St Lucia

May 21 - 24, 2014

St Lucia:  A - Rodney Bay, Yellow Line - The road around the island  

31 - Antigua,  32 - Guadeloupe,  33 - Iles des Saintes,  34 - Dominica,  35 - Martinique,  36 - St Lucia 

I had a mental image of St Lucia before I read anything about the island.  I think the name is so beautiful I expected the island to be this Garden of Eden....all tranquil and lush.  Unsubstantiated images are seldom accurate.  It was lovely, but after Dominica, it came up short.

Overlooking Rodney Bay

We have seen houses partially completed since
we got to the Bahamas.  Apparently, people don't
like to take loans.  They build what they can, save
money and then build more.  

We decided to stay in the Rodney Bay Marina for four nights.  This was the first marina since Sopher's Hole -- almost seven weeks ago.  It was a good decision.  The marina had most everything a boater would need:    Island World for boat parts, an IGA within walking distance, propane, pool, customs and immigration, car rental, five restaurants and a very friendly staff.  We did a few chores to get the boat ready for storage and relaxed.

We stopped to see Marigot Marina.  It is in a
hurricane hole surrounded by mangroves.

Brian wanted to rent a car.  He loves driving these islands!  Maybe he just misses driving a car.  I ordered a small car which also meant a small engine.  There were several mountain passes that I thought I would have to get out and push us over the crest.  The two lane roads are extremely curvy and every time there was a short straight away three or four cars would zip passed us.  The center line on the highway is just a suggestion in these islands.  Most drivers take the middle of the road and only slide over at the moment before impact.  The vegetation is pretty scrubby.  However, driving through the mountains we did see a

Ceramic tile billboard set into the side of a mountain.

rain forest several times.  We have also noticed living fences on the last couple islands.  We first became aware of them when we went to Costa Rico about thirty years ago.  Branches are cut off trees and used as fence posts.  The land is so fertile that the branches begin to sprout leaves and grow into a new tree.  

Overlooking Soufriere, one of four major towns on
St Lucia. 

Shops are small in town and along the road.  This is
a jewelry store.

Downtown shopping 

Produce stands are frequent on all city streets
 and highways.

All of the Caribbean Islands that we have visited are extremely poor.  The people come up with some pretty creative ways to make a living off the tourists.  Unlike our visits to Mexico and Jamaica, we have not seen begging.  The further south we go the more aggressive the salesmen are becoming.  They still remain friendly, but if you get out of the car expect to be approached by several people selling native crafts, t-shirts and produce.      

In order to sell bananas to exporters,
the fruit must be blemish free.  They
are grown in these bags to protect
them from bruising.

For our Krogen friends:
This 38 foot sailboat was designed and built
by Jim Krogen for his personal use.
 It is one of a kind.  Still looks beautiful.

The Bird Man cornered us as we came out of a shop
and insisted on carving love birds for us from a
coconut husk.  After it was completed, he named the
birds Jackie and Brian and then blessed our marriage.
I want to throw it out, but I'm afraid it will break the
blessing.  Being together 24/7 we need all the help 

we can get!  

The finished sculpture.  This picture flatters it.

Saturday night Michelle and Randy (on left) invited
us, Doug and Kathy to dinner at Jambe de Bois!
Hoping we will cross paths with Nautilus again soon.  We've only known each other for a short
time, but feel like old friends already.  Thanks for
a great dinner and lots of laughs.

The Pitons near Soufriere are two mountainous volcanic plugs that rise from the sea.  
Gros Piton is 771 meters tall and Petit Piton is 743 meters.  What a site!   

                                                                           Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!