9th JanuaryBefore arriving we heard a lot of negative opinion about this Island . Most of the yachtsmen avoid Dominica altogether, due to it being considered
unsafe and a hard work to deal with aggressive boat boys, selling
moorings. But
since arriving we have been welcomed by everybody, even strangers on the
streets. We had no hassle from any of the boat boys, the way to get around
it is to choose one, then you are left alone. Our is "Pancho" a
very business like person, with his fingers stuck in a lot of the
business in the area. We have been to Roseau, the capital. This is a
vibrant town full of personality, almost every house blast some sort of
music from the windows, most of the times reggae. Some of the buildings
are rickety with mixed style and painted in different colours.
Pancho organized a day trip for us. That was a great way of going
around as road signs are inexistent. There are no public transport only
private vans or taxis. We went in a van with four Americans,
all yachties. Jones, our driver and guide took us to Emerald Pool. That
was a 15 min walk in the jungle to get to the pool formed by a little
water fall. Then we went to see Titou Gorge, followed by a lunch in this tiny
restaurant overlooking Trafalgar Valley. After lunch we visited
Trafalgar Falls and a boiling pool.
Dominica is also famous for its diving sites, with huge sponges and
colourful
corals and we had to experience it. Although expensive it was one of our best
dives ever!
11th February
Carnival was the reason to come back, together with the friendliness of the
locals and the unspoiled atmosphere. We were greeted by
Pancho, always smiling. He even given us a lobster and thought us how to
cook it. Larry, the lobster was sitting in a bucket in the cockpit for a
whole afternoon unaware that he will be chucked in a boiling pan later. It
was delicious.
Monday was the parade day of the carnival. With the locals dressing up
in customs and a procession of the Queen and the Princess of the Carnival.
Tuesday was the jump-up, this was what we were looking forward too. Huge
lorries mounted with speakers were driving slowly along the narrow streets
of Roseau, so large they had people on top to lift all the electricity
cables up. These were followed by, probably, all the locals in the
islands. The lorries were playing Zouke, a very fast beat tribal
reggae. Chicken and plantains were being barbecued in the streets. Even
the Americans from the cruise line joined to the party. The Dominicans
were a show alone, with their enthusiasm , energy and their heavy costumes
in the unbearable heat.
Kyrie also joined us for the carnival. After few months we managed to
meet up with our friends from New Zealand. Natalie even got her bunny
rabbit fancy custom out for the Carnival. You go girl!!!
