cedar rapids airport map 800-GOSPICE or 758-452-0865, www.casalucia.com/spice1.htm. Jungle Tours offers three rainforest adve

800-GOSPICE or 758-452-0865, cedar rapids airport map www.casalucia.com/spice1.htm. Jungle Tours offers three rainforest adventures rated for beginning, intermediate, or advanced hikers. In addition, there are tours to the beach, waterfalls, and special outings for cruise-ship passengers with time restrictions. All include transportation in an open Land Rover, and most feature a buffet lunch, 758-450-0434, www.jungletoursstlucia.com.

While the population of St. Lucia is growing, recent counts show the population of Dominica is decreasing slightly. The total number of people living on Dominica is now less than 70,000, with about 16,000 living in the capital city of Roseau. By contrast, approximately 170,000 people live on St. Lucia, cedar rapids airport map and more than 67,000 live in Castries, the capital. These figures are more meaningful when you consider that St. Lucia, with 238 square miles, is a bit smaller than Dominica, which covers 290 square miles. cedar rapids airport map

At Cotton Batik House, 8 King s Lane, Roseau, 767-448-3409, the designers use 100% pre-shrunk cotton to make original-art clothing for men, women, and children. You can also buy wall hangings and table linens decorated with unique batik designs. Owner Claudia cedar rapids airport map Henderson is a talented singer who has performed off-Broadway. Now she spends her time creating distinctive wearable art that celebrates the beauty and culture of Dominica.

directions to des moines airport Lynne Sullivan is a veteran travel writer with a passion for the Caribbean. As the author of multipl

Lynne Sullivan is a veteran travel writer with a passion for the Caribbean. As the author of multiple travel guides to dozens of islands, she spends much of her time there scouting out a variety of activities, sites, directions to des moines airport shops, accommodations and eateries. directions to des moines airport Her goal is to steer readers to the best each island has to offer, whether they are on a short cruise-ship stop, or an extended vacation. Back home in Dallas, Texas, her snorkeling gear and hiking shoes are always packed in anticipation of the next island adventure.

Provisions: root vegetables such as dasheen, yams, sweet potatoes, tannia, and white potatoes. Very popular side dish. Roti: curried meat and/or vegetables wrapped in flat bread like a burrito. Schrub: a liqueur made by soaking oranges in rum. Sea-moss drink: rumored to be an aphrodisiac, it tastes somewhat like a vanilla milkshake. Souse: commonly called souse n puddin , the souse is pickled pig s head cooked with spices, while the puddin is sausage made of pig s blood. Souskai: green fruits, grated and macerated in lime juice, salt and hot pepper. Ti-punch: drink made of rum, cane syrup, and lime. If you order mountain chicken in a restaurant, you ll be eating crapaud legs, which are considered a delicacy. Forget you know what it is and order it Cr ole style. Travel Information

Land in this area, at the remote southeast end of the island, directions to des moines airport has always been used for agriculture. At one time, large plantations sprawled across the region, and you can visit old lime factories and sugar mills. One of the most interesting is the mill at Geneva Estate, directions to des moines airport which is the setting for parts of novels by Dominica-born writer Jean Rhys, author directions to des moines airport of the popular Wide Sargasso Sea. It s located on the road between Berekua and Petite Savane, directions to des moines airport along with others at Stowe and Bagatelle, near Fond St. Jean.

compassionate leave for bereavement The most popular streams for swimming are the Picard River, which comes from the hills above Portsmo

The most popular streams for swimming are the Picard River, which comes from the hills above Portsmouth and empties into Prince Rupert Bay, and the Machoucherie River, compassionate leave for bereavement which flows into the Caribbean between M ro Beach and the village of Salisbury. The Layou is the longest river on Dominica and a favorite with locals. In 1997, a landslide filled the stream with dirt causing the water to overflow its banks and flood the surrounding valley. After a few years of healing, the river is once again suitable for swimming. compassionate leave for bereavement

