Do You Speak Taino? 7 Indigenous Taino Words You Probably Already Know.

The Taino people were a peaceful people with a complex society who lived on the Greater Antilles Islands of Hispaniola (modern day Dominican Republic and Haiti), Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. The Taino language was a soft sweet melodious language lacking harsh gutturals. It flowed rapidly and contained many vowel sounds. The Taino language is part of the Arawakan language family that was very widespread throughout South America, the Caribbean, and parts of Florida.

Other Arawakan languages are still spoken today, but most scholars agree that no one alive today is fluent in the Taino language. Therefore, it is considered an extinct language. However, there are those who are trying to resurrect it. At least one professor is teaching the "extinct" Taino language to his students! More power to him!

The Taino people, including their language and culture, were the first to be decimated by the Spaniards who arrived in the New World beginning in 1492. Their methods of conquest were often cruel. As such, they would not allow the Taino to speak their native language.

Well, you know how they say "a good thing never really dies!" This is certainly true of the Taino language. Many Taino words were adopted by the Spaniards and other Europeans. These adopted words are called "loan words" in linguistic circles and many are in very common usage in English, Spanish, and French. There are many English words, especially American English, that are anglicized versions of the Spanish or French versions of Taino words they incorporated phonetically into their own language as the Taino had no written language.

There are 7 indigenous Taino words that are so common in the English language now I bet you use them all the time. This post will have 7 follow up posts each highlighting one of the words. Check this blog in a few days for the first word.

For an real authentic experience in the Dominican Republic, check our Punta Cana Excursions.

Exactly how did Punta Cana get so popular?

With lots of well-liked tourist locations, it would be challenging to pin-point one specific thing that made the region rise in appeal. Not so with Punta Cana. On the Punta Cana shore, which stretches for about 39 miles from Bavaro in the north to Cap Cana in the south, there is one easily recognizable event that happened in 1984 that transformed literally everything and totally transformed this region into the mega-popular vacation paradise it is today.

Do I have your curiosity stimulated yet? Keep reading ...

Punta Cana is absolutely gorgeous. It provides expansive sleek white sandy beaches with a warm shimmering blue sea lapping along its coastline. It is so welcoming it calls you in - some say it even "seduces" you. When you include in this the thick grove of coconut palm trees persuading in the tropical breeze along the entire shore in this region, you have the famous Caribbean haven printed on post-cards sent to those back home who just weren't lucky enough to embark on the travel.

Nonetheless, prior to 1984 only a handful of people actually found out about this tropical gem. It stayed mostly unexplored by most world vacationers till the building of the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). In Spanish, the main language of the Dominican Republic, this international airport is called, "Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana."

You see, no matter exactly how incredible an area is, if you have no hassle-free and fairly valued means to reach the area, it won't be seen by many individuals. Prior to the Punta Cana International Airport was constructed, the tiny air strip that had been around 1971 could not deal with the large size jet airplanes.

Moreover, in order to get there from an oveseas nation, you needed to fly into Santa Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, and afterwards endure a 4 hour rugged bus or taxi trip to Punta Cana. The unpaved road was slim and filled with enormous gaps. The road would also wash out in hefty rains and motorized vehicles were sometimes delayed by horse traffic, making the speed unpleasant for fatigued vacationers wanting to get to their resort.

The air traffic of the PUJ has grown by leaps and bounds and is on course this year (2014) to serve more than 4.5 million people! It now obtains far more traffic than the next busiest airport in the capital of Santo Dominigo. There is no other independently financed airport in the world that also resembles this degree of business success.

Visitors visit Punta Cana from around the world now. International airline companies that offer the Punta Cana Airport are Air Canada, AirTran, American Airlines, British Airways, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, KLM, Spirit, United, US Airways, and Westjet. Canadian charter airline companies to the Punta Cana consist of Air Transat, Sunwig, Skyservice, and Canjet. They run throughout the cool bleak Canadian winter seasons.

So, an area that started with very simple beginnings about 4 decades earlier, now commonly offers beds for more than 70,000 people at one time. Punta Cana has most definitely developed itself as one of the leading areas vacationers think of going.

To get the most out of a visit join the Punta cana excursions of SeavisTours.

And ... there's no end in sight for the growth of this detination. The around 39 mile Punta Cana shore has basically been a "gold rush" for the significant resort firms, especially the Spanish owned ones, since the area was opened up by the international airport terminal. Classy high hotels, flawlessly sited to make use of the view, have actually emerged almost over night. The infrastructure has likewise vastly enhanced as money for large projects has gathered.

An unusual possibility to see one of the most stunning and rarest flowers around the world!

Bayahibe is a port town of around 3000 citizens on the extreme southeast corner of the Dominican Republic. For years, Bayahibe existed as a fishing and farming area essentially unspotted by vacationers. Nevertheless, in the last years or so, vacationers are more and more drawn to this enchanting seaside town. This is specifically true for vacationers looking for a much more real encounter compared to the all-inclusive resort scene. Bayahibe has much to show for to the tourist, boosting tourist attractions that have actually not been totally uncovered yet, at least not by the masses.

