Blogs from Dominica, Central America Caribbean - page 12

On the north east coast, the beach at Pointe Baptiste was a real find. From our Sea Cliff cottage it was a short walk down an overgrown track to this cute beach. We were the only people on it until a local woman called Fi came by after fishing off the rocks at the point.. Had a good ole chat to her about life on the island. We swam and snorkelled in the strong current. On the north west corner of the island is the excellent Toucari village nestled in it’s own bay. On a small cul-de-sac road with few tourists and no through traffic, this palm lined bay and beach is a real find. These are some of our favourite photos - so far! Dominica is the location of the last Carib settlement in the ... read more

We are staying at Sea Cliff cottages in the north east and you can walk down a couple of hundred steps to the beach here. It’s black sand and the Hodges river arrives here, letting you swim in the sea then swim in the river to wash off the salt. We picked up a coconut and took it back, had to borrow a machete from our hosts to get in. It was pretty hard work hacking through the husk but we got there. Fort Shirley and Cabrits National Park are in very north of Dominica - one of those places on the tourist route that you’re not sure whether to visit. It sounds like an old fort and not much else, but they didn’t mention just how unreal most of it is now. The main fort ... read more

Just south of Portsmouth guides tout for business - to row you up the Indian River. Paul was our charming oarsman and he skulled the boat along like a gondolier in Venice. We left the partly constructed new concrete bridge behind and were instantly away from the real world. The river teaming with fish, mangrove and palms on either side, land crabs, heron and kingfishers on the banks. Paul showed us where the “witch’s house” was constructed for the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean and pointed out wildlife as we made our leisurely way up the river. The final destination? A bush bar and cocktails all round. One Pina Colada, one Peanut Punch and one Dynamite (one is never enough, two is too many). The journey back with the river helping was quick and relaxed. ... read more

For 3 days the police close 4 roads in a square through Roseau. The town is small so this almost closes the place to traffic completely. The timetable then goes something like… Monday 4am to 9am - Juvey: Music and dancing to see the dawn come. Not one for us! We arrived in Roseau around 9 and saw the aftermath, this is the start of Carnival and it looks like the morning after a bad party. Everyone looks drunk. These people know how to enjoy themselves. There is a lull and we watch the parade preparing to move off. Make-shift bars are set up on the streets every 10 yards, we hold off and have our first drink at midday. Monday midday - Parade: Costumes, Kings, Queens and more music. Great atmosphere. The music comes from ... read more

They call this a forest but it looks like jungle to me. There is a real Jurassic Park feel to the place. You’ll walk down a track and look up to see a fern 30 feet above your head and vines hanging from trees so high you can’t see the top. Living in the tree house was great fun and an unmissable experience. There were a few other campers in huts and a couple in a tent (yes, a two-man tent in the jungle!), plus a little communal kitchen where we all cooked over a wood fire. Each time we wanted to go somewhere we had to descend the 15 minute trail to base camp before starting out. We swam in a deep pool in the river called the mermaid pool a couple of times. We ... read more