Out to Sea for Feb.
9/13
(c) By Jim and Barb Fox
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| Holland America's Volendam in port in Dominica, the Nature Island of the Caribbean. (Jim Fox photo) |
“Take a dip in these
cool waters and they will restore your youth,” urged our pretty Rastafarian
tour guide in the Dominica jungle.
“It is the belief
that these crystal clear waters have such powers,” Ginette said confidently
while leading us along the Emerald Pool Nature Trail in the Morne Trois Pitons
National Park.
We dutifully clamoured
down the slippery slope to immerse ourselves in the extremely cold waters of
this waterfall grotto, a contrast to the steamy tropical heat.
We’re still
waiting for the promised return of vigour and even renewed hair growth but the
memory is just one of the experiences of shore excursions while cruising.
On Dominica, known
as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” this is an easy 30-minute hike in the UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
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| Visitors flock to the Emerald Pool in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park in Dominica, called a “fountain of youth.” (Jim Fox photo) |
It’s a slightly
rocky downhill trek with overhanging lush vegetation leading to the 15-metre-high
Emerald Falls plunging into a swirling, fern-filled basin.
On the return trek,
you can view the Atlantic Coast and Morne Laurent that rises to an elevation of
685 metres.
A great thing about
cruise vacations is the chance to explore multiple destinations on one trip.
Here’s a look at a
few other natural wonders we’ve “collected” on jaunts off the ship in Mexico,
Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Panama.
Life is a beach
Live the life of
late movie director John Huston at his former hideaway, Las Caletas, Mexico.
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| The battered rowboat El Torito is pulled up on the beach at Las Caletas, Mexico. (Jim Fox photo) |
Huston loved the
seclusion of this enchanting tropical beach haven nestled in a secluded jungle down
the coast from Puerto Vallarta.
The unspoiled
paradise is accessible only by sea, about an hour on a catamaran along the
scenic Mexican Pacific coastline with the Sierra Madre Mountains as a backdrop.
We hung out on the
beach of this “Gilligan’s Island” setting where visitors snorkel, kayak and
paddleboard in the turquoise ocean filled with tropical fish and sea lions
swimming along the shore.
The property has a parrot
sanctuary, monkeys, orchid gardens and a nature trail designed by renowned
botanist Charles Sacamano.
Cold drinks are
served along with a buffet-style lunch we ate at a table for two alongside the
ocean.
There’s also a children’s
play area with zip lines, monkey encounters, donkey rides as well as a hilltop
spa centre, yoga classes and cooking demonstrations including how to make
paella.
Heads in the clouds
Take a walk in the
clouds just 15 minutes above the village of Kailua-Kona in Hawaii.
That’s where you
will find another world – the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary.
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| Trek the six-kilometres of trails in the tropical Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary in Hawaii. (Barbara Fox photo) |
Tropical cloud
forests occur in this dormant volcanic mountainous region, with mists and
clouds providing much of the precipitation.
Retired professor
Norman Bezona developed the site and has hosted botanical tours and educational
programs there since 1984.
Over the years, he
has introduced numerous varieties of trees, plants and flowers including palms,
tropical Asian bamboo, rainbow gum from the Philippines and an abundance of
coffee trees.
Visitors can take
part in guided tours along the six kilometres of forest trails filled with
birds and wildlife while the gardens have statues and stone carvings from Bali.
El Yunque, si
A scenic wonderland
is El Yunque in northeastern Puerto Rico, the only tropical rain forest in the
U.S.
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| A popular photo opportunity is this waterfall in the El Yunque rainforest in Puerto Rico. (Barbara Fox photo) |
Located on the slopes
of the Sierra de Luquillo Mountains, our self-guided hike was highlighted by
majestic views of El Toro rising 1,065 metres.
It’s a jungle-like
setting, with the Yokahu observation tower looking over the lush foliage,
waterfalls and rivers. There are also seven ancient Taino Indian petroglyphs
carved into boulders in the forest.
Cooling waters
A dip in the Panama
Canal is a cooling respite from the tropical climate.
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| The Rotterdam cruise ship is at anchor in Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal. (Jim Fox photo) |
It’s possible to
swim in the canal waters at Gatun Lake where our cruise ship dropped anchor for the day and
tendered passengers to a yacht club on shore.
Many people dipped their toes
in the water, swam and fished for peacock bass as cargo ships, many of them
loaded with bananas, moved through the nearby locks.
There were folkloric shows, dancing
by lively Panamanians, a calypso band, crafts for sale made by the Cuna Indians
of San Blas and plenty of cooling libations and food.
Need to know more?
- Morne Trois Pitons
National Park, Dominica: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/814;
natureisland.com/MTPNatPark.html
- Las Caletas: vallarta-adventures.com/tours/las-caletas-day-trip
- Kona Cloud Forest
Sanctuary: konacloudforest.com
- El Yunque: http://elyunque.com/elyunque.htm
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Jim and Barb Fox can be reached at outtosea50@hotmail.com
For more Out to Sea trip tips: http://outtoseatravel.blogspot.ca
Thanks for sharing nice information.shore excursions is amazing trip
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