Location: Dominica
We kicked off the day with a “fruit safari” not your typical jungle trek, but an adventure. Hopping into the dinghy, we landed at a little dock where our local guides greeted us with warm smiles. Splitting into two vans, our group rumbled off into the hills, eager for the unknown.
Our first stop didn’t look like much just a patch of wild jungle off the road but it turned out to be a tropical treasure trove. We stumbled upon guava, pineapple, bananas, coffee beans, and calabash a massive, gourd-like fruit that locals hollow out and turn into bowls and containers. The banana trees shimmered with fiber-glass-like layers of color, and the raw coffee beans, surprisingly bland, gave us a whole new appreciation for our morning brew.
As we wound through lush hills and vibrant, pastel-painted villages, we paused at a breathtaking viewpoint that offered sweeping views of the entire bay perfect for a group photo (or five). A little further up the road, another lookout revealed a row of stalls where local women sold handmade jewelry and trinkets, each piece buzzing with color and culture.
Our adventure led us next to a local family’s home, where we sampled rich homemade chocolate, spicy roasted chicken that lit our tongues on fire, and breadfruit fresh off the fire. A quick lunch break brought out Camille’s pesto pasta.
We hiked through the dense greenery to a hidden waterfall, complete with a deep swimming hole where we dove in, laughing and splashing in the cool water. The second waterfall, though, was the real challenge: we climbed up slick, mossy rocks, ducked under the thunderous curtain of water, and carefully slid back down sheets of stone, adrenaline pumping the whole way.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery streaks, we wound our way back to the boat. We were greeted with the cozy smell of dinner Zoe and Gabe had cooked up a feast, the perfect ending to a wild, unforgettable day.