Day 12, Roseau, Dominica

First place we've docked, where we have been side on to the shore, so out of our cabin, it's just water. On the port side, there was Roseau, Dominica's capital, in all its colourful glory.  No trip planned today but had a walk we download. As it turned out though, the town has it's own heritage walk, though the town map from tourist information didn't show it for some reason. So, we did that instead. It was very interesting, taking in the Presidential home, courts, churches, the home of football (there were iron gates claiming this) and another botanical gardens. There are many buildings left in disrepair from a hurricane back in 2017, including a church and the library. The botanical gardens was devastated by hurricane David back in 1979 and it is here we saw the graphic nature of that event, where an American style yellow school bus lies crushed by a fallen tree. Luckily, it was empty at the time.

The crushed bus

We climbed a 400ft hill, Morne Bruce, via a path from the gardens, up a path called Jack's path. So called because British soldiers used to walk on it, passed the Union Jack, when moving from garrison to signalling point. It is a brilliant spot over looking the capital and now also includes a 92 y.o. Catholic shrine.

3 Cs. Left to right, Celebration, cannon & Catherine

Having made our way back to the town, we were surprised to see the streets almost totally gridlocked. Who would have thought a small town could experience jams like those we are so used to in our cities today.

We popped back on board for lunch, before heading out again, to complete the walk. That took us to Potterville, over the river. A bit like the other side of the tracks, it used to be a poor docks area. One building we came across used to be the quarantine area for anyone landing ashore with yellow fever. A poignant reminder, as Covid 19 sweeps the planet now. It is now used by a 'company' making carnival costumes. A chap there pointed out the staining on the walls from floodwater, and the new roof, a result of the 2017 hurricane. 

The evening was spent, as usual, with dinner and the show, and topped off with a couple of laps of the promenade deck. 

Tomorrow we'll arrive in Sr Lucia. We have our final excursion of the holidays.  Nothing quite as exciting as diving, a submarine or swimming with rays, just a bus tour around the island and up to the volcanic sulphur pools. Still, we did enough walking today.