2.7. NORTHEAST of the Dominican Republic. Samana and whales.

Las Terrenas is a wonderful little town. It is located in the northeast of the Dominican Republic, in the Samaná region. It is relatively small, with a population of about 25,000. At first, it was a tiny, sleepy fishing village. In 1946, the dictator Trujillo ordered the poor population to be removed from the capital, Santo Domingo. These people were expected to become fishermen and farmers elsewhere… Some of them were sent to the coast of Las Terrenas…

In those days, this was an almost completely isolated part of the country. A narrow, winding, undeveloped mountain road crossed the high hills to reach it. The road connected Las Terrenas with the neighbouring municipality of Sánchez. During rain and nighttime fog, it became almost impassable. Reaching the settlement was a genuine adventure… And in the 1970s, the first French settlers arrived here…

In Spanish: Las Terrenas. One of the most expensive towns in the country to live in. Food and other goods, housing rent, electricity and service costs are all unreasonably higher here. Driving along the modern — and very beautiful — highway that runs beside and above the ocean coast is pleasant, but not cheap. It must be said that the people of Las Terrenas complained and complained, but nothing changed…

You can also use the old road to Las Terrenas, through the town of Sánchez — in Spanish, Sanchez — and then turn into the hills. The old road has been repaired and should now be in reasonably good condition. But ATTENTION: the old road is considerably longer and much more winding. In some places, the sharp bends of the old highway run right along the edges of steep drops. At a considerable height, this feels rather extreme. Driving there requires increased concentration from the driver, as well as a car in decent condition — especially the brake pads. And generally speaking, it is a matter of taste…

El Limón is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Dominican Republic. It is located in the Samaná region and is often used as a natural filming location for adventure movies.

Not far from the waterfall there is a tiny town, also called El Limón. Around it are a number of ranches. At these ranches you will be offered horses and local guides. They will whisk you away to the waterfall — very slowly and with great care… In the Dominican Republic, however, the “horses” provided for tourists are more often mules…

REFERENCE: A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. A mule looks like a horse with long ears, but it is stronger and much more resilient. A hinny is the opposite cross — a stallion and a female donkey. In horse breeding, these are considered two different hybrids. A little chromosome arithmetic. A donkey has 62 chromosomes, while a horse has 64. Their offspring inherits 63 chromosomes — whether it is a mule or a hinny. Because of this odd number of chromosomes, such hybrids are almost always sterile.