One tourist attraction of Bayahibe is the rare opportunity to see one of the most lovely and rarest flowers on the planet! This vividly pink floral belongs to a cactus variety that is now noted as seriously endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The scientific name is Pereskia quisqueyana and there is a little grove of 17 Pereskia quisqueyana "trees" behind the regional college. This cactus generally flowers from April through September.

I wish to point out just how ultra rare this lovely cactus is now and exactly what an unusual possibility it is to see this flower. It is just found at Bayahibe and as a result has actually been nicknamed the "Bayahibe Rose." Researchers believe that the Bayahibe Rose once had much broader distribution throughout the Caribbean. The residents have actually really taken up the cause o the Bayahibe Rose and numerous have actually begun growing them in their yards. Nevertheless, the best and most regular location to see it is still at the point behind the school.

For more info: http://www.seavisbayahibe.com

The Dominican Government recognizes the relevance of its Bayahibe Rose and has actually taken actions to safeguard this variety. In addition, it has actually now been named the National Flower and the Reserve bank of the Dominican Republic will start printing paper money in 2014 that will consist of a photo of it. This is absolutely something to look for in future travels to the Dominican Repubic.

 

The Parque Nacional del Este In the Dominican Republic is a wonderland for the eco vacationer

The "Parque Nacional del Este" In the Dominican Republic is also known by its English name, "East National Park" or "National Park of the East." This huge park is found in the southeastern corner of the Dominican Republic in the province of La Altagracia, less than an hour from the Punta Cana airportcoast. The location makes it a simple target for visitors staying in Punta Cana resorts. They could go there in the morning, have a rewarding day of exploration, and afterwards return to at night for dinner and leisure. For many, actually, these Punta Cana journeys to the park end up being the highlight of their trip to the Dominican Republic.

The Parque Nacional del Este was established on September 16, 1975. Within its borders, more than 190267 acres of environmentally and culturally significant land were maintained. The East National Park consists of a lowland with tropical moist broadleaf woodlands,  salt water lagoons, mangroves, and grassy seasides. The biodiversity of the park is incredible with more than 570 species living there. It is the home of numerous endangered species consisting of 4 species of sea turtles and numerous threatened bird varieties. The marine part of the park includes Saona Island, Catalinita Island, Catalina Island, and numerous smaller sized offshore islands.

The Parque Nacional del Este is also riddled with cave systems carved out of limestone, sinkholes, and underground lakes. The caverns consist of many Taino artefacts and there are unspoiled instances of Taino art work on the wall surfaces of the caverns. The Taino indians were the indigenous people who prospered in the region prior to 1492 when Christopher Columbus and other Europeans arrived. They were a fairly peaceful people and had a complicated society. There are still numerous Taino archaelogical remains to be discovered in the caverns and elsewhere within the Parque Nacional del Este.

Of course, the Parque Nacional del Este has a special appeal for eco-tourism and the very best journeys into the park are led by eco-tour operators who have an important affinity for the nature and culture within and a special passion and ability in passing on these treasures to their tour group.

One such eco-tour driver in the Dominican Republic is Seavis Tours. As a matter of fact, their Saona Island tour is ranked # 1 in the country. They also have numerous other Punta Cana journeys into the Parque Nacional del Este consisting of a new tour to the inside of the park. Select the link to find out even more.

Bayahibe is the location of the oldest settlement in the whole Caribbean

From the late 1800's, Bayahibe has been a beachfront community of hands on hard working fishermen and farmers. The Dominicans in Bayahibe work hard and play hard. They know how to live off the land and they have a certain vision for how they desire their town to grow (and not to grow).

Bayahibe was founded by Puerto Rican fishermen in 1874 but there is solid archaeological evidence that people occupied this stunning area as early as 2000 BC. In fact, present day Bayahibe is the earliest human settlement that has been found in the Caribbean. Consider this: 2000 BC is 2400 years prior to the indigenous Taino individuals arrived! Archeologists, chroniclers, and others are still attempting to resolve the secrets regarding the surges of earlier individuals that occupied the area, their culture, how long they stayed, and why they left. It is also believed that Christopher Columbus arrived in among the protected Bayahibe bays in Sept 14 - 15, 1494 and might have sent out guys ashore for fresh products.

Bayahibe could be a truly fun place to simply hang out. There are beachfront coffee shops and bars where you could wile away the hours by the gleaming sea seeing the speedboats come in and go out and people watch certainly. The majority of the houses are wooden and coated in dynamic colours that truly stand apart in the tropical environment. If you walk around the town, you'll also observe conch shells and chickens in numerous of the yards. Besides being snuggled on not one but two beach bays, there are fresh water lagoons in the center of town that act as social gathering locations. Great place to mingle with the residents!

