Dominica - Sari Sari Falls

SARI SARI FALLS
A 30 minute hike from the east coast village of La Plaine leads to this stunning waterfall.

Sent by Gilles of Belgium who visited Dominica in early March.

"Located on the East coast of Dominica, Sari Sari are one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Dominica. Easily accessed through a 20-25 minutes hike following the river course.

Drive to the town of Laplaine south of Rosalie and take main street of this town driving west direction. You will recognize this street by a supermarket (Charlo’s Ecomart) which sits at the corner of the highway to Rosalie. Follow this street untill not possible to continue, park your car there.

At the beginning of the trail to Sari Sari falls you may be approached by the rasta guide Mr.Brown self-proclaimed the most popular guide in the area. Believe him or not, it’s always your choice to hire a local guide or not.

The hike to Sari Sari begins crossing a banana field and a clearing with a few wondering cows. Don’t panic if you don’t see an obvious path, keep walking North (or follow the sound of the river as you wish) and give credit to your intuition.You will quickly find a steep slope leading down to Sari Sari River.

Once down in the river just follow the river up across the lush rainforest, there is a clearly stepped in path next to it. You will need to cross the river Goge at least three times to get to Sari Sari falls. Overall this hike is very easy and should fit every age and fitness level, just pay attention to the slippery rocks. The last part of the trail requires you to climb a couple of challenging boulders, this is the only spicy section of the trail, however the impressive falls are visible from this point and you may choose to stay down."(Source)

Dominica (1)

SALYBIA, EAST NORTH EAST
Unspoilt ... Untouched ... Natural!

Sent by Deslyn from Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica.

This is from Wikipedia : Dominica (/ˌdɒmɪˈniːkə/ DOM-i-NEE-kə; French: Dominique; Carib: Waitikubuli), officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, south-southeast of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique. Its size is 750 square kilometres (290 sq mi) and the highest point in the country is Morne Diablotins, which has an elevation of 1,447 metres (4,747 ft). The Commonwealth of Dominica has an estimated population of 72,500. The capital is Roseau.

Dominica has been nicknamed the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean" for its unspoiled natural beauty. It is the youngest island in the Lesser Antilles, still being formed by geothermal-volcanic activity, as evidenced by the world's second-largest boiling lake. The island features lush mountainous rainforests, home of many rare plant, animal, and bird species. There are xeric areas in some of the western coastal regions, but heavy rainfall can be expected inland. The Sisserou Parrot (also known as the Imperial Amazon), the island's national bird, is featured on the national flag. Dominica's economy is heavily dependent on tourism, agriculture and heavy taxation.

Christopher Columbus named the island after the day of the week on which he spotted it, a Sunday (dominica in Latin), November 3, 1493. In the hundred years after Columbus's landing, Dominica remained isolated, and even more Caribs settled there after being driven from surrounding islands as European powers entered the region. France formally ceded possession of Dominica to the United Kingdom in 1763. The United Kingdom then set up a government and made the island a colony in 1805.

The emancipation of African slaves occurred throughout the British Empire in 1834, and, in 1838, Dominica became the first British Caribbean colony to have a legislature controlled by a black majority. In 1896, the United Kingdom reassumed governmental control of Dominica, turning it into a Crown colony. Half a century later, from 1958 to 1962, Dominica became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation. In 1978, Dominica became an independent nation.

Dominica (2)

DOMINICA AT A GLANCE
An unforgettable natural experience. A visit to beautiful tropical Gardens filled with blooming flowers, towering trees and tropical vegetation, complimented with thunderous refreshing waterfalls and charming populace.

Sent by Deslyn from Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica.

Dominica - Carib Indians

CARIB INDIANS

Sent by Deslyn from Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica.

The mixed descendants of the last Island Caribs who inhabited the Lesser Antilles live on the north-east coast of Dominica. This simple fact has been so exaggerated and distorted over the last thirty years of tourism publicity, that there tends to be much misunderstanding, bewilderment and eventual disappointment among visitors who come to view the Carib Territory as one of the ‘attractions’ of Dominica.

When the British formally took over in 1763 European conquest was complete. British surveyors divided the island up into lots for sale and plantations were established around the island. Only 232 acres of mountainous land and rocky shoreline at Salybia were left for the Caribs. This was done, legend has it, at the request of Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. This subsequently developed into the myth that Charlotte had left them half of Dominica — a myth which today many older Caribs consider, erroneously, to be an historical fact.

