Thursday, March 24, 2011

St Lucia – A Special Island

The Caribbean islands are as different from one another as siblings in a family are. St. Lucia is distinct for its jungle landscape, mountainous terrain, and beautiful inlets along the island’s west coast. The people are good-natured and the food is fantastic.

However, as different as St Lucia is, in some respects it’s … just … like … Barbados, my home island. I refer, of course, to service. Being a Type A in the land of Type B service isn’t easy. My advice? Roll with it. Take it in good humor.

To wit: I visited the little store at our hotel this morning to get a snack…

St. Lucia Shopping

I walk in and poke around. Music’s playing, a warm breeze wraps itself around me, and I lose myself in the pretty hand-painted platters and other items.

Oh yes, the snack. I’m here for a snack. I spy a freezer. I make a beeline for it. I’ve learned that freezers in little stores in the Caribbean contain riches. I’m rewarded nicely: Dove Bars. I take one.

As I approach the counter it dawns on me that I’m alone in the store. There is no clerk.

The clerk’s on a bathroom run, I guess. No problem. I flip through coffee-table books on St. Lucia to kill time.

Wait … beneath the beat of the reggae, am I hearing what I think I’m hearing? The unmistakable sound of … a snore? The clerk’s not on a bathroom break. He’s on a nap. I find him behind and beneath the front counter.

I lean over the counter and gently, so as not to startle, and say, “Excuse me, sir ….” No movement. I say it again, quite loudly.

No response. A nap to envy.

Aha, I spy a receipt pad! I rummage through my purse for a pen. In large letters I write on the pad, PLEASE CHARGE ONE DOVE BAR TO ROOM 323. THANK YOU. I sign my name beneath and I leave.

St. Lucia Service

I wander the sunny gardens of our hotel while polishing off my Dove Bar.

Several hours later, my husband returns from his meetings. I notice he’s eating something … He’s halfway through … a … Dove Bar.

“Hey,” I ask, “where’d you get that?”

“From the little store,” he says. “Funniest thing, though.”

My ears perk up. “Oh?”

“Yeah,” he says. “I went to pay and said to the guy, ‘Just bill this to my room, 323.’ “And the guy looks at me, then says, ‘No worries, mon, it’s on the house.’

“How’s that,” he says, “for a super-nice St Lucian?”

Gotta love St. Lucia — indeed, all of the colorful Caribbean.


St Lucia All Inclusive Resorts

Travel to St Lucia

What’s the Weather Like When Traveling to St Lucia?

St. Lucia is a volcanic island in the Windward Islands of the eastern Caribbean.?The island has several peaks with Mt. Gimie in the central range at 3117 feet.?Tropical rainforests cover the interior of the island.?St. Lucia is occasionally affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, with the main hurricane belt to the north.

Rainfall

St. Lucia has a wet and dry season. ?The wet season begins in June and extends into December. ?Monthly rainfall amounts on the coastal areas of the island are about six to eight inches in general.?The dry season has much less rainfall and occurs from January to May. ?Monthly totals are mostly two to three inches in the dry season. ?Keep in mind that the interior tropical rainforest receives much more rain. ?Coastal locations have yearly totals of about 50 inches, whereas the higher mountain slopes get about 150 inches.

Temperatures

Temperatures on St. Lucia change very little throughout the year. ?High temperatures range from the mid 80’s during the winter to upper 80’s during the summer. ?In a similar fashion, overnight lows do not change much either. ??Winter lows usually are in the mid 70’s and summer lows in the upper 70’s.?Temperatures are several degrees cooler on the higher slopes of the mountains.

Travel Weather Summary

St. Lucia has a tropical climate with the best chance of rain during hurricane season.?The wettest months occur during late summer and autumn. ??Visitors wanting to minimize their chances of seeing rain should travel during the late winter and early spring. During this time, only about 1/4 to 1/3 of the rainfall occurs each month compared to the wet season. ?Hurricanes and tropical storms can also affect St. Lucia, with most moving north of the island. ?Because of this, travelers will want to stay informed on tropical weather information, especially during the hurricane season.



St Lucia All Inclusive Resorts

Travel to St Lucia
St Lucia All Inclusive Resorts

Travel to St Lucia

Saint Lucia Island – A Jewel Among Tropical Vacations

Has the tropical vacations bug bit you? Are you on the lookout for an unusual and a distinctive island vacation very different from the usual haunts? If your answer is yes, then Saint Lucia Island is just the place for you. Make this island your next holiday destination, and experience a vacation you will not forget.

About The Island

Tucked in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary of Atlantic Ocean, Saint Lucia is one of the Windward Islands named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse, a 3rd century Christian martyr venerated by both Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Saint Lucy is a volcanic island more mountainous than most of the other Caribbean Islands.

The highest point in this island is Mt.Gimie more than 3000 feet above sea level. The most important feature of is, it is one of the very few islands in the world having a drive-in volcano. Besides you also have botanical gardens, rain forests and national parks to make this place a complete tropical island resort.

Reaching The Place

Planning tropical vacations to Saint Lucia Island is quite convenient. For Americans there are daily air services from Miami and Atlanta. The major two airports on the Island are Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort located 40 miles south of Castries and George F.L.Charles Airport on a coastline near Castries.

Island Activities

Saint Lucia Island will not disappoint you. This island is a haven for fun lovers. Activities you can indulge in are a legion.

