Wednesday, October 31, 2012

moline international airport A valid passport is always the best form of official identification for travelers. You can find out





A valid passport is always the best form of official identification for travelers. You can find out where to apply for a US passport by entering moline international airport your zip code or state in the search box at http://iafdb. travel.state.gov/ or call 877-487-2778. moline international airport Additional information is available online at http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html. moline international airport

Dominica 35 What s Special About It? 35 Snapshots 37 A Brief History 38 The First Inhabitants 38 European Settlement 38 Independence 40 Travel Information 40 Documentation 40 Getting Here 40 By Air 40 By Sea 42 Getting Around 42 By Car 42 By Bus 43 By Taxi 44 Festivals, Events & Holidays 45

Real shoppers moline international airport don t need to be told to ignore a store s curb appeal, and this is especially true on Dominica. Sometimes a weathered exterior hides a nicely laid-out shop with excellent merchandise. Most stores are open weekdays from 8am to 5pm, and Saturday from 9am to 2pm. In general, shops are closed moline international airport on Sundays, but some may open when a cruise ship is in port or the island is hosting a festival.

Spend some time at the marina and on the long, beautiful beach. The town itself is nothing special, but you can book all types of watersports and cruises here, and you ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, and gift shops. A ferry runs from the south end of the marina to Pigeon Island (EC$27/US$10 round-trip or EC$125US$50 for a day-trip, including lunch); 758-452-8816.

arenas cuba Carib Indians once lived on the river banks and used it as a route to fishing grounds in the Caribbe





December 13th is National arenas cuba Day as well as the Feast of St. Lucy. For many years, the islanders referred to this date as Discovery arenas cuba Day in the belief that Christopher Columbus arenas cuba landed on their island December 13, 1502. However, logs of the voyages show that Columbus was nowhere near the area on that date, and facts about the actual discovery by anyone other than Arawak Indians are vague. But a celebration is still appropriate, and the island s patron saint is celebrated in style. Lantern-lit

Carib Indians once lived on the river banks and used it as a route to fishing grounds in the Caribbean ocean. When early European ships stopped on the island for fresh water or wood, crew members often rowed up the river of the Indians to trade with the Caribs and soon began marking their maps Indian River. Today, visitors are intrigued by the intricate roots of the bwa mang trees that house scampering crabs, and awed by the beautiful orchids that grow wild among the ferns along the swampy banks.

Continuing south on the west-coast highway, watch for signs marking the right turn onto the steep road down to Marigot Bay, a gorgeous natural harbor and among the most outstanding anchorages in all the Caribbean. When you see the secluded cove, you will understand why pirates consid-

cedar rapids iowa city airport Pick up maps, brochures, and magazines at one of the tourist offices before you set off to explore t





Pigeon Island National Park has a pleasant sand beach near the pier, as well as several rocky waterfront areas for relaxing and enjoying the views. You ll have to pay an entrance fee to get into the park, so plan to visit this beach after touring the grounds or hiking along the trails. cedar rapids iowa city airport

767-445-8495, fax 767-445-8495 www.avirtualdominica.com/pointeb.htm One house, one cottage, with a total of 5 rooms $ (based on five couples sharing cedar rapids iowa city airport the main house and cottage) The main house on this 25-acre estate cedar rapids iowa city airport has four bedrooms and three baths, which comfortably accommodates up to eight guests. The small cottage has one sleeping area and is suitable for one couple. cedar rapids iowa city airport Both are charmingly old-island with a weathered look and homey furnishings. The main house has a fabulous view from the front veranda of Pointe Baptiste s famous red-rock cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Inside, there s a living room, library, dining area, and full kitchen. cedar rapids iowa city airport The cottage has twin beds in a combination living area/bedroom, a small kitchen, and a patio. Maid and cooking services can be arranged with the manager, Annick Giraud. The estate has an interesting history and many well-known people have been guests here, including England s Princess Margaret.

Pick up maps, brochures, and magazines at one of the tourist offices before you set off to explore the island. Kiosks are located at both airports and both cruise-ship terminals. The offices on the lower level of the Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage shopping complexes have the best stock of free material as well as the most dependable hours (8am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, and anytime a cruise ship arrives, 758-452-4094). Castries Be forewarned that the capital is not a beautiful city. Fires have destroyed most historical buildings, so your first impression will be that Castries is a concrete commercial center without character. However, the setting between cedar rapids iowa city airport rolling green hills and a turquoise sea is lovely, and residents radiate an infectious exuberance that puts visitors into an adventurous vacation mood.

have a great time diving almost anywhere, but experienced divers want surprises, and Dominica produces them in abundance. There are dramatic sites directly offshore where seahorses, frogfish, electric rays, sea snakes, and reef squid live among huge stands of yellow-tube sponges and golden-orange feathered crinoids.

standby relocations Only the most luxurious resorts have a dress code. Most restaurants realize you re on vacation and e





Doolittle standby relocations s Restaurant is steps away, and features Cr ole and international dishes. If you re in the mood for a burger, Big Bamboo cooks up about 50 different kinds. Diving is the main passion among most guests, and a PADI dive shop offers training and scuba/snorkeling trips. In addition, there s a swimming pool, a water-sports center on the shady beach, a gym, and gift shop.

