"Parents Week" - August 24 - 30, 2003
Between our third and fourth semesters in Dominica, we were able to have Ian's parents, Loren and Judy, visit us for a week. We made the most of it, showing them as much as the island as possible in only a few short days, including lots of sightseeing and hiking. Weather cooperated for the most part and we were all able to have really good time together seeing the Nature Isle. Ian's parents arrived in Dominica on Sunday, August 24. Travel days getting to and from Dominica can be rather long and exhausting, so other than the scenic drive to our apartment, we pretty much relaxed on Sunday. Below is a nice panoramic that Loren took in Calibishie on the way home from the airport, and a picture of Kelly and Judy.
We started the sightseeing bright and early on Monday, taking Ian's parents first to Cabrits and Fort Shirley in the morning. It was raining when we got there, but the sun soon came out enough for us to get some pictures and hike up to the Prince Rupert Bay lookout. We saw a few snakes, lizards and crabs on the way up to the big cannon. Once we got to the top of the trail, however, thunderstorms came in. We quickly went down a rather muddy trail shrinking away from the lightening and getting extremely wet before finally making it back to the car. After changing clothes and eating lunch on campus, we enjoyed better weather during an afternoon canoe trip down the Indian River. The river was very muddy but beautiful, winding through a quiet jungle scene. Our guide, Mosquito, took us up the river and back, stopping briefly at a riverside bar where the brave can try dynamite rum. Pictured below: (first row) cannons at Cabrits, Kelly and Judy walking along the Fort, the clouds coming in over Prince Rupert Bay, Loren and Judy at the Bay lookout, (second row) boats banked along the Indian River, Kelly and Ian at the Indian River Bar, part of the jungle surrounding the river, and a scenic reflection of palm trees on the water.
On Tuesday , we did more swimming and hiking, starting on the north part of the island at Bense Pools. A nice drive up to the mountains and a good hike down to the pools - then you can relax by the water, take in the scenery of the small waterfall and lush green vegetation, or climb up the steep rocks on either side of the pool for an adventurous jump into the deep water. We had never been to this spot before and it was well worth the trip - very fun morning. We had lunch in Calibishie at Domcam's, sitting up on the deck overlooking Calibishie Rock and the Atlantic Ocean. Then we drove through parts of Carib Territory to Emerald Pool, before finally heading home. This was our second trip to Emerald Pool, and more pictures and information can be found on our Dominican Island Tour page. Pictured below: (first row) the sign to Chaudiere Pool (or Bense Pool - the name of the village), the sheep that greeted us on the path, Judy climbing down a steep part of the path, part of many steps to the pool, a native carrying coconuts, (second row) two pictures of Bense Pool, Ian and Kelly sitting at Bense Pool, kids playing at the Calibishie beach, (third row) the family at Domcam's Restaurant, Ian doing handstands off the rocks at Emerald Pool, the waterfall at Emerald Pool, and the family at Emerald Pool.
On Wednesday, Ian took his parents to Trafalgar Falls and Scott's Head, two places that we had both been before but are well worth seeing on a trip to Dominica. Below is a new panoramic that Ian captured of the twin Trafalgar Falls. Additional information and pictures of both Trafalgar and Scott's Head can be found on our Southern Sites page. Thursday we all went to visit a new site - Middleham Falls. Located in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, the waterfall is a 300 ft cascade into a pool in the heart of the rainforest. The path we took was well kept and surrounded by breathtaking views. It was a good climb to the waterfall and back, but well worth the extra exertion. Pictured below in the second row: us on the path to Middleham, Ian's parents walking up the thick tree roots that made up the Middleham trail, looking down on Middleham Falls, Ian hanging off a tree branch, and us taking cover inside one of the trees.
Ian finished off the week on Friday by taking his parents into Portsmouth for last minute shopping, and kayaking to Secret Beach for some snorkeling. It was a relaxing day to cap off an exciting week, before they began the exhausting journey back to the states. All in all, we had a wonderful week and were thankful for the opportunity to show Ian's parents around.
Click here to go back to the Dominica Travel Page
