Blogs from Dominica, Central America Caribbean - page 13

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Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Rosalie January 28th 2008

We had to move on to a new island and new accommodation, this was a trip! We left our tasteful chambre d’hote, drove the hire car to the airport, took a courtesy bus to the terminal and caught a taxi to the ferry port in Fort de France - simple. The ferry trip gave us great views of the departing Martinique and approaching Dominica. We disembarked at Roseau and our hire car was waiting. Straight to the supermarket for supplies because this was self-catered, then an hour across the island to Rosalie Forest. After Martinique’s freeways, the pot-holed roads of Dominica really slowed us down, but at least we have a 4 wheel drive this time, a good decision. At Rosalie we met Leon at dusk who guided us the 15 minute uphill jungle trail with ... read more
Tasteful decorations in the Chambre d'Hote
Sugar cane everywhere - it's where the rum comes from
Our new home

Central America Caribbean » Dominica December 31st 2007

Home time 1500 hrs Ship time 1100hrs Well here goes, last update this year. Ok, where did I finish. Ah yes, just arriving in Dominica. Not too bad an Island, although like the rest it is all geared up for the tourists. We had to go ashore by tender and it was somewhat choppy; one or two cut fingers and we were told a broken arm, this all trying to get on and off the tenders. But me being an old sea dog, no problems, on and off like a sixteen year old. Temperature was around 25c first thing so decided to take it easy, not that I ever rush. Went to some kind of horticultural gardens, must admit it was well looked after and some of the plants were out of this world. Surprising how ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Dominica December 28th 2007

Apologies that this entry is so late and slightly out of order, it was sent to my work email account and I only returned to work today - Rob Friday 28th Home time 1400 hrs Ship time 1000 hrs. Clocks back another hour. Christmas day was spent mostly eating and drinking, not that I drink much so I have to make it up with the eating. During the afternoon of Christmas day games were played on the deck, a form of connect four with a difference and I managed to win a price - another toilet bag, as if I don't have enough. A nice surprise at dinner, we were sent a bottle of wine which we had no idea as to what it was all about. Later we were given a card showing who it ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Roseau December 25th 2007

So this is Christmas. We’re in Dominica today. I had nothing planned for a tour and most everything in the port is closed, but I’m off the ship. I wandered the streets, mostly quiet because everyone is home with family. I passed some houses, all with wreaths and garland and “Merry Christmas” on the doors. Through one window I could see a television playing a cartoon Christmas movie. During my wanderings, I spotted the steeples of a church above the buildings and felt drawn to it. It’s bells rang as I walked up towards it. I went in and sat for awhile. While it does not really feel like Christmas, because today is so unlike any other Christmas I’ve spent, I have an awareness of being away from those I love with they all gather together. ... read more
The Cathedral in Roseau
Roseau Cathedral
Inside the Cathedral

Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Roseau December 18th 2007

We’re in Dominica and I finally got off the ship to go and see some of the island. A group of us hired a taxi to create a tour. I went with my roommate Stephanie (who works as a theatre tech), Logan (another tech), Anna (social host) and Katia (classical trio musician). We went to Emerald Pool. Our driver took us along roads that twist up and around the mountains. The entire island is covered with incredible lush land. Every turn of the road offers another stunning view of valleys and mountains in shades of vibrant green. Perfect puffy clouds were above and the sun shone. The island is so untouched, undeveloped; it’s natural beauty is well preserved. Emerald Pool is located in a park that is one of the island’s two UNESCO sites. I’ve now ... read more
Crew on Tour
Entering The Rainforest
Me with the Forest

Central America Caribbean » Dominica November 3rd 2007

We arrived in Dominica, the first of the Leeward Islands after a rather rough crossing from Martinique, which resulted in me spending a fair proportion of the trip lying down in one corner of the cockpit concentrating on not feeling seasick. If you have never felt seasick before, it is like being on a roller coaster where with every pitch of the boat your tummy churns around making you feel very queasy. The upside was that I got to work on my tan whilst feeling bad! Dominica is a very rugged and mountainous island, with high rainfall pretty much throughout the year. As a result the scenery is very lush, with the hillsides covered in thick jungle-like vegetation. It has been a non-stop few days: yesterday we did a circuit of the island, taking part in ... read more
Indian River EStuary
Lab Transport
Strange Names