Only the most luxurious standby relocations resorts have a dress code. Most restaurants realize you re on vacation and expect you to dress accordingly. You will most likely be eating outdoors on a breezy veranda, perhaps near the sea, so bring a sweater if you chill easily. Otherwise, dressy shorts or a colorful sundress is appropriate in the evening, and you can get by with a swimsuit coverup during the day.

Tap water on both islands is generally clean and safe to drink. However, you may want to drink bottled water, especially in remote areas. Bottled water is readily available, so why risk infection? Do not drink from outdoor faucets, which may be intended for irrigation only.

cedar rapids cid Fun Sun offers sports fishing in a 34-foot boat, featuring a fully equipped galley, air conditioning





Butterfly Boutique, Papillote Wilderness Retreat, Trafalgar Falls Road, about five miles north of Roseau, 767-448-2287, www.papillote. dm. You expect originality and quality in this nature setting, cedar rapids cid and Butterfly Boutique won t disappoint. There s a fine variety of art and crafts created by Dominican artists, including lovely mahogany sculptures by Louis Desire. Other choices include distinctive jewelry, magnificent quilts, and superb beauty products.

Of course, you don t have to do the daredevil stuff. Most people just take their bike for a comfortable cruise along the eco-friendly compost trails that lead to historic ruins, fantastic hilltop vistas, and the beach.

Fun Sun offers sports fishing in a 34-foot boat, featuring a fully equipped galley, air conditioning, a freshwater shower, cedar rapids cid and a stereo system. The trophy-winning crew promises plenty of tall tales to entertain you while you fish for blue marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, wahoo, and barracuda.

restaurants near syracuse airport Dominican currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), which exchanges at EC$2.67 to US$1. Banks





758-451-4974, fax 758-451-4973 Eclectic $$ Daily, 6:30am to 10pm Actually, the entire north side of Marigot Bay is called Doolittles because of the movie that was filmed here, but the name is claimed specifically by this waterside restaurant known for its barbequed meats. Breakfast is standard waffles or eggs with bacon or sausage, restaurants near syracuse airport and the dinner menu includes fish or meat with a choice of interesting sauces. A ferry will transport you from the Marigot Bay Marina across the lagoon to the restaurant s north shore dock, which is accessible only by boat.

Dominican currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), which exchanges at EC$2.67 to US$1. Banks and ATMs offer the best exchange rate. US$ are widely accepted, but change is always returned in EC$.

Back on the coast highway, heading south from Soufri re, you soon come to Scotts Head. This is one of the prettiest bits of land on the island. A narrow restaurants near syracuse airport strip of land connects the lively fishing village of Scotts Head with the southernmost promontory tip of the island where Fort Cachacrou once stood. Most of the fort has long ago crumbled and fallen into the ocean, but you can climb to the top of the peninsula for an awesome view in every direction Martinique, 20 miles to the south; the coast of Dominica, to the north; and the meeting of the Atlantic and the Caribbean, to the east.

If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle or want to hike, it s possible to continue past Pennville, around the tip of the island, to Capucin Cape on the northwest coast. The landscape and views are marvelous. Plans are being made to pave a road through restaurants near syracuse airport the forest, restaurants near syracuse airport but for now, this area offers excellent hiking. Allow about three hours to reach Capucin on foot.

syracuse hancock Once called Pigeon Island, this historic spit of land was connected to the main island by a causeway





are a must-see, simply because they re there. The walls of the volcano disintegrated long ago, so don t expect to drive into an actual crater. You park on the hillside, quite close to all the action, then walk among the dormant but bubbling gaseous syracuse hancock pits that smell and look like a scene from hell. Guides will take you on a tour of the lunar-like landscape, but be sure to stay on designated paths and overlooks. The ground is soft, and you don t want to risk stepping off into the hissing, boiling syracuse hancock mud.

Once called Pigeon Island, this historic spit of land was connected to the main island by a causeway back in the 1970s, and is now officially named Pigeon Point. The 40-acre site at the tip of the man-made peninsula still is known as Pigeon Island National Park. You

now open to visitors. You can walk along flagstone paths through 12 acres of woodlands to manicured areas with names such as Secret Garden and Mystic Garden. There are benches made of tree branches where you can sit and look out on fabulous views of the Atlantic syracuse hancock and the Fr gate Islands. The Shingleton-Smith family has owned the property since 1906, but the main estate syracuse hancock house was built in 1796 by Baron de Micoud, syracuse hancock a French aristocrat and former governor of St. Lucia. Brigand s Bar and Garden Gate gift shop now occupy the renovated house. Mamiku Gardens are open daily, 9am to 5pm; 758-455-3729, www.mamiku.com.

All-inclusive rates include syracuse hancock meals, snacks, drinks, watersports, playing privileges at the fine on-site St. Lucia Racquet Club, scheduled recreational activities, live musical entertainment each night, and a supervised kid s program. Sightseeing, syracuse hancock golf, scuba diving, and spa treatments can be arranged at an additional charge.