“Dominica is a small Caribbean island so what can it truly offer to a guy from a big city like me? Watch what some of Dominica’s most influential voices had to say.”
This is how independent film-maker, Richard Etienne introduces a video snippet from his film entitled “The iD Project” which is due to be released in the summer of 2014.
The United Kingdom-based Etienne says the film is being made in memory of his late Dominican father and will document his journey of discovery, his identity and will allow him the opportunity to explore the birthplace of his father.
He said the film will discover the “real” Dominica and the “people who create the culture of this island.”
This snippet is from ‘The iD Project” – releasing Summer 2014.
dominica is a beautiful island . by far one of the most beautiful island. we got river beaches, mountains and lot more. but make dominica a else desirable island is that dominica those not have a night life. we all know that when we go on vacation the last thing any one want to do is go to bed at 9 pm.
Say it like it is. Its a beautiful island but its boring period. All those that saying its not boring I took note that you all only visit once a year or so and only talk about living on the island permanently when you feel you need to retire.
a country cannot be boring… it’s not a being… people are/can be boring…
Yes it is.Almost nothing to do.But its still an amazing island.
Give the goverment the money so that they can avoid going to the Chinese ignorantj SM H that’s for you sort
What is wrong v with you guys.Let me remind you every one else in the world create their own entertainment, nightclub s are owned by peoplecwho wants to invest in that kind of activity not the government stupidees how many of you can put the money up front none so shut up. Any thing allyou go to bed early like chickens, if someone was to invest in a nightclub if left to Dominicans their buisness would cooleh. But if it was free well papa you guys would come out in the thousands. Just take a look at carnival those without costumes in the middle free is it not . That bad habit travels withnthem they fo it in New Y ork and U K
I can never be boring when I come do Dominica. I always overstay and I cry like a baby when I leave. I love, love, love, Dominica. I hope to come back and build one day soon.
Dominicans hypocrite wii…can you believe a pm saying if u want night life go to Vegas ….my pm you was in macow enjoying de night life..all those people that doh want the strip bars and the gentleman clubs ..casino and the rest…when they go out of Dominica that’s the first places they visit…the truth is put the international airport in Portsmouth….put the top hotels and the casino and the gentleman club in Portsmouth…so we will make Portsmouth a country within a country…and let those people that doh want those things to stay Roseau
OF COURSE DOMINICA BORING! I not even a spring chicken again in my 20s or even my 30s and I tell you there needs to be more night-life. I’m not a person who want to be in all drum that beat, but surely it cannot be only during the Calypso season that people of my generation get to put on some nice garbs and step out??
Even in de days when Warehouse and Aquacade and later on Doubles was swinging, Dominica was more exciting than that.
We don’t even have a movie theater….*shakes head sadly*
DA is not boring in my opinion. As the former queen and cultural officer said, there are fests going on seasonally. I’ve lived in toronto and to me there’s less balance of tranquil acitivities vs loud night life activities. (the grass is not always greener ppl) Dominica has a better balance. weekday night life is lacking, but i believe that is because of our economy. As was stated by another, this video should give the other opinion (those who believe it is infact boring, unless of course everyone agress that its not boring). I know its just a clip. I’d like to see the finished product. but no, not boring to me at all. wouldnt want to live anywhere else
The main problem with dominica is that .not enough people so it is hard to have night life. A population of 65 thousand people half that are Christians .and we don’t have a large number of tourists .so my point is if we have night clubs casino weeknights it is going to be ded!!
I quite enjoyed that video. Well done. Very professional. Will look forward for me.
Ps: I do not wish to get into the debate about boring or not. It’s relative. So no use arguing.
Am glad this topic has come up.
This was recently discussed at my sister’s place in Milton.
The consensus, from all the folks of Dominican origin, was that the place will put you to sleep unless you are there at Carnival and Creole.
We need ten thousand more immigrants and a substantial redevelopment in Roseau and Portsmouth.
It is nice to hear the sentiments of those who say our island is beautiful, unique and great. But that is much flattery and patronage. It is beautiful, but not so unique really, in terms of it’s nature attractions, and not great unless it is your hometown.
