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| St. Lucia...
So Much To Offer! |
CastriesCastries, the capital of St. Lucia, is the commercial center of the island and is blessed with a large, naturally sheltered harbor. Castries was hit by fire three times between 1798 and 1812, and again in 1948, resulting in the destruction of much of its historical character. However, it still boasts an attractive collection of colonial buildings and provincial shops.Any tour of Castries must include Columbus Square, the historic town center surrounded by picturesque Victorian buildings. Also nearby is the impressive Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1897 and a fine example of Afro-Caribbean artistic influence on European architecture. Various shops, small boutiques, and a big department store, J. Q. Charles, Ltd., line the streets of downtown Castries. Window-shopping in this area can be a fun way to pass an afternoon. Another good stop, especially on Saturday mornings, is the colorful Castries Market, where local vendors sell crafts and fresh produce. A relatively new part of Castries is the Pointe Seraphine cruise-ship complex on the north side of the harbor, where immense cruise liners dock during the week. The complex hosts a number of duty-free shops and souvenir stores. Pigeon Island National ParkPigeon Island National Park is a 40-acre island off St. Lucia's northwestern shore, accessible by car via a man-made causeway from Gros Islet or by ferry from a tiny landing in the Reduit Beach area. You can take a guided tour of the island or explore on your own.
 Pigeon Island is famous for once being the hideout of the notorious pirate Jambe de Bois (Wooden Leg). The little island is also the site of the ruins of Fort Rodney, named for the famous English admiral who defeated the French navy in the late 18th century. The climb to the top of the fort, a designated historic site, can be exhausting, especially under the hot St. Lucian sun, but on clear days the view--all the way across the sea to Martinique--is well worth the effort. The park also hosts a small museum, the Pigeon Island Exhibit Centre, which contains displays of the area's history. Near the dock, you'll find a charming little restaurant that serves island specialties and ice-cold tropical cocktails. Pigeon Island's beaches are good for swimming, and there are numerous picnic sites in the park. Walk away from the dock and access road toward the north side of the island for one of the island's prettiest walks; the breezes that stir the waves up against the rocky shore here create one of the loveliest and most peaceful atmospheres in the world. Morne FortuneFor 300 years, England and France fought over St. Lucia, exchanging control of the island no less than 14 times. Evidence of this struggle can be found on the Morne Fortune hilltop overlooking Castries. It was on Morne Fortune that the English stormed the French fortifications in 1803, recapturing St. Lucia once and for all for themselves.Today, Morne Fortune is a scenic lookout from which you can glimpse a fine view of Castries, including the downtown and harbor areas. Some of the military buildings have been renovated into Sir Arthur College, but Fort Charlotte, Apostles' Battery, and the Military Cemetery still offer a fascinating look into the island's turbulent past. The fort and other 18th-century battlements are open to visitors who wish to look around. Soufriere and the PitonsThe charming fishing village of Soufriere, founded back in 1746, is St. Lucia's second largest settlement. The town's main square, full of colonial-era buildings, offers a delightful look at traditional West Indian life.The town is dominated by two dormant volcanic peaks, Petit Piton (2,619 feet) and Gros Piton (2,460 feet). The island's most famous landmark, the Pitons are densely covered with volcanic topsoil and tropical jungle. Sulphur SpringsFrom the town of Soufriere, you can head southeast to the "world's only drive-in volcano," Sulphur Springs. A dormant volcano, Sulphur Springs nevertheless contains bubbly patches of boiling, sulfurous mud and emits hot, sulfur-laden mists of air. Natural pools on the environs are filled with waters laced with sulfur and other minerals.Needless to say, the sulfur in the area is odoriferous, though harmless. To ensure safety, the site may be explored only in guided tours, which are available daily. Diamond EstateThe Diamond Estate, also near Soufriere, contains botanical gardens, a waterfall, and mineral baths. The peaceful Diamond Botanical Gardens, explored via winding pathways, showcase the island's native tropical plant life, including heliconia, poinsettia, bougainvillea, hibiscus, ixora, cassia, frangipani, and many other flowers and trees.The Diamond Falls are located directly to the rear of the garden; the copper-colored stains they leave on the rock face over which they tumble gives evidence of their mineral content. Swimming here is not permitted. The mineral baths were commissioned to be built in 1784 by French King Louis XIV on top of natural hot springs for the purpose of remedying his troops stationed in St. Lucia. Today, located on the site of those original springs are the Diamond Mineral Baths, one of the island's most popular attractions. For a nominal fee, visitors can bathe in the spa's soothing, mineral-rich waters. Marigot BayThe site of the film "Dr. Doolittle," this secluded cove is a yachter's haven tucked along the island's lush western shore. Sailing vessels can be chartered here, and a dive shop provides rentals and instruction. This is also a great place to kick back and have a tropical drink in one of the bay's numerous waterside bars.Nearby are the fishing villages of Anse La Raye and Canaries, where the business of fishing with huge nets and making canoes goes on today as it did many years ago. Also nearby are two working banana plantations, Cul-de-Sac and Roseau Estate, both open to visitors for tours. Frigate Island Nature ReserveAdministered by the St. Lucia National Trust, this tiny, rocky island off the east coast of St. Lucia is the protected nesting and roosting habitat of the rare frigate bird. Tours can be arranged through the Trust by calling (809) 452-1654.Moule-a-ChiqueThe mountain peak located on this tiny southern peninsula offers a grand view on clear days. Gazing downward, you can observe the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea mix with the grayish blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and off to the southwest you can just make out the island of St. Vincent. This is a scenic lookout rather than a hiking spot, as there are no defined trails. |
