It's easy to get around the island by minivan buses (although for some smaller and more remote locations you have to wait longer for the minivan to fill up in Roseau- and occasionally there are only one or two a day to the smallest of places).
One day I caught a bus at the new market in town, heading up the west coast. Swerving around corners and jolting along to reggae music, every so often we'd pass through a fishing village on the narrow strip of land below steep mountains, or cross over a river meeting the sea.
This is Salisbury beach, one of several on the island which is sandy (most are formed of round rock boulders), where the first bus ended its route.
Nearby and walking towards Mero beach, I passed a rum distillery. Piles of pressed sugar canes were outside and steam rose from the distillery building. I was interested by this one- there was a Shillingford from Dominica in my MBA class.
Prince Rupert Bay in the northwest, a favourite for yachties setting anchor for a few days whilst sailing around the islands. In the background is the small town of Portsmouth (originally intended by the British to be the capital of Dominica, but halted by the high incidence of malaria).
Old fish trap washed onshore.
The cannons at 18th century Fort Shirley, built on a strategically important peninsula jutting out to sea, and with a view of Guadeloupe where the French were (and still are) based. The fort has recently been restored and it forms part of the Cabrits National Park, which also holds some good diving spots.
The officer's house and an old mango tree (possibly a couple of hundred years old), planted by British soldiers while the fort was still being used. School-children on a visit to the fort were jumping up to try to get almost ripe mangos on low branches.
In Portsmouth, there is a great fruit service.
Fisherman's house behind the beach.
A clever sign.
Yachts in the bay.
A rusting ship.
Rope on a palm.
