We flew into Guadeloupe and took a 90-minute, pleasant boat ride to Dominica''s capital town, Roseau. Roseau is small and colorful--the standard of living on this island is very low, but you do not get any sense of despairing poverty or unfathomable living conditions. This is mainly because the Dominicans instantly come across as being thrilled to have you visit their island, and eager to both get to know you and talk about themselves.
We''d planned to begin our stay in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park area, then move around the island. We fell in love with the beautiful terrain of the rain forest, however, and couldn''t resist staying there for the whole trip! The Papillote Wilderness Reserve is not to be missed; an 8-room guest lodge nestled firmly in the heights of the forest, just outside the 680-person village of Trafalgar. A 15-minute hike to Trafalgar Falls, a double waterfall running both boiling hot and soothing, icy cold, is a treat upon arrival!
Papillote is surrounded by acres of botanical gardens, teeming with exotic flowers and trees, and chirping, clucking and croaking with farm life! Even a Rastafarian rooster struts proudly about the premises, boasting a wild mane of what you''d swear were dreadlocks!