“But the skies are blue and the sea calm – they must take us for fools!” They responded. Ignoring the warnings, they went about their way.

That night a hurricane, (from the Amerindian “ouragan” and Kalinago “ioullou” and “bointara”), so ferocious, raged across the island. While the islanders were safely sheltered in hillside caves, the settlers were frantic. Their houses offered no resistance and without protection, many died. Those settlers who survived, so unfamiliar with the Caribbean climate and deaf to former warnings, accused the Kalinago of sorcery. How could these people have known of this approaching monstrous storm?

Kalinago cycle of the year. Courtesy www.lennoxhonychurch.com

The answer is not so mysterious.

Aware of the island’s seasons, the Kalinago developed a relationship with their surroundings which allowed them to survive. When the signs of an approaching storm appeared – the islanders could on a drop retreat to safety. Their structures built of ‘Wild cane’ or ‘Roseaux Reed’, once damaged, could easily be rebuilt.

The islanders knew that hurricanes come from the east and during the wet season – which runs from June to December. Beginning as a weather system off the African continent they travel west across the Atlantic Ocean. Here they gather strength from the warm water, spiraling around an eye resulting in strong winds, rainfall and tall waves – or storm surge. Because of these consistencies, the Kalinago recognized which signs to look for.

Over the years, as the settlers became accustomed to this new environment, their building designs adapted to the Dominican weather and climate. Structures able to withstand powerful winds and torrential downpours could be secured in no time with hurricane shutters which were used to protect windows and doors. In those days, warning systems were non existent, giving residents little time to prepare, but in later years as technology and international communication improved, announcements progressed from sounding church bells, conch shells blown by villagers, canons fired up along the coast, to radio announcements and more recently satellite imagery publicized through websites and television.

As a child I have a memory of the excitement surrounding one particular approaching Hurricane. It was about a Category 2, and the whole island frantically prepared. Shelves of the supermarkets and shops were cleared of bottled water, batteries, candles and non perishables.  Cars lined up to fill their tanks with petrol and containers with kerosene.  At home, the hurricane shutters were unfolded for the first time in years allowing the doors and windows to be barred.  As it neared, the sky turned grey and air was heavy, silent except for the movement of people and their voices, which carried further than usual. Before the first gusts of wind began to tickle the windows and pellets of rain knocked at the roof, there was an eerie silence, as if the sky was taking its last deep breath.

Although there have been a few devastating hurricanes in the past, most recently Hurricane David in 1979, Dominica is fortunate to be just out of the Hurricane Belt. With our climate changing however, in recent years the worst storms have occurred during the months of August to November, but mostly in the form of heavy rain and no more than a Category 1. Today, early warning systems allow days (rather than hours) to prepare.

• For more on Hurricane safety – visit our Hurricane Tips.

“For the adjective meaning of or relating to botany or the cultivation of plants, botanic and botanical are both acceptable, and there is no difference between them, but botanical is more common in 21st-century English.” – source: grammarist.com

There’s something magical about walking through the 40 acres that make up Dominica’s Botanical Gardens.

The gardens were originally created in 1890 with over 500 different species of tropical trees and shrubs when the garden was fully developed, I can’t even begin to imagine the various wildlife inhabitants that would have been thriving in there at the time.

90 years later, Hurricane David tore through Dominica flattening trees and buildings in its path, destroying roads and bridges that went in and out of Roseau Town.

The only physical evidence of the hurricane is the yellow school bus that was crushed by a gigantic African Baobab Tree in the Gardens.

As destructive as Mother Nature is, years after this catastrophic event the African Baobab Tree continues to flourish and flower each year, even with the Bus in its clasp.

There are many different flowers and plants that can be seen throughout the gardens, displaying a beautiful array of colours and scents.

The Botanic Gardens in Roseau are a perfect getaway for a lunch break or a morning stroll before work.

There are many different spots to explore within the Gardens, whether its the Parrot Aviary, the Bamboo House or a small hike up Jacks Walk for a magnificent aerial view of Roseau from Morne Bruce.

