Around the World in a (Simulated) Airplane, Part 5 : Northbound Across Hispaniola

See the above region on Google maps

HOT NEWS!  I'm pleased to a announce the launch of a new YouTube channel called "Art of Virtual Flight", with flight-simulator videos that are somewhat longer and more elaborate than most of the short clips featured in the early entries of this blog.  Typically 1-2 mins long, from a number of scenes, with cuts matched to a musical score that I apply.  I had edited video professionally for years – so, time to put that skill to good new uses!

A little down the line, I will open the channel to guest submissions; I'll post guidelines as soon as the direction of the channel is more established...

Heading Inland to the North Coast

Having reached the south coast of Dominican Republic after crossing southern Hispaniola in part 4, I turn north and slightly backtrack westward (into Haiti) to reach the north coast of the island, the 2nd largest one in the Caribbean.

For an overview of the journey, including the passage over the large southern lakes covered in part 4,
here's a video from the new YouTube channel:

Bahia de Neiba upon taking off from the town of Barahona, on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic

Flying over the national park Parque Nacional Sierra De Baoruco, on the way to Pic la Selle

Pic la Selle is Haiti’s highest peak at 2,680 m (8,800 ft), and is located in Forêts des Pins (“pine forest.”)    According to this source, “The surprising smell of fresh pine might motivate you to question whether you are actually in the Caribbean.”

Revisiting Lake Azuéi, first explored in Part 4, just crossing over back into Haiti

Crossing over Haiti's mountains on the way to the north coast  (Map source)

Crossing the Montagnes Noires

Over Haitian mountains on the way to the north coast

Exploring the Massif du Nord

In the Massif du Nord one finds the Citadelle Laferrière.  With 40-meter high walls, it's one of the largest fortresses in the Americas.  Built in the early 1800's by 20,000 men  (source)

A guard house just outside the Citadelle Laferrière  (source)

Also in the Massif du Nord (near the coast) is the Sans-Souci Palace, a 19th century Haitian version of the royal residence of Versailles. Here's a good pictorial article about it. Destroyed by a large earthquake. (source)

Approaching the north coast

The North Coast of Haiti

Finally reached the north coast!  Just west of Cap-Haïtien

Rounding the Baie de l'Acul, on the way to land in Cap-Haïtien

Cap-Haïtien, a town of about 200,000 inhabitants (Source)

Long zip-line in nearby Labadee, on the north coast of Haiti.   (Source video)

AIRPORTS:  Maria Montez Airport, Dominican Republic (MDBH) ; Cap Haïtien, Haiti (MTCH)


CONTINUED IN  Part 6 : Turks & Caicos Islands

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