Electricity Electricity on Dominica and St. Lucia is 220-volt AC, 50 cycles. Newer hotels may have complete compassionate leave for bereavement 110-volt systems, and many bathrooms in older hotels have outlets for 110-volt shavers. If you plan to use a hair dryer or other small appliance designed for 110 volts, check with your hotel about the need for a converter or plug adapter. Even dual-voltage computers and appliances may need a plug adapter, compassionate leave for bereavement depending on which country it was sold in. Conversion devices are relatively inexpensive, so you may want to pick up a set at a travel store or electrical shop before you leave home.

enjoy cooking your own meals and snacking out of your own refrigerator, or just want to avoid the usual tourist spots. Some rentals include extras, such as a car, transportation from the airport, maid service, kitchen provisioning, or an on-call chef.

Before you begin making plans and placing deposits, check with a few wedding consultants who specialize in Caribbean weddings. They can lead you safely through compassionate leave for bereavement the hazards compassionate leave for bereavement of getting married in a foreign country and arrange for almost any type of ceremony, reception, and honeymoon. Some to try:

compassionate leave bereavement The gourmet kitchen specializes in imaginative meals that please even the most demanding guests. Ret

The gourmet kitchen specializes in imaginative meals that please even the most demanding guests. compassionate leave bereavement Returning compassionate leave bereavement guests, who sometimes stay for two weeks, never complain of a lack of variety. Each day, the kitchen receives freshly caught fish and lobster from local fisherman, and herbs, compassionate leave bereavement vegetables, and fruits are selected at the market or purchased from nearby farms. Buffet breakfasts and lunches feature island fruits compassionate leave bereavement and vegetables along with cooked-to-order dishes and daily specialties. But the best offerings are presented at candlelight dinners, where haute cuisine compassionate leave bereavement meals are graciously served by an attentive staff that never lets a wine glass sit half-full.

Skinny-dipping is legally and culturally a no-no on Dominica, and you don t want to get caught doing it. However, if you find an isolated lagoon, who s going to know? West Coast Beaches Twenty-eight good snorkeling areas have been identified off the west coast, where the Caribbean Sea is clear and calm. Beaches south of Roseau aren t the best the island has to offer, but they are some of the most interesting.

Back on the west coast road, drive north a short distance to Point Ronde. This is a favorite anchorage area for sailboats, and the rocky shoreline is an ideal hunting ground for shell collectors. North, around the curve of the bay, there s a mile-long stretch of sandy beach and some good snorkeling spots. One of the best is the coral bed growing near the pier at Portsmouth compassionate leave bereavement Beach Hotel, south of the Picard River.

Anse La Raye is a shady beach that s popular with village residents. Bring a picnic compassionate leave bereavement lunch and snorkeling equipment, because there are no facilities on the beach. The water is clear and ideal for snorkeling. The community throws a fish fry on Friday nights, and all visitors are welcome.

arenas cuba The red rocks overlooking Pointe Baptiste Beach are extraordinary. Climb up the natural clay sculptu

The red rocks overlooking Pointe Baptiste Beach are extraordinary. Climb up the natural clay sculptures for magnificent views of the coast and Atlantic surf. The sandy beach below is ideal for picnicking, and the water is calm enough for snorkeling.

These lakes in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park are two of Dominica s finest. Freshwater Lake is the largest reservoir arenas cuba on the island, and it s possible to drive there, preferably arenas cuba in a four-wheel-drive vehicle because of the rugged stone road. On foot, the trip is an easy one-hour, two-mile hike from the village of Laudat.

quad city international airport moline il Apple Vacations, www.applevacations.com. Enter your zip code to find a travel agency in your area th

Apple Vacations, www.applevacations.com. Enter your zip code to find a travel quad city international airport moline il agency in your area that sells tickets/packages. Funjet Vacations, www.funjet.com. GWV, www.gwvtravel.com. You ll have to get a travel agent to make the reservation for you, but they offer direct and nonstop air from Boston, MA and Hartford, CT with hotel packages. TNT Vacations, 616-262-9200, www.tntvacations.com. Trans Global Vacations, www.tgvacations.com. By Sea

