Wednesday 27 February 2013

Reporting for Dominica

This has been a small break into the neighboring island of Dominica. A lush tropical island in the south Caribbean (the Lesser Antilles). The reason? My good friends from the homelands visited me here in Martinique! They left then for Guadeloupe and Dominica. I went to meet them there and we returned back to Martinique together. They had fabulous time in all three islands and I was very happy to have them for their few days here.   

I left Martinique on a commercial liner boat, the Express Des'iles. The weather was great as well as the mood. It was nice to see the island from the sea, you get a totally different perspective on views. The sea was relatively calm and everything smooth up to the point we left Martinique behind and the boat started moving quite a lot. People got sick and a pleasant sail ended up fighting for survival(!) I  will not go in detail but it was an experience to go through this and felt proper relieved when I touched my feet onto the Kubuli land, Dominica.          



Leaving Martinique



Approaching Dominica



Entering an independent country



Dominicans are proud for their history and culture. 72,000 inhabitants-islanders forming an independent Commonwealth country. The last of the Caribbean islands to be colonised by the Europeans, it gained independence from the British in 1978. The Caribs were fierce fighters and had the assistance of the thick jungle and mountainous terrain to retain most of invaders. Though Domenica (Sunday) was the day that Christopher Columbus first sighted the island, the locals call their country something maybe more poetic, Waitikubuli, which means 'tall is her body'. Kubuli pride is everywhere, at signs and posters, the name of the national beer!          

Dominica offers one of the best places in the world if you like natural hot spa under a leafy jungle environment. Due to its volcanic nature, hot springs are everywhere. There is even a hot lake up in Trois Piton National Park called the boiling lake. The temperatures are really boiling. The spa cottage were we stayed had an outdoor pool plus a smaller indoor one with water with higher temperatures.      

I did also sense some environmental awareness in Dominica. No litter and signs provoking you to respect the environment and the surroundings are in most places. The locals seemed respectful towards nature and I liked that. Kubulis have a beautiful piece of volcanic rock and I see no reason why shouldn't they be proud for their country.
       


Dominica_..the Kubuli country



Dominica_Environmental awareness



Dominica_Follow the sign to the jungle...



Dominica_...and submerge yourself into the hot waters 



Dominica_Indoor hot pool




We followed the so called longest trail in the Caribbean, the Waitukubuli trail. We walked in a wet, muddy, full of roots trail in a thick tropical rainforest. Was beautiful and wild in vegetation. We stopped and enjoyed the few sun-rays passing through the tall trees. About 20 minutes after we arrived at the Middleham waterfall. An amazing waterfall, cascading off a rainforest ridge falling about 60 meters into a tranquil blue swimmable pool. We didn't swim it but we left wet by the intense spray from the fall. It was about a 3 hours return walk to the fall and were thirsty. So we stopped by and enjoyed the local pride..          



Dominica_The longest trail in the Caribbean



Dominica_Raga roots



Dominica_Stunning Middleham waterfall



Dominica_Visiting with the expedition from Megara



Dominica_Local pride



Dominica looks poor from the first sight. Not to a poverty level but still someone can sense that there is only little to be shared here. Comparing with Martinique it's like a world away. The roads with potholes, quickly made housings that remind Africa, old cars, and shops that you can buy cigarettes per piece. The eastern Caribbean dollar is certainly not as strong as other hard currencies. Although people are proud for their country and despite the difficulties most of Dominicans seem happy people. 



Dominica_This is Kubuli



Dominica_Chilling by the side walk!(!)



Cooperative credit union of Dominica



Dominica_Your patriotic neighbor  



We got bikes and rounded the south part. We visited several places including the magnificent Trafalgar falls. We could choose to relax in a natural hot spa under the thick jungle or swim the cold waters from the waterfalls. It was an exhilarating experience. Couple of hours after being submerged into the sulfur waters your skin feels smooth and clean; your mind too.   





Anarchy in Dominica



Dominica_The Trafalgar falls (Mama and Papa)



Dominica_Placid feelings



We continued south till the end tip of the island. We arrived at the Scotts Head, a small peninsula nearby the village. the Carib name of the peninsula is Cachacrou which means 'hat which is being eaten'. From there we could see the north side of Martinique too.  



Dominica_The Scotts Head peninsula 





Dominica_Walking to the Champagne reef



It has been really nice short break to the neighboring Dominica and even for this short while I was able to get a glimpse of the local hospitality and their culture. I realised that even if it is so near to Martinique it is a world away. Colonisation in the Caribbean has separated not only economically but also culturally the islands and people. We spoke with the man here below and told us he has never been to Martinique, an hour and a half with the boat away. He seemed happy though so maybe it is better for him and everyone to stay where he belongs. We took a set of silly pictures, he wanted to get photographed with everyone. :) Pitty I don't even remember his name. 
      



Dominica_Cool Kubuli people



Dominica_Ready for everything


Great place to visit, but my advise is only if you are around. Don't travel too far to reach Dominica, it's little and you will want mooore :)


All the best


N