Friday, December 21, 2018

Friday, December 21, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2004. This was Mattie's third Christmas. By this point, Mattie understood the significance of the holiday, the notion of decorating and taking photos. Mattie wasn't thrilled to pose, but this charmer was on the cover of our Christmas 2004 card. 



Quote of the day: It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. ~ W. T. Ellis


Today we visited Dominica. Christopher Columbus named the island after the Latin word for Sunday, because that was the day he landed on its shores. The Country is now independent from Britain and France, though the french roots are alive and well on the Island. English is their primarily language, followed by French Creole. 

My mom and I are pictured in front of the Crown Princess, with Roseau in the background. 

Dominica's sassy and colorful capital, Roseau (rose-oh) hugs the southwest coast of the Roseau River. It is the hub of this small island of volcanic terrain, sparkling waterfalls, beaches and lush national parks set against a backdrop of emerald mountains. Roseau's dense town center boasts historic buildings made of wood and stone that line the streets with a unique architectural style that borrows from the Spanish, English and French. 

Dominica is known as the "nature island." Which is quite appropriate as it is 29 miles wide and filled with cascading waterfalls and lush tropical rainforests. 

A short, flat and easy walk will take you to a spectacular viewing point of a tropical, thundering waterfall tucked away in the rainforest greenery of Dominica.

Here's the funny thing. Peter and my mom told me I have visited this waterfall twice in the past. I have NO recollection of it what so ever. To me it was like the first time I walked down these steps to the Falls. 

Despite how they are advertised, it isn't an easy or flat walk to the bottom platform to see the falls. We did it! The temperature difference by the falls was noteworthy. It was much cooler by the water. The legend is that taking a dip in Dominica water makes you youthful! A regular fountain of youth. 















The foliage around the Falls was beautiful! In addition on the way out of the Falls, there was a woman selling jewelry she created with her family. I bought several pieces, and what I loved about the jewelry was that it was made from natural plant materials like seeds. 

Dominica's main economy is tourism and agriculture (sugar/rum, fruits). In the winter season, around 2-3 cruise ships visit the island a week. Sometimes more. Ours was the only one in port today. 

When our 3,000 passengers came off the ship and into the Island today, it truly produced a major traffic jam. Traffic like you'd see in a big city in the USA. The only difference is in the USA we have alternative roads and routes to take to avoid traffic. That isn't the case in Dominica. 

Doesn't this look like a scene from a Monet painting???

This 40-acre oasis is the largest swath of green space in Roseau and is considered one of the botanical gems of the Caribbean. Established in 1891 by order of the British Crown, these botanical gardens are home to over 50 indigenous species of plants and trees and home to an aviary for Sisserou parrots, the national bird of Dominica. The wide lawns are used for national parades, celebrations and cricket matches. 

In 1979, the garden was ravaged by Hurricane David, and evidence of this can be seen in a large bus that is crushed beneath a toppled bapbob tree. 

My mom and I pictured in front of a 200 year old Banyan tree. 

Dominica was ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Paris in 1763. To keep the island under her rule, Britain had to defend it from the French. Some small forts were started in 1765. Military engineers were commissioned to produce plans for the defend of the colony. Captain James Bruce, Royal Engineer, was head of that project. In March 1770, he dispatched a report to London giving his proposals, maps and designs for major fortifications needed for the island. 

Where we were standing served as the main garrison on the island. A garrison named after Captain Bruce. The cliff and steep slopes served as an excellent form of security for Roseau.

This was a sample of the mountainous roads we drove on with a tour bus to see the waterfalls and botanical gardens. I can't tell you how narrow this one lane road in both directions was..... with a mountain on one side and cliff on the other. I took this photo while on the bus and could see cars coming right at us.

We had an outstanding tour guide, Lorna, and bus driver, Baron, today! They were knowledgeable, kind, and fun!