Hurricane Tomas, Hiking and Natural Hot Springs

First things first, we miss you all very much! The time we are having here in Dominica has given us another view on serving Jehovah, a view of just how amazing his organization is! The 14 mile days of walking up and down mountains, the "feels like 100 everyday" weather us "New Englanders" are not familiar with is some stuff we have had to get used to. Not mentioning the different culture we have had to learn to blend with has been the spiritual growth that can't be fully explained unless experienced. If you, or anyone, have the circumstances that allow you to reach out in Jehovah's organization take that leap of faith, there is no downside! (Isaiah 6:8)

October 30th, Hurricane Tomas, a category 1 hurricane formed and made a move over Dominica, Saint Lucia and Barbados, making headway toward Haiti and Jamaica. We, (S.Diego and Anthony) are more than fine :) we lost power for 2 days, but we have plenty of games to keep us busy, so don't worry, we don't go away that easily! Dominica received the edge of Tomas more than anything else, which caused 90 mile an hour winds with gusts that reached 115mph. Many of the tropical fruit trees were fallen and damaged leaving debris spread out across the streets of Dominica. There was some flooding and minimal damage, but that is not where the problem lays. Saint Lucia received the worst of Tomas leaving 14 dead. We have newly made friends in Saint Lucia we met during our short stay on our way to Dominica. So of course we are worried if the brothers and sister there are alright from the storm... we have not received word from them YET, but as soon as we do you will know. :) We seem to be surviving the hurricanes so far :) LoL

Some little Damage

Extremely Windy!

We made a wind gauge by chance.

That's not all the fun we have been having though! Wednesday the 3rd a group of witnesses from our hall, Marigot as well as Roseau made a full day of hiking to two excluded lakes 3,000 ft up in the steep mountains! Our first hike was one heading to Boeri Lake, a 45 minute hike winding through deep forest and thick fog. At the end of the trail when standing near Boeri Lake some wind swept across the water sweeping away the fog leaving us staring at mountain peaks in a deep valley. One word can describe it, Majestic!

Goin Hikin!

Traveling to Boeri Lake



Guess where we are!



At the Highest Road Point!



All 14 of us getting off for the hike!

45 min for OLD people... we pulled it off in 20! :)

Just look at those faces, so ready for a hike!

Steep, Steep, Step!

Do we need to say anything...

The LAKE! LoL

Just kidding, here it is!

To us right now the water is very nice, it is cool and refreshing...

...for them, well, they shiver after a minute in the water

Mist rolls in and out quickly

Next stop... Boiling Lake!

I only look like a doof because I dont know what to look like :P

Group Photo!

Not done with the fun yet! By the time we finished the hike back from Boeri Lake it was around 10:30am. We then made our way to the Fresh Water Lake. This lake was at least five or six times the size of Boeri and had KAYAKS! WooHoo! Although on arrival we found the kayak place closed.... pfffff, we dont need paddles, we can use our hands, so that is what we did! We took the kayaks out and made two man motorboats! We fooled around for a good hour and decided it was time to fill our empty stomachs. We ate our packed lunches overlooking the lake and enjoyed an hour of rest.

Fresh Water Lake

KAYAKS! or 2 men motorboats!

Fog Consumes

Now that we have had an exhausting morning of fun and play hahaha, it's off to the Hot Springs where we can relax and reminisce on the wonderful scenery we took in throughout the morning and early afternoon! We took about a 15 min drive and arrived at "Screws." Now talk about relaxing, sitting in a natural hot tub stationed right alongside river with a nice cooooool refreshment! Screws had three pools ranging from hot to kinda hot to ewwwy cold. We lazily enjoyed the two hours spent there and came out refreshed and rejuvenated. What a way to relax after some hard work, hehe. 

Hot air vent for Natural Spings

Notice just 1 of the 365 rivers in Dominica

Hot water flows through bamboo pipe

The water was that color BEFORE i got in...

You should join us... O wait your too far away, hmmm LoL

Wack-A-Mole

Starting from front: ewwwy cold, kinda hot, hot

If this isn't serving Jehovah... then what is! :P

Complete Relaxed Mode

A Nice Water Massage

This was a very eventful day and we enjoyed it! Although there are amazing days like this, they still cannot compare to the days we spend in the ministry being able to talk with EVERYBODY about Jehovah! It refreshes you and gives you contentment, more so than natural hot springs in the Caribbean. Sorry for keeping you waiting for this blog :P Hope you enjoyed! Please do NOT feel shy to ask any questions you have, we enjoy the conversing with you and it refreshes us :) Love you all!!!