soufriere – Our Tropical Living

How it all started!

My friend Ellery decided that we should have a Soufriere lime to celebrate our birthdays since I was born on October 12^th and both she and our other friend Christiana shared October 16^th.

She said that she would make all the arrangements and that it was a place I could blog about. As with most outings, I was excited to try something new and spend some time with my friends.

She said that we would be visiting Au Poye Park, I had never heard of Au Poye Park nor did I research the place but I trusted her decision.

Girls trip on the West coast

I met with two of my friends- Janel and Christiana in the city and we were ready to head down to Soufriere to celebrate our birthdays.

The drive down for a Friday afternoon was rather quiet. I could have counted the amount of vehicles we passed along the way as we existed Anse La Raye.

It was a cool and cloudy day, what I call “perfect weather!” Then again living in the tropics is filled with “perfect weather” even when it rains most of the day.

The west coast is filled with many scenic views, green vegetation, steep hills, deep valleys and lush peaks reaching for the sky.

There are so many things to see that you do not know what exactly to focus on because the tropical view is breathtaking. All sites that you see are picture perfect.

Saint Lucia is simply beautiful, I love nature so much and I love living in paradise! I enjoy being a tourist in my own country.

Plas Kassav

Plas Kassav when translated in English means Cassava Place. It is customary that I stop at Plas Kassav when I am on the west coast because not stopping for cassava bread is simply unacceptable!

Although I have not sampled all the flavours, I love, love, love, love the cherry raisin cassava bread. It is extremely tasty, soft, chewy, cherry and raisin filled and easy on the palate. This mouth-watering treat is that good and leaves me wanting more!

There are a variety of flavours ranging from chocolate, saltfish, banana, apple raisin, coconut and cinnamon.

The staff were extremely friendly and even offered to pose for a picture.

Hard at work mixing the cassava bread dough

Viewpoints of the Twin Pitons along the way!

The peak of the Piton can be seen from miles away

Claiming my freedom, inhaling more positivity and embracing nature

Soufriere town

As we approached the Soufriere market, the town came alive. We could hear the loud conversations near the market from the vendors, the drivers on the bus stand and from passers-by. We stopped at Ellery’s home for a quick break and then headed to Au Poye Park.

We drove and drove and drove. We drove and drove some more. I felt like we were lost even though I did not know the place. We sort directions from people we saw along the way and continued with the journey.

The view along the way is splendid. It first appeared like we were headed towards the sea then it seemed like Gros Piton was caving in on us as we got closer. The views made the long drive worth it. If you like sweet potato, there is a lot of it to see along the way.

As we got closer to the small community, the place looked familiar. Of course I had been here! My family and I had been there for my mom’s last round-de-island trip almost a year before she passed away.

For more information on Soufriere

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Volcanic exploration

What is #758? St. Lucia…sweet Saint Lucia

Fond Gens Libre

Fond Gens Libre is a small community located at the bottom of Gros Piton. As we passed through the quiet community, I saw many different fruit trees filled with fruits along the way.

During my last trip here, the community members were playing cricket, playing music, barbequing and having fun. One of the grown men even gave my family and me a tour of the community and shared some of the place’s history.

Getting to Au Poye Park

Are you up for the adventure?A lady from the community sensed that we were lost and gave us directions to Au Poye Park. Put on your hiking boots and let’s go on the adventure together!

Follow the rocks that lead to the forest and keep along the trail to uncover biodiversity and the reward that awaits.

Although we had gotten directions, we remained in denial and maintained that this had not been the right place because of the rocky pathway. The helpful lady insisted that we followed the trail.

As I stared at the rocks, I wondered how I would climb but I was filled with joy to go on the adventure.

A powerful and loud sound of what seemed like a waterfall was heard but could not be seen. This raised my level of curiosity because I really wanted to see the waterfall.

We had a good laugh as we watched each other try to relive the “girl days” to climb the rocks.

The view along the trail was evergreen, the place was quiet and the pathway was rocky. At last, we saw a glimpse of the waterfall.

It must have been a 5 minute walk before we saw a sign saying “Welcome to Au Poye Park.” I grew a bit breathless during the journey but was happy for the exercise.

Trying to decide my next move to get to the top

Au Poye Park

Wow, what a beautiful garden this is I said. You could hear the waterfall, the sound of birds chirping and see the top of Gros Piton from every angle! This was really a unique way to have lunch and experience nature.

