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Samana 2 Dominican Republic. A unique place for whale watching
History
It was discovered on January 12, 1493 by Christopher Columbus. The following day the first battle in the New World took place between the Tainos of Ciguayo and the Spaniards. According to a journal entry in the admirals own handwriting, he had never seen so many arrows fly over a ship. Indeed, he dubbed the bay the Golfo de las Flechas (Gulf of Arrows). It is said that this was the first instance of violent opposition to the Spanish conquistadors in the Americas.
Santa Barbara de Samana was founded in 1756 by the Spanish brigadier and the governor of the island, Francisco Rubio Penaranda.
Above:La Churcha Samana.
Samana attractions
I must confess that one of my most moving memories of the Dominican Republic was a visit to La Churcha. I say that even though I am not a particularly religious person.
La Churcha is an old church building shipped out all the way from England in 1824. Its purpose was to house the freed North American slave congregation who became the nucleus of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
Samana Dominican Republic It had been damaged by the hurricane of 2004 and as British Ambassador, Andy Ashcroft had received a letter asking for funds to help with repairs. He managed to persuade the authorities to provide a contribution and took the trouble to travel to the church to present the cheque. As I was visiting Andy on holiday, I went with him to this appointment.
Check the more about our visit and see the video
Take a boat trip from Samana to Los Haitises National Park. This is the most popular park in Dominican Republic and you will see everything from Taino paintings to wonderful wildlife.
Bahia De Rincon [check out this beach!
The Bahia de Rincon is located on the north eastern part of the Samana Peninsula. The bay features some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the Caribbean and it also has a beach which Conde Nast magazine rated as the second finest in the entire world!!!
It is unspoilt and gives you an authentic Dominican experience. Click here for more on Bahia de Rincon and its fantastic beach
Airports
I visited Samana in January 2006 and all the talk was of the opening of the new airport. In November 2006 the Samana El Catey International Airport opened. The airport is located near the village of El Catey, 8 km (5 miles) west of Sanchez, at the base of the mountainous peninsula Cape Samana. Local travel times are 30 minutes drive to Las Terrenas[Click here for more info on the lovely village of Las Terrenas Dominican Republic], 40 minutes drive to Samana, and approximately 1 hour drive to Las Galeras. This airport is providing the opportunity for tourists and business people to enjoy what will come one of major tourist destinations in the Dominican Republic.
There is another airport named Arroyo Barril, which serves private planes and domestic flights.
The flight to Samana from Las Americas, La Romana or Punta Cana is between 30 to 45 minutes.
Samana 2
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