Deep Sea Fishing. This island is home to some of the best deep sea fishing in the world. For big game fishing enthusiasts Saint Lucia is a dream. King Mackerel, barracuda, kingfish, sailfish, and the legendary white marlin are some of the species that can be your prized catch.

Yachting. You can make yachting an unforgettable experience in Saint Lucia. Charter yachts and small sail boats at Rodney Bay Marina and Marigot Bay and navigate in the crystal clear waters. You have Caribbean Sea on one side and Atlantic Ocean on the other. No wonder thisserves as a hub to one of the best yachting experiences in the world.

Trekking In Rainforests. Deep interiors of Saint Lucia, almost 1800 feet above sea level are home to nearly 19000 acres of rain forest having 29 miles of exciting trails. Indulge yourself in a tropical atmosphere that you will love. You can sight elusive parrots’ squawking among lovely orchids, get to see hummingbirds near heliconia and wonder at the tall trees peculiar to this tropical island.

Experiencing The Volcano. Also called Saint Lucia sulphur springs; this unique island is quite popular for the supposedly therapeutic qualities of its sulfur bath. Be a little adventurous and give it a try.

Enjoying The Carnival. It is home to one of the most exciting carnival celebrations in Caribbean. Come and be a part of it. Thrill to the tunes of coca and calypso. Music, song, dance, theatre and costumes, you name it and Saint Lucia has it all.

Then there is no dearth of the regular stuff tropical vacations are made of. Health and fitness centers, a vibrant night life, land sports and golf you have just about everything to make your holiday a winner.

Do not delay. Put Saint Lucia on top of your agenda of tropical vacations.


St Lucia All Inclusive Resorts

Travel to St Lucia

Why People Choose to Go on St Lucia Holidays?

The beautiful and heavenly island of St. Lucia lies in the eastern Caribbean Sea, touching the boundaries of the Atlantic Ocean. The aspects making this island so special, and a centre of attraction for millions around the world is the bundled package of joy, and relaxation it brings to its guests. It is an ideal choice for dozens of honeymoon couples due to its miraculously beautiful and exotic nature. What more could you ask for than the lively sandy beaches, freshening sunshine, beautiful sunsets, and waters that refresh the soul.

One of the highlighting events, which attract loads of people from around the globe to append their holidays in St. Lucia include the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, St. Lucia Golf Open, and the famous St. Lucia Carnival. Other festivals include St. Lucia Bill Fishing Tournament, Festival of Lights, the Atlantic Rally for cruisers, which is the largest transatlantic rally in the world for cruisers, and other holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

The island has a moderate temperature of nearly 30 degrees throughout the year, making it an ideal place to spend your holidays in whatever season you may like. The chances of rainfall are also very less, which sometimes becomes a hurdle in the path of your enjoyment plans. The sunshine remains at an average of almost 8 hours a day, making it a lively and lighted place.

St. Lucia is not targeted just to a particular age group. Families, friends, and honeymoon couples, all can come, and enjoy this heaven on earth due to its diverse landscape features, luxuriant mountains, lively sand beaches, and sound fishing villages. Therefore, if you are of an adventurous type, and love holiday travelling, it would be weird not to check out this holiday wonder.

One of the major attractions that pull visitors to St. Lucia include the Sunset Cruises, Diamond Mineral Baths, Botanical Gardens, Diving, Snorkelling, Championship Golf, Pigeon Island NP, Rodney Bay, and Marina. All these activities serve you a great leisure time, and make your holiday trip worth every penny you spent on it. When combined with the naturally beautified atmosphere of this island, these activities provide a unique and satisfying pleasure.

Due to its romantic nature, the island is famous not only for honeymoons, but also for the biggest day in a life of the couple i.e. their marriage. A large number of vows are exchanged each week in this unbelievably lovely place. St Lucia is especially renowned for its volcanoes, which append to the beauty of the region. Generally, the Caribbean islands have become very prominent for holidays due to their scenic beauty, luxurious accommodation, and amazing attractions for pleasure, and fun.

Not only the places, but also the people are quite hospitable, and welcoming. Preparations are done especially when a special occasion is arriving in order to welcome the guests coming from various corners of the world warm-heartedly.

One can surely not find a place better than St. Lucia to spend their holidays in an enjoyable and relaxing manner.


St Lucia All Inclusive Resorts

Travel to St Lucia

Snorkeling at Anse Chastanet Beach at St Lucia

One of the most beautiful spots for snorkeling on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia is at the Anse Chastanet reef at the Anse Chastanet beach. The reef starts just off the beach, and goes out quite far and deep, so it’s a great spot for beginners and experts alike.

There is a plateau on the reef that comes within 5 feet of the surface and drops down to about 25 feet. The reef itself goes out quite a ways and at the end of the reef there’s a coral wall that drops from 20 to 140 feet.

Sea horses, giant turtles, batfish, frogfish, needlefish and a ton of other exotic sea creatures make their home in this reef. Depending on the time of day and the season, there’s always something exotic to see.

Something that makes this one of the best snorkeling spots in the Caribbean is the fact that Anse Chastanet reef is a protected marine environment and is actually buoyed off so that boats may not enter the area. After a recent holiday where the best spot to see sea turtles was near a boat launch, I can attest to how relaxing it is to snorkel in a spot where boats are not allowed!


St Lucia All Inclusive Resorts

Travel to St Lucia