So let’s all work to make it better.
Dominica is the queen of Boredom in the Caribbean!
seriously- does Dominica plan on living on Chinese loans and free Venezuelan oil forever?
I can’t imagine how a PM could be trying to build a tourism industry, and telling people- if you want nightlife go to las Vegas.
I thought we wanted tourists to come here…
You bias is so clear here. Is this all you know about dominica’s foreign policy? Grant funding and soft loan – from whomever – to improve the national infrastructure cannot hurt. Would you rather we borrow at market interests rate?
Yes.
I have visited Dominica several times and I would not say its boring…I have a problem though finding anywhere to go at nights…Even more so on holidays..everywhere is closed…I cant get a proper meal….I guess Dominicans would think that this is ok because this is what they know…if you dont know any better and havent experienced anything else, then sure, you would see nothing wrong….it just gives a backward look to the island….not good for tourism…
I do like it quiet but boy, in Dominica even the news stops on weekends and DNO having a nap too.. Sundays nothing but religious noise on radio for people atoning for all the sins they committed during the week. Nothing open in Roseau, even when a cruise ship is in port. Maybe we like it so, after all it is not New York or London is it?
Dominica, a country I would like to retire to and live my life in complete serenity. If I never have to see another congested city in my life again, surely Dominica offers the alternative. Im Jamaican, and so much has changed in my country, socially and environmentally. Change is not always good. But a change to a new island and culture, to an environmentally aware and conscious psyche, can only be beneficial to the souls. Dominica can never be boring, only enlightening!!!!
Dominica is not necessarily boring. It’s just a different adventure. What it needs though is some good quality restaurants and cafes and a little night life especially in the Portsmouth area. If you are visitor, there is absolutely nothing to do at night. A beach bar that is open with a little reggae music, a café, a cool restaurant, a jazz club that will do the job. Most of all however they need to be a little upscale. Even though they may have an island décor, they can still be clean, painted and looking good, a little personality. Everything doesn’t have to look old and unkept because one is poor. Actually, doing that is what helps bring in more business.
Good idea…how about you get a business plan together and seek some investors.
Well said! A friend texted a pic of that little cabaway at Borough Square, and what you speak of here was my first observation – why does everything has to look so rundown and debri-filled?
Yes, Dominica can be boring. You cannot just say let me leave my home and go to town get some excitement. when you reach Roseau, walking around is no fun. The shopping is out of it. There is nothing to do. The shops are small, run down and sell trash, and when you attempt to walk around to see what the Chinese sell, they follow you around to make you uncomfortable. There is no playground to take the children, no leisure centre, no activities for the kids. At night, there are only few places to go, the others are open but there is no atmosphere. Then they close early. You go to the nature spots, you enjoy the site and then think let me have lunch or a snack, but then you look around there is nothing available. You drive from Roseau to Carib Territory, and nowhere to eat, except some dry choking farine ‘bread’ sold by the caribs with nothing to go with it. There’s no population and if does feel dead. the natural waterfalls and sea, lakes, mountains are gorgeous but the rest is not there!!!!
Try playing a good game of basket ball, soccer, or cricket – let me know how good the equipment is
it is boring in a lot of ways…if you don’t have access to the simplest things in life, it’s boring. Try renting scuba gear to enjoy the awesome world under, try renting a car to explore the vast serene and most enchanting nature trails…it is boring indeed, for many. For those who live there and say it’s not boring, kudos to you – because you don’t have alternatives? And by the way, I did not watch the video…
A place is boring only if you make it boring. I live in the Vegas and sometimes I say “darn this place is so boring” then I realize if I do what I love to do it won’t be boring at all. I visit Dominica every year and I’m never bored….you people get use to the live style you have now so you say Dominica is boring….PLACED ARE NOT BORING…PEOPLE ARE!!!!!