For another 130 years the Caribs were left to themselves, shadowy figures hardly seen by the growing Creole society of African slaves, free men and European officials and landowners. Now and then they appeared in the estate yards and at Sunday markets to sell baskets and fish, but quickly dissolved into the mountains once more along forest tracks towards Salybia.

When Sir Robert Hamilton was sent out by the British Colonial Office as Commissioner in 1893 to find out why Dominica was: more backward and less developed than almost any other of the islands, and why its people were: less prosperous and contented than HerMajesty’s other West Indian subjects, he received a tragic little letter from the Caribs:

In the name of God. My Lord, We humble beg of your kindness to accept our petition of your poor people, Indians or Caraibe, of Salibia, to ... emplore the marcy of our Beloved Mother and Queen Victoria, for her poor and unfortunate childrens. We dont have nothings to support us, no church, no school, no shope, no store. We are very far in the forest; no money, no dress . . . They call us u’ild savages. No my beloved Queen, it is not savages but poverty. We humble kneel down in your feet to beg of your assistance. Accept your humble childrens of Salibia. (Source)

Dominica - Trafalgar Falls

TRAFALGAR FALLS
When deciding to escape the hustle and bustle of life, experience complete relaxation in a World Heritage Site and National Park. It is part of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sent by Deslyn from Roseau in Commonwealth of Dominica.

This is from UNESCO : Morne Trois Pitons is located 13 km east of the town of Roseau in the highlands of south-central Dominica and it is the basaltic spike-like remains of a former volcano rising to approximately 1,300 m, within 8 km of the sea.

The landscape is characterized by volcanic piles with precipitous slopes, and deeply incised valleys (glacis slopes). There is also a fumarole known as Valley of Desolation (or Grand Soufriere), with fumaroles, hot springs, mud pots, sulphur vents and the Boiling Lake, which is the world's second largest of its kind. The valley is a large amphitheatre surrounded by mountains and consisting of at least three separate craters where steam vents, small ponds, and hot springs bubble up through the ground. Boiling Lake is surrounded by cliffs and is almost always covered by clouds of steam. The Valley of Desolation drains into the Pointe Mulatre River, which flows into the Atlantic.

Other outstanding features in the area include the Emerald Pool, fed by the Middleham Falls; Stinking Hole, a lava tube in the middle of the forest; and the Boeri and Freshwater lakes. The Freshwater Lake is the largest and second deepest of Dominica's four freshwater lakes. The Boeri Lake is the second largest in Dominica, and is located in the crater of an extinct volcano. Both lakes are separated from each other by Morne Macaque (1,221 m) and vary in depth with the season. Both are thought to have originated some 25,000-30,000 years ago. The park also encompasses almost all the headwaters of the streams and rivers in the southern half of the island.

Five natural vegetation zones are recognized within the area, plus a small patch of encroaching agricultural land.

Elfin/cloud forest, which occurs at the highest elevations, above 914 m, and is almost constantly covered by mist and subject to high winds, rain and cold temperatures. Main vegetation types consist of mosses, ferns, shrubs and stunted trees covered by lichens.

* Montane thicket, which is transitional between elfin and montane forests, is dominated by spindly trees. The most common tree found on steep slopes is Podocarpus coriaceus, the island's only native conifer.
* Montane rainforest, which grows above 610m, is frequently in cloud cover or fog. The species composition is similar to that of mature rainforest, yet much reduced in stature. Non-vascular epiphytes cover most montane rainforest plants.
* Mature rainforest, which grows below 460m. This zone contains the most luxuriant growth.

The occurrence of at least 7 species of mammal, 50 birds, 12 reptiles and amphibians and 12 crustaceans is indicated. Apart from introduced opossum and agouti, there are no terrestrial mammals in the area. Other introduced mammals include feral cats and pigs and rats.

Birds include imperial Amazon and red-necked Amazon parrots. Imperial Amazon was formerly common but is now threatened in Dominica. Red-necked Amazon was also a commonly seen species, but now is rarely observed in only a few small areas of the park.

There are no poisonous snakes in Dominica. Boa grows to 3.6 m in length and is common in Morne Trois Pitons. Three species of lizards, including the endemic, exist in the park.