Playa Limon

The boat ride took a few hours, and the boat was quite crowded, but it was great. I sat on the roof of the boat letting rays of sun darken my skin a little more, or was I just getting red perhaps. As we arrived on the other side my aim was to get to Playa Limon before night fall. As the ferry docked, I quickly realised there was only Motoconcho’s, which could be a little difficult for me with all my bags. After plenty of discussion by all the drivers and me, I was persuaded into going with one moped who had a larger seat than the rest. So after some help in getting on the damn thing, we carefully and slowly made our way into town to get me on the next gua gua out of to town, and one bit closer to my destination.

I hopped on the gua gua, just as is was leaving, and started the journey toward Playa Limon, or El Cedro which the village is called. Unfortunately for me, we realised a little too late that I would not make the next gua gua, as it stopped running at six, and we would not arrive before 18:15. So a little unhappy, I hopped of the gua gua and found myself two motoconchos that could take me to the only decent hotel in El Miche. So I went with one man, and my big backpack with another. Unfortunately the guy with my big bag was a little wreck less, so the bag kept falling of at highs speed. I was not happy and made him understand that at last…..

I arrived at the hotel, and felt myself being exhausted. The room was lovely, big, and clean, with a gorgeous view of the sea and town. I got an early night to try to catch a glimpse of the sunset, and to get an early start. After a good sleep, and a “clean” water shower, I headed back down to town, and started on the last leg of the journey to get to Playa Limon.

After an hour or so, I arrived in el Cedro, and due to my phone having no signal I had to borrow someone’s phone to call the hotel owner to pick me up. As I waited for the owner I was approached by children putting out their hand and saying “dame dame” (give me, give me). They all seem to have this idea that pale skinned people all have money or things to give away I could not help myself this day, so I told the oldest girl “I have nothing either, you give me”….. She wandered off, and came back 5 minutes later holding 2 lollypops in her hand. She offered one to me, and took the other one herself  it was so sweet of her, it was truly heart warming and funny at the same time.

I arrived at Harley’s heaven before noon, so plenty of time to enjoy the day. Playa Limon is a very much undeveloped area still, so very pristine and natural. The people at Hartley’s heaven were friendly and helpful, so they managed to get me on the next tour of the Playa Limon, and Limon lagoon. I was so excited the tour included lots of food, horse riding, swimming and a boat ride. I threw my bags into my room, chatted with the people who worked and stayed at the hotel, and then headed off for my day tour.

I could not believe my eyes when the food arrived, there was lobster, pork, salad, sweet corn balls, plantains, breadfruit, and so much more, and let’s not forget the dessert; coconut pudding. I was told we ha plenty of time to enjoy our feast before departure, so I dug in savouring every taste. After the feast I got on the horse and started on the tour. It was wonderful trotting between the palm trees seeing the beach and nature from another angle, or rather another height.

When we stopped on the beach, we were given a coconut each to enjoy the cool coconut water/milk. It was great and definitely quenched the thirst. After a quick drink it was time to enjoy a little beach time, so off I went to take some photos and to sample the water. A flat bottom boat waited for us at the bottom of the river, and we all piled inn to see more. The lagoon awaited us! The lagoon was probably the strangest thing I have ever seen, it was filled with a type of algae, which was so dense that it filled the lagoon to its rim, allowing birds to look like they were walking on water. When you looked along the water surface you could see a brown surface, shining in the sunlight. The algae was smelly, but it was definitely I sight I am glad I have seen. There truly are so many strange and wonderful places and things in the world 

After the tour, I obviously headed back to the hotel, where I showered and got ready for dinner with the other guests. I met some wonderful characters; there was Ana who was a TV presenter and reporter from DR who was so bubbly. Then there was Jorge, who is a bank owner in the DR and believes in keeping the Dominican race white! He is a one man show, and after 6 hours it can be a little too much, as anything you say will be twisted and turned. I also met Cisco from Belgium, who was my age, and a great laugh, he was there with his girlfriend Nana, who was a very quiet but sweet girl.

The next morning it was time to thing about my onwards journey. Cisco had mentioned the fact that I might be able to go with them back to Bayahibe in a buggy, if it was fixed. So as soon as the buggy owner arrived I questioned him in regards to the health of his vehicle, and unfortunately he did not have good news. So then I had to look at my other and only option, get on the gua gua to Higuey and from there to Bayahibe. As midday slowly snuck up on me, the owner told me his electricians were heading to Higuey if I wanted a lift. I was so happy and at the same time apprehensive as it would me and two men in a car for hours. The owner vouched for them and inn I hopped.

The first five minutes of the ride was all spent introducing ourselves. I quickly came to learn these were both married men with children who had a great sense of humour, and a charming personality. We conversed and laughed the whole time, and two very different cultures got an insight into one another’s lives. We did however have some little breaks on the way, as they were proud of their country they wanted me to try anything it had to offer, so they bought me fruit, they took me to the Colmado and offered me coffee, which I had to decline. They stopped at every food stall there was, in case I wanted to sample it.

Baina was definitely the most used word on the journey; it was used every time no one remembered a name, a place or just the word they wanted to use. Bain means things, and can pretty much mean anything as I got to understand by the end of my journey. After 2 ½ hours in the car we drove into the city of Higuey. Where they drove me around for a little while showing me the Cathedral, and any other sight they though was important for me to have seen. Suddenly the driver asks me if I am hungry, and considering we had been talking about food for the whole journey I told him of course I was and that it was all his fault making me look at all the food on the way 

Before I had time to blink he had made a phone call to his wife, and we were heading back to his house for lunch. The house was on a hillside, and it was one floor. The family consisted of him, the wife, and his two children, one older girl, and a young one of three. I started drawing with the little girl until dinner was ready. Dinner was served and it was of course their traditional food of chicken, beans and rice. I saw how little food there was for so many, so I only served myself beans and rice really, but they would not have that. He piled on the chicken to my plate, and told me no guest of his would leave the table hungry. I tried to tell him it was not necessary but he would not listen.

After a nice lunch in very good company, we hopped back into the car and they drove me to the gua gua station, making sure I was getting on the right bus, and was not getting charged too much. I was so happy to have met these generous and kind people who resurrected my faith in the Dominican men 


Lessons learnt:
1. Never expect thing to be on time
2. Never get upset when things are late, enjoy the time in stead.
3. Always make sure you have the Sim card with the best connections
4. Always go to bed with a smile on your face
5. Make the best out of every situation
6. Don’t judge everyone by some bad experiences.
7. Unselfish acts of kindness might be rare, but they still exist.

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