Dominica is unique!! it is not boring!!It offers a unique set of natural environment which you cant find any where else in the world!!I think there needs to be more governmental efforts to bring facilities which will encourage the youth to keep the natural resources intact but yet use all that beauty to entertain the Eco tourism.we need a marine for the mega yacht industry so they to can enjoy the many cultural cuisine which Dominica has to offer from all its fresh home grow products!!an international airport!!more positive publicity!!The island and its culture will bring this long lost natural way of life style back to all those who need it including myself!!be an example to all the world in living naturally with simplicity yet entertaining.
latitude80 posted: “It (Dominica) offers a unique set of natural environment which you cant find any where else in the world” Sorry to burst your bubbles and spoil your little thunder roll but, this statement is totally untrue and biased…do your research before delving into this. Please google: philippines nature pictures, fiji nature pictures, tasmania nature pictures…
you need to travel more!
this was a very biased sample, you asked prominent people on;y. They travel at-least once a month, how in GOD’S NAM you expect better response of the truth.
I am just being honest Dominica is boring. Not dissing jus aj speak the truth.1 love
If you want clubs, bars and partying every night of the week, then Dominica is not for you.
If you want to see lots of people in your face all the time, if want fight for spot on the beech, then Dominica is not for you.
If you want to escape from the stresses of daily life…….come to Dominica.
If you want to immerse yourself in Nature…..come to Dominica.
Great point. people from big cities come to the Caribbean to relax and to enjoy the sun and the beaches unfortunately we don’t have white sand beach .
Stop comparing Dominica with other countries. The same way God say he made people in his own image and likeness, I believe he made different parts of the world how he wanted it. Just like everyone cannot be lawyers, teachers , bus drivers, sanitation works etc. If everyone and everywhere was the same, how boring? God is a God of changes and differences. Thank God for what we have, the more we ask for the more money we have to spend and more problems we have. Thank God for small mercies.
I life we have choices, for a home, car, mate, job etc. but we cannot have what every body have, we just cannot . A person have short hair, they want long hare. They have light skin they want dark skin. We humans are never contented. I am not saying not to want more or have better, but with more and better, we know that comes with costs, accountability and patience. In the mean time we have to do with the best we have till we have extra to do more.
Dominica the country is very beautiful like no other, however if one is to say Dominica is bored then they went/visited for the wrong reasons… First of all freedom peace of mind reuniting with families, friends, even a glance of the few parro makes you smile…
But what/who add the boring vibes are some of the peoples behaviour, mentality and ignorance….
My Dominica is not boring but some of its people are…
Dominica is boring there is not night for the average dominica much less for tourist nature is good nature is not all imagine you cant get restaurant open on weekend at 7pm only chinese and only get breakfast at 10 am that boring and backwardness
The name is nature island. So what do you expect.
that’s the truth why so may thumbs down, just to show the backwardness and down right ignorance, the truth is the truth.
I agree…
ummm isnt there a night club n casino in castle comfort :twisted ……guess u dont need to go to las Vegas
My country is not boring! if we take time to explore all the natural beauty she has.
Natural beauty is great. Getting hassled by locals almost everywhere you go and the occasional robbery/mugging; not so great.
You never travel so stop talking nonsense I live in ny I when on a vacation to Jamaica and the hustle u get from people overwhelming compere to dominica.
Dominica is natural and beautiful .I would agree there needs to be more to do after 6pm lol. party boats,restaurants,live music,dance,theater,poetry .truth is there should be a number of entertainment events on every night of the week. yes even sunday gospel music live,live jazz. fish friday ,saturday and sunday lol.every month one week end should be a creole celebration and change the parish every month
Pedro, you are a businessman. Now that you have identified an opportunity, you should jump on it and provide that service.
I agree..
Great idea, however its economics: Sponsorship/funding is always a problem
Chicken and eggs….but until the tourists start coming in droves we are not going to have those things you listed….local Dominicans can not afford to support these things …when there is no tourist do not come in droves because we do not have these things.
the dive anchorage trouble how has the Gov’t supported that business…these are one set of ppl who try to provide activities but alas they should tell u their stories
Listen when Dominicans move abroad to big cities they tend to take any jobs including washing cars, cleaning fish etc they would never moan and say that these cities are boring, but here we go D A is boring.Even though they left good jobs in DA. Bat dabar zor
Let me just say that I am big time bored in the U K.
