Adventures in the Caribbean: Dominica

Unlike St. Vincent, Dominica has lifted restrictions on vaccinated travelers, but before we knew that we had already booked a family river tubing excursion, so we followed through with that today.

This is Dominica's capital city, Roseau. 

Unlike our other stops, Roseau does not have a (overly) developed port area, which is kind of refreshing. Instead, vendors operate out of colourful temporary huts and tents.

Once ashore we boarded a small bus and were driven inland, up a winding road towards the Central Forest Reserve. 

Dominica is mountainous and lush, which proved troublesome for the kiddo, who got car sick unfortunately. If you could survive the switch-backing, however, it made for a beautiful drive.

The terrain also contributed to the survival of a small group of Kalinago, more commonly known as Caribs. British colonial authorities apparently established the Kalinago Territory in 1903 on the eastside of the island, and the Layou River that we tubed on is part of the northern border of their territory. I read more information about the Kalinago here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44723391.

After well over an hour of some pretty incredible tubing, we got out and were able to buy some snacks and drinks. Here I drank a Kubuli beer, derived from the Kalinago name for Dominica: Wai‘tu kubuli (which apparently means "tall is her body").

I found this sign by the snack shack interesting.

After another winding trip back to Roseau, we dropped the kiddo off at Adventure Ocean, and headed back ashore to get a drink and use the wifi at this rooftop bar. 

I found it interesting here because most of the clientele were not actually from the cruise ship, but French backpackers apparently ferrying from either Martinique or Guadeloupe, both of which are quite close to the south and north, respectively.

I drank a Carib here, which I believe is an import from Trinidad & Tobago.