Spotlight on St. Lucia
January 12, 2012
 |
Known for its postcard-worthy landscapes, sunsets and scenery, St. Lucia is a true treat for your eyes. Part of the Windward Islands and Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Basin, St. Lucia is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide. Its neighbors include |
Martinique, Saint Vincent and Barbados.Its sub tropical climate is conducive to year round travel, but if you visit from June to November, you should expect intermittent tropical showers. Bring some sunscreen because it will be sunny and in the 80s most every day! Also, visitors need valid passports to vacation in St. Lucia; however, Visas are not required if you’re a citizen of the United States or certain Commonwealth countries.
History of Island
In 1979 St. Lucia became an independent democracy within the British Commonwealth, but it has many other ethnic influences from its diverse past. Early on, St. Lucia was inhabited by the Arawak Indians but these peaceful people were later overtaken by the aggressive Caribs. Then, in 1499 Columbus navigator was the first European to discover this lovely island and in 1667, the French showed up. For the next 150 years, St. Lucia bounced back and forth between British and French rule before it finally yielded to the British in 1814.
 |
In 1960, the island enacted a new constitution with the appointment of the first Ministers of Government; however, that constitution expired in 1967 when England gave St. Lucia the right to self govern. Since February 22, 1979,Saint Lucia has |
been totally independent from England.
People & Culture
The island is home to approximately 160,000 people with about a third occupying the Castries-Gros Islet area. About 85 percent of all St. Lucians are of African decent with a small percentage of people of mixed African, British, French, East Indian and Carib ancestry.
English is the official language of the island but you’ll also hear French patois widely spoken by the natives. If you rent a vehicle, remember to drive on the left side of the road, keeping with England’s rules of the road. However, you’ll find a Caribbean flavor to the cuisine, drinks and music of the island. It’s a magnificent mixture of amazing cultures—enjoy!
Finding Adventure…
If lying on a pristine beach all day isn’t your idea of a great vacation, St. Lucia has adventure awaiting you. From bird watching to turtle watching to whale watching, you can do it all in St. Lucia. If you like to walk on the wild side, why not rent an all terrain vehicle and ride an ATV through the island’s mountains, banana plantations and countryside?
Hikers will love the challenge of climbing Gros Piton, a volcanic mountain about 2,600 feet high. It’s about four miles up and down and takes about four hours to complete. Guides are recommended. If hiking isn’t your brand of excitement, why not try some zip lining at Treetop Adventure Park in Dennery?
Movie buffs will enjoy seeing a bit of where “Romancing the Stone” was filmed when touring the Diamond Waterfall and the Diamond Botanical Garden.
 |
Whether you’re honeymooners or simply act like newlyweds, you might wish to go for a romantic horseback ride on the beach. The International Riding Stables offers many trail rides, including a romantic ride that allows time for a beach picnic. |
Of course, no vacation is complete without a bit of shopping. To pick up local crafts and creations, Castries market is the place to go. But, if you’re hoping to do some duty free shopping, Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage are both worth your while. They feature resort wear, cosmetics and perfume and jewelry.
Many Caribbean islands offer beautiful beaches and snorkeling adventures, but St. Lucia is special because of its rich history and interesting blend of people and cultures. Whether you’re a beach bum or a person looking for a unique island adventure, St. Lucia is for you.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|