Divefest is almost here!

•June 25, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Our annual Divefest is just around the corner. Check back here for news and updates on the schedule.

Divefest: July 10 – 19th, 2009.

Want to learn more about the Caribbean’s longest running annual dive event?  Visit our Dive Fest page.

The Grand Finale - Kubuli Carib Canoe Race

The Grand Finale - Kubuli Carib Canoe Race

Racing Waiters? What’s that?

•May 19, 2009 • Leave a Comment

It’s a great way to promote tourism while having lots of fun! This second running of the event took place as part of Tourism Awareness Month, sponsored by the DHTA (website).

The Waiters Race

The Waiters Race

Saturday afternoon on the bayfront in Roseau, waiters from restaurants across the island gathered in the light drizzle to ‘fast-walk’ their way to great prizes.

After making two complete circuits from the Museum to the Market carrying trays of filled cups, participants had the contents of their tray measured. It wasn’t speed alone that augered success -  accurate handling of the tray was essential as each gram of missing liquid resulted in a time penalty.

Congratulations to all the winners & participants in the 2009 Waiter’s Race and to sponsor Red Bull!

And put the 3rd Annual Waiter’s Race on your calendar for May, 2010.

Photos Courtesy of ImagesDominica.com

“Black and White Sands” by Elma Napier Just Published

•May 1, 2009 • 1 Comment

Elma Napier, author of the book “Black and White Sands,”  has had her book published 47 years after it was written.

Black and White Sands

Black and White Sands

The manuscript was hidden away since it failed to get published back in 1962. Elma’s daughter, Patricia Honychurch, recently found it and  was able to persuade local publishers Papillotte Press to finally get the book into print.

The book is a chronicle of Elma Napier’s love affair with Dominica and issues pertinent to her era on the island.  Readers also gain a great deal of insight into everyday life in Dominica from the 1930s to 1970s.

“Black and White Sands” is available at Frontline Bookstore and other shops in Roseau. The price is EC $40.

New Book: Plants of Dominica’s Southeast

•March 19, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Just released from Dominica’s south east coast, a new book describing the herb and plant life from that area.South East Plants book

The book was produced as a collaboration by the Southeast Environment and Tourism Development Committee (SETDC), a community-based umbrella organization promoting tourism and environmental development in the communities of the Southeast of Dominica.

From the Official Press Release:

Delices – The Southeast Environment and Tourism Development Committee proudly announces the arrival of its book, Plants of Dominica’s Southeast. This book highlights some of the flora and fauna found along the trails of the six most popular sites in the southeast.  These sites include Denier Falls, Anba Wavin Siwik Falls, Secret Beach, Sari Sari Falls, Glasci and Victoria Falls.

Publication of Plants of Dominica’s Southeast was made possible through generous funding provided by UNESCO, countless hours devoted by Mr. Arlington James and Dr. Alexandra Burton-James and the diligent work of amateur botanists throughout the Southeast.

The book retails at US $10.00/ EC $25.00 and can be purchased at the following locations:

  • Jays Ltd. – Kennedy Ave, Roseau
  • Frontline Bookstore – Independence Street, Roseau
  • DHTA Office – Castle Street, Roseau (discounted price for DHTA Members)
  • Jungle Bay Resort & Spa Gift Shop, Pt. Mulatre

Or for more information contact:

  • Lauretta Smith in Boetica at nadinelaurettasmith@gmail.com

Dominica is “Destination of the Week” on Mother Nature Network (MNN)

•March 14, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Dominica was the featured destination on the Mother Nature Network website this week, with a focus  on the  eco-tourism and renewable energy aspects of our beautiful island.

Dominica Featured on Mother Nature Network

Dominica Featured on Mother Nature Network

The article calls Dominica  “one of the most rugged and natural travel destinations north of the Amazon… [with] a geothermally heated lake, unspoiled jungles, hidden waterfalls and volcanic mountains.”

It further applauds Dominica for developing its tourism industry in an eco-friendly manner and says Dominica is:

an island destination that’s ideal for environmentally conscious travelers, excitement seekers and anyone else who’s turned off by the typical tropical resort experience.

Karessah Takes the Crown!

•February 22, 2009 • Leave a Comment

The 2009 Calypso Monarch Finals were held last night at Carnival City (Pottersville Savannah). Dominica’s Top Ten calypsonians battled fiercely through two rounds of competition.  The performances were superb and the judges had a difficult choice to make.

2009 Calypso King Karessah

2009 Calypso King Karessah

But in the end, Karessah’s “Pastor’s Rod” was just too good and he triumphed over Observer (1st Runner Up), Tarina (2nd Runner Up) and Scrunter (3rd Runner up) to wear the 2009 Calypso Monarch Crown.

Congratulations to King Karessah – and to our blog readers who guessed right in our Calypso Monarch Poll (here) !

Dominica’s 2009 Carnival Queen Kayan Toussaint

•February 21, 2009 • Leave a Comment
Miss Dominica 2009 & Carnival Queen Kayan Toussaint

Miss Dominica 2009 & Carnival Queen Kayan Toussaint

Seven Queen Contestants put their best foot forward at the Miss Dominica Carnival Pageant held at Pottersville Savannah on Friday night.

After five rounds of performances, it was Kayan Toussaint who received the Crown and was named Miss Dominica 2009.

Crowned by Leandra Lander (Dominica’s 2008 Carnival Queen) Kayan will have a tough act to follow — but we’re sure she is up to the challenge.

We wish Miss Toussaint all the best in her forthcoming year as Miss Dominica 2009!

Daddy Chess is Dominica’s 2009 Soca Monarch!

•February 15, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Chester ‘Daddy Chess’ Letang made it two in a row when he was crowned Soca Monarch on Saturday night at Pottersville Savannah.

His competitors included Soca artists Wayne ‘Benji’ Benjamin of Triple Kay, Clint Henderson, Lloyd ‘Lloydie’ Jno Baptiste, and Deryck ‘Hunter’ St. Rose to name a few. There were 12 performers in all.

The Soca Finals Competition & International Artiste Night also featured a guest performance by international star Wayne Marshall.

Daddy Chess is not competing in Dominica’s Calypso Competition this year, as he tried his hand at the international competition in Trinidad which was going on at the same time.

Congratulations Daddy Chess, on your 2009 Soca Crown – and we look forward to seeing you in the 2010 Calypso Competition!

Who Will Be Dominica’s 2009 Calypso Monarch? Vote!

•February 9, 2009 • 1 Comment

Just for fun. Let’s see who you would choose to be Dominica’s 2009 Calypso Monarch.

The Final Competition will be held on Saturday, February 21st at Carnival City (Pottersville Savanne).

Don’t Miss it!

Dominica’s Carnival 2009 Princess

•February 8, 2009 • Leave a Comment
2009 Carnival Princess Chrislin Tavernier

2009 Carnival Princess Chrislin Tavernier

Congratulations to Chrislin Tavernier who was crowned 2009 Carnival Princess on Sunday, Feb 8th at the Old Mill Cultural Centre.

Chrislin (age 11) won the following categories: Miss Congeniality, Best Talent, Best in Costume, and Best Party Dress.

And congratulations to the other winners:

  • 1st Runner Up: Dana Peltier
  • 2nd Runer Up: Savann James
  • 3rd Runner Up: Nadej Peltier

Visit our Events Page to keep up to date on the 2009 Calypso & Carnival Events.