Central America Caribbean » Dominica October 7th 2007

Hello from Dominica! We had our Peace Corps mid-service training here (which we missed the first half of!), and are now spending a week here hiking, snorkeling, and visiting friends….and so far it’s been wonderful! Our trip here was a bit of an adventure. We were supposed to fly from St. Kitts, through Antigua with a short layover, and on to Dominica. After 2 hours in the St. Kitts airport we were informed that the air traffic controllers in Antigua had gone on strike…so all travel through there was grounded (And the airline we were traveling with has all their mechanics, cleaning service, etc. in Antigua, so even flights not routed through there were unable to continue in some cases). We were told the airport there might open again so we needed to wait, and we’d ... read more
The Village
Is that a snake?
Cow + Fish = ......

Central America Caribbean » Dominica March 30th 2007

30c, Mainly fine with isolated thunder storms ‘The Natural Island’ - that’s the tourism slogan for Dominica and it fits perfectly. This is not the Dominican Republic, this is Dominica where tourism is still a buzz word and the main international airport is called ‘Cane field’. There are no direct flights from anywhere outside the Caribbean and it remains the regions poorest and least visited destination. I arrived via catamaran from Guadeloupe without a CARICOM (Caribbean Community) visa. The website said I’d be turned away or fined, but I figured little Dominica would have a simple answer for me… and they did. “No problem sir, enjoy your stay in Dominica and the Caribbean” - I was in!! but not before a customs official wearing a Bob Marley shirt asked if I had any weed in ... read more
Trafalgar Falls
Driving in Roseau
Fresh Water Lake


Moro taas, Tänään lähdimme purjehtimaan päivällä Portsmouthista kohti Roseaun kaupunkia Dominicalla. Eli matka on edelleen kohti etelää. Päivä oli edellisten päivien lailla kuuma ja aurinkoinen. Onneksi Helenalle pääsee pakoon keskipäivän paahdetta! Meidän purjehdusryhmästä osa lähti aamulla sademetsäkierrokselle. He tulivat takaisin puolen päivän aikaan, minkä jälkeen me nostettiin ankkuri ja lähdettiin kohti Martiniqueta. Kun olimme tekemässä lähtöä, pari römpöttiä tuli veneellään Helenan viereen ja pyysivät useaan otteeseen nähdä valokuvaa, jonka joku meidän ryhmäläisistä oli ottanut sademetsäkierroksella yhdestä miehestä ja papukaijasta. Dominicalla kunnioitetaan yhtä eläintä ylitse muiden eläinten (ja ihmisten!): papukaijaa. Ja papukaijan kiinniottaminen on yksi suurimmista rikoksista saarella! Römpötit halusivat siis saada todisteen henkilöstä, joka oli tehnyt suuren rikoksen... read more
Tyrsky


Killumme Dominican saaren Portsmouthin edustalla. Saavuimme tänne tänä aamuna 21 mpk purjehduksen jälkeen. Tuuli oli leppoisaa mutta matka joutui ihan kivasti. Emme ole edelleenkään joutuneet ostamaan ylimääräistä viisumia alueelle, joten 100$ on edelleen säästössä. Dominicalla on todellisia aitoja römpöttejä, jotka tulevat myymään hedelmiä ja palveluitaan suoraan alukselle omilla pienillä römpöttiveneillään. Ostimme laivaan banaanitertun, pari isoa pussia greippejä, roskakuljetuksen ja kuljetuksen Indian River jokiajelulle. Olin iltapäivän standby vahdissa ja pääsin kaupoille vasta klo 16 jälkeen. Tulin tänne internet kahvilaan päivittämään kokonaisen viikon edestä matkaraporttia. St. Martinin jälkeen internet kahviloita on ollut vaikea päästä käyttämään. Jatkamme huomenna puolilta päivin kohti eteläistä Dominicaa. Ja sieltä sitten Martiniquelle. **********************************... read more




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