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Wanderlust & pregnancy
The hormones failed to address though my travelling urges and exploring appetite, which felt as big and adventurous as usual.
So for 6 weeks in the first trimester of my first pregnancy, we wandered and hopped around the Caribbean. Barbados for
Tiniest Raphael bump and I felt most of the time elated to be out and about in the Caribbean sun and wonderful seas. We travelled at leisure with our friends, exploring actively, going out and feasting as usual –
The only part which proved less enjoyable has been sailing – with both Tobago Quays and Canouan not bringing the best in me/ motion sickness very likely related but still doable given the wide skies and fresh air. Yet nothing comparable to London tube morning & evening commute, which still makes me nauseous for hours even at 7.5 months 2nd time around.
Grenadines & Barbados
For a week we went around exploring & enjoying the variety of landscapes. The island as a destination not recommended for the heart fainted or again, for the sun seekers keen to lie on a white sandy
Renting a car is a must for going round. Keeping safe and careful should be also always on the back of your mind. This is an island where hotel managers have been shot in their resorts (Pagua hotel ) and teenagers have raped in front of their parents (Batibou
Do I still recommend going knowing these facts? Well, statistically, crime is still low compared to US and Caribbean in general. Being sensible and respectful to the locals should not get you in trouble; the locals that we met (hitch-hikers we took in our car, people guiding us to waterfalls in remote places, little villages) – were curious, open minded and friendly. This is not a mass tourism destination, so there will be many unique and beautiful engaging moments.
Our trips in Dominica:
L’escalier tete chien – natural
Trafalgar falls
Morne trois pitons and Titou gorge. World heritage site: stunning pastiche of lakes, fumaroles, volcanoes, hot springs and dense tropical forest. The hike through Titou Gorge is actually a short
Cabrits park. National par, site of Fort Shirley, a large 18th-century British garrison which
Red rock heaven & Escape beach bar. Our favourite beach bar & area to hang around. Also wished we booked hotel in here instead of Calibishie Cove, which was cool and eco but missed the beach bar and felt a bit lifeless. Above Pointe Baptise Beach and surrounded by lush landscape, the huts are wooden, stone,
Batibou beach. North-East of the island. Stunning and famous for very wrong reasons (rape in 2012 and few robbery incidents in 2013 and 2014). Expansive and secluded soft-sand beach in the; the Atlantic here is calm enough for swimming, with a gently sloping sea bed. There’s a basic but cool beach bar
Chaudiere pool. Located at the foot of Morne Daiblotin Mountain, Dominica tallest Mountain. We drove up through the village of Bense on a very poor condition track. Luckily we got one guy happy to guide us as the the access to the pools is via the first river. It was also rather muddy and slippery, too much rain in the preceding days. We have not seen any parrots that day but understand they are around J
We stayed at Calibishie Cove. Charming eco retreat, unfortunately we’ve been quite unlucky with
We travelled with friends. They have been more into Dominica at the very beginning; luggage lost with Liat (typical Caribbean story) and after 3 days and many trips to the airport and unhelpful service, felt less
r tete chien – natural staircase to the Atlantic ; believed to be the path left from an enormous boa constrictor. On the Carib territories. Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus the Kalinagos /Caribs were self-reliant, i.e. fished, hunted, and farmed. They also have their own language and currently survive in very small communities. Emerald pool. UNESCO World Heritage Site of Morne Trois Piton National Park, a 30-minute hike through overhanging trees and lush vegetation to the pools. You can go for a dip in the green looking tree-filtered sunlight.
Trafalgar falls and very private sulphur pools. You could pick a 15 minute walk on a relatively well-maintained path to the visitor reception area. Or be more adventurous and explore round, including finding your own very private sulphur pools. Have loved the treks and indulged with feet in the sulphur pools – as pregnancy wise full immersion was somehow not advisable.
Morne trois pitons and Titou gorge. World heritage site: stunning pastiche of lakes, fumaroles, volcanoes, hot springs and dense tropical forest. The hike through Titou Gorge is actually a short swim from the base of a waterfall through a series of natural “rooms and ponds” formed by high cliff walls canopied by interlaced trees. The undulating sides of this deep, narrow gorge were formed as molten lava cooled and split apart. A 10 min swim with light filtering down the mountainside within the gorge – spectacular. A hot spring tumbles down a short wall just outside the entrance of the gorge, which feels wonderful after the cool waters of the falls.
Cabrits park. National par, site of Fort Shirley, a large 18th-century British garrison which once housed 600 soldiers. The Fort is now used for various functions including weddings and concerts. Great views of Prince Rupert Bay from the Officer’s Quarters. Some stone ruins remain half-hidden in the jungle and are fun to explore.
Batibou beach. North-East of the island. Stunning and famous for very wrong reasons (rape in 2012 and few robbery incidents in 2013 and 2014). Expansive and secluded soft-sand beach in the; the Atlantic here is calm enough for swimming, with a gently sloping sea bed. There’s a basic but cool beach bar serving rum punch and some snacks.
We travelled with friends. They have been more into Dominica at the very beginning; luggage lost with Liat (typical Caribbean story) and after 3 days and many trips to the airport and unhelpful service, felt less enthusiastic about Dominica people. With weather on the rainy side and many stories unfolding as we got to know the places and read the stories, they felt even less keen. They shortened their trip to 5 days and flew back to Barbados, to overbuilt but white & golden beaches.
