The Health and Wellness Expo features:

• A grand exhibition of locally available Health & Wellness services and products
• A full day program of interactive classes
• An Ital foods bar with healthy vegan meals and snacks
• Children’s activity room – games, stories, yoga
• Massage room for private treatments
• Steel Pan music by Phase 5
• Prize Giveaways including: massage, yoga classes, gym membership, lunch at Papillote Wilderness Retreat, health products and more

The Health and Wellness Expo will be opened by the Minister of Health, Hon Julius Timothy and an official from the Discover Dominica Authority. The Master of Ceremony, Hon. Priest Isaac will then coordinate the day of the following presentations:

• 12:00 – 12:05 Opening meditation – Martha Cuffy, Nature Isle Wellness
• 12:10 – 12:25 Purple Dragon Dojo Martial Arts Demonstration – Sensei Shannah Robin & class
• 12:30 – 12:55 Ayurveda, an alternative approach for Chronic Illnesses – Dr. Lucia John, Maharishi Vedic Health Spa
• 13:00 – 13:20 ‘Touch for Health’- Dr Janet Taylor, Quantum Leap
• 13:25 – 13:50 Guest Presentation – Dr Colin Harper
• 13:55 – 14:00 Prize Giveaways, Overview and closing of 1st session
• 14:00 – 15:00 Break for lunch at the Ital Foods Bar, Exhibition, Steel Pan music by Phase 5
• 15:05 – 15:25 Rootz Herbal Healing – Renauld Deschamps, Rootz Herbal Remedies
• 15:30 – 15:50 Pain-Free Childbirth – Terri Henry, Onelove Livity
• 15:55 – 16:25 Guest presentation – Dr Gilbertha St-Rose, Eden Herbs
• 16:30 – 16:50 The Wellness Lifestyle – Trudy Scott-Prevost, Rainbow Health and Wellness
• 16:50 – 17:00 Prize Giveaways. Overview and closing of 2nd session
• 17:00 – 17:30 Break for snacks at the Ital Foods Bar, Exhibition
• 17:35 – 17:45 Aerobic Exercise Warm-up – Alexander Laville, Fitness Plus
• 17:50 – 18:50 Dominica’s Herbal Farmacy – Hon. Priest Kailash Leonce, The Great Physician International
• 18:55 – 19:25 Pilates Stretch – Carla Armour, Be Pilates
• 19:30 – 19:40 Final Meditation Martha Cuffy, Nature Isle Wellness
• 19:45 – 19:55 Closing remarks
• 20:00 END

The Health and Wellness Expo is an educational experience which empowers participants to take care of their health with simple preventative measures. The feature address by Hon Priest Kailash Leonce will detail the many herbs around Dominica that grow wild are thus free to acquire for healing purposes. Two guest presenters from St Lucia and Barbados will also be featured. Full day entry to the event is $20 and is a ticket to greater health, enjoyment and abundance.

Headline sponsors for the event are ‘Astaphans and the Discover Dominica Authority. Other event partners are Anchorage Hotel, Events and Things, Ardens Sound & Lights, Q95 Radio, The Great Physician International, Onelove Livity, Food of 7 Restaurant and Loubiere Spring Water.

For more details on this event please call 295 1655 or email terri@onelovelivity.com or visit www.dominicawellnessevents.com.

For an insight into last year’s event please watch the video:

This year we will be partnering with the Waitukubuli National Trail, Discover Dominica Authority and various other Hiking committees and Tourism Stakeholders, who will be playing an integral role in Hike Fest 2012. We will be utilizing three sections of the Waitikubuli National Trail and the hikes will take place on:

Price:

• EC$40 for 1 hike
• EC$ 70 for 2 hikes
• EC$90 for 3 hikes (DHTA Members)
• EC$100 for 3 hikes (Non-DHTA Members)

Price includes: Transportation, Water and a Hike Fest 2012 t-shirt!

To learn more about hiking and other adventure activities in Dominica, visit http://www.dhta.org/news-a-events/hike-fest

Dominica Hike Fest 2011:

• Hikefest 2011: Pont Casse to Middleham Falls
• Hikefest 2011: Soufriere Estate to Bellevue Chopin
• Hike Fest 2011 Offers Unique Ways to See the Nature Island

Dominica Hike Fest 2010:

• Hikefest 2010: Hike #3 – Capuchin to Cabrits National Park
• Hikefest 2010: Hike #2 – Soufriere to Scotts Head
• Hikefest 2010: The Carib Territory, Salybia to Pagua Bay
• Dominica Hike Fest 2010: The Best Island Hikes Around!

