100+ things to do in Dominica - #2

This next segment of 100+ things to do in Dominica is taken from the book by the same name.

1. Refresh with a jelly coconut.
Dominicans will attest to the restorative benefits of fresh coconut water. You can find this natural drink in many restaurants and hotels. On the West Coast you might me lucky to find one with a pink husk for a special treat. Or buy one off a truck in the New Market.
NOTES FROM JENNIFER WITH PICTURES
Vendor at the New Market:
Close up of a jelly coconut:
The top of a jelly coconut peeled off:
After peeling off the top, it is cut and then we drink the coconut water from the hole in the top:
After the drink is done it is split open:
This is what the jelly looks like(sweet and delicious):


2. Enjoy a Sea Moss
Yes, it is a type of seaweed, and when it's mixed with sugar and other spices, you'll re-energize with it!

3. Dominican delicacies
Go ahead and try something a little different. As a side dish, how about mouth watering puffs with avocado, breadfruit or dasheen? Then sink your teeth into a tamarind ball or a piece of guava or coconut cheese or pate banane and satisfy your sweet tooth.

4. Drink the best water
There is never a shortage here. Clean fresh water flows down from the mountains and springs abound. Loubiere Spring Water and Morne Trois Pitons bottled water can be purchased island-wide. So it's easy to stay hydrated in the heat.
NOTE FROM JENNIFER: Permit me to be a little biased here. I was born and grew up in the village of Loubiere where they bottle the Loubiere Spring Water and it's the best water out there.
5. Have a cuppa with Toast and Jam
Have a cup or two of locally grown Cafe Dominique or Cafe Sisserou to start your day. Or drink some Bello's cocoa tea - hot chocolate in other words! Sweeten up your toast with some of Bello's tasty preserves - grapefruit, passion fruit or guava! Look for their hot pepper sauces and tropical fruit drink concentrates to take home with you.
6. Perhaps you prefer tea
After your adventures, relax with one of Blow's Herbal Teas. How about ginger, peppermint or basilic? Have it hot or cold, sweet or plain. Buy some and take it home.

7. Take a tonic
Many herbs and natural products are found here. Cimenkontwa allegedly rids the body of parasites. Citronella is good for a cold. These are available island-wide as Blow's Herbal Teas. Ask a Dominican for a favorite "bush" remedy.
NOTE FROM JENNIFER: There are many many different herbs on the island that are known for their healing benefits.

8. Quench your thirst naturally.
You can have a different juice for every day of the week - or maybe two! Orange, grapefruit, tangerine, passion fruit, guava, pineapple, West Indian cherry, gooseberry, lime, tamarind, sour sop(or sweet sop as some call it) or mix a few!
NOTE FROM JENNIFER WITH PICTURE:
My husband is the ultimate in making juices of different varieties some of them common, some not so common. He makes pumpkin - pictured below, avocado, plantain, sorrel and many many combinations. He is the juice maker in our home. That's one of his many strengths.


9. Fill up on bakes for breakfast
Yes they are filling and you won't feel hungry after a bake or two. These fried bread biscuits are heartily stuffed with cheese, tuna, codfish or herring. They should hold you through to lunch! You'll find them at many snackettes around town.
NOTE FROM JENNIFER WITH PICTURE
Bakes are delicacy! You've got to try it! Picture compliments of Dominica View.
10. Special fare
If you are here in the right season or during certain holidays and weekends, tempt your taste buds with unique local fare. How about spicy fried titiri ackras(little river fish), souse(salted pork) or chat d'eau water(octopus in broth)? Ask for suggestions.

Come back tomorrow for the next segment of 100+ things to do in Dominica.