We were greeted by the staff and saw that the place had been designed for a birthday celebration. How thoughtful! We took a few pictures and went on to seat at the table.

Starter

We had some wine and enjoyed each other’s company. I could not believe that we were still hearing the waterfall “sing” whilst at the table, it was splendid.

Lunch started off with accra commonly called fish fritters served with a spicy sauce, it made my insides tingle and I loved that feeling.

Main course

The main meal was then served, I ordered barbeque ribs. The ribs were well prepared, well-seasoned and the sauce gave it extra flavour.

The meal included rice, breadfruit fingers, flavoured ripe plantain, fresh garden salad, beans, macaroni and and cheese and green fig salad.

The food was extremely delicious and I was able to clear my plate despite being ridiculously filled.

Local juice was also available but I opted to drink my water.

Dessert

The local homemade ice cream is made from seasonal fruits. Many creamy flavours to choose from including breadfruit, lime, mango, banana, soursop and peanut. They also featured a piton beer flavour.

I enjoyed all the ice cream flavours but loved the peanut and mango the most.

Thank you Jerma for serving us and ensuring that we were okay!

History of Au Poye Park

Au Poye Park got its name because of the poye trees that took over the place. The creole word poye translates to white cedar in English.

Au Poye Park is a landmark and historical place. It was originally inhabited by Marie Charles also known as Ma Sheil and her husband until hurricane Allen in 1980.

The hurricane forced them to move to the nearby community of Fond Gens Libre and the husband sadly died the following day after sustaining injuries during the hurricane.

Mrs. Marie Charles AKA Ma Sheil original owner of Au Poye Park. Continue to rest in peace

Charmaine Charles, owner of Au Poye Park

First sign of civilization on the way back from climbing Gros Piton

Wosh nene

Wosh nene translated into English mean God mother of all rocks. It is one of the largest rocks along the Gros Piton trail.

Wosh nene is an ideal rock for rock climbers I would suppose because I was tempted to try the climb.

Snuggly fitted beneath the rock is a cave. Visiting Wosh nene was one of the highlights of my trip because this was the first time that I saw a rock this size in Saint Lucia.

Lots to do at Au Poye Park

Tour the park and learn about the history. The owner Charmaine Charles does a fantastic job with teaching the history

Have lunch and try the homemade tropical ice cream

Purchase some souvenirs

Visit wosh nene

Stop for refreshments before or after you climb Gros Piton

Or, you could relax

Special note

Washrooms and showers are available.

Rooms are unavailable to overnight but arrangements can be made for persons interested in camping for the night.

Au Poye Park is open for wedding celebrations, birthday celebrations, special events and meetings.

Set a date and call to make reservations for a unique and memorable experience.

I had a spectacular time at Au Poye Park and I hope to visit again. The atmosphere was cool and peaceful. The walk was worth the food and experience. Au Poye Park serves as a sweet escape for nature lovers.

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Credits

Editor- Samue

Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to edit this content. I appreciate you and your effort!

Mommy’s last trip to Fond Gens Libre. Continue to be in peace mommy. I know that you are not resting where ever you are but rather busy being productive and engaging in gardening. I think about you every day and I miss you a lot! One day I know that you will come to meet me so until then I am living a good and meaningful life for us. I love you always

Reems

Our Tropical Living

Come live and love island life

ourtropicalliving.com

This is not a sponsored blog post.

Memories of you constantly cloud my mind mommy. Sometimes they make me smile and other times make me cry. Before I could not believe that you died but now I am just surprised that you died and even more surprised that you died so quickly.

I keep asking “why did this have to happen to me?” but then again death, loss and hurt are for everyone.

Approximately one week after your burial our relatives decided to go to the Sulphur Springs for a mud bath. These were all things mommy loved “family time.” Thinking of her can be horrific yet it can be the sweetest thing…

A challenging road

When my relatives decided to visit the Sulphur Springs for a mud bath I immediately thought “the first trip without mommy.” Planning a trip without her was not easy at all.

The day before the trip I was heartbroken. As I wrote the food list, it was challenging for me because I knew that I no longer had her to help prepare a dish so I chose to prepare the item with the least amount of work.

We were a team so we would split the task for any outing, now that she is gone everything is left up to me.

