Emerald Pool, Dominica
The day we go on a road trip around Dominica with a rental car which we share with our good Aussie friends Mel and Caryn s/v Passages we visit many sites all over the island, the east coast and the west coats and the middle. We take our time in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The park is an area of volcanic activity including the Valley of Desolation with its boiling mud ponds and small geysers, and the Boiling Lake which we have already visited, as well as a few rivers and waterfalls.
Trail to Emerald Pool, Dominica
First we hike to Emerald Pool through the beautiful lush rainforest vegetation covering pretty much the entire island. It is just a few minutes walk on a very well managed trail, with steps and handrails, from the visitor’s center where we have to present our weekly park passes.
Mira at Emerald Pool, Dominica
As we get to the pool we all go Aaah!
Emerald Pool, Dominica
The small waterfall is a charming very delicate 50-feet chute coming down from the grey rocks above, between branches and roots, cascading into a crystal shallow pool of blue-green water in front of a small grotto.
Maya at Emerald Pool, Dominica
We swim in the pool, shower under the fall, climb the rocks around, and just chill in the shade of the forest.
Emerald Pool, Dominica
Ivo and Mira at Emerald Pool, Dominica
Photo by Mel
Next, we drive to Trafalgar Falls.
Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
The hike to the falls is again very short, on a path through the forest. We see the two falls from a distance, Mother and Father,
Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
Two spectacular waterfalls, but really hard to get closer to.
Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
We climb over huge boulders and walk over fallen trees above the river which runs fast and furious here. Some places are dangerous.
Maya at Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
Maya, like always jumps from boulder to boulder like a mountain goat and reaches the first fall before the rest of us.
Ivo at Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
This chute is massive, the water is booming down loud and angry, with strong wind rushing from the canyon.
Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
The pool bottom is sandy with rocks and some spots are very deep.
Mira underwater, Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
We splash around some more and Ivo conquers the biggest tallest rock, as usual.
Ivo at Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
On the way back from the falls, next to the rive, there is a hot water stream coming down from Boiling Lake, forming yellowish geothermal ponds of very hot volcanic water.
Mira in a hot water pool
So hot it’s hard to stay too long. It feels like a hot bathtub. I miss hot bathtubs…It has been a long time since I have been a tub with hot water, and I really enjoy this one. We soak int the hot waters, then run to the cold water of the river to cool down. Then repeat.
Ivo is zen
Until it starts getting late and it’s time to go home, back to the anchorage in Plymouth, back on the boats.
Plymouth anchorage, Dominica
