18:09.21N 70:57.13W

 

Salinas was restful. Out in the countryside and surrounding by distant hills. The anchorage was beside a quiet little hotel which served up cold beers and reasonable food if you wanted it. The small town of Salinas was a short walk away. This is the antithesis of Casa de Campo and much preferable though the internet connection was pathetic. Anyway we managed to get around to other locations. Like the bus to Bani to do some shopping, the bus and an 18km motorbike taxi ride to Palmar. Even quieter and a super beach.

 

Salinas as the name implies is known for its salt production and we could see the piles of salt from our anchorage. One day we wandered over to see what was happening. No one seemed to bother about us nosing around the salt pans and taking photos.

 

Our next port of call is Bayahona and we are anchored there now just off the Club Nautico de Manatee. I’m afraid its not as grand as it sounds though the anchorage is pleasant and secure from the weather and the local population so we are lead to believe. Its an old port area. The port doesn’t seem to be used now but there seems to be quite a few security guards wandering around. Its a short hop into town and a motorbike ride back for a dollar. Yesterday we had the full complement of Customs and Immigration descend on us, four of them boarded us. Our Despacho from Salinas seemed to be in order and we asked for a Despacho onwards to Cuba. This is the last port of call in DR where we can get clearance out of the country. We are not going straight to Cuba and will pull into places in DR on the way, We probably get into mild difficulties and that’s where the presentitos will come in handy. We stocked up on rum back in Boca Chica. We may even hit the shores of Jamaica and the Cayman Isles on the way depending how the wind blows.

 

Salinas Beach

 

The Salt Working in the Background

 

The Little Marina in Salinas

 

On Ya Bike in Salinas

 

Salt Storage

 

Salt Pans

 

Harvesting the Salt

 

The Salt Railway

 

Emptying the Trucks

 

Palmar Beach

 

in Palmar Town

 

Palmar Town

 

Carving out a Buoy from Polystyrene in Palmar

 

Passing the Beautiful Headland of Martin Garcia on route to Bayahona