TROPICAL ISLAND TOURS
For all Cruise Ship
Passengers
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LICENSED GUIDE: |
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Island of Hispañola,
TOURS ARRANGED BY:
TOUR COORDINATOR |
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TOURS : |
TOURS FOR JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
TRAVELING ON CRUISE SHIPS
VISITING SAMANA
Brothers here in Samana can meet Jehovah's witnesses visiting Samana on cruise ships at the dock to where they are tendered and give them a pre-arranged full day tour with the itinerary of their choice. Since the cruise ships generally do not arrive until around 10 o'clock in the morning, and passengers are not tendered to to the dock until around 11 o'clock., it is only possible to do one of the following options due to the distance traveled and/or the time required for each tour.
TOURS INCLUDE:
Being met at the dock by the brothers.
Taken to meet the many
brothers and sisters in Samana's Tropical Island Flea Market
See details
below regarding Flea Market.
A quick ride by the Samana Kingdom Hall.
Chauffeuring to one of the options below
Meal & one non-alcoholic drink (bottled water, soda).
Return to the dock for tender to ship for departure.
OPTIONS:
PLAYA RINCON:
This is one of the most beautiful picturesque beaches in the world, with
mountains as a backdrop. On the way, one enjoys seeing the culture of
the people, their houses, how they live and work enjoying the real culture
of the people!
The road to Rincon is unpaved, very rocky and muddy, and after rainy periods
it is nearly impossible to go by car as the road is so bad. The best
as well as fastest way is by boat from the end of the Peninsula.
However, going by vehicle, when this is possible, you can see the little
Dominican "ranchitos" (Dominican houses), and how the "oampesinos"
(peasants/poor people) live; cooking on charcoal outside in open palmetto
thatched kitchens, grinding coffee beans by hand or squeezing oil from
coconuts, carrying water jugs on their heads, or washing clothes in the
rivers enjoying the real culture of the people!
Rincon Beach can be reached via vehicle with a scenic tour of the interior
of the Peninsula on the way, or if road is untravelable due to a previous
period of bad weather, tour can be arranged by boat from the Las Galeras tip
of the Peninsula.
Rates by Vehicle: Minimum 2 persons. 2-5 persons: $70
U.S. per person; 5-10 persons: $65 U.S.; 11-25 persons: $60 (the transport
will be by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide). This tour
includes freshly caught fish on the beach with drink.
Rates by boat: Beautiful 15-20 miniute ride heading north along the
eastern coast - $5 more per person than by vehicle. 2-5 persons: $75
U.S. per person; 5 -10 persons: $70 U.S.; 11-25 persons: $65 (includes meal
as well).
BEAUTIFUL LAS GALERAS BEACH:
Scenic
ride along the coast to the end of the Peninsula to Las Galeras. Swimming.
snorkeling - gear not provided.
Typical Dominican meal of beans and rice, chicken
or fish served on the beach. 2-5 persons $65; 6+ persons $55
HORSEBACK RIDING AT RANCHO TIPICO, El Valle, Samana - All Day Tour:
The Rancho Tipico is owned and operated by Domingo Balbuena. Picturesque trail ride through the woods along rivers to El Valle beach for swimming and buffet luncheon. After lunch travel to the waterfull "Lulu"
Minimum: 4 persons. Group rates: 4-9 persons $65 U.S.; 10+ persons: $55 U.S.
Tour Coordinator (English and Spanish): Laura Belbuena
Cell: 809-765-1435
U.S. Telephone: to leave message 651-705-5799
E-mail Laura: ExploreSamana@gmail.com
EL LIMON WATERFALL ON HORSEBACK:
Beautiful ride through the
woods with guide to waterfall; swim - return to beginning of trail to
wonderful buffet (typical Dominican Meal) - 2-5 persons $65; 6+ persons $55 U.S. (tip not included)
The landscape surrounding the falls is picturesque. Small houses are
painted in vivid colors and made from locally available materials such as
palm wood and thatch. Home gardens and vegetable plots border plantations
of bananas, cacao, and coconut. Flora and fauna, agriculture can be seen
along the trails.
