Cabrits, Dominica
We awoke this morning to a brilliant clear dawn off the mountainous island of Dominica. The Sea Cloud II docked along a short wooden pier at Cabrits in the NE corner of the island just north of the town Portsmouth. Dominica, the highest of the islands we will be visiting, is made up of nine volcanoes, the last of which was active in the 19th century. Just in front of our mooring, facing us on the mountainside, stands the newly reconstructed Fort Shirley, which once guarded the entrance to Rupert Bay from enemy ships. Of course, since it changed hands many times, the definition of “enemy” also changed, mainly back and forth between the British and the French.
In the early morning we took a short but picturesque ride up into the interior of the island to the tropical forest preserve of Morne Diabotin National Park, just below the peak of the Morne Diabotin volcano. This park, created after the almost total devastation of Hurricane David 30 years ago, now makes up a sanctuary for the two rare and endangered species of local parrots, and a wide variety of impressive native trees. During a walk through the forest, our guides showed us tropical trees with huge buttresses, numerous epiphytes clinging to large trunks and trees that were once used by native peoples for building canoes, making wooden caskets, and cutting house posts. Although English is the official language of the island, the local “Creole” or patois is French-based, so the local trees have names derived from French description terms such as Bwa Gommiere, which means “tree of gummy sap” used for caulking boats.
The preserve was created with the participation and assistance of Lindblad Expeditions many years ago, and one of the old original trails, reinforced with wooden steps, can still be seen, although it is not in use today. The forest seems quite open and friendly, and because it is almost a mile above sea level, it is cool and misty. During our walk, it rained several times and periodically a strange wild wind whipped the tops of the trees. Many of the rivers of this region start in this area and at one overlook we could gaze upon the green side of Morne Diabotin Peak which had bits of cloud clinging to its vegetation.
In the afternoon one group went up to visit Fort Shirley after a fascinating talk by Dr. Lennox Honeychurch, the local historian and long time Lindblad staff member. He is now busy on the reconstruction of the old fort from which we had an excellent view of the bay and, of course, our beautiful Sea Cloud II. The reconstruction of the Fort is partly financed by the European Union and Lennox’s goal is to make it financially self sufficient by renting it out for weddings and educational events. In fact, there was still a clean-up going on from a wedding held here the day before.
Back at the ship, a number of guests went snorkeling right along and under the pier, where a wide variety of fish and marine life could be seen at close range in shallow warm water. As in most of the Caribbean, the water was crystal clear and brought a fine close to the fascinating day.
We awoke this morning to a brilliant clear dawn off the mountainous island of Dominica. The Sea Cloud II docked along a short wooden pier at Cabrits in the NE corner of the island just north of the town Portsmouth. Dominica, the highest of the islands we will be visiting, is made up of nine volcanoes, the last of which was active in the 19th century. Just in front of our mooring, facing us on the mountainside, stands the newly reconstructed Fort Shirley, which once guarded the entrance to Rupert Bay from enemy ships. Of course, since it changed hands many times, the definition of “enemy” also changed, mainly back and forth between the British and the French.
In the early morning we took a short but picturesque ride up into the interior of the island to the tropical forest preserve of Morne Diabotin National Park, just below the peak of the Morne Diabotin volcano. This park, created after the almost total devastation of Hurricane David 30 years ago, now makes up a sanctuary for the two rare and endangered species of local parrots, and a wide variety of impressive native trees. During a walk through the forest, our guides showed us tropical trees with huge buttresses, numerous epiphytes clinging to large trunks and trees that were once used by native peoples for building canoes, making wooden caskets, and cutting house posts. Although English is the official language of the island, the local “Creole” or patois is French-based, so the local trees have names derived from French description terms such as Bwa Gommiere, which means “tree of gummy sap” used for caulking boats.
The preserve was created with the participation and assistance of Lindblad Expeditions many years ago, and one of the old original trails, reinforced with wooden steps, can still be seen, although it is not in use today. The forest seems quite open and friendly, and because it is almost a mile above sea level, it is cool and misty. During our walk, it rained several times and periodically a strange wild wind whipped the tops of the trees. Many of the rivers of this region start in this area and at one overlook we could gaze upon the green side of Morne Diabotin Peak which had bits of cloud clinging to its vegetation.
In the afternoon one group went up to visit Fort Shirley after a fascinating talk by Dr. Lennox Honeychurch, the local historian and long time Lindblad staff member. He is now busy on the reconstruction of the old fort from which we had an excellent view of the bay and, of course, our beautiful Sea Cloud II. The reconstruction of the Fort is partly financed by the European Union and Lennox’s goal is to make it financially self sufficient by renting it out for weddings and educational events. In fact, there was still a clean-up going on from a wedding held here the day before.
Back at the ship, a number of guests went snorkeling right along and under the pier, where a wide variety of fish and marine life could be seen at close range in shallow warm water. As in most of the Caribbean, the water was crystal clear and brought a fine close to the fascinating day.
