can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Firefly - Happy New Year



After all the preparation and distance we've already traveled it's very exciting to know that we are now, at last, in the year we are undertaking the World ARC...

Having had a great few days exploring the Ilses des Saintes (perhaps the Scilly Isles of the Leeward Islands), we have now arrived in Dominica. This is one of the wet and therefore very green islands - covered in rainforest and boasting 365 rivers (competition for Antigua's 365 beaches?). The rain is not really a problem - the locals call it liquid sunshine - no sooner have the heavens opened than the sun is out again.

Our landfall in Dominica on New Year's Eve was Portsmouth (to Susie's relief, nothing like it's UK counterpart). As we approached the town, the second largest settlement of the island, we entered Prince Rupert Bay and were greeted by 'Spaghetti' Eric in a small open boat (with a 100 hp outboard on the back) who helped us find a suitable anchorage and then acted as our guide for the next day and sorted out our social arrangements for the evening.

Our New Years Eve was memorably spent at a beach party and BBQ hosted by the Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services (PAYS) for all the visiting yachtsfolk. There was lots of dancing with the locals showing the visiting yachtsmen how to groove the night away. We were treated to a display by fire acrobats culminating in fire eating (actually US visitors with an extra talent and definitely no Health and Safety restrictions). Midnight saw flares let off and fireworks from distant superyachts - it was a memorable and unique experience and very appropriate for our year ahead.

After the excesses of the previous evening, we were quite surprised that Eric remembered to pick us up this morning for a New Years Day excursion up the nearby Indian River. This involved him sedately paddling us up a brackish river lined with buttress rooted trees and coconut palms. The river was used as a location for the filming of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and we passed the House of Black Magic and had a refreshing lemongrass and cinnamon tea in the place Johnny Depp ate his lunch while on location; maybe we even sat on the seat he'd sat on .....

Dominica is the least developed of the islands we've visited so far on our journey south but our experience of Dominica has been positive. Everyone we have met has been happy and helpful, particularly the PAYS team, and we feel lucky to have entered 2014 here (and the sea is flat so much easier to sleep).

We wish all our friends and loved ones a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Love from

Paul, Susie, Jane, Peter and Grateful (there is a Parrot on the national flag so very at home!)



Previous | Next