Weather Hostage.....

Atlantic side of Dominica

"Liahona" and "Persephone" arrived in Dominica FIVE days ago.  We had planned on leaving the next morning for Martinique.  However, our plans were foiled by a front which stalled over the area.  All week, there have been squalls with high winds (22-25 gusting to 30 +) and torrential downpours.  And to make matters even more interesting (pun intended) the seas swells are over ten feet !!  So, we have been held hostage here by the weather.

On Tuesday night I got so excited watching an old episode of  "Star Trek" I pulled my back out.  I crawled off the couch to get to the V-birth.  Wednesday was a wasted day; I could do absolutely nothing but lay flat, take anti-inflammatory drugs, and apply ice to my low back.  Not a fun day.

On Thursday, I was getting cabin fever, when I got a radio call from 'Liahona' suggesting we take a tour of Dominica.  I agreed and off we went on a 6 hour tour of  the island, in the wind and driving rain of course.....



Evening Squalls over Dominica

Dominica is an incredibly lush island which receives over 350 inches of rain per year.  (I didn't expect that all that rain would fall in one week, however !!)  The island has over 350 rivers and several waterfalls. Here I am at the Emerald Pools beneath one of Dominica's many waterfalls....

Because of the rain, and fertile volcanic soils, nearly every fruit, vegetable, spice and nut grows in Dominica...we found pineapples, mangoes, passion fruit, coca beans, bay leaves, cashew nuts, pumpkin, star fruit, lemon grass, coffee beans just to name few.  But the most we saw was banana plantations everywhere ! Each bunch of bananas is wrapped in a blue plastic bag to protect the fruit from bugs, rodents and bruising:

Despite the rain and wind, we had an enjoyable tour of Dominica.  This is the second poorest island in the Caribbean, second only to Haiti.  But, the Dominicans are trying to improve their infrastructure by enticing hotel construction and tourism to the island.  But, this may be a two edge sword.  It is said that Dominica is the only island in the Caribbean that Columbus would recognize today; due to the retention of it's unspoiled, natural state.  

Gonna try and move south tomorrow...Martinique here we come.... !!

Capt Dave