Road trip

As a relative woke me for the trip, with my puffy eyes and heavy head, I lazily got myself ready to prepare breakfast and get ready. Ordinarily my mom would wake me before hand with excitement and ensured that I got myself ready. As I packed my bag I heard her voice telling me what I should ensure to carry.

Trying to touch the top of the Piton is a must

Bus ride

By 5:30 a.m. we stacked the bus with food and left for our journey to Soufriere. The bus ride was a bitter sweet moment because I did not hear my mom speaking the entire way.

Listening to my relatives, the cool air and the evergreen trees along the way made the journey bearable. The highway was merely empty so I watched the trees as they seem to run with the wind.

Due to the topography of the west coast, the drive to Soufriere shifts you from left to right and makes it difficult to stay still on the seat. Some sections of the road are steep and have lots of corners but your final destination is worth the ride!

I felt a sense of relaxation from the splendid views: green mountain, many banana plantation, a variety of crops in people’s backyards and glimpses of the sea from so many places. Saint Lucia is really breath taking!

Soufriere market

This was my first time visiting the Soufriere market at 8 a.m. The first thing I saw were lots of bright colours as vendors and shoppers crowded the place. I went from booth to booth with curiosity.

My relatives were able to buy hot bakes and cocoa tea, some fresh jelly coconuts and affordable clothing items at the flea market. I enjoyed the music, the friendly conversations with the vendors and the smell of the fresh fruits and vegetables.

I still got cassava

I was able to purchase farine and cherry cassava in Soufriere since Plas Kassav was closed. Plas Kassav located in Canaries has a variety of locally made cassava bread so ensure you pay them a visit on your next west coast trip. I really love the cherry and chocolate cassava bread from Plas Kassav.

The Sulphur Springs

You know you are approaching the Sulphur Springs from miles away because of the unique scent. The place really smells of a rotten egg. My god son just two years old said “nasty” when he took the smell of the Sulphur Springs thinking that someone had spoiled the air with a fart.

The Sulphur springs are a tourist destination so it is usually packed with tourist. As we got to the mud pools I was happy that the place only had a hand full of people. I was about to go into the water and it got me as excited as a child who just received a new toy.

I was filled with anticipation, would the water be too hot and would I scream. Before submerging myself in the black water, I tested it with my toes then placed my foot in and gradually my entire body. This helped my body get used to the water‘s temperature.

Soak yourself in one of the four mud baths of different depths and different temperatures. It is rejuvenating and your skin will feel smooth. Your body will feel like it has gotten a massage and you will be detoxified.

Applying the mineral packed mud on your face is like getting a free facial cleanse. You could paint yourself a cool design with the mud and use the steam vents for a back massage.

Note: It is best to visit the Sulphur Springs in the wee hours of the morning. You will get to enjoy the mud bath when the water is much cooler as opposed to afternoon when it is hotter due to the sun.

Do not wear any white swim wear because the mud bath will get your whites black.

Drive in Volcano

You can get a tour guide to learn about the volcano and the mud bath. The volcano is dormant and last erupted over 200 years ago. The volcano is said to be the “world’s only drive in volcano.” Imagine walking to the top of the volcanic mountain and seeing the black steaming hot water pools boiling with a raging sound.

As you walk along the pathway of the volcano to the left, you can hear a wide range of birds chirping loudly. The soil looks orange and the trees are extremely tall.

There is even a natural hot water pool that you could enjoy. I screamed ouch and held my foot as I dipped into the soil because it felt like I had gotten a first degree burn on my toes due to the water’s temperature. I felt at ease as my body got used to the natural hot water pool and enjoyed the clear water.

Beach stop

When coming from Soufriere travelling southwards, stopping at the Rudy John beach in Laborie is a must! We were greeted to a crowded beach as families barbequed and made it a fun family Saturday.

It was very sunny when we arrived and the sea was calm and inviting. We got some ice cream from the local shop and enjoyed it in the hot weather.

Living in a tropical island is pure paradise and it is easy to plan a fun day but there is obvious sunburns most times especially with water activities. Apply sunscreen and be mindful of the time you engage in outdoor activities.

This blog post is dedicated to my loving mom, Sophia Sonson 1961- 2020.

Continue to rest well mommy, it is sad but it is true…here creating memories without you but my memories of you will never go away. Most times I feel like I am drowning and my world has ended but I find peace with thoughts of you.

This is not a sponsored blog post.

Tag: soufriere

Au Poye Park

The world’s only drive in volcano

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