http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Central America Caribbean , Dominica en-us Mon, 09 Nov 09 13:36:13 +0000 Mon, 09 Nov 09 13:36:13 +0000 I had the privilege of living and studying in Dominica for almost 2 years and it has been a life altering experience. Locals are friendly rainbows are breath taking humming birds everywhere a top ten scuba diving sight in the world with lush tropical greens surrounded by waterfalls and dormant volcanoes makes this place deserve its nickname The Nature Island. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Portsmouth/blog-450834.html We decided to spend more time exploring Dominica but wanted to see the sights of the north end of the island so we moved our boats up to Portsmouth. As we approached the anchorage we got a call on the vhf radio. Someone was hailing the ldquoBoat entering Prince Rupert Bayrdquo which is the anchorage we were heading to. So following proper radio etiquette we answered. We soon found out tha http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Portsmouth/blog-414075.html I love weekends it is a rule in our house that at least one day over the weekend is a day away from work We normally pack a picnic and head for the beach or rivers. If the weather is not too good on our side of the island we head 12 miles around to Toucarie or TaneTane. You would be amazed at the difference in weather climate over such a short distance. Toucarie is a beautiful bay it has a http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Calibishie/blog-399683.html It's Sunday morning I am sitting on the veranda drinking coffee whilst looking at the mountains to my right. Mourne Diablotin looms ahead two huge mountains sitting in the background. Whispy clouds hang over the peaks and just a little break in the overcast sky allows the sun to shine on the tree tops. It is forever changing. Rhiann is using the main computer she is making an ecard for her http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Calibishie/blog-399671.html After our hikes thru Dominicarsquos Morne Trois Piton National Park we needed a few days of rest of just hanging out on the boat and maybe going for a snorkel or two to work out our sore muscles. Luckily Scotts Head Marine Park is just south of the anchorage in Roseau and it is known to have some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Unfortunately we were not allowed to bring our http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Roseau/blog-399504.html Our next stop along the Caribbean chain was Dominica not to be confused with the Dominica Republic which lies over 400 miles away and is close to 20 times bigger in land mass and population. This tiny island is the southernmost island in the Leewards and is an independent country. It is very green and lush an unspoiled country filled with spectacular natural beauty and has the most dramatic http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Roseau/blog-399500.html Happy Birthday to me Happy Birthday to me blar blar blar. Birthday's were always such great fun back in the UK all the sisters would get together dress up have a meal go clubbing and of course have great presents to open. So when we moved to Dominica with no one else but ourselves Birthday's were not quite the same. I guess I just missed my sisters. This is my second Birthday in Dominic http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Calibishie/blog-391045.html We are dedicating this blog entry to our two children Ethan and Rhiann. Our little rats who are the bravest supportive beautiful little creatures that keep us sane and thankful for being alive. They have adjusted so quickly into their new life we are so proud of them they make us laugh and we admire how independent they are at such a young age. Thanks kids we love you so very much x x x x http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Calibishie/blog-390657.html Easter in the Caribbean is different to what my children are used to. In England they had chocolate eggs from everyone Aunts Uncles Cousins Friends work colleagues and sweet neighbours. We would hide them around the garden and they would search excitedly for them. They had so many we would eventually have to melt some down and make chocolate rice crispy cakes So as Easter approached in http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Calibishie/blog-390647.html Dominica is on par with Bequia in terms of how much I like the place and how much I enjoyed my time there. The island is gorgeous itrsquos one of the taller islands and therefore holds rain clouds rather well this means that it rains a lot here but also means that there is an abundance of lakes rivers waterfalls rainbows hot sulphur springs and even a boiling lake. Dominica is known for it http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/blog-382286.html So.......after our early morning party we chilled around the house for hmmmm 3 hours when the Carnival beckoned us again. We drove down to the village to join friends and started partying again until late in the evening. One of the local drinks here is called spiced rum. My favourite is cinnamon infused rum I like it mixed with grapefruit juice but today I had to knock it back straight you http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Calibishie/blog-376485.html Carnival time in the Caribbean is a big event and this is our second experience. Last year everyone was talking about going to Juvee which starts at 3am what ridiculous time is that This year again everyone was asking if we were going to Juvee and we just laughed. Rhiann decided that it would be so much fun to wake up in the middle of the night morning and walk down to the village. Now http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Calibishie/blog-376182.html SundayThis morning it is so lovely to wake up with the sound of the sea washing on the shore and the birds singing in the trees. No sounds of drills or hammers and no tools or paint pots in sight. In the next few days we can enjoy Carnival and maybe do a bit of reading and painting arty type stuff and snorkel and hang out on the beach. We are now officially finished on the house for this year a http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Toucarie/blog-375936.html This is my first experience with a blog something I never thought I'd do but after increasing pressure from family and friends I thought I would pull my finger out and create one and of course I could not let Ethan beat me to it. So here goes.....enjoyLots of you already know the story from the begining so I will try to briefly summarize the story. My husband Trevor and I made the decision t http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Portsmouth/blog-375930.html Every single morning we glory in just being here. Yes we have spent too much time indoors working but when we sit down for lunch on the deck or stand with a cocktail in he evening or drive along the coast road or so many things we just look around us and love what we see. Kate keeps saying she canrsquot believe we own this beautiful house. It is all just too wonderful.The tableThe table wit http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Toucarie/blog-375873.html With time running out we promised ourselves we would do one of the tourist headline trips before we leave We chose one of the many waterfalls and Middleham falls because it is 40 minutes each way not too long but long enough to keep the cruise ship passengers away and we read it is one of the most spectacular.The start was slow as we combined the day with taking Son to see the eye specialist i http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/blog-375550.html This last week has been fullon. We have worked really long hours getting the house ready for a visit from Carol from Ross Medical University on Thursday. We are considering letting the house to parents of students who visit the island so we are trying to finish all the ongoing jobs. It is really exciting that all the design ideas we had are now coming together and look even better than we though http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Toucarie/blog-372585.html Today we visited Dominica this little tiny island is home to about 20000 people. The island was super laid back very friendly and had that rastafarian vibe going on. Everywhere we walked around people had Regea music blasting it was awesomeWe had 2 tours booked today the frist one was sorkeling at Champagne Reef so named becuase it sits on the edge of a submerged volcano where vents of h http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/blog-371552.html The work on the house continues. It is time to decide what will not be done so we can finish and enjoy Carnival before we leave. Kurt and Casso come every weekend to make sawdust lots of sawdust. They have cased in the shutters beautifully cut pine for all the detailing we want and routed all the picture rail. Son comes 2 or 3 days a week he has built more steps through the garden cut more tre http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Toucarie/blog-369112.html Our neighbour Son grows his own coffee and one day he brought us some beans... http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Dominica/Toucarie/blog-364853.html