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A chilly plunge in
the Morne Trois
Pitons National
Park’s Emerald Pool.
Opposite: Jungle
Bay Resort’s 35
cottages are set
amid cedar, galba
and gommier trees.
n a t u r e m e e t s
n u rt u r e
get lost in DoMInica’s legendary wild
side at these six elemental lodges
t e x t & pho togr a ph y by bob f r i el
in the mist and feel the overpowering strength of yet another waterfall. Ten-room Beau Rive
overlooks rugged
Nine seething volcanoes lie camouflaged beneath Dominica’s lush, green forest, and Anse Francais and
at Champagne Beach you’ll witness how close to the surface the geothermal marrow Wakaman Point.
boils as you snorkel amid bubbling volcanic gases and reach your hands into hot- Opposite, from
above: The looming
water vents. Take to the sea on a boat trip off the calm west coast and you’ll cruise 4,550-foot Morne
over abyssal depths that attract the Caribbean’s grandest mix of dolphins and whales, Trois Pitons gives
including a resident pod of sperm whales. Dominica’s national
park its name; hot
For those looking to reach beyond the soft adventures, Dominica brings all the and cold streams
heart-pounding action you can handle. With five mountains more than 4,000 feet blend in Titou Gorge.
COCOA COTTAGES Stepping through the colorful Dutch door and into Cocoa
Cottages’ Honeymoon Suite, you’re greeted by the words of the Dalai Lama hand-
painted on a chair: “Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a won-
derful stroke of luck.” It’s hard to imagine, though, that the kind of person who
makes it to this six-room lodge deep inside Roseau Valley won’t find what they came
for. Guests here are on independent journeys — travelling light while looking for
deeper experiences.
“People who need to be here — whether they realize it or not — somehow find us,”
says Cocoa’s deliberative owner, Iris Azoulay, her Israeli-born accent warmed with a
slight tropical lilt from years in the islands. 5
6
And the “needs” that Cocoa satisfies? Portsmouth 4
“It’s all about connecting,” she says of the mind-body experience that comes from Melville
Hall airport
getting in touch with elemental Dominica. The food she prepares is fresh-plucked
from the surrounding bush or fresh-caught from local waters — you’ll hear the village Dominica
fishwife blowing a conch shell to announce a sweet new haul of mahimahi or tuna.
Everything’s served family style in an alfresco kitchen/dining room that feels so much
3
like eating at a friend’s house that you reflexively help clear the table. The convivial
30 miles
Morne Trois Pitons
atmosphere encourages conversation that connects you to simpatico souls. National Park
The rooms — four in the main lodge, plus two in a rounded cottage that feels
like a treehouse — were built of Dominica hardwoods by a local Rasta, with sub-
sequent interior touches by Iris and other artists. Book the Honeymoon Suite and Canefield
airport
you’ll nest amid the forest canopy in a plush bed surrounded by louvered windows. 1 Boiling Lake
The outdoor living room/deck stands high above a stream, with a rustic driftwood Roseau ★
swing and a hanging bed. 2
Connecting you with the island’s most adventurous side, Extreme Dominica, based
out of Cocoa Cottages and with a team of professional guides led by Iris’ partner, Soufriere
Richard, takes small groups on canyoning trips that use climbing gear to explore awe- Scott’s Head 1. Cocoa Cottages
2. Jungle Bay
inspiring sights no other visitors ever see. Between them, the couple offer everything
Trafalgar 3. Beau Rive
you’d want to connect and commune with the Nature Island — and sometimes, the best Falls 4. Indigo
luck is getting just what you want. $104 year-round; cocoacottages.com; 767-448-0412 5. Picard Beach Cottages
6. Red Rock Haven
BEAU RIVE A single, gangly palm tree brands the view from any place you stand
at Beau Rive, towering improbably tall and steadfast above all the other greenery
against a dramatic backdrop of Atlantic waves crashing into Wakaman Point. After
getting to know Mark Steele, the soft-spoken owner, designer, head chef and host of
this classically comfortable guesthouse on Dominica’s rugged east coast, just south
of the Carib Territory (home to descendents of the Carib people, or Kalinagos, who
used only spears and arrows to hold off the world’s greatest military powers), you
get the idea that he identifies with that lone tree.
