We spent nearly two weeks with Mr. Francis Charles at the lovely Ocean View Apartments in Scott's Head, Dominica. By virtue of its being 1/2-hour by car from Roseau, the capital, Scott's Head is a small, peaceful fishingvillage located at the end of the Western coast's main road. Further adding to the peace and quiet, the Ocean View is located several hundred feet up the road above the village proper. From this vantage point, we saw sperm whales in the Scott's Head Marine Reserve and observed the daily comings and goings of the local fishing fleet.
We occupied the Southern-most apartment, which is pictured at http://www.avirtualdominica.com/oceanview_apts/pix1.htm . The apartment consists of two bedrooms, a serviceable kitchen, a small indoor sitting area and - perhaps most important to us - a generous outdoor sitting area that was the focal point of gatherings of the Ocean View's guests and staff, presided over by Mr. Francis himself.
During our visit, the Ocean View's guests comprised a mature and international group who enjoyed getting to know Dominica in all the aspects of her natural beauty and cultural heritage. We spent many hours sharing and comparing our almost uniformly rewarding experiences of this island Commonwealth.
Mr. Francis is a "returnee," that is, like many other natives of Dominica he spent a good deal of his working years abroad. But, having grown up in Pointe Michel and served on the local town council, he knows and is known by seemingly everyone. Very generous with both his time and his wisdom, Mr. Francis kindly introduced us to many of the local shopkeepers, tradespeople and restaurateurs. By the end of our all-to-brief visit, we began to feel a little bit like locals ourselves or, at least, like longer-term visitors. Our plans for a return visit are already in the works!
Access to Dominica's many attractions is trouble-free. Scott's Head offers excellent snorkeling at the end of a path from the village to the point which marks the Southwestern edge of the volcanic crater which collapsed to form the bay. A path that begins above the Ocean View takes one to the sulfur springs in Soufriere via historic Gallion. Dive Dominica in Soufriere is just a few minutes by car and perhaps a half hour on foot from the Ocean View.
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