passing palm trees and tobacco plantations with the Oriental Mountain Range deep in the background. The narrow, secluded country roads offer a safe haven for deep pools of mud that we’ll go barging through again and again. At first, you may try and avoid the mud, but soon you’ll give into the filth. Our first stop is at a quaint country ranch for an introduction on local produce like cocoa, coffee, tobacco and Mamajuana (a Dominican aphrodisiac elixir). From the ranch, we go off-road again as we make our way to a hidden cave with a natural swimming pool. Jump in and cool off in this clean and refreshing underground water source. The longest stretch of our drive is also the largest contrast.