I eould exchange if I could because the snow and fevde is not pleasant. The bible states words have power yo
perform keep on saying negative things aboutbyourselves it will come to pass just someting to think about.
wth r u trying to say….im so confuse
Glad you could share YOUR experience, seems like you’re living in hell over there – good luck in the UK. We all don’t endure what you’re experiencing, remember that.
so why you doe come back to nature and forget about England? what you saying, England boring? am confused too.
Answer: No, Dominica is not boring, but this video, my brother, is surely is boring.
I would have given this thumbs up but the glitch means I can’t!
in response to the prime minister they don’t need to go to las vagas, there is a las vagas of the caribbean and its name is st.maarten/ st.martin the friendly island. so everybody reading this, when booking your next trip and you want to get away from all this nature come visit the friendly island.
They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, well this is the photo of the week. So divine, so serene, so sweet, so humble and feel of the inner peace. Good luck sir in your film and exploring your roots.
Though you are younger, there is a bit of semblance to Dr Fontaine. May be a distant cousin. Check that out!
just look at who is talking behind these nice sayings is not what you see at all its a blend of political red and chruches Madness and poverty some no it, some pretend , and some dont. but still i love dominica , its just …….. oh lord please help us that we bear the actual load that is sooo heavy, am vieille cse born and but………
Well Sir, going back in life could be daunted.No country owes you nothing. It is not what your country can do for you but,is what you can do for your Country. Under the sweat of thy brow thou shall live and god only help those who help themselves.come on down your country needs you. careful I said your country and not your people. London! you are sent to college to learn to make a cup of twinning tea .
i could answer that question in a heartbeat,and that is anywhere you go in the world,if you do not have money your life is miserable,so all that disco talk is rubbish,with that said here is my personal expertise on this subject,when i grew up in dominica i had no worries,like the saying goes,no place like home until i traveled abroad and so became corrupted,so now i see dominica differently,if you are living a rasta life,of the land,of nature,dominica is the land for you,on the other hand everywhere in the world you will find have’s and have’ not,the latter are the one’s not are boring,not only are they boring they also miserable,and that goes for anywhere in the world,but do not get me wrong,dominica has a lot to make you happy even if you are poor,some people do not pay house rent,some do not pay for water,electricity here is piece of cake compare to what some countries charge the people every month,so dominica like every other country in the world is the same on different levels,de up’s and down side’s,so boring i would not say bring,i would say no money no love,langay.
couple of missed typos,but you all can figure it out,chew poul
Boring? Not a chance, there is so much to do. All the excitement that nature provides in the terrestrial and marine environments, the intimate link you develop with what God has given us, the opportunity to produce your own natural food or most of it, family, friends, visitors, an interesting conversation to often tantalise your senses and imagination, and of course a good book to ground you in the emotions, cultures and contradictions that provide the footprint of mankind, then there is no time to get bored in our nature island.
Really?!?! I can count the things you can do in DA on my fingers. People can say I’m unpatriotic but in my opinion Dominica resembles a rock with moss.
Certainly not!!!. Just take a look at http://searchdominica.com and see how much we have to enjoy.
What nightlife they talking about dere nuh. Since when nightlife is a sign of development? Nightlife eg late night partying and clubbing is a sign of a restless tormented populace who cannot find the peace of sleep at nights hence they desperately crave some frivolous silly activity at nights to chase away the disturbances of their minds and souls.
Dominica, please stay away from these so-called signs of development such as casino gambling, the craze of alcoholic infested, rampant female lewd behaviour night clubs.
As I mentioned earlier, night clubs are for tormented people who just cannot find the peace of sleep at nights.
Roosevelt, I generally don’t agree with your policies but I commend your comments in the video above. The question is are your comments just mere words or do you mean it? Because wasn’t some forms or versions of casino gambling brought in to Dominica over recent years under your government?
Everyone in the interview saying the same things, so this is not a balanced view, it will be a good idea to interview young people who just left college or get some dissenting opinions.
A very boring place…
But full of S’ occupier du buss issue des personnel!