Colombian Emeralds features quad city international airport moline il emerald jewelry, other fine gemstones and international watches. They re known for significant savings, full guarantees, certified appraisals and US after- sales service; quad city international airport moline il 758-453-7721. Jewellers Warehouse claims to save you 50% on all merchandise; 758-453-7281. Diamonds in Paradise specializes in romantic diamond pieces; 758-452-7223. Essence highlights designer clothing and accessories from around the world; 758-452-3028. Benetton sells the familiar Italian fashions. You ll find a selection of unique stripes, prints and colors in the latest styles with duty-free prices; 758-452-7685. Banana Beach Shop stocks T-shirts, swimsuits, snorkeling gear, suntan lotion, and other beach necessities. In addition, they carry cookbooks, place mats, and other household items featuring the charming quad city international airport moline il watercolor prints of Caribbean artist Jill Walker; 758-452-6909. Natur Pur Designer Clothing is made from all natural fibers and designed by Sylvie Calderbank. You can choose from linen or cotton; 758-452-4252. PEER has coordinated cotton clothes with colorful prints and embroidery designs. Adult and children s sizes are available in T-shirts, shorts, caps, and more; 758-453-0815. Noah s Arkade has several shops around the island. All carry a good selection of imaginative handcrafted items such as straw hats, steel pans, hammocks, and jams, along with books, maps, film, and suntan products. Another store is on Jeremie Street in town; 758-452-2523. Bagshaw Studios is an internationally known family-run silkscreening business that makes colorful cotton and linen fabrics and gifts. If you have time, visit the working studio at La Toc Bay; 758-452-7570. Studio Images promises a 30-50% discount on fragrances by Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior and many other well-known international designers. They also offer good buys on designer sunglasses, watches, leather goods, and gifts; 758-452-3687. St. Lucia

casa oradea 767-448-2188, fax 767-448-6088 www.castlecomfortdivelodge.com 15 rooms $$$ Fans of this cozy upscale

767-448-2188, fax 767-448-6088 casa oradea www.castlecomfortdivelodge.com 15 rooms $$$ Fans of this cozy upscale lodge come back repeatedly for the homey atmosphere and good dive-talk. Most of the guests are on dive-package vacations and enjoy sitting around the hot tub or dinner table going over their day s adventures with owners Derek and Ginette casa oradea Perryman. The rooms are air conditioned and those located away from the water s edge have cable TV. Derek Perryman is an experienced, friendly diver who runs enjoys showing his underwater world to guests through his well-run dive center, Dive Dominica. casa oradea

These are qualities not easily kept secret. Over the past decade, the sharp worldwide growth of nature-tourism and eco-tourism helped boost Dominica s popularity. Visits from cruise ship passengers grew from about 7,000 to more than 244,000, casa oradea and the number of overnight tourists increased from about 30,000 to more than 75,000. Obviously, change is imminent. The message: Visit now.

Across Laborie Street from the east side of the square, you ll see the stone Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, casa oradea which was begun around 1895 and completed in 1931. Go inside the church to see Biblical scenes painted by internationally renowned St. Lucian artist Dunstan Saint-Omer (notice his trademark casa oradea black Christ). Fresh flowers sit on side altars and candles give off a lovely light. If you attend mass on Sunday, you will be in the company of parishioners casa oradea decked out in their multicolored best. Services are at 7:30pm Saturday and 6am and 7:30am Sunday. A children's mass is on Sundays at 10:30am. 758-452-2271.

At the far southern tip of the island, about 10 minutes by car from Point Guignard, the kick-back-and-chill casa oradea villages of Soufri re and Scott s Head loll on beautiful Soufri re Bay. Walk out to the end of the isthmus where a narrow strip of sand offers little more than a place to leave your towel. The protected marine reserve just offshore is fabulous. Cradled casa oradea in an ancient volcano, the bay is a favorite dive site because casa oradea of its abundant coral and sea life. The water is calm enough for leisurely swimming, and deep underwater sights can be seen with a mask and snorkel.