erichK
Contributor
peterjmaerz:Hi ErichK
I share your preference for Dominica over Saba. I found the diving itself quite superior in terms of fish life and corals and the topside...whew! As dramatic as Saba's scenery is, it pales in comparison to the splendor of DOminica. Did you have a chance to do any exploring on the island? Some of the hikes i enjoyed there will remain in my memory forever!
During both my visits there, I stayed at Castle Comfort and dove with Dive Dominica. The accomodations were very comfortable if not luxuious and the dive op excellent. I also spent a week each time at the Papilotte up near Trafalgar Falls. Beautiful.
Best,
We dove two or three times every day, so only managed a walk from Soufriere up to the Sulphur pool and the drive and hike to Middleham Falls (not that this three hours plus of hiking, fording and sometimes almost climbing through rainforest was a minor matter!) It was certainly a great experience--the flowers and plants are incredible, but we should have given it more time. Also, it should probably not have been done after two days and a night dive the day before and two dives that day...at least not by people our age. Two of the three of us made it to the Falls them, but neither of us had the chutzpah left to emulate our (wonderful!) guide, Peter, and jump into the pool below them, sweat-soaked though we were.
We dove with Nature Island Dive, mostly in Soufriere Bay. The diving was fantastic, and they are probably the nicest people and the most pleasant dive operation we have ever had the fortune to dive. Three local, very knowledgable and caring, relaxed but still enthusiastic divemasters and Simon Walsh, a superb photographer and very expert instructor and part-owner.
We also stayed at Nature Island's Galetta cottage (the lower, roomier level). The cottage doesn't have air conditioning, just a couple of indusrial strength fans, and the sound of the waves crashing ashore almost under one's bed does take some getting used to. But the views are beautiful, and the package costs very reasonable. It's a great place to stay, once you learn the ropes (where and when to get fresh fruit, fish, bread and groceries, the cheap convenience of the "bus" to Roseau, the excellent local eateries.
Our experiences in Saba made us appreciate Dominica better. How was your second week, up in the hills? Our "upstairs neighbours", the mature American couple who rented the top floor of the cottage also spent a week where you did, after their week of diving. Perhaps this is what we should have done, too.