Calling for a TIMEOUT in Dominica!

Sometimes life is just too hard and a person needs a TIMEOUT. That was me a week after losing my mother.

So, I started with a google search with a few key words like “peaceful”, “ecolodge”, “Caribbean”, and “nature” and came up with Jungle Bay, an “Adventure & Wellness” retreat. I was unfamiliar with Dominica (pronouced Dom-i-neeka) which is located just north of Venezuela and calls itself the “Nature Island”. I love going somewhere I’ve never been before and it felt like a good fit for my mood so I booked the trip on Monday and flew out on Friday.

Feeling quite numb and having only 5 days available, I opted for the package that includes airport transport, all meals, unlimited resort activities and 30-minutes of spa time daily. I didn’t need a rental car and didn’t have to make any decisions about where to go except to look at the daily events and either opt in or out. No companions this time–solo trip. It was perfect. Each day day I watched the sunrise, got a massage, took a sunset yoga class, and generally soaked up the peace and beauty of the surroundings.

The resort is expertly designed for maximum privacy and a sense of tranquility. The villas are either private or duplex and are tucked in the trees with private balconies. In the picture below I’m standing on my balcony. The balcony had comfortable furniture including a padded lounge chair that was perfect for star-gazing at the bright sky at night. 

The minimal furnishings with luxury linens combine for just the right amount of nature without roughing it. This was the entrance to my room. There was a semi-outdoor shower with complete privacy and hot water with spa soaps and lotions.

No doubt I missed some amazing experiences but my energy level was low so I generally stayed at the resort with limited off-site excursions. My only big excursion was a three-hour trip that took us to Trafalgar Falls with a stop at the farmer’s market in the capitol city, Roseau.

The colorful market stretched about 4 blocks offering fresh fish, produce, juices (ginger-lime is my favorite), and handmade crafts. When cruise ships are in port, the town is over-run with tourists but there were only locals the Saturday morning I was there in early February. The picture below was taken in Roseau looking down on the town, soccer field, and port.

The falls are quite beautiful and easily reached after about a 15-minute hike. Two waterfalls, Papa Falls and Momma Falls, come together in a pool of crystal clear water that’s warm enough to enjoy but cool enough to refresh.

Every resort says their staff is friendly but Jungle Bay truly has an outstanding, incredibly helpful, and very well-trained staff. Of special note was Dario, the restaurant manager from Italy who always chose a perfect table for me, set it with care and gently opened my napkin then placed it in my lap. I could have been at a Michelin star restaurant in Paris for that kind of service. There was an array of healthy, fresh food at every meal.

Also special was Nancy, the Swiss yoga instructor, who wore many hats and acted as my best friend making sure I had everything I needed and inviting me to join her on a sunrise hike that was not a featured activity.

We left before dawn and hiked 3 miles through the town of Soufriere to Scotts Head village (population 721). Passing through Soufriere I saw Bubble Beach where I had gone snorkeling the day before. The bubbles in the water are very fun. They shoot straight up from the sand just like an effervescent glass of champagne.

After walking through Scotts Head village we took the rocky passage up to a high point on a peninsula with a 2,000 ft drop off to the marine reserve below for a majestic view of the sunrise. This is the place where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean. Ahhhhh … I can close my eyes and still feel the moment.

The walk back was fun in a different way. Instead of the quiet of dawn we got to see the towns waking up and starting the day. Everyone we passed was super friendly. You can barely see Jungle Bay hidden in the trees above Soufriere.

Each day I joined the sunset yoga class. The two spacious yogas studios have ample room for visiting instructors and simultaneous classes. One evening we did our yoga against a wall which was different for me. Mostly, we did yin yoga which is relaxing and not overly strenuous. It holds poses for two to five minutes each and focuses on breathing and inner peace. Our instructor was very approachable and open to suggestions. She helped us relax using our bodies, sounds, aromas, and the lovely surroundings.

The entire resort is only a few years old so everything feels new and state-of-the-art; environment-friendly, eco-savvy chic. There are semi-hidden sculptures and benches throughout the grounds–just right for someone who’s in timeout.

I was hoping to regain my balance after losing my anchor, my mother. I can’t say that 4 days in Dominica did that but it definitely was a warm and welcomed break. With any luck, I’ll return to Jungle Bay someday and explore the area a bit more while saving time to enjoy the calming resort. The hike to Boiling Lake looked fun but it took 8 hours away from the resort and I wasn’t up to spending that much time in a group. Meanwhile, Dominica gave me the timeout I was seeking. Mom would have loved it.

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Among the countless things I learned from my mother — she gave me a joy for life and the ability to see beauty and humor all around me; humility in that we are all ignorant, just on different subjects; and, confidence that I can be and do whatever I want enough to work for. Every day was better because she was in it. Whatever good there may be in me, I owe to her. Virginia Byler 2/20/1926 – 1/21/2024

“But she wasn’t around, and that’s the thing when your parents die, you feel like instead of going in to every fight with backup, you are going into every fight alone.” Mitch Albom

“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.” Mahatma Gandhi

“Once a year go someplace you’ve never been before.” Dalai Lama