Dominica has a low standard of living, and is very hard to earn a living. Dominica boast simplicity yet have high taxes like Europe. The low standard of living is the main reason for the quiet lifestyle. No govt has been able to change the economic outlook in Dominica.
right right
Da is great.is what you looking for.the best in the Caribbean .
I had the opportunity to visit Dominica last November and I definitely wouldn’t say that it’s boring. Even though the purpose of my trip wasn’t for a vacation per say but rather to meet a very special person for the first time and that might have given me extra reasons to be super excited about the trip I still think my assessment is correct. Two words that I would use to describe the island is quaint and picturesque.
Getting there was the most boring part of my trip. I remember I left New York like 3:00am for a flight to Puerto Rico and I never arrived in Dominica until around 10:00pm. I had lay overs in Anguilla and Antigua in addition one of the flights was delayed for about 40 minutes. For some place so close to North America it’s really hard to get to. But I would have done it everyday of the week if I had to because it meant that much to me.
I remember my ‘very special person’ telling me that I might find the trip from the airport to Roseau a little scary because the road is narrow, winding and some parts high terrains. When I got there I realized that I was actually driving through a rain forest. It was beautiful and I wished I had arrived before it was dark so I could take some pictures. I didn’t get to do it on my return trip either because my flight was 8:00am so I had to leave early. My cab driver was really nice. It was like having a tour guide telling me all about the island my entire trip. Well except for the part where he started telling me about the snakes that can be 6ft long. Even though they are not venomous just the thought freaked me out. He even stopped at a restaurant so that I could get something to eat before dropping me at the Fort Young Hotel.
Aside from walking along the bay front and going to the market to get some fruits I didn’t do much in terms of going out and seeing the island because I was rather pleasantly occupied. I enjoyed being in the market and observing the culture of the people who were all very nice and friendly. It rained at nights and the days were hot but not humid. I thought the city would have been congested and filled with crazy tourist because the cruise ship was docked right outside my window at my hotel but that was not the case.
We went to the Krazy Koconut club and another place that was outdoors and it was really fun. The music was different. I’m from Jamaica so I’m more familiar with reggae but it was still fun. We partied until like 7:00am which was very unusual for me. Most places in America the clubs close by 2:00am.
I guess with Trip Advisor and so many other websites available to give people prior information on the places they wish to vacation no one should go there and end up disappointed really. If night life activities are the major part of your vacation then that is not the place to go especially during the week. The other thing don’t expect to see a lot of fancy restaurants or the chain restaurants that you are accustomed to. Come prepared to eat the local food which I did enjoy. I love fish and that they did have in abundance.
Overall I think the island is most suited for the nature lover or someone who just want a nice quiet escape from the big city and stressful job to unwind and relax which was exactly what I wanted. It was a beautiful 4-night trip and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. When I arrived at the airport to leave I started to cry because I missed it. Well maybe it was my special person that I was missing more but non the less Dominica has a special place in my heart and always will. I really do want to visit there again for a real vacation this time but not right. Maybe after my heart heals and I no longer miss and love him so much…..
I would not change a thing. Just keep the place clean.
Persons may want to come back to live here, but it depends on when they plan on coming back here. These individuals might be thinking i want come back here to ‘retire’, after i’ve had fun in some other place and now want a place to just chill and not do much.
Even though the island promotes nature, there needs to be more than just nature based activities for ppl to partake in.
I think it’s just a matter of having a better standard of living for ppl here to be able to spend more, and thus enjoy life more.
You visit dominica often .and you will enjoy it.i have been in ny for 30 years..when am in da I don’t miss ny.its tranquility for me.a place to relax and enjoy freedom,
I don’t mean to dismiss all the comments from persons in the Diaspora or other visitors, however, i really think this question is for persons who actually live here; the average Dominican.
maybe you should move back here this year. why do you even go back to new York???? And you must be an American citizen now, right? Obviously you had enough.
I live here, i do the nature activities, but still i feel like ‘where’s the rest?’ I am still bored.
The question is Dominica boring? Is this meant to be promotional material for the island? Maybe i need to go and live overseas and come back for me to be able to say, Da is not boring. Maybe?
I SOOOOOOOOO AGREE…..