David, it sounds like you have been around the caribbean. My family is
going on a vacation over xmas, but we cant decide where to go. 5 kids age
range 18-26 yr old. They will definitely want something to do at night,
but also we like exotic things to see or do in the daytime. Any unusual
suggestions?
Linda
David wrote:
>> Can anyone tell me about Dominica.
>>
>> Is it safe. Is it civilized. How's food.
>> How's accommodations. Is it expensive or
>> reasonable compared to St. John.
>
>John, I assume you're referring to The nature Island of Dominica. Not
>the Dominican Republic. Correct? I am from Dominican heritage and I
>have travelled extensively including Southeast Asia & the Americas
>including several islands in the Caribbean.
>
>In reply to your questions,
>
>Is it safe?
> - Dominica has one of the lowest crime rates in the region. There is
>not the extreme differences in wealth one associates with other
>destinations. It's very safe - usual caveats apply regarding due
>diligence when travelling and showing care/respect for the indigenous
>communities i.e. treating folks just like how one likes to be treated;
>
>Civilized?
> - Yes. It's been a stable democracy for the last few hundred years, it
>gained independence from the British in 1979, was hit by two hurricanes
>soon after, main export is banana's which is a fading industry,
>therefore keen to make development in the off-shore finance &
>responsible tourism sectors whilst buiding linkages to the agricultural
>sector. It's a very quiet destination, very reserved and in general
>locals are very hospitable. Most folks in Dominica are self-sufficient
>- locally grown food is widely available. Dominica is striving to
>become the world's first organic island.
>
>Accommodations?
> - Can vary from "excellent" to "mediocre" to "not so good" see
>www.tripadvisor.com - some really cool eco-developments happening now;
>
>Value compared to St John's
> - It's very reasonable compared to St Johns - however
>budget/price/value is all relative - my view is an occasional splurge
>can be a good thing - especially when the wealth goes towards
>delivering positive social change for the locals.
>
>I have three movies available on my web site which may give you a good
>insight;
>See: http://www.nature-island-ecolodge.com/destination.html
>
>The last movie is an interesting view from the cockpit of an Amerijet
>as it approaches the islands main airport at Melville hall! Passenger
>services are provided by local turbo-prop services including American
>Eagle, LIAT, Caribbean Sun/Star and a new service called Dominica Air
>Taxi. there's no international airport on Dominica - it is surrounded
>by international airports on islands like Antigua, Puerto Rico,
>Gaudaloupe, Martinique, St Lucia, Barbados, Grenada etc...
>
>Please note Dominica is far from being your typical sun, sea, sand
>Caribbean mass-tourism destination. (And long may it remain so in my
>view ;-)). It is more like Hawaii or Borneo.i.e. 65% rainforest cover
>still in tact, 365 crystal rivers, last remaining settlement of the
>Kalinago people (a.k.a. the Island Caribs who greeted Christopher
>Colombus on his arrival to their lands - he had a different spin on the
>story ;-) - lots of locally owned micro-enterprises so greater scope
>for tourism revenue staying on-island for the benefit of the local
>community.
>
>Dominica is well worth a visit - especially if you are in favour of
>responsible tourism. At a minimum it will make for a real interesting
>break from the stereotype "banana dacquiris" on the beach-type
>resorts...
>
>Here's some more details.
>
>The Kalingo (Carib) have an elected chief and approximately 3,785 acres
>of protected lands.
>Dominica was recently voted the 4th Happiest Place to live in the
>world.
>
>Research headed by Clemson University is now just beginning in Dominica
>on plants that contain phytoestogens and may eventually find a use in
>treatments of hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer and in
>preventing bone loss in people with osteoporosis.
>
>Dominica has one of the highest prevalences of centenarians in the
>world (3.3 per 100,000), topped only by Okinawa , Japan
>
>Dominica has the most intact forest cover in the Caribbean. Sixty-five
>percent (65%) of Dominica's land area is covered by vegetation
>ranging from dry scrub woodland on the coast to lush, tropical forest
>in the interior. Dominica's natural forests, woodland and bush cover
>52,000 ha (128,440 acres), or over two-thirds, of the island's
>surface. Few islands can demonstrate the diverse range of flora and
>fauna to be discovered in Dominica
>
>Vascular plants - approximately 155 families, 672 genera and 1226
>species of vascular plants (Nicolson, 1991).
>Indigenous Species:
>Pteridophytes (194),
>Gymnosperms (1),
>Monocotyledons (518) and
>Dicotyledons (1,445).
>Endemic species - Dominica has several plant species which are endemic
>to the island, including Sabinea carinalis (Bwa kwaib) the National
>Flower
>Two genera, Agave and Furcrea that are endemic to the Caribbean
>(country report submitted to the International Conference and Program
>for Plant Genetic Resources (ICPPGR, 1995), Malary 1993)
>
>Birder's Paradise:
>One hundred and seventy-five species of birds have been recorded
>Many of the birds are migratory and sixty species breed on the island.
>Dominica's resident birds include two single-island endemics and nine
>regional endemic species.
>Amazona imperialis and Amazona arausiaca are considered endangered and
>threatened, respectively, (IUCN Red Data List), and are specially
>protected birds under Dominican law.
>The Black-capped Petrel is believed by many to be nesting in the
>Mountains of Dominica - however this is yet to be confirmed.
>
>Dominica contains some of the Caribbean's best preserved coral reef
>systems - It is rated as one of the world's top 5 dive locations.
>Average water temperature: 27 degrees centigrade
>Average visibility: 18 metres
>
>Protected areas
>Central Forest Reserve 410 ha (1013 acres)
>Northern Forest Reserve, 5560 ha (13732 acres)
>Morne Trois Pitons National, 6876 ha (16,984 acres) (1975) - designated
>a World Heritage Site.(1999)
>Morne Diablotin National Park 3337 ha ( 8242acres)
>1982-Cabrits National Park- 532 ha ( 1313acres)- historical/
>terrestrial/ marine components.
>Marine Reserve- Soufriere/ Scott's Head Marine Reserve.
>
>More info available at www.dominica.dm.
>
>Regards
>David
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