La Plaine
Google co ordinates for La Plaine 15°17’N 61°15’ W.
La Plaine is one of those rural villages that one falls love with on sight.
Sari sari Falls
Located on the Eastern side of the island with a population of 1,288 it is an enchanting, picturesque village with its neat houses with their colourful gardens. La Plaine and its environs has something for every-one.
It is the home of the dramatic Sari Sari Falls . The hike is along the river so one has to be relatively fit to clamber over the rocks. However , there is a rejuvenating reward of a swim in an ice cold pool at the base of the Falls.
Less well known are the Boli Falls also known as the Bolive Falls. This is quite a difficult hike starting from La Plaine and you have to be very fit as a lot of the hike is very steep but it is worth the effort. The falls are spectacular.
About 25 minutes away in the neighbouring community of Delices visitors can find the beautiful White River. This river is fed from the Boiling Lake in the Morne Trois Piton National Park and has a milky white color which it gets from the sulphur content of the water.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls are at the upper end of this river and again to get to these Falls one has to hike along parts of the River.
About 10 mins drive from La Plaine are the Dernier Falls near the village of Grand Fond. The walk to the Falls from the village is relatively easy although the ridge is at times a little narrow but on reaching the falls you will be guaranteed seclusion. A hidden Treasure if you like to get off the beaten track.
TURTLES
Between the months of March and September, three types of sea turtles, the Giant Leatherback, the Hawksbill and the Green Turtle lay their eggs on Rosalie Beach and Bout Sable Beach at La Plaine with its beautiful black sands and dramatic waves which one can see from the property ref 529 listed on the Safe Haven web site http://www.safehavenrealestate.com/details1.cfm?ID=529 This property comprises 12 beautiful acres of land offering peace and tranquility nestled in a valley rising gradually to a mountain ridge. A crystal clear river runs alongside the property with a number of bathing pools.
Though it is some years since I last hiked to Sari Sari Falls or Victoria Falls, both were most memorable days. The sight of so much lush forest vegetation, the sound of rippling water and the long sweet two noted call of the rufus throated solitaire drifting through the trees makes you feel glad to be alive and able to enjoy the wonders of nature, so perfect in Dominica. Though you do have to wade along the Sari Sari river in places, the trail is not difficult if you are in good shape. Though I would not go so far as to say the water is ‘ice cold’, it is certainly crystal clear and very refreshing, having flowed down undisturbed from the protected sanctuary of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, which enjoys the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The slightly opaque water of the White River is actually a little warmer, having cooled on its way down from the Boiling Lake.
Of all the beaches in Dominica, those at LaPlaine and Rosalie are two of my favourites. As well as providing the turtles with a rare nesting site, these beaches are shallow and gentle, so the rolling waves coming in from the Atlantic make this a great spot for body surfing. Between these two beaches is the coastal village of Riviere Cyrique, which has its own, well hidden, natural attraction – a waterfall which tumbles off a high cliff directly into the sea.
For further information on the Boiling Lake and the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, follow these links:
http://www.natureisland.com/BoilingLake.html
http://www.natureisland.com/MTPNatPark.html
or for where to stay in this locality:
http://www.natureisland.com/east.html
By: ecoislander on June 3, 2009
at 8:34 pm