Dominica.....The Nature Island of the Caribbean!!!

Well we got to see the nature part right from the begining. The first thrill came with the plane landing - the runway couldn't really be seen until the final swooping turn to the left with a fairly steep drop. It almost felt like you could reach out the windows and touch the trees. But the pilot skillfully brought the plane down and when we finally slowed down and turned at the end of the runway there was the ocean!

The island of Dominica is 29 miles long and 16 miles wide and we had just landed on the northeast tip of the island. Our hotel, the Anchorage, is located on the southwest end of the island. So we had an hour and a half bus ride on mountainous roads that in most places was barely a lane and a half wide. Boy, what a ride it turned out to be with lots of horns blowing (he who has the biggest vehicle gets to stay on the road), steep dropoffs with no guard rails, steep hairpin turns and a driver who knew everyone on the island and was definitely in a hurry. But we arrived at the hotel all intact even though several of us wished we had taken some dramamine.

The Anchorage turned out to be a nice hotel in a great location providing an ocean view room for everyone. The food at the restaurant was good but the staff definitely seemed to be on island time at times. We did get to check out several of the restaurants on the island including The Evergreen (if you go there ask for Cecil-use the British pronunciation, thank you-and you'll be guaranteed a fine meal), The Callaloo (order the Calaloo soup and the Octopus creole style) and the Happy Hour and restaurant at The Fort Young Hotel. And of course there's nothing like a couple of cold Kubuli's (the local beer of Dominica) at the end of the day.

The diving was very good. Lots of fun stuff to see including, sea horses, octopus, eels, fireworms, healthy coral, turtles, dolphins and the ugliest fish you've ever seen called a bat fish (just look it up and see for yourself). What made it special was a great dive crew led by Woody and Cornelius and including Igna and Reggie. Our thanks to them for a great week of diving. Congratulations to our newest divers, Emily Russell (check out her farmer's tan) and Kenny Senft. Although part of our group had to abort one dive on the Atlantic side because the currents were too strong most of the diving was on the leeward side around and near Scotts Head where the currents were non-existent, the water temps were warm and confortable (80-82 degrees) and there was plenty of healthy marine life in lots of vibrant briliant colors.

A definite highlight to the week had to be the afternoon whale watch. We were so excited about the chance to see whales that we all were shouting like crazy at the first sighting. Unfortunately the first sighting turned out to be a fishing boat way off in the distance. But we did get to see some pilot whales, a hump back, and a couple of sperm whales. We were even treated to the sight of a female sperm whale with her calf. Hopefully one of us got a picture of the classic whale's tale shot just as the mother started to dive.

And we can't forget Mervin. This guy was a real entrepeneur. He could arrange for anything and everything and helped our group get into town, go on hikes, visit the Carib Indian Reservation, find great places to eat and lots more activities.

To experience a place like Dominica is very exciting by itself but to be able to share the experience with a great group of friends makes it truely memorable. Thanks to the great bunch of people who joined us on this adventure. Final words from our in house poet, Carole:

Here's the crew once again

This time in Dominica

Faces old and faces new

Still more adventures we seek-a

(honest, she couldn't find anything that rhymes with Dominica)

We were led once more by Jim and Kathy

Some of us sane - most a little daffy

We met Mervin, Cornelius, Woody and Bobby

All who helped with this expensive hobby

From whales and dolphins to lakes and falls

It seems on this island we've done it all

And so its appreciation we show to our fearless leaders

Some of us divers, some of us snorklers some of us readers

So raise your glass and toast once more (if you enjoyed all the action)

for all we have done with our beloved Jim and Kathy Jackson