Today We Went to the Top!

By Ray Fernandez

Today we climbed to the top of the world or so it seemed. We only had to wait a few minutes for the cable car that was to take us up for a ten minute ride to the top of Isabel de Torres, a looming landmark in Puerto Plata that rises 2,640 feet above sea level in this tropical city of 130,000 people.

Once we reached the top of the mountain we enjoyed walking the sunken botanical gardens, this was such a majestic subtropical mountain reserve with a plethora of colorful birds, we all took turns imitating the bird calls with Laura coming in a close 2nd place behind Judy's brother Johann, who fooled even the native birds with his birdcalls.

We found the trail to the Indian Caves blocked by a fallen tree which I tried to raise, but ended up going around it.

The cooler climate was so refreshing that it seemed as if we could spend the entire day there.

At the summit of the mountain, the statue of Christ the Redeemer held his arms out as if to welcome us, it faces it's famous twin on Corcovado mountain 2,296 feet high in the Tijuaca Forest overlooking Rio De Janeiro.

At the end of the day it was "Last Call" for the cable car going down and it was time to make our way back down to earth! the steep decline and the breath taking ride back to the city was the perfect way to end our day!

We were all very pleased to know that this adventure is also handicap friendly so that the elderly can also enjoy this tropical treasure!!!

{"Please turn your speakers on and enjoy the soundtrack Muita Bobeira by Luciana Souza ~ Enjoy!!"}