Location: Dominica
Today felt rather extended in duration one of those days where the beginning fades into the haze that was the rest of this incredible trip. I was up for an anchor watch at 3, shortly commiserating about the difficulties of life at sea (I had spent up to 6 AM of the morning prior leading, as Captain Mac so eloquently put it, Shanties from the Low Side) before engaging in an extending conversation about maritime history, if my memory serves me well. We were up bright and early to christen the day with some cereal and yogurt before a boating tour of the Indian River. We took a variety of samples, both of local water quality data and visuals of Calypsos cabin from Pirates of the Caribbean, local flora and fauna a variety of reptiles, crabs, and some waterfowl awaited us.
Standouts include a series of lone iguanas that languidly sunned amongst the treetops on either side of the river, a snowy white egret at the end, and three species associated with native wildlife study. A PhD student was researching local anole species, gauging how an invasive clade from elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico was impacting local populations (the current consensus is a niche partition where indigenous species are driven towards the treetops by the more aggressive invasives where possible). Working alongside her was a Dominican man with a local wildlife conservancy the young boa constrictor that he had rescued from the surrounding rainforest was another clear reminder of the human role in an invasive introduction in and around the island.
And that was just by lunch. That was followed by a departure from Portsmouth, where we were anchored, to make south for Roseau. It was a 3-hour motor-powered journey and was absolutely gorgeous. As we sailed, Sam and Claire taught us some basic navigation skills!
The mountains stretched upwards through the mist to our west, the sea calmly lapping at the Velas hull as we pulled to moor at the Dominican capital. The rest of the day seemed to go by rather more quickly for me, though it was likely more eventful for those assisting with the mooring process. I spent much of it enjoying Ponniyan Selvan, a 3-volume Tamil historical epic, before an extraordinarily refreshing sea shower. I have heard from todays sous-chefs, who skipped swimming in lieu of perfecting their pasta, that the dinner they prepared was quite the adventure, and it was quickly upon us once we retreated from precipitation and sea-spray alike. A hearty consumption and a quick squeeze before dinner (a process hopefully detailed in another entry, for I shall provide no details beyond the question, What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?) has brought me to you, dear reader, and here is where I must depart. Do enjoy life, and may you dream of happy futures.