by Lise van de Kamp | Jul 24, 2020 | Hiking, Nature, River, Uncategorized, Views
This week we will take you away from Hotel The Champs and the surroundings. Behind the Macoucherie rum factory you can hike a long way. The Macoucherie rum Factory is 24 km from The Champs direction Roseau. Just before the (new) bridge you go down to the left where you see a walking trail.
The first part of the trail is “flat”… well as “flat” as it can be in Dominica, nothing is flat in this beautiful nature island but the beginning of this trail is nice and as I call it “flat”. You will see parts of the river on your right hand side on your way up.
After about 1 hour walking the trail goes steep up. (sorry we did not reached that point on or walk) For more information about this walk / hike we will put you in contact with the owner of Tamarind Tree who can also organise a guide if you wish.
The river is nice and calm and very relaxing to look at.
In the next blog we will show you some of the fruits we found on our Macoucherie walk.
by Lise van de Kamp | Jul 14, 2020 | Fruits, Fruits & Veggies, Hotel, Nature, Restaurant
Dominica is called the Nature Island of the Caribbean, once you will enter the country (by sea or air) you will understand why.
At Hotel The Champs we are not farmers but because it is so easy to grow fruits / veggies (plants, flowers and trees) we decided to put some herbs / veggies in the soil. Please check below in the first picture you see an eatable hibiscus it tastes like a wild spinach (also growing in Dominica) and some basil (tea / pesto / salads etc) In the second picture you see a small paracetamol (tea) and a patchouli oil: an essential oil derived from the leaves of the patchouli plant, a type of aromatic herb. In order to produce patchouli oil, the leaves and stems of the plant are harvested and allowed to dry out. They then undergo a distillation process to extract the essential oil and is used in perfumes, cosmetics, and incense. Tea: hot or cold.
Below our pool deck we made a special “bed” to grow some nice juicy watermelons;
Top 9 health benefits of eating watermelon.
- Helps You Hydrate. …
- Contains Nutrients and Beneficial Plant Compounds. …
- Contains Compounds That May Help Prevent Cancer. …
- May Improve Heart Health. …
- May Lower Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. …
- May Help Prevent Macular Degeneration. …
- May Help Relieve Muscle Soreness.
Don’t forget our crispy cucumbers. Its so nice to pick a fresh cucumber for your salads
7 Health Benefits of Eating Cucumber
- It’s High in Nutrients. Cucumbers are low in calories but high in many important vitamins and minerals. …
- It Contains Antioxidants. …
- It Promotes Hydration. …
- It May Aid in Weight Loss. …
- It May Lower Blood Sugar. …
- It Could Promote Regularity. …
- Easy to Add to Your Diet.
And what to think about our fresh chives delicious with every salad, on your eggs in the mornings in a salsa. In front of our Garden Rooms you will find some Papaya plants. Deliciously sweet with musky undertones and a soft, butter-like consistency, the papaya was called the “fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus. In Dominica we eat the Papaya ripe (orange inside) as sweet fruit or green in a salad or cooked in coconut oil.
Our last plant / tree in the garden is the Moringa. Moringa is believed to have many benefits and its uses range from health and beauty to helping prevent and cure diseases. The benefits of moringa include:
Moringa seed oil is beneficial for protecting hair against free radicals and keeps it clean and healthy.
Moringa appears to protect the liver against damage caused by anti-tubercular drugs and can quicken its repair process.
Moringa extracts might help treat some stomach disorders. Due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties, moringa extracts might combat infections caused by Salmonella, Rhizopus, and E. coli.
Moringa also contains calcium and phosphorous, which help keep bones healthy and strong. The powerful antioxidants found in
Moringa extract might help prevent cardiac damage and has also been shown to maintain a healthy heart. Extract of moringa has been shown to help wounds close as well as reduce the appearance of scars.
Moringa helps to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood, as well as sugar and protein in the urine. This improved the hemoglobin levels and overall protein content in those tested.
And much more but I am sure for those who like more information about the benefits of Moringa will “google” and find the answers.
by Lise van de Kamp | Jul 7, 2020 | Cabrits National Park, Environs, Hiking, Nature, Rainbows, River, Views
You don’t need a car, you don’t need a taxi if you like you can start walking from Hotel The Champs. You just walk direction Portsmouth an turn to your right at Borrow Square (“Bus station”) direction 1 mile / Calibishi. This will take you about 30 minutes.
When you turned to you right you keep following the road till you see a construction company on you right hand (you will see materials / cement trucks etc) here you turn to your right into the bush where you see a nice path to walk.
We had sun and rain on our early Sunday morning walk. The rain can be a nice refreshment. The walk is very easy and relaxing. After 25 minutes walking you reach the point where you see the signs of the Waitikubuli trail. We turned because we prefer short hikes on our Sunday mornings. But you can turn to your right at the signs (if you keep going straight it will be a dead ended road.
If you follow the road to your right you will go further up and will reach a nice view point. If you continue you will will end up at Ross Castle Estate in Picard where you will have to cross a (half broken) hanging bridge. Not too sure how long this will take it all depends if you are an experienced hiker.
On our short hike we enjoyed the view over Portsmouth and Cabrits National Park.
If you look well you can even see we had a rainbow on our way back.
by Lise van de Kamp | Jun 27, 2020 | Hiking, History, Nature
Very relaxing walk for a Sunday morning. We, Hans and Lise (Owners of The Champs) like to walk for just an hour before starting our day. We take the car and drive a bit, park the car and start walking. For this walk we parked the car at the home of the elderly on Grange road, Portsmouth. If you like to have a nice and longer walk my advice is to start walking from the Champs. From the Champs to the beginning of Grange road is about 35 – 40 minutes walking, great on a Sunday morning when there is almost no traffic. The walk is not spectacular just relaxing and with some very nice viewpoints over the Portsmouth bay and Cabrits National Park.
In the next pictures you can see Prince Rupert Bay and Pointe Round (direction Roseau)
I have added some screenshots from Maps.me In the first 2 you see where you have to turn into Grange Road (after the market place) and in the last one you see the length of the road. Have fun and enjoy your relaxing walk.
by Lise van de Kamp | Dec 12, 2019 | Hotel, Pool, Rooms, Yoga
Enjoying Yoga on The Deck
Create your personalized stay at Hotel The Champs by booking things that you would like to do and places that you would like to go. Enjoy the relaxation that you’ve been yearning for.
Yoga lovers, email direct with Lise to get the best Discounted Rate when you book direct. Escape for an exciting moment by Joining The Champs Wednesday Yoga Sunset Crew on the Deck.
What to expect at The Champs
Super-sized and comfortable King and Queen Beds, with elegantly designed head boards with extra lighting, each with a balcony overlooking the ocean. Enjoy excellent comfort and service at an Exceptional Hotel – The Champs
Book a Stay at Dominica’s Best Hotel
Innovative designed packages of horseback riding in the sea, bird watching, diving, island touring, whale watching and lots more. Come book and experience the most noteworthy comforts of Dominica’s Top Hotel The Champs.
Visit with the intention to relax or explore, rejuvenate or hike. Whatever you wish to do we will design your special package to fit your needs. Discover the exclusive experiences that lie in Dominica – the Caribbeans Nature Isle.
