Where is the Nature Island?

The aircraft slowly climbed out of the dark grey clouds as we made our approach to the island. Suddenly, out in the blue ocean sprung tall towering mountains that seemed to melt into the clouds. The mountains appeared very majestic as they cascaded from the sea. My thoughts were jolted to the present as the flight attendant booming voice announced our arrival to Melville Hall airport in Dominica. I was day dreaming of a Caribbean cruise deal I had purchased to visit the region.  The flight from the West coast of the US with a change of aircraft in Puerto Rico was uneventful. After about two hours of flying from Puerto Rico, the Dominica coast line was a welcoming sight.

Where in the world is Dominica? The twenty nine (29) mile long and sixteen (16) mile wide-island appeared green and misted against the blue-black ocean. You can get to island if you are on a cruise from Florida or via aircraft from Puerto Rico. Very little is known of the secluded tiny island located  between the two French islands of Guadeloupe in the north and Martinique to the South in the Eastern Caribbean.

It is different from the better known Dominica Republic which shares the island with Haiti. The island is approximately 295 sq miles with a population of about 75,000 people. The population is concentrated along the coast line as the interior of the island is very mountainous. In fact the island is considered more mountainous per sq mile than Switzerland.

I have been to the Caribbean on several occasions because I am from the Caribbean, but this visit was special. I was on a Caribbean island vacation to explore the island and confirm if she deserved the name as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean.” Numerous people in the region call Dominica the untouched gem of the Caribbean and refer to it as the Cinderella of the Caribbean. From my point of view the island appears to be undisturbed and tranquil and has not been severely affected by the large number of tourist that visit from cruises from Florida and other regions. The island is part of the Eastern Caribbean itinerary for the numerous cruise lines that sell Caribbean cruise deals to the region.

The island is blessed with 365 rivers – one for each day of the year. In addition the island has numerous beautiful attractions with a very hospitable population. Please, come back for part two of my observations in a subsequent post which will cover the islands beautiful natural attractions, its people and local festivals. See you soon.