D.R. Day 2 Sunday Feb. 5, 2012

The taxi's were so expensive we decided to rent a car instead. These were the guys that helped us get a car. The one guy spoke lots of Spanish even though we did not understand him. He was so happy.

Sites on the way to church

We attended church, the end of one sacrament meeting and the beginning of the next one.  We met Elder Johnson from Ogden, Utah and Elder Walker from Boise, Idaho.  A small world where ever you go.

We went exploring.  What beautiful country here.

Funeral Dominican Republic Style.  Notice the coffin in the back of the pick-up, and a lot of people were following behind on motor bikes.

D.R. Day 1 Saturday February 4, 2012

Airport in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. We flew from Cancun, to Florida to The Dominican Republic.

Some sites on the drive to our resort.

Our resort Ocean manor.  Very nice,

Mexico Day 7 Fri. Feb. 3, 2012 Bike Ride

We went on a group bike ride to the Cenotes. You go on a bunch of small trails to get to each one of them.

We were able to keep the bikes for awhile and bike to the Tres Rios Nature Park and then out to the main gate. It felt so good to be on a bike. The gears were so rusty I am surprised they made it.

"
"Michael Jackson"  was our entertainer for the evening.  Actually he was pretty good.  

Mexico Day 6 Thursday Feb. 2, 2012 Tres Rios

We spent the day around the resort.  Swimming, walking on the beach, relaxing and just enjoying the warm weather.  We had lobster for dinner tonight.  

Mexico Day 5 Wed. Feb. 1, 2012 Coba

The ruins at Coba.  Lots of  symbolism from the Book of Mormon.  Our guide was able to point this all out for us.

We rode a tricycle taxi around the ruins.  The guys legs must have been so strong to do that all day long. There 26 acres still to be excavated in this area.  It is amazing.

We stopped at a road side store to look at  souvenirs   and the store belonged to the Tour guides family. 

Mexico Day 5 Wed. Feb. 1, 2012 Valladolid

We ate lunch at this fun restaurant. The whole thing was out doors.

The picture in the left corner is a person descending (this would be Christ visiting the America's like in 3rd Nephi) This was a cute little town we were able to visit.

Mexico Day 5 Wed. Feb. 1, 2012 Helaman Tour EK Balam

Lemuel Petlacalco was our tour guide. He was LDS (Stake President) of one of the Stakes in Cancun. On the drive to the ruins we read scriptures that went along with the places we would be visiting. It was so interesting to hear about it from the Book of Mormon point of view.

This is the group we traveled with. Our guide, Lemuel, Randy and Susan, Susan and Tom Hessing, and Milt and Kathy Christensen

Mayan

The ruins at Ek Balam.  102 steps to the top of the temple.  Randy went to the top and I went up half way.   Notice the baptismal font, alter.  A lot like Solomon's Temple

Lots of symbolism that matches what is in our temples today.  So amazing to see the same as we have now compared to the Book of Mormon times.