Squashed Bus in Roseau

When we were taken through the Botanical Gardens in Roseau, Dominica, and shown the crushed school bus under a massive tree, we could not quite believe our eyes. The tree fell in the destruction of Hurricane David in 1979, and luckily there was reportedly no one on the bus, which was soon rendered near-unrecognisable.



The tree, an African baobab, has since managed to grow around and above the remnants of the bus, and seems completely undeterred by it's acquired trapped metalwork.

The bus remains essentially intact, with seats and luggage racks, as well as it's tyres and engine parts in there. It quite an eerie sight, and it's totally amazing that no one was in the bus and killed at the time. Amazing!

Up Close to the Leatherback Turtles in Dominica

Getting up close to two very large leatherback turtles on a beach in Dominica, as they made their way to shore in an attempt to make a nest and lay their eggs, was a pretty amazing and special experience on my recent trip.

After Springer and Lynne managed to see turtles making their nests and laying eggs in Trinidad, and being so blown away by their experience, a group of us hired a driver after the cricket in Roseau, and were driving across the island country to Rosalie Bay and the eco resort there.

Getting to the Bay, were we taken down to the black sand of the volcanic beach, and trekked around in the dark for a bit, with the waves lapping, in search of some turtles. In between wandering the beach, our guide, Simon, told us how the turtles land on the beach, somehow drag themselves up to a safe place to lay their eggs. Going into a trace once they have picked the spot, they make a deep hole before delivering some 90 eggs, before filling the hole again. She will then set up a dummy laying site, to try and put any predators of her eggs off the trial.

Finding nothing on these first walks, we took the time to sit and wait while Simon scoured some more. Here, we were sitting under the stars, with the moon and palm trees aloft, in serenity with all but the waves continuing to come in. So amazing.

Just when the group was just about giving up for the night, disappointed, Simon returned from a final look down further on the beach, and reported back that there was a turtle. We followed him down, carefully, over seaweed and water, and there she was.

She was struggling, after the effort of getting up onto the beach at the waters edge. She was huge! This beautiful animal trying to complete her mission of the night.

Simon told us that she was clearly disorientated and that she was trying to get back into the water, as laying that close to the water was not safe. Plus she was too spend to make her way further up the beach at this time. We watched from a safe distance as she maneuvered herself back around, and into the water, and away.

As we walked along further, we came across another. So big! Here on the beach, and again, very close to the water. This one seemed to be trying to set up her nest right there, which Simon was very worried about. Again, we watched her for a bit, before she too decided to heave herself back towards the water, and away again, having not managed to find the right conditions for her egg laying mission.


These beautiful giants of the sea were actually fairly young turtles in the scheme of laying according to our guide and turtle-watching data recorder, one of them a new visitor to the beach, perhaps seeking to complete her first lay of eggs.

I was hoping that having a group of us watching them did not detract them from their mission, but Simon assured us that that wasn't the case. He was confident that these ladies would swim around, rest for a bit, and then return to the beach over the next few hours to try again. While we were making our way back over the mountains to Roseau, very wowed and happy that we had seen these amazing, massive creatures out there in the night on the beach.

Thanks to Kim for the use of her amazing photo from the night.

Tropical Dominica

Dominica's tag is the Nature Island, and it is instantly apparent why. This little volcanic isle in the Caribbean is covered with lush forest, full of greenery and an abundance of fruit trees, and the occasional splash of tropical colour.

We have managed to cross the island a couple of times now, in our 9 days here, and from the window of each mini-bus, these vast mountainous views are spectacular. Cloud brushing the tops of several peeks most days, and then ocean views at every other turn.

Walking within the central forest area, when we visited the Falls, the tropics included ferns and tributaries, and crisp, fresh air!



Last night was our last night here, as the last of the group pack and prepare to head to the airport this afternoon, marking the end of the cricket tour.

Will be pretty sad to leave, as we have all fallen in love with this little island nation, it's amazingly friendly people, and gorgeous picturesque vistas. The group has had such a great week here, and this test match visit will be long talked about as a favourite of the small group of us who made it to this final game.

Series Victory in Roseau

What an amazing test match, and week, we have had here in Dominica! We have loved every little bit about this place, and Windsor Park is now ranking top in most of the touring group's best places to watch cricket lists.

