Rum, Pirates, Treasure Hunting, And A Good Cigar

I don't know about you but I just love a good pirate story. The Dominican history is one that has many pirate stories because piracy as such, started in the Dominican Republic and rose to prominence for a time, in the Caribbean. It came originally from the Mediterranean area when Christian and Muslim pirates would respectively attack each other and pilfer riches for themselves. These pirates were called Corsairs.

In the beginning it was difficult to police the waters in and about Hispaniola but ultimately the English and the Spanish were responsible for getting rid of piracy in Caribbean waters. Up until that time Santo Domingo was a haven for pirates, cut throats, and scallywags. It was a notorious and raucous place and gave us some of the best pirate stories that literature has to offer.

After Columbus established his colony in Santo Domingo the Spanish controlled all of the Gold and other riches that came from this area. Much of the gold that Cortez took from the Aztecs was transported by ship back to Spain from Hispaniola. Other European nations fought what they believed was an unfair monopoly by seizing Spanish ships, gold, the occupants, and anything else of value. Later during times of peace, when there was no employment, sailors turned to piracy to make a living.

During these times valuable object, like gold, silver, and gems, ended up at the bottom of the ocean or buried and forgotten, hence the beginning of stories of hidden treasures and forgotten riches. In truth, there was no formal way of keeping your assets safe. This was the New World, a frontier of sorts, and there were no banks to entrust your money and valuables to. From noble born to common man, people took to burying their valuables.

So some of the tales of buried treasure were actually true. The waters from north Florida to the southern tip of the Caribbean was considered the Spanish Main. These waters had many ships go down and their riches along with them and this has given birth to modern day treasure hunters. Metal detectors have become very popular and they are used on land and sea to find treasure.

Many families became rich over night from their search for rumored family treasures that were hidden. They would save their money and then rent metal detectors and afterwards they would be mysteriously well off. All of a sudden they were able to finance small businesses like markets, restaurants, and Laundromats.

Treasure hunting has given rise to the business thereof and many vacationers come to the Dominican Republic with this in mind. The rental of metal detectors is available to anyone who has a desire to hunt for treasure. There are many other vices that go well with treasure hunting, such as rum and cigars. Dominican Rum and cigars are great exports to the country.

There are 3 rum producers and you can visit them for samples and tours of the facilities. The Dominican cigars are hand rolled and enjoyed by cigar enthusiast. You must buy few of these to take home with you to remind you of your good times in the Dominican Republic.

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