Blogs from Toucarie, Dominica, Central America Caribbean - page 2

Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Toucarie January 20th 2010

Our beautiful Toucari Bay, near Portsmouth, Dominica

We arrived safely in Dominica after 2 days travelling (which should have been one day) and with no luggage - thanks to LIAT, the Caribbean airline (either Leave Island Any Time or Luggage In Any Town). But we did have our beautiful home, a fridge for cocktails and a view of the Caribbean sea to die for. Five days later we had both our bags, a car, a fridge full of food and drink, and we were ready for the arrival of our guests. The ferry was late arriving due to a whale sighting en-route from Guadeloupe, so the skipper slowed down and drove in circles to let everyone see - only in the Caribbean. Val and Craig squeezed into our little car and we got them back and settled into Mango Lodge. For a week ... read more

Team photo at the cold sulphur springs, Morne aux Diables

Morne aux Diables - the rim of the old volcano

Work, Rest and Play at Mango Lodge

Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Toucarie February 22nd 2009

The family Douglas

Kate and Andy wandering

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 can’t believe we own this beautiful house. It is all just too wonderful. The table The table with hardly any carbon footprint. The wood came from a tree in the garden which was chain sawed into planks and legs. Andy designed it - Kurt and Casso cut it and put it together and Kate stained and varnished it. We think it looks fantastic, and it will probably outlive us all! Saturday night with the ... read more

Mango Lodge - finished for now...

Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Toucarie February 22nd 2009

Lounge

Kate and Andy wandering

Sunday This 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 and really really pleased with the results. All the rooms have had a full on Thorley tart up treatment. The only room we did a ‘temporary fix’ on was the kitchen and even that looks good. Some interesting stats of what was used to renovate the house 300 linear ft of structural pine (4x2) 1000 ... read more

Still lovin' it in Dominica

Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Toucarie February 9th 2009

Mango Lodge at sunset

Kate and Andy wandering

This last week has been full-on. 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 thought. Tonight we have almost finished all the woodwork. Just about 2 days work left. The bathroom now has a stunning shower all tiled by Andy who has become on site Plumber, Electrician, Foreman, Designer, Tiler and Carpenter. I on the other hand have had more man hours with a paint brush in my hand than I care to remember. It is great though ... read more

Cocktails, sunsets, plumbing, painting and the post office

Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Toucarie January 31st 2009

Prince Rupert Bay

Kate and Andy wandering

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 trees, planted a hibiscus hedge along the side of the path and much more. Andrew has continued with the electrics, connected up the washing machine (with the help of Sparrow a local plumber), built a cupboard in our bedroom and is now heavily into finishing the bathroom. Kate has painted and varnished the weeks away and is going stir ... read more

Making a cup of Dominican coffee

Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Toucarie January 18th 2009

A great cup of Dominican Coffee

Kate and Andy wandering

Our neighbour, Son, grows his own coffee and one day he brought us some beans...... read more

Christmas and New Year in Dominica

Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Toucarie January 5th 2009

Hibiscus from the garden

Kate and Andy wandering

Lots of work still happening at the house and garden, and everything starting to take shape. We have taken a few days off and made the most of them. Our trip to Chaudiere Pool was fun although our timing was a bit out. It had rained constantly for 4 nights and the river was quite high. The ‘boiling pot’ which is normally great for swimming became quite tricky trying to suck you under. The hike up and down through the rain forest was stunning with all the lush vegetation - we even saw parrots. Managed to get the car stuck in the mud but with the help of a local we pushed it out and then set off for a nice lunch in Calabishie. Went to a wine tasting at Randy’s Bar in Wesley on the ... read more

There is one river to cross on the way to Chaudiere Pool

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