Dominica was as far south as we had planned for this season, so when we dropped anchor in Portsmouth we experienced a definite sense of accomplishment. This beautiful, lush island is another Leeward Islands "don't miss."
Here are our Top Five Dominica highlights:
#1. Portsmouth and the PAYS: Like other cruisers before us, we were told about the local guides who are members of a very well organized group called PAYS (Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services). They do a great job of introducing themselves by sending one of their guides on their brightly painted wooden boats, often before you have even dropped anchor! Knowing of their m.o. in advance was helpful, as was knowing that you really cannot go wrong with any of them! And in fact when the boat ahead of us was greeted, but we weren't (yet), I felt a bit like how it was as a kid when choosing sides for basketball: "Isn't someone gonna pick me now?" But it wasn't long before we were greeted by Alexis, who by the end of the week had helped us with local trip planning, shopping, getting fresh water, and just generally making us feel welcome and safe.
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| Portsmouth, with Dominica's natural beauty as a backdrop |
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| Future guide in training? "The wifi is better over there" |
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| Easy water fills! |
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#2. Trip up the Indian River. No motors allowed, so one of the PAYS takes you up river for a scenic half-day round trip.
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| Up the creek without a paddle, at least not by us! |
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| Witches Hut from the Pirates of the Caribbean |
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| Tied up at the rum bar up river. |
#3. Rain forest hike: Another of the guides took a group of us on a half day hike into the Syndicate Rain forest and to the Milton Falls. A pretty easy hike and well worth the effort!
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| Red Sox Nation is everywhere! |
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| Milton Falls |
#4. Hike up into Cabrits National Park and Fort Shirley.
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| Fort Shirley |
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| Protecting Portsmouth since the 18th Century! |
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| Ruins of cannons deeper in the forest |
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| Looking north back towards Guadeloupe |
#5. The market in Portsmouth: First we tied up at the dock and were greeted with some lovely Caribbean lobsters. I much prefer eating the Maine variety, but these Caribbean lobsters were going to be someone's meal
In town, the market was in full swing:
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| Yummy salted fish treat |
It wasn't easy leaving Dominica, but it was time to start back north.
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| On the way back north to Les Saintes |