Dominica Hike Fest 2009:

• Hike Fest 2009:The Morne Vert Loop from Soufriere
• Hike Fest 2009: Chemin Letang Trail

The verdant tropical landscape and easy access to waters rife with seafood set the scene for the perfect round-up of Dominica’s unique culinary delights.

It would be a shame to overlook the abundance of fresh-food offerings that exist for vacationers to take advantage of during their stay in Dominica because you are unfamiliar with the name of the dish or a few ingredients. There is no better time than your island adventure to savor something different.

Spice it up!

Many of the flavors you taste in Dominica’s dishes are influenced by Creole and Indian traditions. This gives way to meals that range from bold and smoky to verging on spicy-hot and it all boils down to the spices that are used to enhance a simple cut of meat or a typically bland vegetable. Cinnamon, cumin, bay leaf, nutmeg, saffron, ginger, and vanilla are all examples of commonly used spices in Dominica, and the addition or subtraction of hot peppers from a dish determines the heat.

Straight from the Soil

Though only about one-quarter of the island of Dominica is favorable for harvesting produce due to the mainly rocky and mountainous topography, local agriculture thrives under the tropical weather conditions paired with the rich volcanic soil that exists in Dominica. Citrus and other fruits that can be grown on trees are especially popular, and often served for breakfast, in juices, or as delicate confections. The most commonly harvested fruits and vegetables that American visitors in Dominica will be familiar with include bananas, avocados, coconut, grapefruit, limes, tangerines, pineapples, watermelon, oranges, and yams. Coffee and cocoa are also grown in Dominica.

Dominica also yields a number of produce offerings that you may have never heard of before, and the readiness of their availability gives you no reason not to sample as many different fruits and veggies as possible. These include the sweet passion fruit and carambola ; the tart granadillas, tamarind, sour sop,
gooseberry, and sorrel; and the starchy dasheen and tania.

Breadfruit, a fruit that many vacationers have heard of but never tried, is a mainstay in the Dominica diet, and serves as a great alternative to many starchy vegetables. You may find breadfruit on the menu roasted or stuffed, both of which are delectable variations.

You may also notice that something called “provisions” or “ground provisions” appears on many-a-menu in Dominica. Provisions are very simply boiled root vegetables. The mixture is different on each menu, but may include fig, white yam, sweet potatoes, eddoe, dasheen, and plantain.

Free-Range Fare

Much of the meat supply in Dominica is imported, so if you order chicken, beef, goat, pork, or lamb, expect it to have come from overseas. There are, however, a few sources of protein that can be found on the island. These meats are locally called manicou and agouti, though you may recognize them as opossum and a large rodent similar in appearance to a guinea pig. These meats are often smoked or stewed, and are very popular amongst locals.

Another protein-lanced dish worth mentioning is crapaud, also known as mountain chicken. But crapaud is not a new breed of fowl. Instead, someone who orders crapaud at a restaurant will find that the plate brought to their table contains frog legs that have been heavily seasoned and either broiled, baked, or fried, and served in a bed of rice and peas. Unfortunately for vacationers who would willingly give crapaud a try, the once national dish of Dominica has now been banned from consumption due to the threat of fungal, as well as the overhunting of the frog. Still, keep your ears open while you are on the island in case this changes.

Fresh from the Sea

It is easy to see why seafood is popular in Dominica. Not only is the island surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, which accounts for the big game fish that appears on the menu, but shell fish is also bountiful in the streams that run from the mountains to the sea. Seafood commonly found on restaurant menus include octopus, king fish, snapper, and dorado, as well as spiny lobster, cray fish, and land crabs. Specialty dishes include bakes, which are cod, tuna, and cheese stuffed fritters, and the local staple of saltfish, which is codfish served on a bed of sautéed peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Another favored seafood dish in the Caribbean is bulijow. This remains true in Dominica, but the island has put its own spin on the meal by cooking the sea cod in coconut milk with peppers, onions, tomatoes, green fig, and spring onions.

