Vacation info

[surfgirl]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some info on visiting the island. I'm a med student at Statia and will be there in Feb with friends. We want to hike to the heated lake, dive, and see the waterfalls. Is there anything that is a must see or we should def. not do? We are staying in Roseau and flying into Canefield. What would be the best companies to use and do they off any discounts for med students? I would like to use a good local dive shop (not a large-more personal one) that would hit the best spots- the south sites I hear are the best? Also advice on a car rental - is it worth it or just bus it? Any info would be great. You can PM me if you want.
Thank you thank you thank you
Surfgirl :roll:

[Dru]

1. Don't swim in the boiling lake.
2. Canefield airport is closer to Roseau, but last I heard there was a big hole on the airstrip...anybody know if it is fixed yet?
3. Dominica is currently rated as the fifth diving wonder of the world. A great dive shop in Roseau is at Ft. Young Hotel. They are reasonable, and they have master divers available for hire. Aaron is the best. They pick you up in a boat right at the back of the hotel. If you make it up to Portsmouth, there is a dive center right next to the Ross campus to the north. They are more experienced and even cheaper.
4. I'd vote for public transports or privately hired vehicles, but I'm sure a lot of folks here will argue with that. The cabs for hire know where everything is located, and if your time on the island is limited, it will save you wandering around trying to find stuff.
5. Dominica has over 350 waterfalls. Again, if your time is limited, go for the most spectacular one or ones. Trafalger is great, but there are lots of others. Emerald Pool is interesting and has quite a history.
6. The Carib Indians make some pretty extraordinary baskets. Although they live on the east side of the island, it is possible to purchasetheir baskets in Roseau and Portsmouth. They range from a few dollars up to about $20 for the huge ones. You will never see ones like them any where else in the world.
7. If you like bling-bling, one of the best buys in Dominica is black diamonds. Ft. Young Hotel has a shop with an unusally large variety of high quality ones, and they are reasonably priced. The ones set in white gold are stunning and yet simple.

Best wishes for a wonderful time...wish I could be there.

[cougar47]

The boiling lake is dried up. I don't think you can hike to it anymore. Double check with someone before making plans to go.

[medtekboy]

Canefield airport is operational...
Even saw a plane land this morning at its strip at around 7:30AM friday feb 4, 2005

so i guess they are open

peace

[Dru]

I doubt that the Boiling Lake is dried up. It is the largest body of boiling water in the Caribbean. The levels may fluctuate, but I'd be astounded if it could "dry up"....

http://www.avirtualdominica.com/thelake.htm

Although it is fed by an underground source, it also is getting water from the RAIN forrest. I'll hope if anyone hikes there in the immediate future they may comment.

[cougar47]

Sorry Dru,
Not literally "dried up" but that is how it has been referred to.
It is not currently boiling and levels have dropped SIGNIFICANTLY. The showed it on the local news the other night and they are monitoring it very carefully. They are very cautious about people hiking there now because people want to climb down and swim in it. I have been told by locals someone was killed in it a long time ago because it started to fill/rise while they were swimming there.
I did not mean to misinform anyone, just to be cautious and ask around before hiring someone and planning to go :D If it starts to rise, I'll let you know!