17th January
AT SEA

Yesterday morning saw us sailing peacefully into Castrides in St. Lucia under a big black rain cloud. However, after breakfast and disembarking the ship the sun was shining and blues skies were all around.
We had a tour booked with the ship but got off earlier to do our WiFi and send our messages. At 9am we met up for our tour which was a 4x4 open top jeep trip to La Tillie Falls and various views and stops on the way. The bench seats in the back weren’t that comfy and covered in PVC so you had to be careful when you sat down so as not to burn your back side! However, my seat was split slightly so after the sponge underneath the PVC getting soaked by the downpour earlier on, I ended up with rather wet shorts and even wetter knickers!!!!!!
We had a few stops after getting out of Castrides and up into the lush hills with views of beaches and the rain forest. Passed by the biggest chicken farm in the Caribbean too which absolutely stank so that was a first !!!! Also lots of banana plantations.
Arrived at the falls to fresh fruit, coconut and cold drinks, plus a short talk by the man who lives there and was well into his 80’s, hardly any teeth, dreadlocks in a knitted hat and wearing old fashioned jelly shoes. He told us how he had worked the land himself for over 50 years and still grew all his own food. He had even rigged up a solar panel on what looked like an outside wooden toilet with a car battery inside which supplied him with electricity. It was so very basic and health and safety did not exist but worked brilliantly!
After, we set off for the walk to the falls which was quiet precarious as the steps were all hand dug and very uneven but once there it was magical. It was like a fairies glen with the sun dappling through the trees and just the sound of the water falling into the pool. We could have swum in there if we wanted to but no one did, we just paddled our feet to cool down and relished the peacefulness of the place.
Once back up to the top we were shown round the gardens with beautiful tropical flowers of all colours. Miniature Birds of Paradise flowers that I’ve never seen before, only the large ones. Different varieties of Mango trees and cashew nut and star fruit trees grew beside his vegetable plot with tomatoes, cabbage and lots more growing in rows. We then went to a pool where you could take your shoes off and the fishes in there would nibble the skin off your feet. Well, I’ve never really fancied doing that but just had to give it a go just the once. Eek! It was horrible! I only put a heel in, they practically attacked me and it felt so weird. I was expecting a piranha to pop up and eat my foot! Won’t be doing that again.
Before we left it was rum punch time and more fruit from the gardens. More rum punch followed and then it was time to return to the ship.
After a really good day out we had a couple of hours before we had to get back on board so met up with Clare and Pete and our other table companions, Lauren and Mark for a quick drink. Oh my god! We ended up in The Rum Shack drinking more rum punch ( and let me tell you they don’t water it down !!!!) and one drink turned into 4 or 5 and the next thing you know we’re singing along to the Karaoke at the tops of our voices and dancing on the grass!!!!! It was such a good day and that finished it off wonderfully. We all managed to get to the sail away party but only Phil and I got to dinner and that was only because we hadn’t eaten since breakfast and needed food to soak up the rum!
By 9pm I was in bed and fast asleep and god knows what happened to the others as we haven’t seen them since !!!!!

Today I woke as fresh as a daisy and both Phil and I spent the day flat out on the sun beds recovering before we get to Aruba tomorrow. Thankfully we don’t know of any Rum Shacks in Aruba and we certainly won’t be looking for any either!
Weather wise it’s been hot but had some passing liquid sunshine a couple of times in the afternoon but all it done was to cool you down before the sun came out again. Tried to sit out on balcony when Phil went to the sauna but it was way too hot out there so sat in the shade and done some of my colouring. Went to the gym which was roasting! I’m sure they haven’t got the air conditioned on in there !!!
Stunning sunset with not a cloud in the sky. Tomorrow it’s Aruba, one of my most favourite islands.