DIVING Whether it’s the mixing certified guides; for snorkeling others. It’s an adrenaline rush
of currents, the nutrients from ($2 park fee), it’s worth the extra that also offers quality time at
all the rivers or the heat from $5 to go with a guide. places deep inside Dominica’s
the volcanoes, the diving is rainforest. Extreme’s excursions,
spectacular. Down south off WHALE WATCHING Dominica is such as their Beyond Titou
Scott’s Head, you’ll dive the home to a year-round population Gorge and Beyond Boiling Lake
edges of a submerged volcano of female sperm whales and canyoning adventures, often
with dramatic underwater their calves, along with pilot begin where others end. From
up the lazy river topography that’s a jumble of whales and spotted and spinner $150-$200, including equipment,
From the west-coast wrenched rock and flourishing dolphins. In winter, male sperm transport and lunch.
town of Portsmouth, a reef. Corals, sponges and fish whales show up to compete for
legion of local guides seem to grow bigger around giant barrel sponges (above) mates, along with humpbacks HIKING Ken’s Hinterland
offer boat excursions Dominica, and juveniles of all in 30 feet of water, a huge and other seasonal visitors. Adventure Tours (khattstours
up Dominica’s calm, species crowd the reefs. Nature spur covered in some of the Anchorage Hotel Whale Watch & .com; 866-880-0508) guide you
brackish Indian River. Island Dive (natureislanddive healthiest Caribbean corals Dive Center (anchoragehotel.dm; to all of Dominica’s adventure
.com; 767-449-8181) will guide you’ll find, and Dominica’s 767-448-2638) offers 3½-hour sites, from a low-stress trip to
you to the best sites within the trademark biodiversity, including tours for $50. see and swim in a trifecta of
Soufriere-Scott’s Head Marine seahorses and frogfish — waterfalls (Titou Gorge, Emerald
Reserve (two-tank dives: $80). compares to the best medium CANYONING Go the extra step Pool and Trafalgar Falls: $60), to
and deeper sites of Bonaire, (or leap) by strapping on a helmet the most demanding rainforest
SNORKELING AND SHORE the gold standard. Snorkelers and climbing gear for an Extreme hikes (Boiling Lake: $50; Morne
DIVING Famed and named for can play in the bubbles among Dominica (extremedominica Diablotin: $70). For adenture
the volcanic bubbly streaming clouds of baitfish before .com; 767-448-0412) canyoning with a side of culture, try the
from the seafloor just offshore, heading out to the reef’s shallow adventure. Be prepared to Kalinago Experience ($70) in the
Champagne Beach offers much spots. Irie Safari (767-440- go over the lip of a 40-foot or Carib Territory and a trek ($60)
more than geological novelty. 5085) offers shore dives ($50, higher waterfall — rappelling led by a Rasta who will show you
The shore diving here — with including equipment) with PADI- down some falls and jumping off how he lives off the land.
island marketplace
2008, even a small fridge. While it’s certainly not for everyone,
Indigo’s Tree House is definitely one of the Caribbean’s most
unique stay-overs. From $100 year-round; indigo.wetpaint.com;
767-445-3486. Gallery open Friday through Monday, 2 to 6 p.m.;
meals for up to four guests by appointment only (get there before 6
v i l l a vac at i o n s | pa r a d i s e fo r sa l e | i n t i m at e h ot e l s | t h e m a r k e t p.m. or you miss the view).
outsider art
Part guesthouse,
part gallery, Indigo
features paintings
by artist and owner
Marie Frederick.
The Westin St. John Resort & Villas Re/maX island Properties – St. maarten/St. Virgin Gorda Villa rentals
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90 Caribbean Travel + Life O C TO B e R 2 0 0 9 C A R I B B E A N T R AV E L M AG. CO M Travel +
Caribbean
Caribbean Life+ 91
Travel Life 91
big test, though, awaits the completion of
the 3,000 square foot Grande Ocean Villa
(slated for late this year), when they’ll dis-
cover if there’s an upmarket clientele look-
ing for big luxe amid the lush. Rooms $200
in low season ($225 high); villa $600($650
high); redrockhaven.com; 767-445-7997.
