Location: Dominica
Today started early for the crew of Ocean Star. We met our friend and guided Seacat to the dock in Roseau and drove an hour north to the Indian River, where budding scientists tested the salinity and temperature of the river at different depths and locations as part of a hands-on Oceanography Lab. Afterward, we dined on local fruits and freshly baked bread throughout the day, and Seacat showed us the island where he was raised. During our odyssey, we visited Carib Native territory, swam in a waterfall, and explored plantations, rainforests, and secluded beaches, all the while sampling fresh local fruits picked straight from the tree by our jungle guides. We enjoyed mango, papaya, passion fruit, sugar cane, lime, avocado, grapefruit, breadfruit, coffee, cocoa, cashews, almonds, ginger, cinnamon, lemongrass, mint, and cassava. Stuffed to the gills, they sent us back to Ocean Star late in the day with warm wishes and treasured memories of an island almost completely unspoiled and, of course, with armfuls of fruit. We ate a light dinner and prepared the boat to sail. As I write, students are settling in to study for an Oceanography quiz and Nautical Science midterm tomorrow.