Disappointment in Cabo Rojo
We were looking forward to Cabo Rojo. We’ve spent quite a bit of time in the Dominican Republic over the past five winters, staying in Punta Cana from January until the end of March, but we had never been to this side of the island. It was a chance to see somewhere new, and we were hoping to get off the ship and do a little exploring.
Cabo Rojo is on the southwestern coast of the Dominican Republic, in the province of Pedernales. This is a very different part of the country from the familiar resort areas around Punta Cana. The region is known for its beautiful coastline, clear turquoise water, and relatively untouched natural landscapes. One of its best-known attractions is Bahía de las Águilas, a long stretch of white sand backed by rugged scenery and protected as part of an important natural area. The region is also home to Jaragua National Park and Laguna de Oviedo, where flamingos and other wildlife can be found.
It sounded like a lovely place to spend a few hours, and we were ready to see it for ourselves.
Our plans, however, were about to change.
We had a fairly short day in port, with a return to the ship by 1:30 p.m. for our 2 p.m. departure. We knew we wouldn't have a lot of time, but we figured we could still get out and see a little of the area.
When we woke up and looked out the window, there were dark clouds in the distance. They seemed to be slowly making their way towards us. A quick check of the weather app confirmed what we were beginning to suspect. Going ashore wasn't looking like a very good idea.
Before long, the rain started. And then it really started to pour. On top of that, there were severe thunderstorms moving into the area.
Well, that settled it.
As we've done several times on this trip, it was time to pivot. Our plans for exploring Cabo Rojo were put aside, and we settled in for an indoor day on the ship.
What We Hoped to See
What We Actually Saw
It's disappointing when you look forward to visiting somewhere new and don't get the chance to see it, but there wasn't much point in going out just to get soaked, especially with thunderstorms in the forecast.
So we stayed put.
And as it turned out, that wasn't such a bad thing.
We've both been trying to get over this respiratory illness, and perhaps we needed a slower day more than we wanted to admit. We took it easy, enjoyed a quieter pace, and even managed to fit in a nap. Sometimes a little extra rest is exactly what the body is asking for.
We've certainly had plenty of busy days on this trip, with new places to explore and experiences to take in. Not every day has to be filled with something new, and not every port visit will go according to plan.
Cabo Rojo wasn't the day we had imagined, and we'll have to leave exploring this part of the Dominican Republic for another time. But a quiet day, a little rest, and nowhere we needed to be turned out to be perfectly pleasant in its own way.
The weather may not have cooperated, but we made the best of the day we were given.
What a disappointment to miss out on exploring somewhere new! But sometimes the weather makes the decision for us. I’m traveling in Arizona right now, and it’s been a good reminder that even the best plans need a little flexibility. It sounds like the extra rest was just what you both needed, especially while you’re recovering. I hope you’re both feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteThe gods have their own agenda.
ReplyDeleteTravel doesn't always go according to plan, does it? It's disappointing when the weather puts a stop to exploring somewhere new, but sometimes a quiet day and a much-needed rest are exactly what we need. Hopefully you'll get another chance to discover Cabo Rojo on a future visit!
ReplyDeleteThe What We Hoped to See” looks promising!
Staying on the ship with pouring rain and thunderstorms rolling in sounds like the right call, Barbara. Bahía de las Águilas and the flamingos at Laguna de Oviedo give you both a good reason to go back someday. I hope the slower day and the nap helped you and John get over that respiratory bug.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you both are a bit under the weather, and not just the rainy weather. Hope you feel better and have another sunny port to visit soon.
ReplyDeleteThat is disappointing, but now you have a reason to try to come back to the area someday. And yeah, sometimes you just need a day to rest.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's too bad! I would be disappointed, too. Especially in the view that really wasn't much of a view. But I hope the day of rest helped you both feel better.
ReplyDelete