Crowded? – Let´s go to the East Coast!

On Friday we went along the West Coast to the capital of St. Lucia, Castries. There were 4 cruisers laying at anchor and many locals made their shopping for the week-end, these were too much hustle and bustle for us. The much-praised beaches further in the North were blocked by hotels and resorts which we could not afford.

At the East Coast we found a lonesome beach with marvellous waves. Unfortunately, we were sent away some policemen because it is too dangerous to be alone on the beach.

Finally, we landed in "The Fox Grove Inn" where we felt very well.

Great surprise

„Would you be glad if I visit you on Saint Lucia?“ asked Anette some days ago. Now she is here – really.

On the 1st day we looked around in the centre of Vieux Fort situated in the Southest part of St. Lucia, tried tamarind juice and bought 2 handmade bracelets from Herbert.

From the lighthouse he showed us his immediate home country. In the afternoon Anette made her first experience with the Caribbean waves – and lost her bracelet.

Dry rainforest

Because we drove in the volcano, we had power to go in the rainforest. On the way we picked up Denisson who guided us through the forest and explained the plants.

Tired and hungry we finished our tour. But we had good luck and found a woman selling food beside the raod. There we had our lunch, 2 plastic buckets with a cool box on it, this was our table.

Then we drove along the coast searching for a beach. Finally, in the small town of La Raye we went to a pebble beach with fishing boat on it – the water was delightfully refreshing. When we came out of the sea "Dr Feelgood" told us how he prepares flying fish. After that he got some necklaces from his trouser pockets which we should buy from him (how many before him).

Nearby Soufrière we saw the first forest fires – in December it rained for the last time!

How do you get a hotel going to shake?

You have to fill your minibus with big loudspeakers, turn on full volume and drive through the town.

In Soufrière our hotel lies in the middle of the centre. At night we got a feeling when our walls wobbled from the roaring basses of the cars and minibuses.

Nevertheless, we were fit in the morning and went in the only Drive-in volcano worldwide. The size and the smell were impressive. I´d like see Anette covered in black, but unfortunately, she didn´t put the black spa mud of the vulcano on her skin.

Precipitous roads, potholes, ...

In the afternoon we went on a very precipitous road to the beach "Anse Chastenet". There were so many narrow curves and potholes that I had to drive very slowly.

The black sand burnt our soles as we ran into the water. Snorkelling with Anette I saw for the first time 3 big plaices very good adated to the ground. And Anette swam in the middle of a sardine shoal. On the beach I saw “sand art” made by the waves.

While we were drinking a cocktail at the beach bar, two cruisers went by. On our return we had a marvellous look at both Pitons, but I became almost dizzy when I looked downhill on our road.

You're looking 10 years younger!

Do you recognize me?

In the Botanical Garden we looked at the "Diamant waterfall" (because he is sparkling in many colours) and I had a bath to his spa mineral water. After this treatment I watched for hours marvellous blossoms and fruit.

Rent a car – no problem, but!

You have a driving licence and want to rent a car, no problem – but you must buy the visitor's permission from the airport police (22 USD).

Then we went to the North. At the beginning Anette had to remind me: „Go on the left!“ In Laborie we made a stop: small fishing small town, big church with an inscription: „Open wide the doors!” Creole lunch (fish, rice, sweet potatoes) and how everywhere, the sportive chickens ran around.

In Soufrière, the third-biggest town on Saint Lucia we arrived in the afternoon. After short siesta we had a bath nearby the centre. There we watched fishermen catching sardines from the beach – big excitement!

Good bye Madinina

Yesterday I had to say Good bye from very tastefully formed ekokay, today from Madinina (flower island in the language of the locals).

I like the monument to honour the writer Gilbert Gratiant; he saw the chance in the penetration of the cultures.

On arrival on Saint Lucia I was impressed by the strong men unloading the luggage and the exactness of the duty control.

Impressions

Do you know how hard people have to work until the ripe banana can be eaten, especailly on the steep slopes.

I saw a caterpillar, longer and thicker as my middle finger and not far away the tender beginning of the climing of a tree.

Because of the dryness a lot of leaves were lying on my way, like in Germany in autumn.

Every day was differently only the sweating was the same each day.

Musée Gauguin and ...

Paul Gauguin was living some months on Madinina (the flower island in the language of the locals). The small museum contains copies of pictures which he painted during this time; lettres in which he described his "wild" life to his wife. For me unknew, his grandmother was the famous feminist Flora Tristan.

The former colonial property Anse Latouche was destroyed by the volcano eruption; but between the ruins there are many cacti and flowers which come along in this dry area.