Natural Wonders in Dominica

Mountains above Dominica

Freshwater Lake, Dominica

Where landrovers go to die (for Kev L.)

Rainforest above steaming sulpher springs, Dominica

It was an early start for our tour with taxi driver, Israel. We had been despondent to see another cruise ship enter port overnight as all the guides warn of overcrowding with the ship-set ashore. Israel assured us he’d give us a great tour and avoid the crowds so we started at Freshwater Lake. This is high in the mountains and the source of the Roseau river. The taxi climbed well over 3000ft and into the clouds. The views were literally breath taking and the temperature drop shocking. We all felt the cold in the mist.

Rainforest, Dominica

Swimming the Titou Gorge

Next stop was the Titou Gorge. The taxi driver had asked if Elizabeth was a good swimmer and if she’d be brave enough to swim the gorge, but we didn’t know what we were in for until we arrived. The Gorge featured in, you guessed it, Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and 3. We stripped to our undies and entered a pool of clear and cold blue water, looking like the turquoise lakes of New Zealand. The water rapidly deepens into a deep, narrow chasm with precipitous smooth walls. You swim around 150m upstream to find a gorgeous waterfall at the head. Elizabeth did brilliantly with several stops on her back to rest.

Trafalgar Fall, Dominica

We then headed for some more natural hot sulphur springs adjoining the freezing river water and off to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Trafalgar Falls. The guide timed our visit to perfection and we breached the end of the cruise ship crowds and the influx of regular day-trippers. Elizabeth stripped off again to wallow in the hot sulphur waters, joined by Matthew.

Elizabeth enjoys the hot sulphur pools

The bird life equally vibrant – Antillean crested hummingbirds, lesser yellowlegs, green heron and smooth-billed ani joined the more abundant black finches, grassquits and bananaquits.

Hot sulphur falls, Dominica

We returned to find an invitation from the hotel to a special January party they hold for all locals with their birthday that month – a fitting way to celebrate another January birthday – Australia Day. Tomorrow, I shall dive whilst the children enjoy the hotel pool, then we shall all go sperm whale watching. The jetty has already been busy with whale-watching boats as a team from the BBC are here filming the whales. They report they have seen ‘loads’ so we are hopeful for tomorrow.

250 year old tree in Botanical Gardens, Roseau, Dominica

Stop press – we came up to the hotel for a drink and spotted Steve Backshall and his team who are filming a new series “Deadly Pole to Pole”. They’re off to Yellowstone next, then the Bahamas and will also include ice diving in Svaarlbard and South Georgia. Steve sepnt ages chatting ot the kids whilst I talked to the real crew. I am sooo jealous.

Fishing for Ballyhoo, Dominica