Advertisement
Published: January 11th 2009
Edit Blog Post
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 East Coast, and we stayed overnight at Rita and Trevor’s new apartments - slept on the floor on our foam mattress. Good fun, met loads of people. Managed to accept 2 invites to Christmas lunch - oops. Ended up at Rita and Trevor’s on Christmas Day - really good lunch with 12 adults and 4 kids, fun and games and lots of wine.
View of Toucari bay from the road
I have marked Mango Lodge with an arrow. Down a bit and to our left is Jane and Jeff's house and the large building at the far end of the bay is the church Saturday we had people over to ours for a buffet and went for a lovely swim in the bay. Then New Years day we popped over to our neighbours, Jane and Jeff, for a few drinks. All in all, good fun.
On Christmas day we skyped Steve and Jo and the Mums. Tom and Ollie were very funny telling us about all their pressies of which the favourites seemed to be a Harry Potter broomstick and a Sonic screwdriver.
Georgia and Arvid (who we met in Dec touring the island) have popped over a few times during their trips to the island and now they are back onboard Cello (65’ sailing yacht) and plan to bring the boat over to Toucari later in Jan for a few days. It will be great to catch up with them again and of course see the boat.
The garden looks very different from when we arrived. New pathways made, trees chopped down, trees, plants and bushes planted, and grass growing. We have levelled out a flat area and will be planting grass on it. The kitchen garden is coming along with lettuce, tomatoes, basil, cabbage, etc.. We have kept piles
There is one river to cross on the way to Chaudiere Pool
Having never been there, we didn't know that most people hardly get their feet wet here - we picked the wrong day, there had been a bit of rain of logs from felled trees so that we can decide what to use them for later. Hopefully we can make some furniture from the one hardwood tree. Just waiting for Francis with his chain saw to come over and chop it up for us.
As I am typing this, Son is planting a tangerine tree - just amazing.
The carpenters, Kurt and Casso, worked over New Year 6 days straight so the interior walls are now almost finished and ready for painting. Still got the kitchen and bathroom to do. Andy was keeping ahead of them doing all the electrics whilst I continued to varnish - what more varnishing!! Poor Andy was so frustrated with refitting the bathroom - especially when he had to fit 4 different toilets before he could get one to work.
We continue to have the most amazing sunsets and try to get out for a swim around 4 ish so that we can finish off the day soaking up the sunset and drinking a Kubuli (local beer) whilst watching the pelicans go fishing off the bay. We don’t often make it but it’s lovely when we do. Whilst swimming in the bay
The bay road in Toucari
A huge sea swell after hurricane Omar in October wreckedthe road. It also removed all the sand from the beach and replaced it with melon sized pebbles. But the sand is now coming back - the locals say it always does in time. 20 years ago this was a wide white sand beach, natural errosion has left very little but enough for us. we have seen Turtles, Stingrays, garfish, parrot fish, angel fish, and loads of cute brightly coloured Disney fish.
The road in the bay was badly damaged by the sea swell from Hurricane Omar in October and just before Christmas they came to fix it up. It’s all a lot safer now it’s been filled in.
We still sleep with our shutter doors open looking out into the bay dozing off with the sound of insects and tree frogs. We then wake up to the sun rising on the Caribbean sea and the sounds of the birds. Still loving it.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.155s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 16; qc: 78; dbt: 0.1029s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Greg & Lani
non-member comment
We are enjoying reading of your Dominican adventures. We are staying in Calabishie, and plan on hiking to the Chaudiere Pool tomorrow...hopefully the river won't be at "high tide" !