Blogs from Dominica, Central America Caribbean - page 7

This is a video of the underwater sights in Toucarie Bay. It was all taken snorkelling and free diving just a short swim from the beach using a very unsuitable camera (a 170° wide-angle GoPro Hero). Every day we swam we saw the volcanic bubbles and an abundance of grunts and surgeon fish, plus several angel fish, butterfly fish, rock beauties, parrot fish, trunk fish, damsel fish etc. But then there was always a surprise too - the reef squid, an eel, the big lump of a white spotted file fish, the elegant spotted drum, a blue tang straight from Finding Nemo, a sea horse, that bright orange frog fish or the wonderful sight of a turtle. We enjoyed them all and couldn't wait to swim out the next day. Who needs to go diving when ... read more

Here we are without guests for a few weeks. Here's an update of what we are up to and a selection of recent photos - to see larger images click on the first one then view each in turn. And, by the way, your comments in the box at the bottom are always welcome. In a couple of days, Steve, Jo, Tom and Ollie will arrive - the excitement is palpable! Andy's Nuts With the dry weather and some strong winds, the coconuts have been crashing from the trees in the garden. I (Andy) have taken on the task of opening them with my cutlass but it's a lot harder then Son makes it look. Kate's Bananas Kate planted a few banana trees this time last year. One has produced a huge bunch of bananas so ... read more

This year we decided to do Carnival in Roseau so booked a night at the Garraway Hotel and packed a bag. The morning we left was one of those “only in Dominica” times. First we had to ask the guys next-door to take their goat out of our garden because it was eating the plants. Then, driving out of the village, we gave a lift to a man who, after he was settled in the car, turned out to be deaf and mute. Despite continuous attempts, we couldn't find out where he was going! Next we were stuck in a traffic-jam in Portsmouth behind the aftermath of Jouvet. Starting at 4am on Monday and finishing at dawn, Jouvet is the excuse for an all night party, but today things carried on past dawn and were still ... read more

The old fortifications and buildings in the park continue to fascinate me. We walked up the ramp towards the fort then carried on straight on into the woods. There were hermit crabs and lizards everywhere. Descending to the north side of Cabrits you come across the surreal picture of nature swallowing up the old Douglas Bay Battery. Cannon are laying where they were left 150 years ago and Fricus trees extend their roots around and through the old stone walls. A fabulous experience every time we visit. On the way back we walked up to the old Commandants quarters and on to the restored fort. Fort Shirley has been carefully restored but doesn’t hold the fascination of the ruins in the jungle. The views over Prince Rupert Bay are great and there is a magnificent Mango ... read more

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