Discover Jamaica


South Pacific Island in the Caribbean Sea

St Lucia would be just at home in the Southdirected. The smaller airport (George
Pacific, but it resides in the southeasternCharles) to the north of the island serves
Caribbean Sea, and is part of the Windwardmost of the smaller Caribbean air carriers.
Islands.Of course the majority of the best known
hotels are located on the north of the
Just north of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobagoisland.
lies a tropical paradise equal to the Pacific
islands of Tahiti and Fiji. The calm watersFlying into Hewanorra airport on the southern
of the Caribbean Sea which is usuallyend, and booking a hotel or resort on the
compared to the color turquoise, appears tonorthern end can result in a long 2 hour
be royal blue around the island of St Lucia.trip. Rather than look at the travel time to
No doubt this is due to the fact this is athe hotel with dread, consider it a prime
volcanic island unlike the coral islands ofopportunity for an enjoyable island tour. The
the  Caribbean  basin.mountain route offers a more scenic view of
the magnificent Pitons. The eastern route is
Old ship records speak of how captains andfaster, and you wind through hundreds of
sailors alike were awed by the sighting of Stbanana groves, and beautiful scenery. Take
Lucia. Perhaps this is why the island wasyour pick, but I recommend the longer western
fought over and changed hands 14 times in itsroute.
history. Two countries, England and France
fought 14 battles back and forth to gainSt Lucia is home to some of the most unique
control of the island. The English eventuallyresorts, charming inns, guesthouses and
won the war, but France won the battle sinceromantic hideaways in the Caribbean. Two of
the  island  is definitely French in culture.the most unique are Ladera and Anse
Chastanet.
The most photographed scene in the Caribbean
and landmark of St Lucia are Petit Piton andLadera offers an open wall concept with your
Gros Piton. These two enormous volcanicown private pool. The western side of each
mountains are covered with lush greenunit is open to the view of the Pitons. It's
vegetation and rise over 2,600 feet above thelike staying in a luxury tree house, and as
sea, and 1,000 feet below. Soufriere, locatedthey said "the only thing separating you from
at the base, is where the jungle meets thenature  is  the  netting  on  your  bed".
royal blue sea. The majestic twin Pitons
greet you at every turn while on the island -Anse Chastanet is a luxury mountaintop
such  an  awesome  sight!retreat where every room offers something
different - no two are alike. Most rooms are
As a comparison among its Caribbeanscattered in the lush hillside, and a few
neighbors, the only two that come close to Stmore expensive rooms are located on the
Lucia's beauty is Dominica (the naturebeach. Be forewarned there are nearly 100
island), and the interior of the island ofsteps  to  the  beach  from  the  hillside.
Jamaica. St Lucia boasts a variety of exotic
black sand beaches, tropical birds, plantsJalousie Plantation is located beneath the
and flowers. Everywhere you turn, and on eachPitons, and offers a very romantic, private
island adventure there is just more beauty tolocation that is hard to match anywhere in
be seen. I attempted to capture the island onthe Caribbean. Another choice is the
picture, but the color intensity and depthWindjammer Landing with your own secluded
was lacking more than often. While family andvilla in a Mediterranean styled village
friends remarked at how beautiful oursetting.
vacation pictures were, I knew the true
essence of the island needs to be seen inThe smaller hotels of Rodney Bay which are
person.Caribbean Jewell, Coco Kreole, and Coco Palm
offer a location that is within walking
This is an island to be explored with naturedistance to shopping, restaurants and
walks, mountain hikes, visits to the naturalnightlife. Reduit beach is one of the prime
reserves, boat trips to nearby islandattractions of Rodney Bay, which is also home
sanctuaries, drive through the world's onlyto the European yachting community. Each of
"drive through volcano, and a trip to thethese smaller hotels has a unique charm,
interior rainforest is a must! About theexcellent  service  and  moderate  prices.
drive through volcano - you literally drive
through the crater to over 15 pools of thickThere are approximately eight all inclusive
black bubbling lava. The smell is a biton this small island. Many Caribbean islands
