Día de la Restauración – A Long Walk-About

Today is the Día de la Restauración, when the Dominican Republic gained their freedom from annexation by Spain, and it is a national holiday. Many Dominicans leave the city and we have it all to ourselves. When there is not much traffic I like to take a longer walk with the dogs.

So here is the map of our little morning 4-mile walk-about to the
Colonial Zone. It was not a continuous walk. We did stop a few times to check things out. I let the dogs off leash in a few places for them to sniff about and we also had to visit some dog friends.

Día de la Restauración Walk-About Map.

Día de la Restauración Walk-About Map.

Buenagente, Inteliperra and I left the house a little before 6AM before it gets too hot and I start sweating to death and the sidewalks get too hot for doggie paws. They love it when we head to the Colonial Zone. The dogs want to go every day but returning home and walking up the hill of Ave. España is not easy for this old gals aching back.

The view of the Colonial Zone and Rio Ozama a little before 6AM.

The view of the Colonial Zone and Rio Ozama a little before 6AM.

We crossed the Puente Flotante and headed into the Colonial Zone. The dogs got to be leash free in Plaza España until Buena decided to terrorize a cat. They both went back on leash and we continued the walk down Calle las Damas.

Panteón Nacional where many of the heroes of the Restoration War are interred.

Panteón Nacional where many of the heroes of the Restoration War are interred.

We passed by the Panteón Nacional where many of the heroes of the Restoration War are interred. We went to Plaza Maria de Toledo where we stopped to look t the fountain. A friend of ours wanted us to see the progress of the restoration of a beautiful colonial house so we went in to check it out.

A Colonial Home is being beautifully restored and they have a great view of the back window of the Panteón Nacional.

A Colonial Home is being beautifully restored and they have a great view of the back window of the Panteón Nacional.

I would so love to sit in that pool and relax every afternoon.

We saw some of our old friends Bruiser and Mia. Teli is in love with Bruiser.

Teli, Mia and Bruiser having a visit.

Teli, Mia and Bruiser having a visit.

We decided to walk down towards the Malecon and went through the park that is in front of my first Colonial Zone apartment. Parque San Jose.

Parque San Jose.

Parque San Jose

As usual, Buena likes to go and visit PADELA so he directed out walk in that direction. They were still closed so Buena was a little disappointed and we headed on.

Teli wanted to make the turn to head to the Malecon so it was her turn to pick the route and that’s where we headed.

Inteliperra and Buenagente strolling down the Malecon as the sun shines down on them.

Inteliperra and Buenagente strolling down the Malecon as the sun shines down on them.

We strolled down the Malecon as the sun started beating down. It was getting warm and I was sweating, as usual. I wanted to start heading home but the dogs had a different idea. They saw Montecino and wanted to head down to Playita Montecino.

Kids working out for baseball practice on Playita Montecino.

Kids working out for baseball practice on Playita Montecino.

The dogs got to play around a bit on the beach. They have to walk in all the water puddles too. This one had bird footprints down the center.

Buenagente and Inteliperra playing in a water puddle at Playita Montecino.

Buenagente and Inteliperra playing in a water puddle at Playita Montecino.

After we left the beach and crossed the pedestrian bridge I was so happy to be heading back home, the walk-about was about to come to an end. Buena had a different plan. He wanted to visit his friends that live at the bottom of the Escaleras Las Damas.

Teli and Buena climbing the Escaleras Las Damas heading towards home.

Teli and Buena climbing the Escaleras Las Damas heading towards home.

After their visit we climbed the stairs. Now it was going to be my choice and we were heading home. Back across the Puente Flotante, up the hill and to a big glass of ice cold water. It was a good walk-about on this Día de la Restauración.

The Puente Flotante and Buenagente.

The Puente Flotante and Buenagente.

The Puente Flotante and Inteliperra heading home.

The Puente Flotante and Inteliperra heading home.

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