Roseau, Dominica: The Enchanted Princess docked in Roseau (roo-soh) at 9a. The seas were perfectly calm and it was 82 degrees. This island has a sad past, filled with pirates and slavery. It is one of the poorest of the Caribbean islands and that makes Lisa sad, as there is such amazing beauty, lush jungles, and a never-ending supply of fresh water. The main source of revenue is agriculture, but a hurricane destroys everything every once in a while and they have to start all over again.
This morning, the 4L’s headed out on a ship excursion to hike to a waterfall for a swim, then to a beautiful beach where they had a swim, lunch, and the kids had fun on a floating obstacle course.
The grandparents had an easier day. Dave and I have previously visited Dominica, so felt no need to revisit much. We had a lazy morning on our balcony (I was enjoying high speed WiFi via my hotspot, updating my blog from St. Thomas), sipping coffee and enjoying the pretty ocean views in the sun. After brunch in the buffet (they had hash browns and turkey breakfast sausage links!) we walked into town. It was New Year’s Day, so we didn’t expect much to be open and we were right. Still, we walked for over a mile along a pretty beach, and that is always a good thing.
When we reached the town, the trail was a bit rough. As Lisa said, the infrastructure in Dominica is seriously lacking. When a woman suggested - from her porch - we walk on the sidewalk instead of the street, we were at a total loss. Anything remotely resembling a sidewalk had a car straddling it - and the road.
As predicted, everything was closed except for a few tents/kiosks open because they are required to be open if a cruise ship is in port. (Two ships in port today.) I asked about a coconut trivet. It was $3. Dave asked about a bracelet for Leo. It was $3. There was a theme.
The only thing going in Roseau today was the KFC. No kidding, 30 cars were lined up at the drive-through for fried chicken, with a separate area for pick-up orders.
We caught a shuttle back to the ship. $2 (not $3) per person.
Dave and I returned to our cabin at 2p to watch the Oregon Ducks trounce Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix. 45-6. Ouch. (I stitched.) Go Ducks! Here’s to Bo Nix finding a nice NFL team and thanks to all the players and coaching staff for a very exciting season.
We didn’t see the kids until Lisa came to our room - all pretty for dinner - to watch some of the game with her dad. We met at the steakhouse for fantastic meals. Maybe the best dinner of the cruise? Fantastic appetizers, tender steaks and ridiculous desserts!
After dinner we first went to a game show. (Was this the original song or a cover band? We did not win.) Then we all went to the comedy show. For some reason, the entertainer picked Lucile out of the crowd and asked her all sorts of questions, then kinda picked on her big brother, and then kinda hit on their pretty mother. If he wasn’t so dang funny, we could have been offended? The comedian then gave Lenny a little credit/sympathy. Thank goodness the jokes switched to how rough it was to work for Princess before he had time to harass the grandparents. Complete different experience we had the other night with a simply awful comedian.
I mean, who could find fault with this boy?
Or this girl?
Lucy was done. After the comedy show, Lisa took her to bed. Lenny, Dave and I listened to music in the piazza, before returning to our room to watch some of the Washington v Texas game. Leo went to another trivia contest!
Another full day on the Enchanted Princess. Dave and I have a fun and different adventure planned for tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Until my next update, I remain, your “life is always better when you add a little island” correspondent.
LINKS:
Dominica Tourism website
Current position of the Enchanted Princess
Enchanted Princess bridge cam