We arrived at Dominica in the early morning and made our way to the dock at Cabrits National Park. However, our first activity this morning was a 40-minute bus ride to Waitukubuli National Park where we embarked on a walking tour of the Syndicate Nature Trail. Our guide Cynthia taught us about the diversity of the local fauna and flora that can be seen in the park, including the national bird, the sisserou parrot. The afternoon was a time of relaxation, and our first opportunity to snorkel in this Caribbean gem of an island. Late in the afternoon we were invited to explore the magnificent Fort Shirley with none other than Dr. Lennox Honychurch, who delighted our guests with a history of the island and the tumultuous battles that occurred throughout time. In the evening we enjoyed a presentation titled “A Journey through the Mesoamerican Underworld” by Dr. Fabio Esteban Amador, who gave a talk based on his assignment journey and resulting National Geographic Magazine article.