We had another week of firsts in the DR learning curve. Lesson one: acceptance that text messaging just never works in the DR....so if you need me, you'll have to download Whatsapp or email me. Lesson two: cars do not rule the road. Lesson three: If you need to be rescued, do not call the navy.
We began the week with a night filled with excitement. There was a boat arriving into Luperon one night that put out a call for assistance. Their engine failed and they were floundering at sea about 3 miles offshore. It did not take long for the other sailors in the bay to organize and begin the VHF chatter. One of the first calls that went out on the VHF: "The navy has been contacted and will be underway soon." Second call: "Problem. The navy boat has no fuel in it." That brought about a barrage of communications about which boat in the harbor could go out and try to tow them into port. A few people went out in their dinghies to check out the situation (which was insane given 8 to 10 foot seas!). Next call: "The navy now has fuel and is on their way." We were sitting on our deck and watched as the navy answered their heroic call....until they didn't. We watched as they trotted past our boat and then suddenly stopped. Next call we hear: "Well, the navy has run aground." At this point, everyone accepted that the navy had never actually been in a boat and they were not going to be of assistance. So, one of the boats in the harbor volunteered to go out and do the rescue. The navy commandant told them that he was not giving that boat permission to go on the rescue. The boat captain told the commandant that he could either give them permission or the navy would have to shoot him on his way out of the harbor. I am assuming the commandant realized that they carry guns that do not actually have any ammunition clips in them so he finally gave his consent. I am happy to report that all boats and dinghies made it safely to port by 3am. Later in the week, we decided to venture over to Puerto Plata the "larger" city that is about an hour away from Luperon. Handy Andy brought us his refitted Hyundai and we were ready to go. As soon as we had a lesson on how to start the car! I had never seen a car refitted with a propane tank so this was definitely a first! We figured that worst case scenario, we could always hook up the grill to the gas tank if we got hungry and desperate. Along the way, we encountered sections of road and bridges that were clearly designed to fit one, maybe one and half cars. We watched in amazement as the locals fit not only two cars but several motorcycles without any issue. The only one causing issues was us! How dare we actually follow traffic rules such as stopping at red lights and stop signs....Bill finally decided that he would just drive and they would just figure out how to miss us. We did take note that one thing in the DR has the right of way....the herd of cows caused even the most persistent of drivers to stop and wait. The highlight of Puerto Plata was the chocolate factory. The factory was closed due to COVID but the sweetest lady brought out samples of chocolate to our car. Needless to say, the milk chocolate made with rum was the best! She sold us A LOT of chocolate and told me she would call me once the factory reopened so we could come back for the tour.....try and get that service in the states! Bill's theory of driving worked very well and we arrived back in sleepy Luperon without one scratch on Handy Andy's car. I must admit I kissed the ground once we arrived back safely! The next week involves several boat projects such as up fitting more solar and wind power on the boat and I will be getting back to my refinishing of the teak. We will see what adventures await us and new "firsts" that are yet to come!
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AuthorSally Miller Archives
May 2024
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