Domenica!

So now let’s get to Dominica!!!! This little island is amazing and because we only had two days there we fit in as much as we possibly could; although I must come back to see more because this island holds so much incredible things and the people here are amazing. The first day we were here Steph and I along with a few other friends explore the capital, Roseau. We immediately went up King George the 5th street in search of the botanical gardens. It was somewhat hard to get up this street at first because so many people were trying to get us to take their cab while we just wanted to walk. We made it up the road eventually and into the botanical gardens. There were so many different plants trees and things to see. There were a few locals in there and they started yelling towards us. At first we tried to ignore them because we could not totally understand what they were saying . However, upon listening harder I hear “The island name is not Dominica it is Waiti-Kubuli, it is the name your Christopher Columbus gave to us when he saw our island. I means sweet you know juicy like fruit or your boyfriend,” As he held his hand toward his face in a kissing motion. After we heard this we were saying it all day laughing saying “like fruit or your boyfriend.” But the real magic started when we see 3 people emerge out of the forest. They were 3 SAS kids and told us that there was an awesome path right through the brush. Well of course we took that path and where did this steep and narrow path lead but to the top of a mountain were you could look out over the whole city, you could see everything even the explorer.
After that we went down the longer way on the streets and experienced the more so local side of this part of the island. We went around every bending street where cars fly around honking their horn to let other cars on the other side of this turn know they are coming. I mean why bother to slow down?!! As I was walking I noticed how nice it was just to walk these roads instead of taking taxis like so many others did. Walking gave you more of a feel of the city. You could see the locals out on their porches, different shrines they had for religious purposes, the different architecture of the city and the beautiful nature that was everywhere. Dominica is called the nature island because of its amazing rain forests and agriculture which is the islands biggest money maker. By walking instead of driving we had time to converse with locals talking to them about their interests and what they like to do around the island. After exploring the town and having people run off their porches to give us tours of their island we went back to the boat where we met up with another friend and went to Champaign reef. This reef is remarkable. The gases from the island bubble up through the coral and let steams of bubbles up and through the water to release at the top. It was really awesome to see it when we finally figured out you had to go a little further out to see them. I was also able to see 2 different kinds of eels, Puffer fish noodle fish, rainbow fish and a few others . We even swam out to see the drop off (yes just like in Finding Nemo haha). I even exchanged emails with one of the diving instructors for a group that was there after she was so kind to give me her mask so Steph and I could see a little more. I really hope that Diane and I keep in touch. After we got out we went up and got one of the local delicacies, not frog possum or rodent, but some rum punch which took the salty tastes in our mouth right away.
Later on everyone on the ship went to a little bar called JR’s and had a immense time drinking and dancing in the rain that came through the open roof on the dance floor. No one seemed to care about how “It might mess up their hair or ruin their outfit” we were all to worried about having the time of our lives. I think it might have had something to do with the drink everyone was drinking called “Slap my ass, and take me home.” And let me tell you it did just that.
The next day we were up bright and early again and went to the new market where all the fruit and vegetation were on sale. It was quite the sight to see! We did a little more adventuring through the town and working on bargaining skills at the different shops and market places. We then rushed back to the boat after discovering the little things that we want to collect from each country.
In the afternoon we went on a SAS sponsored trip to “The wonders of Waiti-Kabuli- emerald pool.” We took a bus to a spot in the in the rainforest and walked the paths learning along the way when we got to emerald pool we were about to jump in the crystal clean water that reflected green from all the forestation. After that we went to the longest river on the island and went “white water tubing” This was a very intense experience, which I strayed off the course more than a few times getting rescued by the staff who knew me by name by the end of the trip. After we got down the river we were given fresh oranges grapefruits and coconuts. This was all amazing! I learned that it is easy to do these trips on your own however, you might not get all the informational fact your get on a tour but you do get more of the local perspective.
Slap my ass and take me home = rum punch