Until recently, little was known about the elusive Sperm Whales that are often seen off of the west coast of Dominica.

Photo Copyright ImagesDominica.com

A Canadian whale biologist from Dalhousie University and his colleagues have made some amazing discoveries about these mysterious mammals that spend most of their lives underwater. He and his research team have spent several years following some Sperm Whale families to observe their methods of socialization and communication.

It appears that certain traits resemble those of humans more than one might think!

• Read more at www.avirtualdominca.com

The Crapaud, as this big frog is called in Creole, has a place of honour on Dominica’s Coat-of-Arms and was considered the country’s national dish. But these days, it is extremely rare to see one, let alone hear their distinctive mating call. They’ve been almost completely wiped out by a devastating disease and they’re on the brink of becoming extinct.

But all is not lost.

A team of international organizations has been assisting Dominica’s Forestry and Wildlife Division with developing a program to help save this national symbol, so that they will thrive once again!

• Read more about Dominica’s Crapaud on avirtualDominica.com

Watch in amazement as you witness one of three types of globally endangered female sea turtles laying her eggs on the Nature Island’s pristine beaches. If you’re there when the time is right, seeing the hatchlings heading back to sea will leave you spellbound. Hire a trained turtle guide to help you unravel the mystery of an unforgettable encounter with these gigantic gentle creatures.

Young Leatherback Heads for the Sea at Rosalie

Read more about Sea Turtles and Turtle-Watching in Dominica:

• Turtle Watching in Dominica

The book was produced as a collaboration by the Southeast Environment and Tourism Development Committee (SETDC), a community-based umbrella organization promoting tourism and environmental development in the communities of the Southeast of Dominica.

From the Official Press Release:

Delices – The Southeast Environment and Tourism Development Committee proudly announces the arrival of its book, Plants of Dominica’s Southeast. This book highlights some of the flora and fauna found along the trails of the six most popular sites in the southeast.  These sites include Denier Falls, Anba Wavin Siwik Falls, Secret Beach, Sari Sari Falls, Glasci and Victoria Falls.

Publication of Plants of Dominica’s Southeast was made possible through generous funding provided by UNESCO, countless hours devoted by Mr. Arlington James and Dr. Alexandra Burton-James and the diligent work of amateur botanists throughout the Southeast.

The book retails at US $10.00/ EC $25.00 and can be purchased at the following locations:

• Jays Ltd. – Kennedy Ave, Roseau
• Frontline Bookstore – Independence Street, Roseau
• DHTA Office – Castle Street, Roseau (discounted price for DHTA Members)
• Jungle Bay Resort & Spa Gift Shop, Pt. Mulatre

Or for more information contact:

• Lauretta Smith in Boetica at nadinelaurettasmith@gmail.com

Sea Lion Visits Dominica

As many of you know, about 2 weeks ago Dominica had the good fortune to provide sanctuary to a sea lion that had escaped from the island of St. Kitts during Hurricane Omar.

Below is a first-hand account of the event, accompanied by photos. Thanks go to Erick Thomas for providing this information to us!

On the afternoon of Sunday the 9th of November, 2008 a crowd of onlookers came out to the Douglas Bay in Tantan, where it was reported that there was a sea lion present there. A California sea lion was moved up and down the shoreline, periodically coming to the waters edge where some of the onlookers took pictures and tried to interact with it. With it looking some what lean , the locals start feeding it with fish.

Later that day we learnt that the sea lion was one of a few sea lions that escaped from the Friars Bay Aquarium belonging to Marine World Ltd. in St. Kitts after the passage of Hurricane Omar. A few persons got in contact with the Management of the Friars Bay Aquarium who encouraged them to give the sea lion at least 2 pounds of fish and he would come down to get it the following day.

The Sea Lion was collected the following day and returned to his home in St. Kitts.

Text and Photos by Erick Thomas of Cabrits Dive Center, Portsmouth..