It's all time coffee time in the Dominican Republic!

Coffee plants have their origin in Africa, and our first coffee plant is originally from Ethiopia.

In the time of the colonization of the Americas, the Dutch are said to have introduced the coffee plant (Coffea Arabica L) between 1726 and 1735 to Surinam and from the French island of Martinique to the island of Saint Domingue (the island of Hispaniola), specifically to the west side of the island, that is Haiti and from there it was introduced in the eastern side of the island, that is now Dominican Republic.

 It is believed that the first seeds were planted by the Spaniards in the provinces of Barahona, the region of our unique national stone Larimar, and Neyba. The first coffee company with industrial production and internal commerce was registered in the Dominican Republic in December 12, 1917! The coffee export business started in 1935 with the largest coffee plantations located in Barahona!

Since the native Indians didn’t know coffee and by the time it arrived in the eastern side of the Hispaniola, few of them were still alive, we assume our coffee habits started with our Spanish heritage and followed by our African heritage!

Coffee became part of our Dominican tradition; every day we start with the first cup of coffee when we wake up, before breakfast, than we have a cup of coffee when we arrive at work, then we have another cup of coffee when we take a break, another cup of coffee after we had our midday meal, then we have a cup of coffee later on in the afternoon and there are those who still have another cup of coffee in the evening.

The first thing you will be asked when visiting a Dominican family is “would you like a cup of coffee?” If you are in the city or in a town, the cup of coffee will be served pure and you will add the white or brown sugar as per your taste, but if you are in a rural area, most probably you will be served the coffee already sweetened!. The Dominican coffee is really dark black, more like a turkish coffee!

With the cup of coffee, depending where the cup of coffee has been offered to you, comes a conversation that will have to do with business, a job application, a family update, an interesting gossip, politics, sports, etc. If the Dominican coffee drinker is superstitious, specially she would love to have somebody read her empty cup of coffee turned upside down so that the drops left in the cup will form “figures” after being dried on the burner. The specialist in this “art” will foretell future and the future of the future!!!

Coffee will be the used to keep us awake, you’ll find it in the funeral house as a treat, on the street, oh yes; we have hot coffee vendors on the street!    

Within the eco tourism programs in the Dominican Republic you’ll find the Coffee Routes, which will bring you in contact with coffee agriculturists of the area, enjoy their folklore in their natural environment. This will encourage them to reforestation, to identify themselves with their habitat and activate their cultural traditions.

Consider including in your forthcoming visit to the Dominican Republic an eco tour, private or in group, and have the experience of drinking a cup of authentic Dominican coffee of the rural area, prepared either in an espresso coffee pot or made the original way, that is, coffee beans are dried in the sun, roasted and grinded, this ground coffee is placed in a homemade cloth filter, resembling a small butterfly net, “colador”, evoking nostalgia for those good old times and boiling water is then poured in the “colador”, strained or sieved and served in a typical metal or ceramic cup! This ground coffee is called “cafe de pilón”, very, very tasty!

Be Dominican, Be Happy!

We always find a way to make it fun!

Dominican Republic occupies the estern side of the Hispaniola Island while Haiti is on the western side of the Island.

When Christopher Columbus discovered this island, he felt in love with its exuberant tropical beauty, sea waters, rivers, mountains!!! What the poor, innocent Taino indians who lived happily on the Hispaniola island, didn’t know was that the arrival of these Spanish conquerors would mark their destiny, no matter how they resisted, only a few of them would survive the mistreatment, diseases and heavy work they had to do. So the Spaniards realized these Indians were not strong enough and decided to bring Africans to the Hispaniola to help the Indians and do heavy jobs.

Playing Dominoes, that's always a must!

The Spaniards brought their culture, the Taino Indian and the African had their own cultures and so the Spaniards first mixed with Taino women and then they were attracted by the dark colored skin of the African women and also mixed with them and for sure some Africans must have mixed with Taino women!  All these mixture of races, cultures and beliefs gave birth to the Dominican people and their folklore!

We Dominicans love to dance, to make jokes of every situation, to get together and have a good time, to play dominoes, speak loud, we also love baseball and follow the Dominican baseball players in every game abroad, we like to put nicknames and this is so common, that when somebody dies, we'll have to mention the nickname to identify the death person! Beer and rum will always be part of every activity and the soft drinks for the children and oldies! There is always a reason for getting together and celebrate, everybody will gladly cooperate with their share, this can be at home, at the beach, on the countryside, at the river, etc!

On the river with drinks in hands!

Xmas is the time of the year when families get together, those who are living abroad come to join their loved ones and it is a non-stop celebration, joined by friends and neighbors!!

If the Dominican government wants to avoid a national hysteria, eggs, salami, chicken, plantain, rice, coffee and red beans must be always available!

Did we mention that we love dancing?!

 The Dominican Republic was occupied from 1822 to 1844 by Haiti and had thirty years of dictatorship from 1930 to 1961 lead by Trujillo, followed by a revolution in 1965 as well as some other difficult experiences, through which the Dominican people learned to cope with every situation and make the best of the worst, to keep smiling and carry on, not to worry be happy no matter what! 

