Hello Everyone! Today was the last day of working on the houses and I'm looking forward to our adventure tour. Tomorrow we will be leaving for Santo Domingo and day 1 will began. Below is a layout of what I will be doing each day and I hope to update everyone on the adventures as they happen. Also everyone should look at the photos I updated. I couldn't do to many because the computers are really slow but atleast you can view some and see what the DR is like. I know you all will enjoy. Plus I added photos of me covered with mud and everything else. I love you and I hope you all are having a great time in the air conditioning. Day 1- Arrive in Santo Domingo: Participants arrive in the Capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, after their projects. This is the oldest city in the Americas. Orientation will take place after arrival. Walk in the footsteps of pirates and conquistadors! Visit one of the first houses that Columbus ever lived in, walk on the first street ever built in the New World, visit the first church and learn about Dominican History. Stroll the pedestrian area of the "Zona Colonial", enjoy the local cuisine and soak up the unique atmosphere. Day 2- Fun-Fun Caves (B,L): An early departure from Santo Domingo to Hato Mayor gives the group a chance to experience the thrill of caving in one of the largest cave systems in the Caribbean. Take a horse ride, rappel into huge caverns and swim through the underground canyons of this expansive cave system while viewing ancient cave art and taking in the sights and sounds of this amazing underground world. Back to Santo Domingo, it's a night out in the cosmopolitan "Zonal Colonial". Day 3- Santo Domingo to Bahoruco (B,D): Wake up early and travel to the spectacular Southwest. This is a remote region of the Dominican Republic with undeveloped bays, small villages and beautiful scenery. On this night, participants invite the locals and their children to a bonfire by the beach. Enjoy an evening at Casa Bonita, swimming in a pool with a high- rise view to the beach and coconut groves below. DR RaftingDay 4- Casa Bonita (B,D): Participants who choose the Optional Activity Package will go mountain biking through tropical forest. Cross crystalline rivers on a beautiful nature trail to a waterfall. Relax in Bahoruco by the hotel's pool and visit the local beach. In the afternoon, learn about Larimar, the endemic precious stone, and how to make jewelry from the local artisans. End the day with a party at the local open-air disco. Day 5- Bahoruco to Jarabacoa (B,D): Say good-bye to beautiful, tropical Casa Bonita and travel to pine-clad Jarabacoa, the mountain adventure capital of the Dominican Republic. The town of Jarabacoa is situated at 600 mts/1800 ft. altitude and is the second highest peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte (3,087 m/9,261 ft). Rest up for an exciting next couple of days in a beautiful mountain hotel next to a river. Day 6- Rancho Jarabacoa-OAP Whitewater Rafting (D): On this action packed day, volunteers will start from this Dominican Ranch and will spend a day whitewater rafting on the Yaque del Norte River. The only whitewater rafting trip in the Caribbean will take volunteers through technical rapids and beautiful scenery in one of the most remote areas of the Dominican Republic. Volunteers may also visit the local waterfalls like Aguas Blancas (over 120 feet high) and relax in this refreshing mountain town. In the evening, participants enjoy swimming in a pool next to a roaring river. Day 7- Rancho Jarabacoa- Waterfall Rappelling (B,L,D): Get off to an early start and experience an unforgettable day of waterfall rappelling. This is a unique opportunity to visit a high elevation canyon in the central highlands of the DR. This is an excellent chance to get your adrenaline pumping while seeing the beauty of this mountain area at the same time. Enjoy a night of local dancing and karaoke. DR BeachesDay 8 - Jarabacoa to Las Terrenas (B): On the way to Las Terrenas, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, volunteers will stop in Samana. The optional activity trip to Cayo Levantado, a community managed island with local vendors, fresh seafood huts, beautiful swimming spots, and live music will leave from here. Participants who remain in Samana may visit the Whale Museum and learn about ongoing research on humpback whales and the natural resources of Samana Bay. This evening volunteers will arrive in the beautiful seaside town of Las Terrenas. Day 9 - Las Terrenas (B,L): Begin the day early with a bus ride to the beach town of El Limon, where Don Franco, a true Dominican cowboy, will have our horses saddled and ready for a ride to the Limon waterfalls. Hike to a secluded swimming hole at the base of a 100 foot waterfall in a beautiful ecological park. Spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying the endless beaches and sunset at Las Terrenas. Day 10- Las Terrenas to Cabarete (B): Today travel west along the spectacular North Coast and continue to Laguna Blu, a sapphire blue limestone lagoon, and take a break at breathtaking Playa Diamante. Stop at the beautiful beach of Playa Grande to play volleyball and swim. Lunch on the beach. This evening participants will arrive in the adventure capital of the Caribbean, the beach town of Cabarete. Enjoy a free night out at the colorful beachside cafes and venues where locals and tourists mingle. Day 11/12- Cabarete- Surfing / OAP Canyoning: On these action filled days, volunteers will separate into two groups on each day. Group 1 will get an early start and head to the beach for 2.5 hours of surfing lessons by local professionals on one of the best surfing beaches in the Caribbean. Group 2 (OAP) will go canyoning as participants go rappelling, jumping and sliding down natural water slides. Groups 1 and 2 switch activities on days 11 and 12. On the evenings of days 11 and 12 participants enjoy a free night to explore the international flavor of this multi-cultural adventure community. ISVDay 13- Cabarete: Get an early morning start and be prepared to be immersed in an aquatic world of tropical fish and reef life by taking a boat out to three beautiful reefs off the coast of Sosua. Jump in and see angelfish, parrotfish, sea stars, and many coral species. The guide will inform participants about the coral conservation projects in the area. In the afternoon, participants signed up for the Optional Activity Package will have friendly staff with good equipment help them grasp the basics of windsurfing on the protected bay of Cabarete. Enjoy another colorful night in exciting Cabarete. Day 14- Time to say farewell or better yet " hasta pronto" to the Dominican Republic and tell everyone about your experiences.