Following our first great day, the Sheilas in the Waving The Flag group, and many of the blokes, donned our Chick Pink, as is our tradition. Adrian, inexplicably, managed to come to the day's play in a full Santa suit, and wear it all day, attracting so much attention. So funny.

Day 2 was a cracking day of cricket, with the home boy in Shillingford finishing the innings with an impressive 6 wickets, and Aussie 'keeper Wade gritted through to score his maiden test century. The day just kept giving, with the change in innings giving us 8 WIndies wickets, as the Aussies had a very good day.

After the Dawn Service, Springer and I ventured into the Party Stand for the first time on tour, and as a right of passage here in the Caribbean.

Having heard of the disappointment of the Party Stand in Barbados, and seeing the action but not making our way to Trini Posse in Port of Spain, it had to be done. Also, the sign promised all that we wanted in a party stand for Day 3, with drinks listed within the price (for Days 3 and 4 at Windsor Park), and so we thought we were set. Getting over to the sun-drenched side of the ground and grabbed a shade tent, we were given drink tokens which certainly did not last long!

Getting a different, ground-level perspective of the ground and the day's play, we were soon chatting with the locals around us, and taking it all in. But as the sun crept further into our shade position, and it's heat was unbearable, we returned to the shade of our stand seats with the group, once our rum allowance was exhausted! Nothing will really beat the Party Stand day in Antigua!

With Australia completing their second innings, with half centuries to Cowan and Ponting, the West Indies were set the seemingly mammoth target of 370 to win by Lunch on Day 4. Shillingford, again, brought the crowd to life with another 4 wickets in that innings, bring a 10-for for the match. So impressive!

Getting to a five day test match at this beautiful ground, the atmosphere walking through town to the ground yesterday morning was buzzing still. The stands were full, loud, and full of local colour and excitement. It was so great to see, and be part of it. Dominica is certainly proud to have test cricket here.

The West Indies put up a great fight to the end, with an amazing last wicket partnership between the captain Sammy and home boy hero Shillingford, before the final wicket was taken by the Australians, and the series was won 2-0.

It felt a bit bittersweet at the end, to be honest, with the local crowd so involved and vocal throughout that last partnership, as they believed in the possibility of victory. The Aussies were humble in victory, and our Waving The Flag group were acknowledged and mentioned in captain Clarke's speech, which we were very pleased about!

The celebrations moved from the stand, to a walk over the ground and look at the wicket, to more drinks and banter out the back little bar village with the locals. Several bars were found on the walk home, before a hotel party here had our group's final tour dinner and the players from both teams, and all the pretty people of Roseau having a great time at the Fort Young.

This was such a great test, in an amazing venue and town, and everyone talked of the hopes of returning here for another amazing week within the cricket schedule. Dominica has elevated to be my favourite Caribbean destination, such a surprise and late inclusion, which has been so amazing.

Cute Ramshackle Houses of Roseau

Walking around Roseau, these houses are a feature in every block. Homes to locals, with much life all around them, they are a sight to be seen!

ANZAC Dawn Service in Dominica

This morning a group of us gathered around the War Memorial here in Roseau, Dominica, to pay our respects to our ANZAC heroes, at dawn.

Nothing official, just a large section of our Waving The Flag group, and the Australian cricket team management members, up before the sun to be part of it. Luke read out a piece about the meaning of the ANZACs, and then also read the names of the fallen soldiers who served alongside the Aussie and New Zealanders from the Commonwealth of Dominica. Peter read a prayer. Justin Langer read the Ode to Remembrance. A Dominican Army officer played the Last Post, after a minutes silence.

Just a simple service, as the light arrived for the day, with a gathering of proud Aussies marking the sacrifice of our serving men and women. So proud to be there for this special experience, to be part of it. And so very proud to be part of the Waving The Flag group this morning, with Luke putting together this lovely and important service for us all.

Lest we forget.

Third Test at Windsor Park

Only the second test match ever to be played at Windsor Park in Roseau, it was clear that the locals were very, very happy and excited to have the Australians in town to play cricket this week. Never have I been to a ground where the atmosphere and feeling among the people in town, and in and around the groups has been so ecstatic.

Walking to the ground from our hotel, the Fort Young on the waterfront, Springer and I were greeted with smiles and calls of hello from the locals all through the town, the place abuzz about the match. Taking our seats in the stand with the Waving The Flag group for the first ball, the cheering from the locals barely stopped all day. Such a shame that the schedule had it so that this match is being played Monday to Friday, perhaps preventing more locals from coming to the ground.

