Before leaving the Dominican Republic, we checked out the waterfalls of Limon. To get to the waterfalls, you could spend mucho dinero and get on the large, “modern” (for the DR), air-conditioned gringo tourbus OR, roll out with the locals for 70 pesos ($1.50). We decided to blend in with the natives and used the local public transportation, called a gwua-gwua.
Gwua gwuas come in all shapes and sizes – mini vans, trucks – anything goes. All you have to do is flag down the gwua gwua and try and squeeze in.
Inside our first gwua gwua going to Limon. I sat on Stéphane’s lap in this mini van. I think we had 15 people crammed in. The sliding door was open (or maybe just broken?) and one guy was hanging out the side of it.
Our gwua gwua on the way home – a truck this time.Getting up close and personal with everyone – squeeze in tight! The younger men would stand on the bumper in the back and hold onto the roof in order to give room inside for the older men and the women.In order to make room for an older couple that we picked up along the way, Stéphane ended up standing on the truck’s bumper and holding onto its roof for dear life as it sped through the countryside.Lush, green, hilly countryside on the way to the waterfalls.You can walk or ride horses to the waterfalls. We’ve heard from a few other boaters who did the tour the day before us that it is much more enjoyable to ride the horses – so we do. Here’s Bob getting ready to mount his ride.Steve and his steed.Here we go!Each rider has their own guide. The guide walks behind the horse and gives them a little whip with a switch to keep them going. My guide was really fun – even though he didn’t speak any English and I didn’t speak any Spanish, we made it work.Selfie!Stéphane was the only one with a mule! I think they ran out of horses and so had to go grab the neighbor’s mule…
After a thirty minute ride through farmland and jungle on rocky, mud-caked trails, we hopped off our horses (and mule) and walked down a serious set of earthen steps. The steps were carved out of the wet soil and roots of the jungle and led us down to the waterfalls which were beautiful. We thought how fun it would be to climb these if only it got cold enough for them to freeze (yeah, right).
Cascades de Limon.
The cold river water cascades over rock, vine, and moss into a pool below. Stéphane, of course, jumped in and swum around, under, and behind the falls.
A fun day was had by all! Bob & Judy (Adastra) and Steve (Slow Flight).
Hey, Sara! Your blog is great, and your pictures help me relive my time at Puerto Bahia on Vida Libre with Dana & Dario. Hadn’t realized when I had your leftover pizza at dinner that night that you three were on pizza binge…
Now that I’ve been back in Maine for almost a week (dealing with shoveling SNOW and raking roofs), I think your friend Tom’s question is a good one!
Glad you all made it to Puerto Rico safely, through the dreaded Mona Passage. Will look forward to reading about your future adventures.
Best to you and Stéphane, and please say hello to Steve, Judy & Bob. What a fun bunch you travel with~
Hi Julie!
So great to hear from you! Hoping that Maine isn’t too chilly these days??? We’re in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands now, working on our exit strategy (ready to move back to land, sell the boat). It was a great ride, while it lasted 🙂
The Grizz (Winnebago View - active duty)
1,800 miles and counting
The Hungry hippo (Popup camper - retired)
1,200 miles
The Gruffalo (Tow behind camper - retired):
12,000 miles and counting
The Baby Bison (Tow behind toy hauler - retired):
7000+ miles
Maine > New Mexico + adventures in between
The Great White Buffalo (5th wheel camper - retired):
3,000 miles
Free Range (Slocum 37 sailboat - resting; getting overhauled in Nova Scotia):
Traveled 2,400 nautical miles from Oriental, NC > Antigua (end of the road).
Why am I here and you are there? Tom
Hey, Sara! Your blog is great, and your pictures help me relive my time at Puerto Bahia on Vida Libre with Dana & Dario. Hadn’t realized when I had your leftover pizza at dinner that night that you three were on pizza binge…
Now that I’ve been back in Maine for almost a week (dealing with shoveling SNOW and raking roofs), I think your friend Tom’s question is a good one!
Glad you all made it to Puerto Rico safely, through the dreaded Mona Passage. Will look forward to reading about your future adventures.
Best to you and Stéphane, and please say hello to Steve, Judy & Bob. What a fun bunch you travel with~
Fair winds & sunny skies to you all —
Julie
Hi Julie!
So great to hear from you! Hoping that Maine isn’t too chilly these days??? We’re in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands now, working on our exit strategy (ready to move back to land, sell the boat). It was a great ride, while it lasted 🙂
Sara