WHALE WATCH
EXCURSIONS -
Arranged by Domingo Balbuena, a brother in Samana Congregation.
January 18
through March 31st only
Whale-watching excursions include
not only whale watching, but a trip to beautiful Anadel beach afterwards
for swimming and a buffet luncheon.
1 to 10 persons: $55 US per
person; 11-25 persons: $50 US per person. Buffet Luncheon included. Children 4 to 8 years of age half price; children 3 years
of age and under, FREE. (Prices to be revised closer to the start of
the season)
Thousands of humpback whales from the North Atlantic migrate to the waters
of the Dominican Republic each winter to mate and give birth. One of their
most popular winter rendezvous places is Samana Bay. More than 1500
humpbacks visit the bay, with as many as 300 present at any given time
during the mating season. The World Wildlife Fund considers Samana Bay one of
the best places in the world to watch whales.
E-mail Laura:
ExploreSamana@gmail.com
EXCURSION TO HAITISES NATIONAL
PARK
- Year-Round Excursions -
Eliseo Dishmey:
Excursions to Haitises
National Park include a trip to Barcardi Island afterwards for swimming and
a buffet luncheon.
Leave early morning; return late afternoon. Minimum: 5 persons. 5-10
persons: $70 US; 11-25 persons: $60 U.S. - Buffet Luncheon included
with one non-alcoholic drink (soda or bottled water)
About Los
Haitises National Park:
Los Haitises National Park, located southeast of the
Great Bay of the Peninsula of Samana, is 208 square kilometers of hillocks,
divided by narrow gullies, which create the impression of numerous tiny
islands or keys forming a landscape full of bays & marshy country with
mangroves, hills & islands on the border between land and sea
Haitises' Fauna:
The richness
of the National Park Los Haitises’ fauna is reflected among the mammals
including the manatee (Trichechus manatus) found in the large areas of
mangrove swamps. These mangroves are populated by protected native species
of flora and fauna, such as Hutias (giant rats), turtles, wild pigs. Bats,
tortoises, and the shy Manatee reside in the caves and mangrove systems
The park is
also home to the solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus) a small insectivore mammal
(above) endemic from the island in the forest. Due to its remoteness,
rugged topography and seasonally heavy rainfall the park is accessible only
by boat
Los Haitises
park provides a home refuge and nesting sites for 112 species of birds
including Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigate Bird, Roseate Tern, Ridgeway's
Hawk (this is one of the last known nesting places in the world of this
species), Narrow-billed Tody, Least Grebe, Night Heron, , Great White Egret,
parrots & turtledoves.
Many unusal and colourful small reptiles & amphibians make their
home in Los Haitisis as well.
Los Haitises;
Flora:
Los Haitises is also a virtual botanical garden. Its varied flora
and fauna in its forests & mangrove swamps, includes more than 760
identified species of plants, 17 species of which are endemic to this one
small area. The Haitises’ vegetation includes a latifolias humid tropical
forest transforming into a semideciduous tropical forest in the keys and
mogotes by the coast.
Haitises' Caves & Caverns
:The Dominican Republic has the most extensive cave system in the Caribbean many of which contain over 1000 year old artwork.
Los Haitises' extensive cave-system with pictographs and petroglyphs is said to have been created by the indigenous people of the island--the Tainos. The Taino Indians dwelt in these limestone caves and left many cave drawings and carvings on the walls, which can be easily seen when touring Los Haitises.
Fossils & pre-Columbian remains have also been found in the caverns there.
Inside these caverns are magnificient formations of stalactite and
stalamites of stunning colours along with prehistoric art made from carvings
& drawings. Underground streams that run throughout the caverns can also be
seen.
Prices & Itinerary subject to change
E-mail Laura:
ExploreSamana@gmail.com
PAYMENT INFORMATION:
Group Rates are available.
