Dominica

the Emerald Pool, Dominica

As we bid John and Peggy farewell, we set sail on Saturday May 21st for the island of Marie-Gallant 20nm off the coast of Guadeloupe. Marie Gallant is a beautiful island, it is also the island on which Steven Callahan made landfall after seventy-six (76) days lost at sea in 1982. Steven's tale is recounted in the book "Adrift".

As has become the routine, we up anchor into overcast and rainy skies although the forecast was for sun and fun. Oh well. Of course we also had wind gusts to 30k, so we get there faster. Covering the short distance in just over three hours and dropping the hook in ten feet of water close enough to the beach to swim ashore. This is a short visit for us as we are heading down island to Dominica. After two wonderful days ashore it is off to Dominica, a whopping 25nm trip, but an entirely different world. Although Guadeloupe is beautiful and lush, Dominica seems to be the poster child for lush. WOW!

As happens in life from time to time, the 23rd of May turned out to be one of the best days under sail we've had in two years. Making 5k of boat speed with a gentle swell we kick back and enjoy the ride.

As we sail into Prince Rupert Bay, Dominica we are met by Charlie Love, one of the omnipresent boat "boys" down island. The boat "boys" help cruisers with any need be it fuel, water, lobster or moorings. We thank Charlie, however we are looking for Martin on Providence as recommended by the crew of "Scorch". We make our way to a nice spot and drop anchor and settle in for the rest of the afternoon. We soon realize we'll need our rest as an island tour is in the making.

Bright an early on the 24th of May, that's 0800 we pile into Victor's bus with our tour guide Alexander, a.k.a Macaroni. This will prove to be a fun filled and long day (12hrs.) with the crews of BOTO, "Light Heart", Peter and Martha and "Mazarin", Marcus, Marta and Fox (Fox is 18mths.)

Macaroni, Marta and Ed

the crew of "Mazarin"

Vicky, Peter, Martha and the gang

While such an outing gives one a tremendous appetite, we had no trouble filling our stomachs and backpacks during the trek. We were able to satisfy our provisioning of fresh fruits for a while.

cava bread

bananas

more bananas

coca

breadfruit

grapefruits

nutmeg

As you can see Dominica truly is green and lush and mountainous. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are several thousand words worth.....

While the sheer height of the island doesn't lend itself to many beaches, those that are there are wonderful.

Many of the trees we see in the rain forest are hundreds of years old;

and the waterfalls and streams provide fresh water to the entire island.