St Lucia - a jewel of the Caribbean
Situated in the Eastern Caribbean, St Lucia is an island of lush lands and great scenery. Its people are good-looking, confident and friendly. The weather is fabulous, the sea is clear and populated by pretty fish and there are masses of things to do. What more could you ask for?
Of course, like much of the West Indies, St Lucia’s history is bathed in the sugar industry and the unpleasantness that went with it. Neither is it correct to suggest that it is currently perfect, despite its glowing reputation, there is still poverty as the shacks near to Castries, the capital, starkly show. However, in general, St Lucia is a great island and it has used its natural attributes and its perky population to attract tourists in droves.
The beaches around the perimeter of the island are loaded with holiday resorts and specialise in all-inclusive deals. This means that you don’t need to take your wallet to any of the restaurants or bars, just proof of residency, and you don’t get a nasty shock at the end of your stay when the bill comes. They all also offer plenty of activities to keep the active and less active happy and excursions that generally involve rum punch. Snorkelling, sub-aqua, water-skiing, boat rides and many other water sports are available. Entertainment is available every night and is typically Caribbean and fun.
A must for any visitor is the active volcanoes and views of the Pitons, two volcano plugs that are also a World heritage site, and dominate the landscape of the island.
If you manage to be there in mid-July make an effort to go to the carnival in Castries. Be prepared to stand under a tree shared with sundry locals and be quick when the ice-cream man arrives. You may also find yourself accidentally involved in the carnival, as the dancers tend to get bystanders to join in.
Overall, St Lucia is a fabulous holiday destination, especially for families but great fun for everybody.