Luperon

Luperon will always hold a place in our hearts.  We have spent almost a year here when you add up the months we were here last summer/fall/winter and this summer.  We have made so many friends, between locals, cruisers and other gringos from all over the world that have settled here and now call it home. The cost of living is very reasonable and the Dominican people are so very friendly.  You can't walk down the street without everyone you pass calling out "hola, hola".  And, yes, you must stay it twice.   And between the mountain ranges and the mangrove harbor the protection for Storville and our other cruising friends during hurricane season is unbeatable.

I realize that the word on the interwebs amongst cruisers is that it's not safe here. We love this country, for all the reasons listed above and many more.  In our opinion, having done a little cruising and having visited several different countries, there is theft everywhere. What we see here is mostly petty theft of gasoline, although some of the boats that are in the harbor with no one on board are obvious targets for thieves, and there has been several instances of break ins on those boats.   The frustrating part is that most cruisers are of the opinion that the authorities don't do enough to prevent these type of robberies and, we don't always understand the justice system here. We try to take the normal precautions and we always lock our dinghy when leaving it at the dock and our motorcycle when we are out and about. Of course, we use common sense and pay attention to our surroundings and stay out of any area that might be dangerous, especially at night.  Just like you would anywhere else. Having said that, I want to encourage cruisers to consider Luperon as a "hurricane hole" for the summer if it fits into your plans.  I don't think you will regret it.

As much as we love this place, we are getting really excited about moving on. Storyville's plans, which are carved in jello, are to head out of here in November and sail down the Caribbean to Grenada where we will spend next hurricane season.  Some times we will be sailing with our friends on Pipe Muh Bligh (Rene and Stacy), Island Dream (Pat and Darnell), Illusions (Pat and Lucy) and several others, sometimes we will be on our own.  We are hoping to catch up with other cruising friends that we have met along the way and we are sure that we will meet new friends as we go.  It always works out that way. We will definitely do lots of exploring and snorkeling and swimming.  I just can't wait!

Laundry day in Luperon

Chicharones - I won't miss those!

Naked moto riding - who wouldn't miss that?

The veggie market - definitely will miss that every Tuesday

My favorite veggie market guy

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home. ~James Michener