With so many fresh food items available in Dominica, it would be a shame not to try something new. Still, if you lack an adventurous tongue, don’t worry. Much of the cuisine in Dominica is influenced by European sensibilities, so you are sure to find an innumerable amount of palatable dishes to choose from.

The nature island of Dominica is one of the best vacation destinations in the Caribbean, favored by visitors because of its Sparkling waterfalls, rushing streams and rainforest canopies.

If you have the chance to visit Dominica, one of the best ways to ensure a pleasant and hassele-free vacation getaway is determing you budget early.

Planning your vacation on the nature island of Dominica will be a lot easier if you make you preparation based on you budget.

You should also take into consideration the number of people will be got with you and how much the budget per person is.

Stick to your budget when choosing the airline, accommodation and leisure activities.

The Internet is by far the best tool for finding the lowest rates on flights, hotels, and hang-out spots for every budget, mood or occasion… So Spend wisely and stay within your budget.

Dominica is one of the few (if not the only) island in the Caribbean known for its amazing ecotourism wonders, rich culture and enduring ties to the past.

To get better insight to what Dominica is all about, checkout the awesome video below. If this doesn’t get you excited about coming to the nature island, nothing will

]]> http://www.dominica-weekly.com/dominica%e2%80%99s-amazing-natural-beauty/feed/ 0 http://www.dominica-weekly.com/wish-you-were-here-secret-bay-dominica/ http://www.dominica-weekly.com/wish-you-were-here-secret-bay-dominica/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:54:38 +0000 Chris http://www.dominica-weekly.com/?p=14187 Photo via macomag.com

Secret Bay Resort outdoor meditation spot suspended from the cliff edge.

Secret Bay is aptly named—it’s a place that is so special you feel lucky for having discovered it but you’re not quite sure you should tell too many others. Get there quick before the word gets out”.

Read MACO Magazine front page article on Secret Bay Resort entitled ‘Here’s How to Keep a Secret (pdf)‘.

Editor’s Note: This post was orginally Published in the Discover Dominca Newsletter (Feb 2012).

Now visitors to Dominica have another airline to choose from for travel to the Nature Island. Air Sunshine now offers service to Dominica from St. Thomas and San Juan several days a week.

In addition to Air Sunshine, air travelers can connect to Dominica on American Eagle, BVI Airways or LIAT from the surrounding hubs of Puerto Rico, Antigua, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Barbados and St. Lucia.

For more information on travel to Dominica by air and sea, visit the ‘How to Get to Dominica‘ page on the Discover Dominica website.

Layou River (Dominica) before the flood. Great for kayaking, river-tubing, or if you’re in for a refreshing river bath…Been to Layou River? Share your experiences!

Editor’s Note: This post was orginally Published in the Discover Dominca Newsletter (Feb 2012).

For the second year in a row, Dominica was recognized as one of the World’s Best Ethical Destinations.

The nonprofit organization, Ethical Traveler, recognizes countries committed to conserving their natural treasures while building economies that sustain and empower local communities.

“We are extremely serious about maintaining our commitment to being an ethical destination and upholding our reputation for being the Nature Island,” explained Colin Piper, director of tourism for Dominica. “We understand that many of our visitors come to the island because of our unspoiled natural beauty, cultural preservation and adrenaline-pumping adventure activities, all of which must be preserved through sustainable measures.”

The Ethical Destinations list is compiled by benchmarking developing countries in the areas of environmental protection, social welfare, and human rights. The entire report:The World’s Best Ethical Destinations – 2012.

Roseau, the capital city of Dominica is one of the best-preserved collections of 18th Century Creole Architecture in the Caribbean.

Take a historial self-guided walk of Roseau, and discover Dominica’s architectural heritage just by walking around Historic Downtown Roseau.

SHAPE – the Society for Heritage Architecture Preservation and Enhancement has created a map-leaflet and also 30 minute tour podcast to help visitors explore the beautiful of Roseau.

Around the island, you’ll will also discover many small wood-framed houses that are know as’Ti kaz’.

Also, a visit to the dwellings of Dominica’s indigenous kalinago Indians might be the highlight of the tour. These hut-like structures built of palm leaves, reeds and local materials give visitors a historical insight to the way the kalinago indians lived on the island.

Click the link to view more pictures of historic buildings around Roseau.