Today we just hung around. Which was fine with me. And yet, as our final day approaches (we return to NY on Thursday), I feel like there's much more to see on this small island. Maybe we'll return again to explore some more.
Oliver and I drove the short distance into Roseau for breakfast once again. This time we abandoned the already-familiar Cocorico for another of Ollie's haunts: the Quatre Wheel. Oliver could be the mayor of this town. He knows everyone. When we're in town, not a minute goes by before he's greeted or he's greeting. "Hoy!" he shouts to his friend - which sounds Irish or Scottish to me - or "Partner! Whats'up?" Olliver tells me he eschews politics but if popularity is the deciding factor he'd make a fine candidate.
Before we started out for breakfast the masseuse arrived for Stacey. This was her daughter. Say hello to Hallie.
The menu at a local "snackette." Ollie and I stopped after breakfast for a glass of fresh grapefruit juice.
Oliver was taking me for a brief tour of some more of Roseau's highlights. First a trip up in to the hils above town, a bit more upscale than the shanties that make up the bulk of residences down below. This was the neighborhood of "Beverly Hills" as it's referred to. Lovely and larger houses perched on the switch backs with fantastic views of the city and harbor below.
Dominica is 95% Catholic. A large white cross blesses Roseau from the hills above and that was our next destination. Once again, I was enthralled by the topography here. Volcanoes have formed a mountainous and convoluted island, cut by cliffs, ravines, valleys and rivers. From our vantage, standing next to the giant white crucifix, we could look out over the city and beyond to the horizon.
A giant cross looks over Roseau.
Looking down on Roseau and the Caribbean.
When we returned from town, we walked down to the river. Rachel's place is in a valley at the edge of the rainforest. A path had been cut and some rocks placed in the stream to dam it up. This is Rachel's meditation grotto.
Bathing beauty at Rachel's grotto.
Stacey and I decided to do some tourist shopping in town and Rachel lent us her car again. She stayed behind to do some business and paperwork. We drove in, I being a real right-sided pro by this time. Parking is compounded by angling the car to the sidewalk while not getting to close so as to avoid the drainage ditches that line every road and street. They are open, sharply defined and dangerous to vehicles which can easily have their wheels impounded in a moment's lack of attention.
Deep ditch on the side of the road. Notice the planks to cross onto your property from the road.
The ever-present ditch on the side of Dominican steets and roads.Notice the car in the background, straddling the ditch.
The market, such as it was, was an enclosed square of stalls displaying local crafts. This has been set up just across from the cruise ships and is meant to appeal to the disembarking tourists. Even though two large ships were in town, the market was nearly empty. Most travelers were probably out on tours of the natural beauty for which the island is known.
Before we entered the market we stopped for a homemade juice drink from the Juice Man. A banana, some pineapple or mango or papaya, sugar, ice and water into the blender and here's your drink. Very refreshing.
The juice man. Yum.
Living dolls. At the crafts market in Roseau.
A quick shot across from the market - Roseau color in tropical sunlight.
Hinge and painted window - Roseau, Dominica.
Stacey bought a few baskets, a doll, some coasters and other chazerai. Then we walked around town a bit and headed back for home and dinner. Tomorrow, Wednesday, we might get a chance to see the island from Rachel's boat - if she can get her skipper to launch it from the dry dock where it's been resting.
No comments:
Post a Comment