the statue of christ at the top of mt. helena is fashioned after the famous one in, i think, brazil? it is huge. the way to get to it is by the tram which goes to the very top. where they try to sell you junky souvenirs and bottled beer and water. also at the top is a botanical garden of lush tropical cloud-loving plants, very wet. you can kill yourself on the wet moss all over the concrete steps, which are very steep, up and down and up and down. NO handrails. this is after they've plied you with beer.

self-explanatory

ooops!

we were so tired. all that sun and water really knocked everyone out. they drove us back to hotel and i think half of us fell asleep on the way. i can't wait to do it again.

Looks like you had a great day out!!

Wow!! Thanks for sharing.

Looks like a wonderful vacation.

it really was a great place and a great vacation and i would not hesitate to recommend the island to anyone and in particular this resort. i've never been to punta cana on the other end of the dominican republic, but i've heard good things about there as well. the only thing i would advise against is going over the border into haiti, which shares the island.

Great pictures! Fun to finally see your hubby! I loved the first two - is that a seal or a seal lion, or what?

it's a sea lion. they're not as docile as seals, so you can't get into the water with them. you sit on the edge of the pool and they come next to you allow themselves to be touched. they let you check out their teeny little tails between their 'legs'. but you can't touch their faces.

oh wow i just love you'r new friends :D so cute and they put a big smile on you're face,s