Haiti – Places I've Been, Beauty I've Seen

2018 In the middle of a cold Minnesota winter, my family looked forward to packing summer clothes, and flying to Florida to embark on a Caribbean cruise. We were sad to not be traveling with our grandson Tiberius, then a 15-month-old. To our delight, with WiFi we could see him every day. We enjoyed the warm waters of Labadee Beach on the northern coast of the island.

Haiti occupies about a third of the Hispaniola Island.

Haiti occupies about a third of the Hispaniola Island.
The Resort is located at the northwest end of Haiti.

The Resort is located at the northwest end of Haiti.
The Majestic Independence was home for a week.

The Majestic Independence was home for a week.
Labadee is a 260-acre wooded peninsula.

Labadee is a 260-acre wooded peninsula.
A good use of an old boat.

A good use of an old boat.
Music and dance is life in Haiti.

Music and dance is life in Haiti.
Rock known as dragon, waves make eerie breath-like sounds

Rock known as dragon, waves make eerie breath-like sounds
At Nellie Beach.

At Nellie Beach.
A path on the warm sands of Nellie Beach.

A path on the warm sands of Nellie Beach.
Tourism is a large contributor to Haiti’s economy.

Tourism is a large contributor to Haiti’s economy.
The entry to old ruins and hiking trails.

The entry to old ruins and hiking trails.
Haiti was once France’s riches economy.

Haiti was once France’s riches economy.
A view from Nellie's Tower.

A view from Nellie's Tower.
Lava rocks are everywhere.

Lava rocks are everywhere.
Peacefulness is all over this side of Haiti.

Peacefulness is all over this side of Haiti.
Exploring the west end of the resort.

Exploring the west end of the resort.
To get familiar with the ship.

To get familiar with the ship.
Found the restaurants’ level.

Found the restaurants’ level.
An entertainment area.

An entertainment area.
Few meters from the sea.

Few meters from the sea.
Drumming and chanting are said preserve traditions.

Drumming and chanting are said preserve traditions.
Columbus Cove is the spot for water activities.

Columbus Cove is the spot for water activities.
Nellie's Beach more suited to young ones.

Nellie's Beach more suited to young ones.
A good hat and floaters, life is good!

A good hat and floaters, life is good!
The cabanas on Columbus Cove.

The cabanas on Columbus Cove.
Few steps from the sea, Nellie Beach.

Few steps from the sea, Nellie Beach.
Haiti was inhabited by Taíno people.

Haiti was inhabited by Taíno people.
The spot for music events in Labadee.

The spot for music events in Labadee.
There were many great paintings.

There were many great paintings.
A zip lining ride?....

A zip lining ride?....
A break from the sun.

A break from the sun.
At Dragon Beach.

At Dragon Beach.
Paradise Cove was truly a paradise.

Paradise Cove was truly a paradise.
Old ships artefacts decorate the resort.

Old ships artefacts decorate the resort.
My favorite photo, I named it “Pale Blue”

My favorite photo, I named it “Pale Blue”
Around dragon’s rock.

Around dragon’s rock.
The boardwalk from the resort to the ship.

The boardwalk from the resort to the ship.
Labadee is one of the main sources of jobs in Haiti.

Labadee is one of the main sources of jobs in Haiti.
“Orevwa Labadee!” (Goodbye).

“Orevwa Labadee!” (Goodbye).