Dec 1, 2012 - Carribean is a foodie's paradise

The St Lucia day trip was a bit different as I went to a property that has preserved the natural habitat and was of the St Lucian people. We saw an old grass hut similar to those that their ancestors would have lived in. We were introduced to different plants that were either eaten or used for medicinal purposes. Then we met the owner of the property who in an old creole woman with the most warm nature. She had cooked us sweet bread and crab cakes to try. Yummm.

Mar 20, 2012 - Philipsburg, St. Maarten

March 20 - St. Marten/Sint Maarten *PICTURES ADDED 4/13* *this is the smallest land mass governed by 2 nations: the Dutch and the French, since 1648. *they share quite a bit but have their separate languages, interests and vibes. *island's original name was Soulougia (Salt Land) because of its valuable salt flats *one of the earliest islands to open up to tourism (its main industry) *Dutch side has many casinos; French side gourmet restaurants and expensive shopping *no border checks; just a short obelisk to indicate the change in...

Mar 19, 2012 - Castries, St. Lucia

St. Lucia (Loo-sha) *one of the lushest of the Caribbean islands, with thick tropical rain forests and mountainous terrain (but not quite as rugged as St. Vincent.) *its main landmark are the two volcanic rock pyramids called the Pitons (about 2,500 ft.) *rule changed 14 times between France and Britain before England won it in 1814! *1942 – a German U-boat sank 2 British ships in the capital city (Castries) harbor *1979 – won its independence from England *seems more French – its patois, Creole cuisine and names of places *also NOT named...

Feb 12, 2012 - St Lucia/St Lucie: Twin Heritage and Twin Peaks

The Express des Isles catamaran slams into the waves on another rough crossing, this time coming from Martinique across the St Lucia Channel, but after passing Point du Cap on the northern tip of St Lucia the waves abate and soon enough the ferry turns left into Castries harbour bay and, as it slows down, sets lower in the water to dock at the Passenger Ferry Port on the southern end. I follow the same route as Jacques du Parquet, then French Governor of Martinique, did in 1643 when he established the first French settlement in Soufrière a...

Dec 20, 2011 - Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone and have a safe and happy holiday! we are "on the hook" in Rodney Bay and loving the cool breeze,the winter tradewinds are upon us. Its 30 Celcius and in the eve.is 24 celcius,so sleeping is nice,with all the hatches open and no bugs to be found! Sandals resort is directly in front view,they play their steel drums to the christmas carol tunes. With all the activity going on here,Seadoos and dinghies zooming past,Hobie cats and Lazers,Timex is learning to accept it all as normal.Much more excitement here than...

Dec 12, 2011 - Back in St.Lucia

hello Families and Friends: We are back onboard "Sweet Surrender" We flew to Ontario for 5 weeks,so we were busy with family. I gave my parents(Essie and Larry) an unexpected surprise just showing up like I like. Also while I was home,I gave my parents a kitchen makeover,with my Sister Bevs help,we worked together alot of the time and came up with nice ideas.Which we implemented. We now are working on the boat,putting everything back together after we hired a local workman do re-finish and varnish all interior wood.(Amazing job!!!) John has...

Aug 23, 2011 - Settling in to Marigot Bay,St.Lucia

Hello Family & Friends, Well we've been to the southern tip of St.Lucia,and now back at our safest hurricane hole(Marigot Bay)which is the middle of the Island. John is wearing his jamaican headband to try and blend in,so we stop getting mistaken for tourists,but they still offer taxis etc. Everyone here is so friendly,just like home,sometimes too friendly,trying to sell their fruits and wares. In the morning small brightly colored small skiffs come to our boat and offer fruits,coconuts,grapefruits,avacodoes,breadfruits,and more,,,if they...

Aug 3, 2011 - staying in St.Lucia

Hello Families and Friends, We can stay for 6 months,then simply go for a sail,return to pay the fee,then stay for another 6 months if we want. Our first week in St.Lucia has been all about learning where and when to find stuff,prices etc,the currency is the Eastern caribbean dollar,2.6e.c to 1u.s. Also the tropical storm Emily had everyone stressed and concerned,but the more you prepare the more likely the storm will not affect you,at least thats what I hear? Two days ago was Emancipation Day,which marks the anniversary of the final...

Jul 29, 2010 - Homeward Bound - almost

Wednesday 28th July Our last night on the road, and we reach it with mixed feelings: sad that we are going home, but, at the same time, happy that we have had this opportunity to do this trip. I think that we are all very much in the travelling groove, and all would be more than happy to keep on travelling. One of the things that we have noticed is that when we leave a place, we tend to switch off from it, and do not really reflect on it – we just get on with our adventures in the next place. I suspect that it will only be after we are...

Jul 24, 2010 - Still chillin' in St Lucia

Saturday 24th July Less than a week to go, and I think that we are all starting to prepare for re-entry! There is a lot more talk of home, and people and places at home: in some ways we are keen to get back – but in most, we just want to keep travelling! I think that there will be some period of re-adjustment when we get back, and everything settles down to being “normal” again. We are settled into St Lucia now – the hotel staff are, for the most part, still unfriendly and disinterested, but a few are thawing out: our policy of being...

Jul 20, 2010 - St Lucia carnival - not one for the kids

Tuesday 20th July After 3 days of pretty much complete inactivity, we ventured off the hotel campus today to go into Castries for the last day of the St Lucia Carnival – which claims to be the second best in the world after Rio. Big mistake For a start, it was absolutely pouring down with rain – no surprise there, then. However to add to that, it was the only day that was not a “formal” procession with the bands, dancers etc being judged, but was a “jump up” where the dancers were free form, and people from the crowd could join in. What it...

Jul 17, 2010 - From Miami to the heart of the Caribbean

Wednesday 14th July Our time in the US is rapidly drawing to a close, and we are now in an airport hotel in Miami, having dropped off the hire car - not without incident, as the rental company had changed its drop off address from the one shown on our form without telling us (or anyone else, judging by the number of cars turning up at the old address) – and we only picked it up 4 days ago!. We have had a fairly lazy day, the boys did some fishing in the morning – Dougie continued his knack of catching fish without using a hook when a...