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Here is what beautiful Dominca (pronounced dominEEka) looked like on approach yesterday. I've never been here before and so glad I had the opportunity to see it. When we were on St. Lucia in the 80's, Dominca's volcano was spewing ash and nobody was visiting. It has been quiet since then (and 500 years before that). 

I walked in to the port and, along with two little French guys from the ship, hired a cab to take us around for $20. Mara was a fabulous guide, very knowledgeable and we had a two-and-a-half hour tour of the rain forest (75% of the island is rainforest), the hot springs, the botanical gardens, the fruit market, and on and on.

Our ship below in the port of Roseau

When a hurricane threatened the island, the Botanical Gardens parked a school bus under their Baobab (sp?) tree to hold up the trunk and to prevent the tree from being destroyed. Instead, the tree destroyed the bus!

bamboo (for context, see the men next to it on the left) 

fruit market

taxi

There are numerous warm mineral spas to soak in (my favorite was called "Screw Spa" huh?) as well as these random holes here and there, hot steam rising from the depths, relieving pressure on the volcano. This guy was selling something - mineral cream or some such made from the waters. hmmmm Couldn't believe he was barefoot.

Arnel's latest towel creation awaited me when I got back and here is a picture of my stateroom. Tiny but it is home for now and quite comfortable.

 Another day done as we cruise away from Dominca toward Barbados.