Dominica, the most interesting island, as well as the greenest and lushest island, in the Caribbean.
I wanted to share a few summery photos on this cold January day. And a thought: There are about 3 000 native Carib Indians left in the world. They live in a 15 sq. km (about 3 700 acres) reserve on Dominica.
Caribs. And a Viking child.
Volcanic rock at L’Escalier Tête-Chien, the Snake’s Stairs. Carib territory, Dominica.
(*But but but… doesn’t chien mean dog? Not snake? Well, you see, there is a type of snake – a boa constrictor – called tête-chien, hence the name of the rock formation.)
Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Just outside Dominica’s charming capital Roseau (which oddly, I haven’t a single photo of… what was I thinking), is Morne Trois Pitons National Park, with a wide variety of verdant landscapes: tropical forest, five volcanoes, valleys, waterfalls, lakes, a boiling lake even, geysers and steamy hot springs. It’s an exciting place to amble around in, even for a 7-year-old. Need much more than the few hours I had allotted.
That Viking child again, and Jerome, our driver for the day, hanging out at Trafalgar Falls in the national park.
Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here are more UNESCO World Heritage sites I have visited around the world.
Love the first photo – interesting that it’s “Snake’s Stairs” in English but “Tete-Chien” in French! Your daughter looks so completely at home sitting among the Carib – it’s nice to see kids traveling and comfortable with other cultures.
@Lisa – Thanks! And yes, I thought it odd with the snake/dog-thing, too. Tete-Chien is apparently the name of a snake – a Boa Constrictor – and its head resembles that of a dog.
Beautiful photos. Looking forward to a verbal description of the territory,too:)
Lovely place to visit 🙂
@ItalianNotes and Muza-chan Thanks 🙂
Thank you Sophie so much for advertising our beautiful island and my people (Carib Indians). It’s a great place to visit and for people to enjoy the many wonders of my little island.
Dominica is one of the only Caribbean Islands I would truly like too visit. What a lucky daughter! Interesting dyke in the first photo and very appealing looking waters.
@Leigh – I’ve been to quite a few of the islands and Dominica did seem different from the rest. It’s been a few years since we were there (back in the 90s, actually). Back then, at least, it had much less tourist infrastructure than some of its neighbours, and seemed more geared towards visitors who wanted to hike and be up close with nature.
One of my favorite travel writers, Patrick Leigh Fermour wrote about the a Carribean Island tour just after world war II in The Travel Tree. The Caribs then were more numerous. Ever since I read that book, I’ve been curious to visit Dominica.
The photos are great and love having the map as well. It would be fun to include such information on our posts; I’ll try that again next time.
@Vera Marie – The story of the Carib Indians (and the Arawaks) is fascinating stuff. I haven’t heard about Fermour; thanks for bringing him to my attention! Will look him up.
@Jackie – Yes, I really like the map feature. But then I really like maps.. of all kinds 🙂
Would love to make it there one day — I’ve only been to the Bahamas in the Caribbean…
@Raymond – Surprisingly diverse islands in the Caribbean.
Interesting! 3,000 Caribs out of how many that original lived in the islands?
@Dick – That’s an interesting question. I haven’t been able to find any numbers, but I think it’s reasonable to assume the remaining 3000 is but a fraction of the original population. The Caribs were displaced by Europeans and most died because of warfare and of diseases they had no immunity for.
They were expulsed from many of the neighbouring islands, e.g. from Martinique (by the French), but were able to hide better on Dominica, since the terrains is so rugged. One source – http://www.avirtualdominica.com/caribs.cfm – also claims Columbus worked the Caribs almost to the verge of extinction.
Although I’ve visited several islands in the Caribbean, I’ve never been to Dominica. Love your photos and interesting information.
I love the photo of the Snake Stairs. I would love to visit Dominica one day.
I love the new blog design!
I want to go there and make sure that i will provide food and help for them…Thank you for letting us know about this…
Wow- love those pictures! And the viking child is so cute!
@Cathy, Laurel, Denise, Ezra and Jade – thanks for reading 🙂
We took a bus from the town to a Carib village, an hour or more away. The road was a main highway that was under construction – for the entire lenght – and has been for quite a spell. The driver was excellent and never flinched. We toured the village and had lunch, and spent considerable time wiht the ex Carib Chief – a very articulate man. His wife is the tour director/spokes person on the bus, and explaind the country and history – very knowlegable. Their lives appear normal – like those in the states and they get on very well even thought they are out in, what I would call, the wilderness. Nice welcoming people. I encourage anyone interested in the Carib Indians/indiginous people, to take the trip. It is a view of society that few will ever experience on appreciate.
Fantastic! You really catch the beauty of life.. Nice photos. Wish I can be there… Thank’s for sharing with us.
Nice photos. The intricate artwork of the natives looks beautiful and almost reminiscent of what we’ve seen in Central America. Dominica looks quite beautiful and has been on our list of places to visit in the near future.
Okay, that has officially put me in the mood for a tropical vacation.
Ahh wish I could be there. Would be on the beach all day long 🙂 huhh i really need some holiday.
The name is Kalinago Territory
Thanks
Thank you Sophie so much for advertising our beautiful island and my people (Carib Indians). It’s a great place to visit and for people to enjoy the many wonders of my little island.