Hello from the island of Dominica. We are anchored off the town of Portsmouth, some 20 miles south of the Isle de Saintes, waiting for our lost mail which seems to have gone walk-about in the French Postal System . Oh well, these things are just part of the cruising lifestyle. Dominica is a clean and friendly island. It is much poorer than the French islands, but the people here have such a strong proud spirit for their homeland - they certainly go out of their way to make visitors feel welcome. High, green, and volcanic, we have enjoyed hiking the rain forests; and meeting the hard working and resourceful Dominican people. Here is a picture of Lilly holding a baby, while watching his dad and friend repair their chain saw - while taking their daily dose of "herb". Dad is an interesting chap: a devout Rastafarian, he built his family a home in the top of a big almond tree along the shore of Prince Rupert Bay, next to Big Pappa's Bar and Grille - a popular cruiser's hang-out. Their home reminds us of Noah's Ark coming to rest on a tree-top! He is a quiet man of faith, and he works from sun up to sun down to support his wife and their three wonderful children. Tom enjoyed spending the afternoon with these guys and working on the chain saw; but somehow the naval officer in him was just not comfortable with their herb smoking. The bong just did not seem to be conducive to Good Order and Discipline, nor a safe workplace! All the while the repairs and test runs were being effected, his two year-old son was jumping back and forth and bouncing a ball across the recalcitrant chain saw! Lilly sez: OH MY GOSH Tom-Tom - lighten up, it is just a case of different strokes for different folks! Once our mail comes in we will sail back north to the Isle de Saintes, pick it up, and then head south for Martinique.