The Bayahibe harbor is an area with lots of buzz and an encounter all unto itself. You could see the menagerie of boats parading in and out each day and what an unique spectacle it is! You'll view everything from fishermen working with old typical fishing boats, called jolas, with their paint peeling right along side contemporary fiberglass dual hulled catamarans whisking tourists to Saona and other overseas islands. You'll view some Dominicans using upgraded motor boats for fishing along side regal cruising boats. Some tourists to Bayahibe get a bang out of making a special factor of seeing all the boats leave in the early morning and come back at night. While the Bayahibe harbor is a contemporary one, it is also typical to view the jolas tied to the base of a hand tree!

Diving and snorkeling are still preferred activities around Bayahibe. The water around Bayahibe is calmer than what you'll find on both the north coast and east coast of the Dominican Republic. This is due to the fact that Bayahibe remains on the Caribbean Sea whereas the Dominican north coast and east coast remains on the Atlantic Ocean. The Caribbean Sea is much calmer than the Atlantic Ocean and you'll also locate the beaches to have finer whiter sand. 

Don't hestitate, pay a visit to this beautiful village. Check the excursions of SeavisTours.

Punta Cana is a growing Economy Dependant on Tourism.

The most popular destination for a short break from the United States is the Caribbean.     Tourists flock en masse to the Dominican Republic.     This is partly due to how popular it has become as a tourist destination.  And with reason!.     The agricultural sector of the Dominican Republic is going strong but probably the segment of the economy that is most responsible for the for the prospering economy is the tourism sector.     In the last 10-15 years, investors have come into this country and improved virtually every aspect of the tourism industry.     The cluster of resorts that you'll find on the east coast in Punta Cana and Bavaro are top rate resorts with many amenities that will make anyone smile.     Of course there is also Sosua and Puerto Plata.     On the Caribbean south coast you have growing tourist areas like Bayahibe which serves as the gateway to Saona Island.

For the top resorts and accommodations in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, click on the link.     To me, this makes these resorts the best resorts in the world.     Of course, there are other advantages to staying in Punta Cana too.     Some of the resorts in this region are all adult resorts.     There are other resorts that cater to families and have special activities planned for the kids that are supervised so the parents can get a break and some alone time.     There are also additional seafood restaurants right on the beach.     Still other resorts target families with kids.     Some of these activities are loved by the kids such as when they camp out in tents on the beach.

The very best beach getaway on the globe

Our previous post outlined several beaches in Punta Cana, here we have  a couple more:

Uvero Alto: Our favorite but a bit out of the way to get to. The area outside of the resorts and hotels is relatively undeveloped and with nowhere else to eat or shop. The beach is very wide, with lush green coconut forest leaning onto it. With the exception of a couple of folks on horseback riding tour, you may be the only people on this long, wide, beautiful beach.

Declared by UNESCO as one of the best in the Caribbean, Macao Beach is a public beach located 20 to 30 minutes away from most hotels. Surfing classes are available if the conditions are appropriate and various beach shacks serving refreshments and food can be found along the beach.

Cabeza de Toro: Playa Cabeza de Toro is the perfect place if you want to be surrounded by the natural beautiful forests and wildlife of Punta Cana. If you like you can take a horseback riding excursion through the forests at the Natura Park Eco-Resort.  South of the Barceló Bavaro golf course, along the Bulevar Turistico del Este, you will see a road with a sign toward Cabeza de Toro.  At the end of the road, you will pass through a military area and then come to a parking lot.   Walk north pass the Dream Palm Beach Resort to get to the more secluded and natural area.

Punta Cana is recognized for its beaches and we can produce numerous different articles about this subject.

The Perfect Storm - How Africa cares for the South American Rainforests

A desolate area on the southerly side of the Sahara Desert supplies 45 million tons of dust that naturally feeds the Amazon rainforest yearly. Experts have just discovered how such a remarkable quantity of dust arises.

An impressive combo of geography and climate makes the Bodélé depressions in north Chad the globe's dustiest place. Uncommon jet winds moving close to the ground are the engine behind this perfect dust machine.

The Bodélé depression is now a dry, remote desert, but long back was a big lakebed. Left is a ground cover of diatomite, the silica and mineral left overs of algae that long ago inhabited the lake. This is the perfect plant food.

Each 'perfect storm' picks up over 700,000 tons of dust, consisting of the diatomite, and forms a discrete cloud traveling westward. The dust clouds typical 370 by 700 kilometres (230 x 435 miles) in size, extensive enough to show up plainly on satellite photos. Most of this continues across the Atlantic Ocean on westward trade winds.

Once the cloud arrives in South America the diatomite dust rains down on the Amazon and the surrounding rainforests. The rain contains the nutrients that feed the abundant rainforest ecosystems. Therefore, the relatively small area northeast of Lake Chad is a big plant food factory for the Amazon's lush greenery.

This is just one of the 25 outstanding facts you will certainly hear when signing up with the Nature Complete Tour of SeavisTours in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.