A short working vacation in the Dominican Republic

A good friend is working in the Dominican Republic on a Research Vessel doing Underwater Archeology.  My friend Jane and I decided to go for a visit.  Our intentions were to see Alan and meet his new friends and experience the work associated with Underwater Archeology. 

Planes, trains and automobiles had nothing on us when we left. We started out by car, to the airport, then a plane to Miami, a train around the Miami airport, another plane to Santo Domingo, a taxi to the bus station, a bus to Samana, picked up by Alan in a truck who took us to meet a small boat in Las Galeras to take us to our destination, the RV Beacon in Rincon Bay.

Buses

Trucks

Boats

Bubby, Jane and our stuff read to head to the RV Beacon

We arrived, unpacked and had a wonderful dinner. At dinner we found that the plan for Sunday was to continue a survey and we should be up for breakfast at 6 and ready to push off by 7, this was a working vacation after all.

The RV Beacon and our home for the visit - fondly called the "mother-ship"

The survey was a long day out on the boat on a present pattern to look for hits to further investigate. The bay here is spectacular. While we had some surge from tropical storm Katia you could see the bottom at 25-30ft most of the day. And the surge made for beautiful pictures of waves crashing into shear cliffs and three rocks.

A local fisherman and the Beacon.

Monday we did more survey work, but this time on a deserted beach with metal detectors. That was harder work than it seemed. The beach was amazing and the surf was fun to play in and get refreshed. You also couldn't beat the fresh water stream/river for a blast of cool fresh water to enjoy.

The next day the seas are calm and its time to dive, doubles!  My first time!  Two firsts this day, Bubby also let me drive the Beacon.  Look out ... here she comes!

Unfortunately, after three days, it was time for me to repeat the planes, trains and automobiles process and head home.   Jane got to spend a few extra days on the Beacon.  I learned a lot and have a great respect for those who do underwater archeology and enjoyed a great few days in paradise!