Visiting the commonwealth of Dominica is like stepping into the past, or more accurately, into an alternate universe. This heavily rain forested gem is what almost all of the volcanically formed Caribbean islands would look like if they had not been transformed to accommodate the growing desire for sugar. To be classified as a rain forest there must be an annual average of 200 centimeters of precipitation and that certainly occurs here. Weather systems accumulate over the land, held in place by the topography and temperature. While there is a wet and a dry season at these latitudes it is by no means so binary day to day. Today for example alternated between fierce deluges, visibly advancing speedily across the water in angry swathes, to bright sun and blue skies, so vibrant it seemed like the vegetation was thrumming with life. But this is the way of life here, boom and bust, feast and fast, grow and rest. This was even visible in the human population as it recovered from what can only be assumed was a raucous two day long Carnival celebration. The weary but satisfied smiles of those already reflecting upon it spoke of more than any words that might have exchanged.
The rain forest is simultaneously a place of extreme activity and calm. A cacophony of noise and also absolute serenity. A battlefield and a sanctuary. The plant’s struggle for precious sunlight, each species finding it’s niche, sometimes literally as is the case with an epiphyte, growing from the crook of a host tree. Like a sheet of music the notes are surrounded by blank space and it all comes together as a whole. Normally exclusive, these traits all intermingle and form a community that is like no other. In fact rainforests are the most bio diverse ecosystem on the planet, with coral reefs and mangroves coming in at second and third. A morning exploring the forest trail and looking high up into the canopy is not enough, but after setting sail and relaxing on deck surrounded by blue, life still feels a little greener.
