The Nature Island of Dominica

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Day 5, Grand World Voyage 2020

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020; Roseau, Dominica

When I asked my sisters if either were interested in joining me for a segment of the world cruise, Elaine said “yes, all of them!” But what really piqued her interest was the Seychelles. For me it was Easter Island and Antarctica.

But let’s admit it. No one signed up for this cruise because of Dominica. And yet it is a beautiful island to kick off our stops at the many ports of this cruise.

Dominica has an extensive national park system that protects much of the lush mountainous environment. We had a choice of ship excursions or taxi drivers at the pier who would take us to waterfalls, mountain vistas and even a boiling lake.

Today the sun rose over the island as we approached Roseau, where the pier is at the center of the town.

Elaine and I left the ship about 9 a.m. and walked about a half-mile to the botanical gardens, a popular destination for those of us who didn’t book tours.

I have been to Dominica a few times and have already seen the beautiful rain forest interior of the island. I had forgotten how quickly the heat and fierce sun could sap my energy, so I was back on the ship in time for lunch and an afternoon of completing the sketches I drew on shore.

We arrived here after three days at sea, where we fine-tuned our unpacking and set up a routine. I start my sea days as usual by rising early and going to the Lido for coffee and the online news. Paper copies of The New York Times have disappeared, part of an effort to reduce the use of paper on the ship (but I’m sure eliminating the printed version saves a significant amount of money, too). The corporate office has assumed that everyone is able to read news online, and due to its partnership with Holland America, the online Times is available for free to all. My observation is that many passengers on this cruise miss the eight-page print version.

Yesterday’s big news was the mild vibration that many people (but not me) felt on the ship around 7:15 a.m. It was Tuesday’s 6.4-magnitude earthquake on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. And we were just 90 miles from its epicenter. Our captain said it was only the second time in 50 years that he had experienced an earthquake at sea.

Otherwise the seas have been calm, so I’m not even sure that my sea legs have returned since my voyage in the North Atlantic last summer.

The rest of my sea days have been filled with watercolor classes, lectures, visiting with old and new friends, a bit of reading and, of course, happy hours and meals. I met last night’s entertainer, comedian Tim Kaminski, at lunch one day, and he universally received great reviews. The night before John Bressler entertained us with his piano show.

Tomorrow is our second port, Castries in Saint Lucia. Then we will leave the Caribbean and head to the coast of South America.