Payment, whenever possible, is required in advance for large groups reserving, and can be made through credit card when there is sufficient time; information is e-mailed to ones requesting the tour.
All Major Credit & Debit Cards Accepted Online Only
(Surcharges for credit card payment:
USA: 3.4% surcharge
CANADA/EUROPE: 4.3% surcharge)
Email
Laura: ExploreSamana@gmail.com
PAYMENT BY MAJOR CREDIT CARDS IS ACCEPTED ONLY ONLINE
FOR PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE CLICK ON PAY NOW BUTTON OR GO TO:
www.tropicalislandbb.com/PaymentTours.htm
If there are brothers who, at the last minute, would like to join the reserved group, and there is room, these can still come with the group and pay when they arrive.
Full refund is guaranteed to all brothers. if Cruise Ship does not come to Samana Bay due to poor weather conditions or is diverted for some other reason. Refunds cannot be given for any other reason.
Tropical Island Tours cannot give refunds for cancellations due to sickness or any other reason since boats chartered for Whale Excursions and Los Haitises still must be paid for by the brothers once the cruise ship arrives in Samana Bay. Payment is based on the number of people who have reserved beforehand.
Tropical island Tours is not responsible for errors made on the part of the
Cruise Ship line in regard to information given to passengers regarding times
and locations to where passengers are tendered. If there is a change in
cruise ship schedule or problems,
brothers should try to contact the brothers by cell phone from the ship.
E-mail Laura: ExploreSamana@gmail.com
FOR TOUR ARRANGEMENTS, Contact:
Laura Balbuena: ExploreSamana@gmail.com
(809) 765-1435 or leave a message at (651) 705-5799 (English-Speaking)
NOTE: E-mail is preferable to telephoning. However, if no internet, please do call us!
FOR COMMENTS FROM BROTHERS & SISTERS WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TOURS:
Please visit http://www.tropicalisladbb.com/CruiseShipComments.htm
Passengers from cruise ships visiting Samana have a wonderful time shopping and bartering at Samana's quaint little Tropical Island Flea Market.
This festive event is located on the Malecon (Boardwalk) not far from the dock where passengers are tendered from the ship
Passengers, who are Jehovah's witnesses have the additional treat of being able to meet their Dominican brothers and sisters who have little stands there to present their beautiful colourful array of unique island souveniers, paintings, jewelry and clothing!
Left to right: Domingo, Laura
(Domingo's wife) & Eliseo with "joyaria tipica" - jewelry typical of the
Dominican Republic and beautiful island shirts, dresses, scarves, T-shirts
and beachwear
Left to right: Eliseo and Domingo with beautiful array of island paintings
Left to
right: Glenys and Susanna
Jewelry is made from
the beautiful Larimar (Dominican turquoise) & Ambar gem stones! The Dominican
Republic is the only country in the world where Larimar is found. Also,
jewelry is made from conch (lambi) cabochons (parts of the pink mouth of
Queen conch).
For more information, please visit www.ambarazul.com/newsletter and www.ambarazul.com/newsletter. These links explain how ambar and larimar are formed and mined, and a little of their history. Larimar, ambar and conch make excellent gifts for friends & relatives since they are something typical and found only in the Dominican Republic
Left to right: Angela & Agustina. Jewelry made from black coral, sea shells & coconuts. Black coral is a marine plant which develops very slowly in the seabed at the rate of 2cm every 100 years ! The Dominican Republic is one of the last places in the world where it may be freely sold.
Many of the witnesses here at the Tropical Island Flea Market are are pioneers and "needgreaters" from around the world (serving where the need is great in the Dominican Republic), and depend upon their sales at the Fea Market to support themselves and their families.
Non-witness venders in the park are awe-struck as they witness the happy smiles and hugs between the local brothers & visiting witnesses from the cruise ships! They are amazed to see such greetings of affection between persons who had never seen one another before!
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Updated January 2012