Escape is open from noon until 9 p.m.
Be one with the awakening of your senses.
Be one with Belize.
PICARD BEACH COTTAGES
As one of the last unspoiled places on earth, you’ll feel an intimate
connection to life-changing experiences in Belize. Be one with the rainforest,
Dominica’s longest beach spills into Ports-
the Hemisphere’s largest barrier reef and the mystical Maya world.
mouth’s Prince Rupert Bay. Coal-black
above the high-water mark, Ayohayo Call 800-624-0686 or visit TravelBelize.org
Beach’s fine-ground sand turns coffee col-
ROATAN CHARTER
ored where it’s percolated by the wavelets. Specialists in the overlooked islands of
Just behind the beach, two rows of Creole the Western Caribbean since 1981. Let
our Belize travel specialist’s design the
cottages sit amid clouds of bright tropical vacation that is right for you. Free tour
blooms. It’s here that producers and writ- catalog features scuba diving, jungle
lodges, rafting, cave tubing, fishing, Mayan
ers for Pirates of the Caribbean washed ruins and more. Lowest airfares, group
ashore during filming. Nameplates still incentives, travel agents welcome.
hang above the doors, and while it doesn’t 800-282-8932
info@roatan.com
have the same historical significance as a www.roatan.com
“George Washington slept here,” you do
find yourself wondering if your cottage’s
previous tenant, Jerry “Mr. Blockbuster”
SUNBREEZE SUITES
Bruckheimer, also used the fridge to chill Located downtown Ambergris Caye on
mangoes he’d bought five for two bucks the beach. Private balconies overlooking
at a roadside stand or hung his wet bath- the Caribbean. Fully equipped one
bedroom suites. Great for scuba diving,
ing suit below the ceiling fan to dry. fishing, snorkeling and a short hopper
Picard is owned and operated by the flight to explore the wonders of the
Ancient Mayan Cities. Take off US$100
Armour family, Dominican tourism pio- pp now thru Dec 18, 2009. Scuba,
neers who’ve outfitted these 18 cottages Adventure and Honeymoon Packages.
Toll Free: 1-800-820-1631
as rustic little vacation homes with basic sunbreezesuites@sunbreezesuites.com
kitchens, air-conditioned bedrooms, nice www.sunbreezesuites.com
front porches and even Wi-Fi. You can’t
get closer to a better swimming beach
on the island; there’s a dive shop within SUNBREEZE HOTEL
walking distance; and even though the AC Centrally located in the town of
Ambergris Caye yet out of the hustle
at first seems odd on cool, green Domi- and bustle. 43 partial ocean and garden
nica, you’ll definitely appreciate it when view rooms, Restaurant and Bar,
it comes to sleeping here at sea level on Massage Studio and Art Gallery, Dive
shop. Take off US$100 pp now thru Dec
the leeward side, where the heat and mos- 18, 2009. Scuba, Adventure and
quitoes can be prickly. Despite its status Honeymoon Packages.
as temporary home to at least one movie Call Toll Free: 800-688-0191
Fax: 011-501-226-2346
mogul, Picard is a budget pick — and it’s Email: Sunbreeze@btl.net
worth upgrading to the beachfront units. www.sunbreeze.net
The cuisine and service at the adjacent
restaurant are lackadaisical, but there are
RADISSON FORT GEORGE
several dining options nearby. The most HOTEL & MARINA
inspiring sight at Picard, though, may be A vacation in paradise awaits you at the
the 600-plus-year-old samaan tree that Radisson! We offer the services &
amenities that help you Stay Your Own
watched Columbus sail by. It’s at least 20 Way. Stay cool in the pool. Stay relaxed in
feet around at the trunk, and you can’t our clean, comfortable rooms. Dine in
one of our fine restaurants, or stay in and
help but wonder: Was Jerry Bruckheimer order room service. The choices are all
as tempted to climb it? From $80 in low yours at the Radisson.
Phone: 800-333-3333 or 501-223-3333
season ($160 high); picardbeachcottages Fax: 501-227-3820
.com; 888-790-5264 CT+L amin.dredge@radisson.com
www.radisson.com/belizecitybz