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I'm Back from the Valley of Desolation

Three words: Hot Tubs!

One of the wonders that is Dominica is the hot springs. They are everywhere. The Boiling Lake shown in the previous post is the source for some of the hot springs, while others just bubble up out of the ground. The water is high in sulfur, which makes them smell a little, but also makes them good for the skin. The high iron content makes many of the springs very noticable, as the creekbed looks rusted.

The Commonwealth of Dominica (not to be confused with The Dominican Republic) has yet to utilize the great geothermal resources to very much potential. Over 60% of their power is hydroelectically generated, which is good. The remainder comes from--get this--coal. That's right, the country with the hottest, largest boiling lake in the world, and geothermal energy everywhere, uses coal to heat water to turn turbines. There are talks under way to create geothermal power, and I hope that they are able to do it in an environmentally sound manner. Dominica's greatest attraction, and greatest resource is it's natural wonders of the rainforests and hot water springs. If they screw up the rainforest in order to tap into the geothermal energy, then it just isn't worth it.


They do, however utilize the hot water springs well, in the form of hot tubs. If you ever have the chance to go there, go on a hike in the rainforests, and lounge in some natural hot springs.

One night, I had several Kabuli Beer (local brew), some Rum Punch (emphasis on PUNCH), and went to the Screw Spa. As we didn't have our camera with us at the Screw Spa, here's a pic I found online of some other unknown people in the spa. We arrived there at dusk. The full moon shone down on us while some type of lightening beetle flitted about. VERY relaxing.






Every morning and evening I availed myself of the Hot Tubs at the small inn we were at, and occasionally bathed in the cold waterfall on the premesis.

Enough with the relaxation bit, we worked our asses off most of the time hiking all over the island on little sleep, carrying heavy gear. Did I mention this was a rainforest? Yeah? Well guess what happens ALL THE TIME in a rainforest. That's right, rain. And lots of it. On our 16 mile hike through the Vally of Desolation to Boiling Lake and back, it rained about 4 inches on our heads. It also ruined one of our lenses. But man-o-man was the cool sights worth it.

One of the on-air-types, Nancy, started to get hypothermia. I brought her temperature up with some improvised tea. We had some Red Sorrel juice (local yummy juice from the Hibiscus flower) with I mixed with some water, put into my Nalgene water bottle, and heated up over a steam vent that was bubbling and spewing up out of the ground. Nice hot tea, on the spot.

There was a nice hike at Freshwater Lake, the source of most of the hydroectric power.

And, of course, I had to climb a tree. I have a reputation to uphold.

Luckily the work was fun, otherwise it would've been a grueling trip. I had a great time. Oh, and I had the best Pina Colada in the world. The Rum Punch is the traditional local favorite, and it was good--and strong--but the pina colada was outstanding. I ordered it on the last day, because I wanted something different than Rum Punch. The girl said she'd bring it out to me, and went into the kitchen. Fifteen minutes later (and a lot of noise from the kitchen) I recieved the best pina colada ever. It was obvious that she had cut open a fresh pineapple, and busted open a fresh coconut in order to make it. I mean fresh. And tasty.

Off to the Boiling Lake

Thats right, Boiling. Like actually above 212F.

I'm working on a nature series for television to be air on SC Public Television, marketed towards National PBS, and possibly the Discovery Channel. I'll be out of town for the week on a shoot in the Carribean Island of Dominica.

Some of the itinerary:
Friday Afternoon Shoot Blue-Gobies and waterfall at Trafalger with underwater camera. Friday Evening, Shoot Leatherback sea turtles. At this point, I should point out that the term "Shoot" means with a video camera--not a gun.

Saturday Whales/ Dolphins with possible underwater shots. Souffreire--Low elevation sulpher vents with wild cashews and lizards. Snorkling at Scott's Head. Shoot Leatherback turtles at night, or shoot giant fruit bats at Tou Santi (The Stinking Hole).

Sunday Parrots Giant trees and rainforest. Cactus forest at Calihut. Make up day for Stinkhole.

Monday, Boiling Lake

Tuesday Iguanas, hummingbirds and make up day.



The sulfur vent shoot will require an 16 mile round trip hike, and should be very cool. There are only a few plants and animals that can handle living around the temperature, steam and sulfur gasses.

Also ,we'll be shooting leatherback turtles at night laying eggs. VERY COOL.

I have more to do, and little time, so I'll wrap it up.

And cheese

We now finally have a Whole Foods here in G-Vegas. It is such a fantastic store, it makes you want to cook and eat and drink and eat and eat. Great timing. Like several other bloggers, I have been trying to drop a few pounds lately.

I've been rigorously excercising almost daily. I've been eating salads and grilled stuff, and I've been eating less stuff altogether. I rarely drink sodas anymore anyway, but on the occasion that I do, I've switched to Fresca. Snacks are few and far between.

What is the difficult part? Light beer. Less alcohol. I realize that alcohol has tons of calories, and I realize it deserves a fair amont of the blame for my weight. New rules: 1)No alcohol on weekdays. 2)No alcohol to excess. 3)Try to drink light beer. 4)No sweet mixed drinks.

That said, I've already taken a little liberty with my new rules. TheWife went to Whole Foods on Thursday, so when I walked in the door after work, she put a very thin slice of Manchego Cheese in my mouth and a glass of 2003 Las Rocas Garnacha in my hand. Now, I am much more of a gourmand (read: glutton) than a wine critic, but it would be hard to find a better 8 dollar red wine. It's a Spanish Grenache that with a bold, fruity taste, without being sweet. And let me tell you, it went extremely well with the manchego chese and my lack of eating and drinking.

I celebrated my rule breaking by drinking a couple Singha on Cinco de Mayo. That's right, due to a two hour wait at Sabrosos and similar wait times at other Mexican resturants, we had Thai food on Cinco de Mayo.

Since I was having a fun weekend already, TheWife and I met Shep and MsJackHammer, as well as another couple, Jason and Jen for Sushi. Shep and I (with a little help from TheWife) drank two teapots of Sake. I was fairly good with the food though, and for the first time ever--I left Irashai without feeling like I was going to explode. We then saw a great show at the Handlebar by Mac Arnold and the Plateful of Blues. That old blues guy can play a mean gas can. If you ever get the chance, go see Mac. Oh, and get a bottle of Las Rocas. And eat cheese.