Ever Onward

After yesterday’s treat, I was planning that today would be more relaxing. So, after a lovely lay in, the morning temperature demanded that I was up, showered, cooled and in breakfast by 08h00! Refreshing watermelon and fresh pineapple, and cool tamarind juice preceded a cheese and onion omelette, all washed down by coffee. My transport arrived shortly after 09h00 and we set off across the island to the Atlantic coast, climbing through the rain forest before dropping into the (relative) coolness of the East Coast. Just over an hour after leaving, we pulled off the main road and arrived at the Mamiku Gardens. The Historical Gardens are set in 12 acres of natural woodland and are considered to be the best in the Caribbean. A series of different gardens are hidden throughout the forest, and contain ... read more

Last night’s sunset was stunning. It’s not that the sky was suffused with an orange glow but rather that the tall, rain bearing clouds, were tinged grey and green. There was some rain overnight, but this morning, it was still hot and sticky. I lay in bed almost dreading having to go outside. After a shower, I did go outside – for breakfast. I was not proved wrong; it was already hot and sticky. Packing some water, I set off from the hotel for a round trip to Pigeon Island (VIEW ROUTE). The first part of the walk was rather tedious, being alongside the main road. Even the land crabs were not bothered about coming out into the heat. Cars passed by slowly as I trudged along the rough ground, passing Pirate Rentals and arriving at ... read more

There comes a time when you can bear it no longer. 06h30 was that time. Humidity was high and the temperature was already in the high 20s. I just had to get up and shower. After my breakfast, my driver came to collect me at 08h05 and we headed off through the rush hour traffic towards Castries. No cruise ships were in town but the traffic was just as bad. Once through Castries, we headed through Cul de Sac, a wide valley in which bananas are grown. Stopping in the middle of the plantation, my driver talked through the growing process, noting that this variety (Valerie) was for the UK market. He added that these were not the best tasting but, when ripe, their skins went yellow. Apparently, this was something the UK supermarkets wanted and ... read more

It was very hot overnight and I had an uncomfortable sleep. To make matters worse, today was a sightseeing day (with little walking) and an early start. Before the alarm, at 06h00, I was getting up and taking a shower. Somehow, the water always got hot overnight and I always had to let it run a while until it cooled. This morning, it seemed to take for ever to become cool, but maybe that was just because I was tight for time. Fresh pineapple was again on offer, probably because this is the start of the pineapple season and these have travelled no further than the other side of the village. Watermelon too, these also having not travelled that far. For me though, there would be quite some travelling to do. My driver arrived at 08h00 ... read more

I slept through to the alarm this morning. When I awoke, the sun had been up for some time and was already hot. Sneaking out from under the covers, I showered and went for breakfast. Fresh pineapple was on the menu today as was watermelon. This was followed by coffee, and a mushroom and onion omelette. Bread and banana provided the finale. Back in my room, I emptied the fridge of my frozen water and ensured it was hidden from the sun in my backpack. After liberal coverings of sun cream, I donned my hat and headed down to meet my driver. There are not that many roads in St. Lucia (it’s only 27x14 miles) and again, we headed through Castries, by the hospital in Cul de Sac and up into the central hills. Today, this ... read more