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S U M M E R I S S U E 2 5
After visiting Barbados, where we enjoyed
one of its spectacular beaches, we reached
Dominica, which was perhaps my favorite
island on the itinerary. Home to a lush
rainforest and rare flora and fauna, it is a
nature lover's paradise. Our excursion
departed from the capital city of Roseau and
included a hike to Trafalgar Falls, followed by
a swim in a jungle basin hidden inside Morne
Trois Pitons National Park. Truth be told, I love
a rainforest adventure and this one was
magnificent. After a swift drive in a 4x4 Jeep
into the island's interior, I was delivered to the
foot of the gorgeous Trafalgar Falls, which
thunders over each side of a sugarloaf peak.
From Dominica, we sailed on, accompanied
by a dusky pink sunset, to St. John's in
Antigua. We continued our course through
mirror-calm waters back to Puerto Rico via
Saint Martin and Saint Thomas in the US
Virgin Islands. It was a glorious trifecta of
quaint harbors, sparkling skies and sea vistas.
The other Caribbean islands would beg to
differ, of course, but I found my perfect rum
bar at English Harbour in Antigua and
discovered my ultimate soft-sand beach in
the US Virgin Islands—but don't worry, there
are plenty of beaches to go around should
you want to claim one for yourself. Mine
was practically empty and, looking back out
across the brilliant blue sea from its tideline,
I experienced the wind in my hair, the sun on
my skin and felt totally at home in paradise.
GETTING THERE: An 11-day West
Indies Explorer voyage sails roundtrip
from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Clockwise, from top left:
The Pitons, St. Lucia; Trafalgar Falls in Dominica;
the Baths of Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands;
St. Kitts Scenic Railway; English Harbour, Antigua
PUERTO RICO
San Juan
Road Town
Charlotte
Amalie
Philipsburg
Basseterre
Castries
T O R T O L A
S T . M A R T I N
St. John's
A N T I G U A &
B A R B U D A
S T . L U C I A
S T . T H O M A S
S T . K I T T S
& N E V I S
B A R B A D O S
Bridgetown
Caribbean
Sea
Roseau
D O M I N I C A
–
C r ui s e
••
O ve r night in Po r t
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