Anniversary in St. Lucia

Our first volcanic Caribbean island stop, St. Lucia is a study in contrasts. She lives off of tourist dollars, mostly, but life is uneven. This was a banner day for her, as five cruise ships were in the harbor, including the majestic Britannia!

View from the fantail

A leisurely morning for us

Juxtaposition: cruise ship docks guarded by razor wire...the only time we saw that on our trip

Twenty percent unemployment means lots of squatters making use of whatever shelter they can find...in this case, abandoned military barracks.

There are many reminders of her embattled past: in the colonial wars, the French and British fought over St. Lucia no less than 14 times, splitting right down the middle in terms of winners. By the end of the Napoleonic era, Britain was in control for good.

The monument commemorates the Inniskilling Fusiliers, a British colonial regiment.

This park also serves as a public space offering spectacular views.

Do you see the woman sighing? Some say she is giving birth

Rain forest highlands in the distance; valleys in which sugar cane was grown in the fore

On our way to the highlands, we stopped at a boutique.

We were treated to a great view of the beautiful harbor at the port city of Castries, our Summit in the fore

These artists are practicing batik

Danabug bought a lovely fan to use in the event of hot flashes.

I bought an ice-cold Piton lager...it cured my hot flash

Another view from the back porch. What a nice place for a cold beer, eh?

As we headed higher, we saw some unusual sights...a coffee tree in this man's front yard

The cashew plant, the nuts of which hang down...

And a little park at the Rainforest Adventures zip line

We went in here for a taste of local banana bread and a chance to buy a cold drink

We didn't zip line, but I did buy a cap and another Piton lager

While I sipped on my beer, I bird-watched...the hunter appeared!

It is a juvenile broad-winged hawk, a small Buteo

It is eyeing the little birds, I think...

Bullfinches and the colorful Bananaquit!

Spectacular flora, as one would expect

Banana fingers forming on a banana plant (it's not a tree, y'all)
St. Lucia does export bananas...a small part of its economy, though.

Pomegranates

And star fruit hanging on the trees

And oh my, the views from the highlands! Caribbean Sea

Atlantic Ocean in the distance

A local market, and our guide Lucretia in the green t-shirt.

St. Lucia is an island of contrasts

Where unfinished houses remain untaxed

A troubled island filled with beautiful people

Living as best they can.

Rich in history

Subject to the whims of a fickle global economy

Her people ask only that we come visit them

And if we like what we see

Spread the word to others.

St. Lucia is a challenged but breathtaking island

We hope to visit again sometime.

Until then, we have very warm memories!

The island and its people will now forever be in our hearts

Because they helped us celebrate this, our 25th wedding anniversary!

Cap'n Sugar, fetch me Antigua, if you please,

While I accompany my wife to dinner, followed by a moonlit stroll...