overwhelming. In this region you will alsooffer all inclusive properties where visitors
find green and yellow sulfur steam coming upare isolated and spend most of their time. St
out of the ground, and pools of hissing steamLucia all inclusive celebrate the islands
- You can definitely feel the heat from thebeauty and attractions, and make every effort
ground, and guides lead you around the hotto promote the islands beauty and culture.
stones.The most popular all inclusive are Sandals -
which offers three different resorts, the
Another interesting site outside of SoufriereBody Holiday Spa Resort, and Rendezvous - a
is Diamond Waterfall and the Mineral Baths.popular,  romantic  couples  only  resort.
Louis XVI sent a sample of the mineral water
to France back in the late 1700's to beThe beaches of St Lucia offer as much variety
tested, and it was deemed beneficial. We hadas the lush vegetation. There are black sand
a lovely time at the Mineral Baths, and admitbeaches where the sand is courser, soft white
I felt quite invigorated afterwards. Diamondsand beaches, beaches of beige-grey and
Waterfall is near the baths, and this rivalsbrown. One thing to remember - black sand
many of the waterfalls on the island ofheats up much faster than white sand, and
Jamaica  -  simply  beautiful!your  feet  can  get  burned  and  blistered.
The lush mountainous region is home to theWhile the island is French in culture,
rain forest which offers lush and colorfulEnglish is widely spoken in the business and
foliage. As you venture into the northerntourist areas. Elsewhere you will hear
part of the island, mountains turn into lushCreole, along with a French patois. The
hills, and orchards of banana, coconut,Creole spoken on the island is derived from
mango,  citrus  and  papaya  trees.the original slaves mixing their African
language, along with French words. There is
Aside from land tours, a half day or one-dayeven a national holiday where every St Lucian
sail around the island is recommended. From ais encouraged to speak Creole, and prepare
small peninsula that extends from theCreole  food  dishes.
southern tip of the island you can view where
the rough Atlantic Ocean meets the calmIf you're used to the typical steel drums and
Caribbean Sea. On a clear day you can evencalypso of the Caribbean, you will find the
spot the tiny island of St Vincent. AnotherFrench Caribbean has a taste for Zouk,
location advantage is you easily island hopAfrican drumming, and also Soca. The French
to the islands of Martinique, Dominica andCaribbean is not as reserved as the islands
Guadeloupe.with a British influence, and the English
lyrics are quite explicit about current
The Eastern or Windward side of the island issocial norms - in other words you may be a
on the Atlantic coast, and has big waves andlittle  shocked  at  what  you  hear.
surf, and swimming is not recommended, but
the ocean views will be remembered far afterZouk is a Creole word for "party", and is
your  vacation  is  over.upbeat tempo with layered percussions and
loud brass. You'll hear Zouk mostly in the
The Western, or Leeward island side, isFrench Caribbean islands of St Lucia,
located on the Caribbean Sea, and the wavesMartinique and Guadeloupe. The beat is
and waters are quite calm, and most of theinfectious, and you can't help but dance or
beachfront resorts on located on this side ofat  least  tap  your  feet.
the  island.
Soca is a combination of calypso with a more
No matter which side of the island youup-tempo beat, and interestingly enough has
choose, you will find the constant coolingits origins in a combination of calypso mixed
trade wind breezes coming off the coast ofwith Indian rhythms from Trinidad and Tobago.
Africa.
Not your typical Caribbean island! If I had
Getting to St Lucia can be challenging timeto sum up what's special about St Lucia, I
wise depending on where you are startingwould conclude the following - An exotic
from. Expect a minimum 5-6 hour trip fromisland paradise with unique resorts and
North America. One important aspect inromantic hideaways, great beaches, hiking,
booking your vacation is the proximity of thesailing and deep sea fishing. Also the
hotel to the airport. St Lucia has twoisland's steep coastlines and excellent reef
airports, and the major airport (Hewanorra)system offers world class snorkeling and
on the southern tip of the island is wherescuba diving.
most of the air traffic from North America is



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