The world’s only drive in volcano

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.

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.