Virtual Walking Tour of Ocean Star Estates
Previous - Intro - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - Next
West view from Block G |
We are going to walk along the western boundary of the development, through Block G.
Look to the west for a view of the lush hillside that surrounds Ocean Star Estates. This is similar to the terrain Christopher Columbus must have seen from his sailing ship when he discovered Puerto Plata in 1492. Columbus described Puerto Plata as "the fairest land under heaven.” A personal decree of Columbus gave the city its name, Silver Port, because of the shimmering silver color of its coast at sunset.
When Columbus returned during his second voyage in 1493, he founded the city of Isabela, which is near Puerto Plata. Before you travel home, you might stop and visit La Isabela National Park, which is consistently in the Dominican Republic's top 10 most visited protected areas because of the site's historical significance as the first European settlement in the New World. Archeological excavations have revealed what experts believe were Columbus' house, the church where the first mass in the New World was held, and an observation tower used by Columbus to gaze at the stars.
"The fairest land under heaven.”
Before we leave Block G, turn to your right from where you are standing to see the northwest view from here. Can you imagine Spain off in the distance? The Dominican Republic culture has many elements that originated in Spain, including the national language which is Spanish; and the Spanish architecture. In Puerto Plata, neoclassical design can be found in such buildings as the City Hall, a stonework building whose facade follows the traditional lines of Spanish governmental buildings.
Northwest view from Block G
Let's move on to Block E
|
