Altos de Chavon, La Romana, Dominican Republic

"Synchronicity is an ever present reality for those who have eyes to see."
C G Jung

After a day at sea we stop at the Dominican Republic for a day ashore.  Nothing booked so we wander ashore in search of inspiration, having been told that this village is well worth a visit.

As always there's a nearby taxi rank and a very welcoming despatcher who points to a tariff and speaks excellent English - this is Spanish speaking territory.  She calls over one of the drivers and soon we're on our way, a 20 minute drive through the golf courses, luxury homes and palm lined avenues to Altos de chavon, a Mediterranean style village built in the late 1970's.

Echoes of the Italianate Portmeirion about this, although different styles of course.  We have the village practically to ourselves when we arrive, with a few locals hanging around, waiting to "perform" for the bus loads of tourists who will soon arrive.  It's a "destination" village purpose built, with restaurants and bars, craft workshops and souvenir shops, plus a 5,000 seat amphitheatre.