On a popular corner in Grand Bay, bartender Nick pulls his drink of choice from under the counter: Jah Daniels, rum flavored with a hunk of ganja plant. —Alison Pierce Photo by Nancy Atzenweiler. This appeared in the November/December 2010 issue.   

Late December 2010 and I was in the island of beautiful Dominica alone with my thoughts and a broken heart. I had an amazing week-long stay in Jungle Bay Resort and met new friends. When they shut down all 3 main New York airports before the New Year because of a blizzard, I was "forced" to extend my stay for SIX more days until I could get a flight out of the country. Woe is me!

A group of friends and I backpacked around the island of Dominica, located in the Lesser Antilles, for two weeks. We hiked the national Waitukubuli trail, camped in the rainforest, and hiked one of the most treacherous trails I've ever seen. This picture was taken before our descent into the Valley of Desolation, a valley of sulphur rivers, bubbling mud, and eery steam rising from the world's second largest hot spring source... the Boiling Lake. The hike is ONLY viable when guided by a local, as the trail takes you down steep river beds, rock scrambling around boiling pools of mud, and a dangerous descent down from a forest of clouds. Easily the most incredible hike I've ever been on, but not for the faint of heart.

Dominica is a hidden jewel of Caribbean. The lack of long sandy beaches and unaccessible to large airplanes account for tourist underdevelopment. There are no large hotels, the roads are bad and most shops can not meet the needs of affluent tourists. Deficiencies are also advantages Island: Dominica is one of the most naturally preserved Caribbean island. Among other things on Dominica part of movie The Pirates of the Caribbean has been made.

Propped up on stilts, each of Jungle Bay’s 35 cottages feels like a private tree house, complete with an open-air shower. Overlooking Point Mulatre Bay, the hillside resort offers a full schedule of outdoor activities. Walk along the White River and swim at the base of roaring Victoria Falls. —Alison Pierce From $179, 767/446-1789, junglebaydominica.com. Photo by Todd Anderson. This appeared in the November/December 2010 issue.