Morne Diablotin.. 
summit, ground level bromeliads, moss and 
lichens form a rough carpet around you. 
The first recorded ascent of Morne 
Diablotin was led by the remarkable Dr. 
John Imray, physician, botanist, agricul¬ 
tural pioneer and explorer, who set out 
from Dublanc on 21 April, 1868. With him 
were two companions: P. D. Riviere and his 
son with nine porters and bush cutters. 
After two days climbing and two nights 
camping in rain-drenched ajoupa huts, 
they finally scrambled out onto the summit 
where in true imperial style they hoisted 
the Union Jack. 
But, according to Imray, “The wind blew 
with great force; and thick white vapours all 
around would permit only a fleeting and 
partial glimpse of what must be one of the 
grandest views in the West Indies.” 
On a perfect day one looks south and 
west over the crumpled folds of Dominica’s 
contorted landscape. The mountains of 
Trois Pitons, Micotrin, Watt, Anglais and 
Plat Pay march in a line away from you. 
Beyond on the horizon is the pale blue 
shape of the island of Martinique. 
Turning northwards one looks down 
towards the Cabrits and Prince Rupert’s 
Bay where ships in the harbour look as big 
as floating mosquitoes. Village rooftops 
twinkle like sequins through the greenery; 
Morne Aux Diable stands firmly ahead and 
to the north east, the surf along the coast is 
like white lace at the hem of Diablotin’s 
green gown. 
Further north across the blue channel 
lies the flat pancake of Marie Galante, the 
chunky islets of Les Saintes and the tower¬ 
ing mountains of Basseterre and the shim¬ 
mering pale green plains of Grand Terre on 
Guadeloupe. We can argue whether the 
shape to the north-west is really Montserrat. 
Some days, however, you find yourself in 
the mist like Imray, or more luckily, catch¬ 
ing quick glimpses of the view from one side 
and the next while huge clouds sweep past. 
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SiF i 
30 
Morne Diablotin stands in the centre of 
the Northern Forest Reserve established 
since 1952. Steps are now being taken to 
establish the Morne Diablotin National Park, 
Dominica’s third such protected area. It will 
include the zone most favoured by the two 
species of Amazona parrots and the main 
watershed sources of the rivers serving the 
coastal villages. An interpretation centre 
combining displays, a research shelter and 
rest house for national parks staff and 
visitors is to be built near the start of the trail 
to Morne Diablotin. Bird watchers landing 
at the Cabrits Cruise Ship Berth can be 
bused up to the centre and then take an 
easy nature trail to a parrot viewing plat¬ 
form and stroll back through the rain forest 
to their waiting transports. 
Those who prefer nature not so tamed 
and manicured can tramp off up the moun¬ 
tain on their own, in the true spirit of Dr. 
Imray, with his nine porters, bush cutters and 
his leaking ajoupa over a hundred years ago. 
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Tel: (809) 448-2198/4099 
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Telex: 8622 ASTA 
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