With the Aussies batting, the locals got to cheer even louder as their homeboy Shillingford did some damage with the ball, finishing the day with 4 wickets.

Another picturesque ground, Windsor Park is closest to the mountains from town, and thus as you sit in the stand you have a full view of the clouds tempting to spill over and down, but never quite managing it. Just gorgeous!

At the end of play for the day, Fi and Dave and I popped down to the little food and bar village within the grounds, for drinks and banter with the locals. Meggsie joined us, and as we laundered with the crowd about how great a day, and place for test match cricket, it was, we started making our way down the street into town.

Going from bar to bar, then down to the local party on the waterfront, and then back to the little bars around town, we had such a fun and crazy night! We love Roseau and Dominica!

Titou Gorge, Trafalgar Falls, and Screw

Sunday was a day trip into central Dominica, and was such a brilliant day! We experienced the amazing Titou Gorge, swimming deep into the gorge to find a waterfall with a killer current. We then checked out Trafalgar Falls, before a perfect lunch stop. The day ended with a swim in the sulfur spa pools, which was glorious!

Driving into the volcanic mountains of inner Dominica, our little busload took in the forest and the mountains all around us in every direction.

Our first stop had us walked down to the water of Titou Gorge, and taking a dip in the chilly water. Equipped with a flouting device around each of us, we ventured into the gorge in the rocks, paddling through the narrow gap in the volcanic rock, through pristine water. Above, you could see the sun and sky, and the trees aloft right at the top, but as we swam deeper into this gorge, we could hear the waterfall at the end. This was such a spectacular experience, and place to find ourselves!

The gorge had pockets of space to take a break, and hang in while working up the strength to give the waterfall another look, and swim up to. These areas were actually used in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies (2 and 3, I am told). (photo source)

Swimming in the pool before the gorge was pretty magical, right there in the middle of Dominica, but working ones way into those rocks, that sliver of water, cool and crisp, with the sun above - one of the most amazing things to do, and a highlight of this trip.

Back onto the bus, we drove a little longer and checked out Trafalgar Falls. Here, from the vantage point in among the trees, you could see both the Papa and Mama Falls making this waterfall landmark, cascading down from above.

Being within the forest, and the tropical plants and flowers all around, highlighted the Nature Island tag for this little Caribbean nation.

Not far from the Falls was our lunch stop, with a 3 course meal including callaloo soup, fish for me, and then coffee and cake to finish. All washed down with a rum punch with a kick!

The restaurant allowed for more views of the mountainous and forested surrounds, a perfect place for our long table of Flaggers.

Our day continued after lunch, to drive just 7kms away from Roseau, and to the sulfur spa pools called Screw.

These hot water springs have been sectioned off into pools, ranging from the hottest at the top, graduating down in temperature as you made your way through to the next pool. This, again, was so amazing, swimming and chilling in these baths of murky water out in the open, experiencing the strange sensation of hot, warm and tepid water pools.

We spend ages here, enjoying every moment. A completely brilliant day here in Dominica!

Rum Shack Stop Between Melville and Roseau

Saturday was our travel day, coming from Trinidad to Dominica. A very early transfer, and a very early flight, I bounced through St Lucia, before landing at Melville Airport in Dominica.

Now, Dominica was not part of the original schedule for this tour, but substituted in near the last minute, with trouble in Guyana. So this seems to be a bit of a bonus travel treat for us on this tour.


With the mini-buses full of Flaggers and luggage, a rum/breakfast stop was suggested to our driver, and he found a spot called Isle View Bar.

Here, a wall of homemade rums was found, ranging from Star Fruit to Guava, Carrot to Garlic, Spinach to Gooseberry, to Grandma's Kitchen special. These were pretty potent on empty stomachs!

Sitting on wooden benches over looking the forest and the sea, this was a gorgeous rest break, before pushing on through the middle of the island to Roseau.

What a view!

Our roadtrip to the hotel consisted of winding roads, with thick lush forest and ocean views, with sheer drops at many turns!

A gorgeous introduction to the Nature Island of the Caribbean, and what has started out as an amazing last stop of this tour. One of the surprise country visits that amazes you, and you totally didn't expect it to be so wonderful!