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Win a trip to Dominica by showing off your adventurous spirit
As far as travel contests go, they don't come much easier than this one. Wend Magazine, Adventure Dominica, and Ahnu footwear are joining forces to send a lucky winner, and their guest, off on a tropical escape to the island paradise of Dominica. They're offering up airfare for two from the U.S. or Canada and five days/four nights stay at the Calibishie Cove Hotel, one of the top eco-lodges on the island, not to mention all the sun and surf you can take in while you're there.Like the rest of the Caribbean, Dominica has plenty of beaches and sun to go around. But it is also an excellent destination for adventure travelers looking for a tropical location to explore. The island has miles of hiking trails that wind through lush rainforests teeming with wildlife and over a thousand species of flowering plants, while hundreds of beautiful rivers flow by, fed by the more than 300 inches of annual rainfall there. And when you grow tired of exploring above the surface, simply head below for something completely different. Dominica is a great diving and snorkeling destination too, with plenty of marine life and colorful coral reefs to explore.
So, dig up that photo and send it off today. It just might earn you that warm weather escape you've been dreaming of, and although spring is officially just around the corner, it never hurts to have a little fun in the tropical sun.
Update: Adventure Dominica has a posting on this contest too. You can find it by clicking here. As mentioned, the rules are simple and straight forward.
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Filed under: Hiking, Scuba Diving, Dominica, Caribbean
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Meg Mar 17th 2010 4:57PM
I've been to Dominica, and all I brought back was horrible memories of people so poor and desperate, they claw at your clothes. True, the jungle parts of the island provide beautiful photo ops and adventure, but I still can't shake the image of Dominica's children chasing after me as soon as I set foot on the island.
Mark Mar 18th 2010 8:33AM
I haven't been there but, like most third world countries. The poor are really poor and the rich are very rich. Most of the places I have visited are very remote. Few have clean drinking water and no sanitation. The outdoors are beautiful because they haven't been spoiled by the filthy rich. We always took hard candy to pass out in villages. You have to keep moving or the children will swamp you. Being able to speak the language is a plus.
Jo-Ann Mar 17th 2010 6:12PM
I don't know where you were but it wasn't Dominica. I grew up there and have visited several times over the past few years. And one, Dominica is not a "poor" country and two, the children there don't behave like that. I was highly insulted when I read your comment. Of all the people I know who have visited, including celebrities, that has never been the opinion I have heard. the opposite, in fact. And, for your information, Dominica is also the location used for several TV shows and movies, including Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and The Seventh Seal
Meg Mar 18th 2010 8:57AM
Mark, that's interesting about the language - while walking through the port, my brother and I actually stopped speaking English, switched to German, and the children (and adults as well) left us alone. Jo-Ann, we came into port via a cruise ship, and it WAS Dominica (what kind of person doesn't know where she travels?!). Our cruise ship workers unloaded old, dirty mattresses and linens, then locals loaded them into the bed of an old teal pickup truck and drove up through the streets as a man sat on the top of the mattress stack to hold it down. Our guide there told us that Dominica has been a poor island nation since it gained its independence, and that they're trying to bring commerce to their country by opening a cruise ship port. And, for YOUR information, Jo-Ann, many places are used for filming television shows and movies; this practice doesn't make the said place any more special. Watch "The Deer Hunter" - does THAT jungle look like a place you'd want to visit?
Judy Rowlands Mar 17th 2010 6:18PM
Meg, I really have to question your memorie. I have been to Dominica 4 times, going for a 5 th time in May. My memories are of the lovely tropical island, the beaches and mountains, and the beautiful people. Poor, oh yes, these people are poor, but they do not claw at your clothes the minute you set foot on the island. The people are polite, friendly and kind. My memories of the children are of smiles and waves as we passed. Incredible island, AND people.
margie Mar 17th 2010 6:23PM
Why go to dominica ? If you want to go to a place overrun with ignorant beaners go to florida, texas or carolina they are overrun with them. Its horrible.
Jean E Mar 17th 2010 6:51PM
Meg - Why would Dominica's children chase after you on arrival? Your potrayal of the entire population is wrong and should be corrected. I am a yearly visitor to the Island and have driven to practically every village and have always been wormly welcomed. The pepole are friendly and very hospitable, most of the kids are well mannered and schooling is mandatory so I can't forsee children chasing after you when they are at school. Let's hope that there is no malicious intent in your post.
Meg Mar 18th 2010 9:09AM
Jean, there was no malicious intent at all. Visiting Dominica saddened me. I'm guessing the area I visited (just the port city/area) was not the best. The children were there during the middle of the week and during "school hours," so perhaps they weren't enrolled in school. Two adults in that same area told me I "needed a bad tan," and another called me a bad name. I had originally been very excited to visit Dominica and wanted to experience the mountains, but after walking through the city, my sense of security took over. I wish I had been able to see the beautiful parts you speak of!
DeeD85 Mar 17th 2010 7:01PM
Dominica is a very beautiful country with 365 rivers, a boiling lake and many, many mountains and valleys. The people of that country are exceptionally friendly, caring and hospitable. I would recommend Dominca to anyone who is looking for a island to vacation at.
Scam Check Mar 18th 2010 10:18AM
These comments don't have any relevance to the 'contest' which appears to be a scam anyway. No contest rules, postal address, or real information about this "contest" can be found.
Monica Mar 18th 2010 2:00PM
Do you know what the deadline is for submission?
James Frederick Mar 19th 2010 2:45PM
Meg
I seriously question your knowlege of Geography or your sanity. Dominica is not a rich island but children are not in the streets running after tourists; they are all in school.
All children under the age of 15 MUSt attend school, so I really don't understand where you were or which country you refer to. Could you be referencing the Dominican Republic?
Dominica
Carie Mar 20th 2010 1:38PM
To those of you who are "questioning the sanity" of other posters. I live in the Dominican Republic and it is also "required" for children under 15 to attend school. They do not. It is very naive of you. In fact in the feeding program we run only about half go to school. Those are MY statistics...I LIVE here. Most children would love to go to school but because the countries "Free school" requires things like shoes and note books, uniforms and a backpack they can not afford to. Our goal is to get all of our children we work with in school.
Margie, your comments are just appalling.
Yes, the people on the islands are wonderful and the children have a lot of joy. BUT, we have been mobbed many times by children AND adults in poor areas.
Enjoy the beauty of these beautiful islands and its people...just don't be naive.