We are in now Portsmouth, Dominica, which is situated just below the top NW corner.

Everyone says that Dominica is a bit dodgy but has been brilliant so far.

The boat boys have got themselves organised in to the Portsmouth Association of Yacht Security (PAYS), and have laid down some moorings. They also patrol the area during the evening, giving visiting yachts an excellent service and a real feel of security.

The leader of our boat boy team is Lawrence, and his group of boats are all called Lawrence of Arabia. He has given excellent service, advice and help, and we would recommend him to anybody calling in to Portsmouth. His team can be contacted on VHF 16 by just calling Lawrence. One of them will then assist you in most of your requirements.

We are tied to a buoy, and I am using the restaurant WIFI that we used last night whilst having a very strong Planter Rum Punch.

Karacool is anchored just in front of us.

One the way to Indian River. These are some of the ships swept on to the shore following the last hurricane here

We have had a hectic couple of days. We arrived on the afternoon of the 5th January and promptly did an Indian river tour which was organised and run by the man himself Lawrence.

This is a very small river in the National Park and once in the river engines are not allowed to be used, so Lawrence had to row (thankfully not us) up it for about a mile, straight into the lower regions of the rain forest. It had lots of overhanging vines, and big big trees.

A fully grown palm tree and below young ones just starting life 

We all spotted an iguana, saw some big (and little) crabs, but not many birds, in fact just the one – blue backed heron (it was just too hot for them we were told!!!). We also saw lots of flowers, and termite nests.

This river was used for one of the scenes in the second of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. We were shown the clearing which had housed the witches house in the Pirates of the Caribbean film 2. The locals wanted the film people to leave the set but they had to take it away to use elsewhere, so we saw the clearing, but not the house.

The river guys said it was a great money earner for them, because not only were they paid to move the film set and all the gear up and down the river, they were also paid not to take any visitors up the river whilst filming was going on!.

At top of river was a small clearing where you stop and can get a drink. I decided to have a peanut punch – it was foul. Annie and Rhu had the passion fruit punch – it was strong. Stephen sensibly had a bottle of beer.

Good old Rhu had taken a bottle of water, so we could wash away the wonderful tastes!!!

A room with a view