THE CARIBBEAN SERIES, DAY 10
DOMINICA
The start of a COVID nightmare. Today did not get off to the best of starts! Arriving for my 7am PCR test I had a brief chat with one of the nurses who explained inexplicably that the result would not be back before my 13:30 flight tomorrow and should expect it closer to 14:00.
NO, GO AWAY BOOK ANOTHER FLIGHT AND COME BACK
Although 100% my fault (I lost 2 days due to accom problems) it was disappointing to see there was no offer of a solution. I simply had to take the test and hope it came back in time – which wasn’t going to happen and I almost felt that she’d make sure it wouldn’t happen! Side note – I would have to travel back (1hr) to pick up the test tomorrow, making time even tighter.
THE ISLAND WAY
However, taking a test here in Dominica is not just as simple as arriving and getting a swap up your nose. Everyone has to arrive and wait their turn to chat to the nurse then drive to the hospital to pay for the PCR test. Once you get your ticket, drive back to the clinic and re-join the back of the line. Total time, expect 2.5 hours! Also never put your bag on the ground in Dominica, my breakfast was enjoyed by a colony of ants who I’m sure couldn’t believe their luck when they came across an infinite amount of food.
DAILY INFO….
- HOTEL – Hotel the Champs £60, 8/10
- ATTRACTIONS – Roseau &Batibou Beach
- FOOD – Coconut Prawns
PLAN B
The rest of the day was spent thinking of a plan B but the more assurances I was given by the hotel the better I felt so I was becoming more content to put my eggs in the one basket. After all there wasn’t many other options!
The start of a COVID nightmare
DAILY TRAVEL STATS….
- Steps – 7,750
BATIBOU BEACH
After going through my itinerary and triple checking all my paperwork for the forthcoming flights I knew I had to get out and explore something while I was here. Having 3 days here I had planned to see a lot but now coming to the end of day 3 I had been no further than the driveway of the first hotel and the Covid tent in Roseau.
I had heard a lot about Batibou Beach, more so the crazy machete woman who runs the place. Many have seen her with a machete in hand, f-ing and blinding at them asking for money to see the beach so I was keen to get down and pay her a little visit.
THE FLAG….
The Sisserou Parrot is indigenous to the island
Centered stars – the ten island parishes (areas)
Yellow – original inhabitants
Black – fertile soil
White – pure water
CLOSED
As I arrived the barrier was down and was clearly closed, but I decided to push my luck and go for it. Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission.
It only takes 10mins to get down to the beach and it was well worth the risk. The cost of entry is $5 and if you didn’t know there are plenty of signs to remind you. She’s clearly had people walking down with zero intentions of paying, so I kept an eye out for anyone and had $10 in my pocket to make it seem like I was ready to pay but it was deserted!
RELATED READ: THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF PARADISE
5pm might not have been the ideal time to see it in all its glory but it was better than nothing. After 10mins flying the drone I could hear someone shouting and bearing in mind how isolated this beach is I knew exactly who to expect. Mrs Machete was rushing over to me with a mission and all I could think was if her hands were empty, they were.
The start of a COVID nightmare
FACTS:
- Dominica has the second-largest boiling lake in the world.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was filmed here.
- Sperm whales choose Dominica’s waters as their only year-round home.
SEMI AGGRESSIVE
She wasn’t full on aggressive but not polite either and in all fairness I would have probably been the same had someone walked onto my private beach but then again I probably wouldn’t have bothered myself the walk and left them to it. Anyway as soon as I gave her the $10 she disappeared, worked a treat.
ABOUT THE COUNTRY – DOMINICA:
- LANGUAGE – English
- HELLO – hello
- HOW TO CHEERS – cheers
- POPULAR BEVERAGE – Rum punches, particularly coconut rum punch
- POPULAR SPORT – Cricket
- STAPLE DIET – Rice and Beans
PCR CONTINUED
Back at the hotel I was given more news that they had asked a few people to pull and few strings that the result should be with us early in the morning. I actually believed them and was pretty confident but all was about to change.
SUMMED UP….
- HIGHLIGHT – A great first beach
- LOWLIGHT – Accom isn’t cheap
- MVP – Virgin Atlantic check in lady
FINAL THOUGHTS
Away from the COVID nurses and machete wielding women, Dominica is a charm.
NEXT UP
100% the most stressful travel day of my life! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
149/229
This post is part of The Caribbean Series, click to explore the series or for episode 1, click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
