We arrived in St. Lucia after our exhausting golf trip to the USA. BP is moored in the small attractive harbour of Marigot Bay on the northeast of the Island.
Paul met us at the airport at the south town of Vieux Fort. He had decided that it was easier and quicker to travel to the boat by tenda, as the island is very mountainous with narrow winding roads. However, the tenda trip was fairly bumpy and took about 45 minuets, but it was great to get back on the water again.
Marigot Bay was the hideout for the English fleet in the 18 th century. It has a narrow entrance and is surrounded by a hilly tropical forest. The English used to camouflage their masts with palm trees. The French sailed past thinking they could not be in such a small bay.
The marina facilities are very attractive so we told Paul we would stay until our new hostess arrived on Sunday.
The seasons are changing with tropical rain everyday, and for a few days, all day. It did not worry us as we rested and planned our itinerary for the rest of the year. We also were able to use the gym facilities and do some yoga.
Saint Lucia is about 40 Kms long and 18 Kms wide, it is very mountainous with lush tropical forests. A famous natural feature is the Petite Piton, a 2460 feet high rock on the east coast.
The Island was settled by Arawaks about 1000 BCE. They were then conquered by the Caribs about 800 AD.
The Caribs fought off the English twice and St. Lucia was not of interest to the Spanish who were mainly looking for gold, also the natives were too difficult to fight. The English eventually succeeded in invading the island in 1778 and used it as a Naval base against the French. Both English and French fought over the Island, with it changing hands several times until the end of the Napoleonic war. However, the French influence remained until the later part of the 19 th century. E.g. 85% of the population is catholic.
The generally friendly and laid back people of today are 85% from African ancestry.
We did a couple of tours in the tenda up the coast to Rodney Bay, and Pigeon Island known for its surf break (not working currently). We visited Castries the capital city which is a typical port town with a good fresh food market, souvenir stalls for the cruise ship patrons and some fairly unattractive office buildings.
We tried our hand at fishing without success, but there is plenty of fresh fish to buy especially 'Mahi Mahi'.
Today the economy is tourism and bananas. It does not seem to be a major tourist destination although it has quiet a lot of good facilities, but it does not seem crowded. However it is the end of the season.
Friday night we went to the small fishing village of Anse Le Raye, for their weekly fish fry and music. This was a hoot. Rum bars everywhere BBQ's in the street with loud rasta music playing.
After a meal, with Rum and sneaky French red, we are dancing in the street. MB tried to get the local constable to lead the local conga dance. We then join in the street karaoke outside a large rum shop. JB is dancing with the natives and one of rather muscley local ladies tries to race her off. We return to Marigot bay in high spirits. The crew and JB dance the night away back on board and wake up with solid hangovers.
Saturday night we take the crew to dinner at a very fine restaurant 'Rainforest Hideaway', on the water with a very good jazz singer performing during dinner.
Sunday we go to a very nice church in a nearby village for mass, where there is great native singing.
The rest of the day is torrential rain. Our new hostess Sam arrives. We are clearing customs and filling up with fuel and leaving early next morning, travelling north.
JB and Mick