Mama's Caribbean Odyssey Day 8

[a1mamacat]

March 17, 2008 St. Paddy’s Day. Day 8, Roseau Dominica

Scattered Clounds, High 80 F, 27 C, Low 77 F, 25 C.

Today, we decided to have breakfast in the Grand. I ordered an omelet, cheese, mushrooms, red peppers, and ham. Cranberry juice, croissants and coffee topped up this yummy serving. We took our time, as we were just planning to stroll around town, and I didn’t have an excursion until 2 pm that afternoon.

Went up to the pool deck around 10 am and had a swim and sun. I decided that it was too early for drink of the day, so I had a lemonade. Mom came out and we sat and chatted and sunned until about 11. Picked up Dad from the putting green, and headed into town.

Sad little town, with so much poverty it had me in tears. I could hardly believe that people could live and grow in such conditions. This was not a stop for the faint hearted. There were open sewers, and the vehicles were barely held together with rust and old paint. We couldn’t get back to the ship fast enough. Walking the last bit, along a sea wall, we could see the local beach. Dominica is much different from the other islands, in that the sand is almost black, rather than white, and quite rocky.

Back on board, I had a light lunch of salad and cheese, because I was off on another exciting adventure…my first ever snorkel swim. I have used a mask etc in a pool setting, but had never done so in open water. I was a little nervous, but ready to go.

We set out for an area called Champagne. There were about 13 of us, plus 3 tour operators in an opensided ferry boat. Everyone else had snorkelled before, so the tour guide gave me some private instruction. I actually used a life-ring, and aimed my face through the hole. Wow and double wow. I saw so many beautiful underwater treasures.

The Champagne area is called this because of the incredible thermal vents underwater. Hot water travels up from the sea floor to the surface, creating streams of bubbles. The fish absolutely love the warmth, and I saw schools of small black and white striped fish, some bright yellow ones, and bright blue parrotfish. The sea floor was littered with sea urchins, and the parrotfish were having a field day.

My friends Janet and Al were along for the trip, and were sticking close to me to keep an eye on me. Al got a jellyfish tentacle wrapped around his leg and was yelling OW OW OW, then Janet was flicked by the jellyfish and hollered OW Damn, and then I got a slight brush of it, and was burned a little too. It was rather like a rope burn. The guides weren’t too concerned, because it wasn’t a man o war. They poured vinegar on the stings, and they soon stopped.

We headed back after about an hour in the water, and got to the ship with ½ hour to spare before sailing. I was totally exhausted and exhilarated and delighted. I was also covered in salt and sand, so headed to the pool deck shower to rinse off and soak in the hot tub. Erasmus was quickly there with my drink, a Yellow Bird, which was Rum, Banana Liqueur, Calliano, Orange and Pineapple Juice. GADS!!!! What a great drink. I had two LOL.

Supper on the terrace was Lamb, with all the fixings, greek salad, irish soda bread and some lovely wine. Dessert was an assortment of cakes, puddings, and a Chocolate fountain.

Early bed for me, as I was very tired from the day.


Edited once to fix nasty typos.

[AnnieCamaro]

Your whole trip sounds excellent, Miss a1! I think I would like scuba diving, because I'm a very good swimmer. This really got my attention, though:

Erasmus was quickly there with my drink, a Yellow Bird, which was Run, Banana Liqueur, Calliano, Orange and Pineapple Juice. GADS!!!! What a great drink.

I would never bite a real yellow bird, but that sounds like a tasty drink! I love to Run.

/:P\

[MarleysGh0st]

My friends Janet and Al were along for the trip, and were sticking close to me to keep an eye on me. Al got a jellyfish tentacle wrapped around his leg and was yelling OW OW OW, then Janet was flicked by the jellyfish and hollered OW Damn, and then I got a slight brush of it, and was burned a little too. It was rather like a rope burn. The guides weren’t too concerned, because it wasn’t a man o war. They poured vinegar on the stings, and they soon stopped.

Ouch!

But the vinegar sounds like a much more civilized version of the treatment they have to use on Survivor.

[peacock2121]

I haven't been stung by a jellyfish since I was a kid.

I remember it being annoying.

Today, I bet I would cry.

[kayrharris]

Never heard of vinegar for a jellyfish sting. Sometimes we have lots of them on the beach here on the Gulf coast. I've never been stung, but the kids have.

[tanstaafl2]

Never heard of vinegar for a jellyfish sting. Sometimes we have lots of them on the beach here on the Gulf coast. I've never been stung, but the kids have.

Haven't been stung often despite snorkeling a good bit, especially in Hawaii and the Caribbean. Then again I typically wear a long sleeve shirt and gloves when snorkeling, both to protect from jellyfish and from the sun. Only my legs are at risk.

Vinegar (acetic acid) has generally been regarded as the best option for most jellyfish stings. Things that are mild acids like lemon juice may help as well. Others have recommended rubbing alcohol.

The Portuguese man-of-war, which are a different family from other jellyfish, do not respond to vinegar and it may make the stinging worse. Washing the area with seawater to remove the stingers is one option to try.

Most experts say urine is not effective even though some people have claimed it works. Fresh water tends to make the sting worse and urine is mostly water so that would seem to make sense.