You'll have to bear with me if you read this as I have not submitted a report before but felt I needed to after visiting St Lucia. The place is stunningly beautiful and the people sooo friendly.
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I was due to stay in Soufrierre which is nearer to Hewanorra airport but after doing a little research decided it was not for me and chose to stay at the Bay Gardens Hotels in Rodney Bay. I asked to change rooms as the room given to us overlooked the roof of the restaraunt and this was granted with no problem at all. The hotel, for £30 a night was clean, tidy, comfortable and more than adequate for our needs. It is close to the supermarket and many restaraunts and the staff could not do enough for us.
Whilst checking out Reduit beach we decided to walk to the far end where we found a little run down shack that housed a St Lucian lady called Marie serving Piton beer and rum punch (Maries Fish Shack). I can honestly say after spending many hours there during the week I have never felt so chilled out and thoroughly fed a watered. Marie fishes for red snapper and blue marlin in the morning and then cooks it on the fire around lunch time and serves it either on its own or with her wonderful vegetable soup. It is absolutely to die for. Marie and her three (of 5) sons , Tall, St.Caire and Ivan are great and all help out. If you want a trip accross to pigeon island then ask St Claire as he is happy to do it for about 20ec dollars(around a fiver) as we went with him one night as the sun was going down and the flying fish were wizzing through the air. The snorkelling here is great too. Please visit this place as it is totally relaxed and chilled and friendlier, local people you couldnt hope to meet. Marie packed us off with recipes and bottles of pastes and a big cuddle.
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| Favourite spots: |
We foolishly decided to climb the Gros Piton and found a guide called Sensy (real name Marcurious James) who lived on the beach at the base of the volcano where we arrived by boat. Sensy changed into his best clothes and wellies and carrying a bottle of water and a cool bag proceeded to make out way up the mountain. Well I can honestly say that it was the hardest, most physically demanding thing I have ever done but so rewarding when we had completed it. The views are awesome. Sensy( and his four dogs) were fantastic guides and well worth the 100ec we gave him. Try to go as early as poss though as it gets soo hot and take plenty of water too. You cant have too much!! Fantastic but never again.
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| What's really great: |
Gros Piton - Fab but you would have to pay me a lot of money to do it again :-)
Pigeon Island - a good stroll and a nice beach for a dip at the bottom
Rum Punch at Maries - 2 glassess (and a couple of beers) saw me sleep for 12 straight hours
Maries Fish Shack - I will go there as soon as I land next time as she, her family, her food and rum punch are the kind of special things you only come accross once in a lifetime.
Bay Gardens Hotel - Cheap and cheerful (apart from the breakfast) and friendly, obliging staff
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| Sights: |
The two Pitons - Views of and from the top
Many of the viewing points around the island
Marigold Bay
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| Accommodations: |
As already said The Bay Gardens was great value for money however the continentla breakfast is better value for money that the full english.
The island is full of lets gets fat and sit around, all exclusivce resorts so take your pick but I prefer to make my own plans and get out and about and see how the locals live.
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| Restaurants: |
The Red Snapper in Gros Islet
Maries Fish Shack
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| Other recommendations: |
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Just hire a car and you'll gasp at the views all the way round the island
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Published on Thursday December 17th, 2009
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Sat, Dec 19 2009 - 05:27 AM
 by bineba
Nice report, but would love to see some pics.
And, as Krys mentioned, you have posted the report under the wrong country! It's easily done, but just as easily remedied. |
Fri, Dec 18 2009 - 05:58 PM
by krisek
| Craig, thank you for sharing your experiences in your first travel report. Unfortunately, you submitted it for a wrong country, and sadly there are no pictures. I would recommend that you copy/paste the report into Rodney Bay in St Lucia as a country, and remove this one. |
Thu, Dec 17 2009 - 02:40 PM
by marianne
| Interesting to read. I would love to see some photos. |
Thu, Dec 17 2009 - 12:00 PM
by jacko1
| A well written report full of interesting info but, sadly, lacking pics. Tony. |
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10 votes