Dominica.
Another island that has been on my list for years.
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| In the 5 months we spent on the move in the Caribbean, THIS is one of my all-time favorite spots. |
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Not
a soul in sight.
Waves and birds the only sounds.
Yet it’s full Friday
morning.
Okay, the sound of a dinghy.
Tidy
little wooden cottage at the edge of the rainforest.
The ocean just steps in
front of me.
Rain pounding onto the metal roof, sea flat and indigo.
Rain pounding onto the metal roof, sea flat and indigo.
A 600 year
old tree beside the cottage.
That's before Columbus ever set eyes on the Americas.
The night guard brings us a bag of fruit from his garden.
His smile is wide and shy.
That's before Columbus ever set eyes on the Americas.
The night guard brings us a bag of fruit from his garden.
His smile is wide and shy.
A rasta guy on the road calls out, "Welcome to Domenica!"
Everyone is so proud of their island.
The
roads struggle to cross the steep mountains.
And these are mountains to be reckoned with.
Men repairing large potholes wave.
“Ok, Mami!” they call as we pass.
People are excited to see us.
In places, the track is barely wide
enough for our little car.
But
the scenery!
Deep vales of huge tropical plants.
Massive walls of ferns and bamboo!
Bananas, papayas, breadfruit.
All growing wild along the side of the road.
Bougainvillea,
hibiscus, plumeria and a dozen others reach for the sky.
The wealthy haven't claimed the oceanfront in Domenica.
Here, some of the most spectacular views are fronted by an old wooden cabin.
Here, some of the most spectacular views are fronted by an old wooden cabin.
Or nothing.
Maybe a few
curious goats.
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| Incredible pristine beauty. And not a soul around. |
There
simply aren’t
many visitors to Dominica.
We have the coastline and rivers to ourselves.
Shared with a crab or a funny little agouti.
Maybe a curious iguana.
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| Found these all in the same garden. |
Leaving the beach, we head deep in the rain forest.
Find another tiny wooden cottage to rent.
Outdoor shower, hammock, balcony.
Everything just perfect.
The owners are young and French.
I can smell dinner.
I can smell dinner.
They bake their
own bread.
Make their own pâté.
Make their own pâté.
Use the local ingredients to design incredible meals.
Even a fresh grapefruit meringue pie.
- Grapefruit meringue!
Our
2-wheel drive car wouldn’t make it up here.
The road is daunting.
The gardener said
we could park it at his father’s house, down the road, so we did.
Then all of us walked up the steep
hill.
Drove along the north coast and through various mountains.
Stopped at “Number One Beach”, where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed.
Yes, another world.
An abundance of nature - beautiful and remote.
If you ever get the chance - Domenica - don't hesitate.
Iguanas are waiting...
