist oriented – a lot of souvenir shops, mainly hand crafts and cigars.

In Higuey it is worth mentioning the Cathedral, the city’s main must see. Seen from the outside the Cathedral looks like just concrete and it is very discrete – unless I hadn’t learnt about it before I probably wouldn’t have noticed it when walking around the city. In fact, this Cathedral is made of concrete and isn't painted, so it is grayish (it has a modern look). But when I entered it I was so surprised - it has beautiful stained glass that, when the sun is shining through, giving a beautiful color to the inside. On the altar there is a fabulous work of Virgen de la Altagracia, made with gold, diamonds and other precious stones. It is so valuable, that it has been stolen (but fortunately it was later recovered). So, to avoid further "temptations" it is now locked inside a special glass. After visiting the cathedral, and as you leave, there is someone asking for money to the cathedral. A kind of "post-paid" entrance, and without warning, I don't remember how much did I pay but I think they leave it for you to decide how much you want to give.

From journal Relaxing in Punta Cana

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