Come and visit the Dominican Republic, you will be enchanted with its breathtaking, secluded beaches, awesome tropical scenery and warm, friendly people, always ready to assist you!  Dominican Republic has it all!!

Amber mined in the Dominican Republic - Part II

PART II

Scientist might still be debating over the possible origin of the different colors of Amber; the kind of tree that yielded the resin, but many causes have influenced the color of the Amber, such as the conditions under which it fossilized, the presence of natural organic and mineral elements, the different temperatures and pressure in the amber layers.

At this moment the most sought after is the blue Amber, which is unbelievable costly. A pound of blue Amber is actually US$ 36,000 approx., and the more pure, that is impurities free, the higher its price. Blue Amber is rare because of its unique fluorescence of beautiful blue shade. There are a few theories about the blue Amber coloration you can find in the Internet if you have special interest in the specific type of Amber.

The wealthy community of China and Japan are the main buyers of blue Amber for there is a belief, that it provides good luck and prosperity among other properties. In ancient time, Amber was also used for healing and protection. Actually, the price for blue Amber is higher than the price for gold! Miners are now only interested in finding blue Amber and many times the buyers are already waiting at the mine site to buy the best quality.

 Some local artisans have moved to the regions where the blue Amber is mined to be able to get hold of some of this blue Amber to make Dominican handmade jewelry to benefit of this blue Amber too.

When buying any Amber on the Internet, one must be very careful for there is also fake Amber for sale. It can be proven only physically, by placing it in salt water. The real Amber will float and the fake one will sink! This plastic imitation can also be distinguished from the natural by rubbing them; the fake one will not become as electrostatically charged.

The Greek were the first to observe and record the electrostatic properties of Amber, the Greek name of Amber -Elektron became a root word for electricity.

The end!

 

Dominican Republic A Tropical Paradise!

Dominican Republic Has It All! 

The island of Hispaniola is divided in two parts: The Dominican Republic on the eastern side and Haiti on the western side, two countries with different languages, religions, customs, mentality, etc.

The Dominican Republic has on its north coast the Atlantic Ocean and on the south coast the Caribbean Sea; it belongs to the second largest island of the Greater Antilles, located east of Yucatan, Mexico and south east of Florida, USA, the Lesser Antilles are west.

Dominican Republic is Caribbean’s most bio-diverse country, with 25 percent of its lush land and pristine coastline, 67 protected areas, 16 as national parks, reserves and sanctuaries.

Bahia de las Aguilas

With several mountain ranges, rivers, breathtaking, secluded beaches, awesome landscapes, friendly people, the Dominican Republic has and continues developing a very interesting ecotourism that offers our visitors of all ages the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful and exciting vacation.

With the creation of the Dominican Republic’s Marine Mammal Sanctuary for Humpback Whales in 1962, our country has been a forerunner in environment and marine-oriented protections, ensuring magnificent nature abounds.

Humpback Whales

From January thru March every year up to 5,000 humpback whales migrates to the north east coast and Samana Bay’s warm waters. Whale watching is an unforgettable tour to be considered in your visit to the Dominican Republic!

Barahona, where the Larimar stone is mined, is also an ideal place for surfers, as well as, Cabarete, which became famous for its perfect surf conditions, but there are many other water sports available, as wind surf, canyoning, snorkeling, diving and many more entertainments.

Pico Duarte

Horseback ride, mountain bike, river rafting and much more adventures are available in Jarabacoa, in the province of La Vega, which is also the gateway to the highest mountain peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte 3,187 meters in the Central Mountain Range.

Paragliding at Jarabacoa

Also paragliding sport is also available in Jarabacoa and other areas in the Dominican Republic.

River Rafting

South west of the Dominican Republic you will find Pedernales a bio-diverse place with abundant nature and breathtaking views and the wonderful, magnificent beach Bahia de las Aguilas with pristine waters and white sand!

Also a must see is the Jaragua National Park and the Enriquillo Lake, approx. 42 meters below sea level, the largest and deepest point in the Caribbean, where the American crocodiles, as well as other endemic species.

Thirty minutes drive from Puerto Plata, in the northern corridor mountain range, behind long stalks of sugar cane you will find, a mother’s nature treasure, the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, 27 thrilling rock pools and waterfalls, another unforgettable adventure, full of action, of climbing, jumping, sliding and more.

There are a variety of caves, such as FunFuncaves, and Los Haitises, a forest reserve on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, with a lot of caverns and the greatest abundance of Caribbean mangrove.

The Dominican Republic has several islets, with breathtaking beaches and endemic species, one of these islets is the Saona Island, which can be reached by speed boats or catamarans; this is our largest off shore island of 42 square miles, boasting of more than 112 species of birds, turtles, sharks, bottle-nose dolphins and manatees. On your way to this islet from Bayahibe Beach in La Romana, you’ll see the National Park of the East, an awesome sea’s natural pool, you must dip in, and a mangrove swamp reserve.

We have just mentioned a few attractions of all our country has to offer you and we invite you to plan your visit to the Dominican Republic and ask your travel agents for more information so that you will enjoy your trip in the area of your preference. The Dominican Republic has it all!!!

Oh and let us not forget our Dominican cuisine, which we are sure you will love, for each region has its own recipes!!