If you've rented a car or have access to vehicles, take advantage of these personal reflections from opportunities that literally redefined my expectations/experiences from all other trips visiting the DR. But what/however - Take a Drive Through the Interior and INDULGE in the Beauty and Peacefulness!
Locals spend the week between Christmas/New Year's traveling about dropping in to see family/friends. From Higuey, we piled in back of a truck heading west out of town on Highway 4. As if my excitement alone from this adventure wasn't enough, the magic didn't unfold until turning right/north on one of many unmarked, dirt roads where we officially entered the country's country.
From here, we began the gentle climb up through the Cordillera Oriental which looks like such a rugid range from afar, but reveals moderate rolling hills when actually within them. We hadn't gone far when I jumped up to lean over the roof of the cab for taking a "head-on" position while being propped up with camera in one hand, trying to hang on with the other. Roads were surprisingly decent as they wound there way through open farmlands dotted with immaculately kept, colorful wooden Dominican homes.
El Campo de Mamey is name of a hilltop settlement where we eventually stopped to visit an extended family whose simple homes were scattered within view across lands owned for generations. Their well-tended farms and gardens revealed hard work and efficiency for living off the lands, but their was no disguising other obvious luxuries which played into the warmth and hospitality.
At one point, I sat alone under a huge mango tree...sad the fruit was too green to eat though I was already stuffed Before me were endless lush, green valleys rolling upward into the crests of other hills. The gentle breeze was circulating aromas from the nearby spice and herb garden. And other than the rustling of leaves, the only sounds heard were a distant crowing rooster...and mellow Bachata music unobtrusively from so far away, I all but wondered if God wasn't playing it from the heavens also as He pleasantly smiled over His DR creations.
It was one of those days which could have lasted forever, but we needed to depart before catching a sunset. There was still enough light on the ride back to see more awe-inspiring serenity and remote homes with smiling, waving people out front. My friends were also warmly smiling in witnessing my state of euphoric, willing acceptance for things they hold so dearly - something I described to them as experiencing that day beyond the highest First Class tourist!