Postcards from the Past: Dominica

Colorful Roseau

When and Where:           4/2011 – Roseau

39th Country Visited; 14th North American Country Visited

Interesting Facts:

·        Dominica has the highest concentration of volcanoes in the entire world and is home to the second largest boiling lake. 

·        Dominica was the last island to be formed in the Caribbean and the last island to be colonized by Europeans.

 Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is a former British colony, whereas the Dominican Republic is the Spanish speaking nation which is half of the island of Hispaniola.  Similar to St. Vincent and Tobago, Dominica doesn’t get many tourists.  Two-thirds of the island nation is rainforest and the majority of the citizens live in the capital Roseau.

 Aaron and I arrived on the Celebrity Summit in April 2011.  I wasn’t sure what to expect of Dominica as there are no resorts and there is no international airport.  While looking from the cruise ship to land, I was taken aback by how cute and colorful downtown Roseau is.  Once we went ashore, I was even more impressed.  This tiny island nation sure has a lot to offer.  Aaron and I opted for a tour of the rainforest.  The canopy was dense and lush with vivid hues of green.  As we made our way to Morne Trois Pitons National Park, the highest mountain on the island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, incredible views of Roseau were revealed.  This mysterious island is a Caribbean gem.  Beautiful homes dotted the mountain overlooking the harbor.  It amazed me that this hidden treasure of an island wasn’t a tourism hub.

 After our tour, we had time to stroll around the very walkable Roseau.  Its colorful and vibrant harbor had charming shops and diverse restaurants.  The smell of jerk chicken filled the air and calypso music played in the streets.  As we walked through the Old Market, the air was bursting with the smell of fresh fruit and indigenous flowers.  Roseau is very safe and clean, and the people were welcoming.  I was pleasantly surprised by Dominica.  It’s not a country I would visit other than on a cruise, but it was definitely worth the visit. 

Colorful Roseau

Aaron in Roseau

Roseau from above

Sitting by the harbor in Roseau

















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