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

Typically called the “Helen of the West” for its beauty. Saint Lucia is filled with nature trials, natural springs, beautiful beaches and is home to the only drive in volcano in the Caribbean. This 238 square miles island is in the southern Lesser Antillean arc. Saint Lucia is home to two noble laureates: Sir Arthur Lewis won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979 and the poetic Dereck Walcott received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992. Saint Lucia is seven times British and seven times French as these nations fought to gain ownership of the land. However, England was victorious and ruled the island from 1814 but Saint Lucia became an independent state as of 22nd February, 1979. This picturesque island is located northwest of Barbados, north/northeast of Saint Vincent and south of Martinique.

Getting a free tan in Soufrière from the sun at what is sometimes called the “World’s only drive-in volcano”

City

Castries is the capital of Saint Lucia and is home to a beautiful harbour which houses cruise ships, ferry boats and cargo vessels. The tourist packed city serves as a shopping and dining area with a variety of banks and local businesses.

Currency

The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) is the official currency but the US Dollar is accepted island wide. The EC to US rates run from US$1.00= EC$2.70. The Euro, Canadian dollar and British pounds are all currencies widely used and are easily convertible in banks. All currencies vary in value as it relates to other world currencies.

Transport

Visiting Saint Lucia is relatively easy by way of plane or boat. There are two airports in Saint Lucia. The George F. L. Charles Airport formerly known as the Vigie Airport is the smaller airport located in the north of Castries. This airport is directly positioned next to the Vigie Beach and mainly receive flights from other Caribbean islands. The Hewanorra International Airport is situated in Vieux Fort which is in the southern part of the island. It is the larger airport and receives flights from most international destinations.

Stay

There are a variety of hotels and bed and breakfast (B&B) to choose from throughout the island.

Enjoying the scenery at St James Club Morgan Bay

National Dish

The national dish in Saint Lucia is green figs (green bananas) and salt fish. Green figs are grown in St Lucia but salt fish is a product typically imported. Codfish was traditionally used on the island during slavery where fish was salted then dried but now fish variations are used for the recipe. Other popular recipes used island wide include bakes and cocoa tea (a comfort food when it rains) and farine and avocado. Smoke herring and breadfruit with cucumber salad (my personal favorite) is another common choice.

People

Creativity is on the rise in Saint Lucia with persons investing in cultural music, art work both through drama and wood work and paintings. Saint Lucia is home to a diverse group of all ethnicity, where individuals are friendly, welcoming, expressive, eager to assist, technologically forward, industrious and highly educated.

Tourism

Saint Lucia has captured titles such as the World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination and the Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination. The tourism industry is vital to the country as it provides jobs and investments. Jobs are created through taxis services, hotel stays, dining at restaurants, site visits, souvenir sales and as goods and services are imported to meet the demands of the sector. The tourist season is mainly during the dry season but between January to April. The majority of tourist come to the island via cruise so most of their time is spent in the city.

Weather

This tropical island has weather to enjoy throughout the year. The dry season runs through December to May and the rainy (wet) season from June to November. The average temperature in Saint Lucia is 27 C  (78 F) with 75% humidity.

Opportunities

Although Saint Lucia appears as a dot on the globe, it is filled with small technical and vocational opportunities for growth and development. Basic career options or side gigs include becoming a coconut or fruit vendor, farmer, fisherman, food caterer, tour guide, hotelier or arts and crafts maker.

Star fish off the coast of Rudy John Beach, Laborie

Sweet life

Whilst some countries are known for seasonal activities, Lucians will tell you that Saint Lucia has year round events. Living in this breath taking stunning island brings multiple emotions, that of joy, joy and more joy accompanied by fun, fun and more fun.

I can recall my deep desire to reside abroad for a change in career, better paying job and to merely experience a new culture but then I remembered what I would be missing. My mom’s company and home cooked meals, watching the orange sunset, touring the island within one day, going to the Jounen Kwéyòl activities in October and simply enjoying the folk music. Going aboard would mean that I would no longer be able to freely speak in Patois (French Creole or Kwéyòl) which is a secondary French based language spoken in the country, this did not go well with me. Not to forget, ziplining and bathing in the warm mud bath Sulphur Springs, viewing the Majestic twin Pitons, walking through the rain forest, boat rides and swimming in the clear blue waters whilst watching the reefs and fish.

Experiencing the adrenalin rush of ziplining at Morne Coubaril Historical Adventure Park, Soufrière

MUST VISIT

For all the fruit and vegetable lovers! Come enjoy some fresh jelly coconuts, juicy mangoes, ever red cherries, yellow pineapples, orange papaya, sweet sugar apples, pink wax apples and rich avocados.

Imagine going to bed watching a grey sky, a beautiful moonlight and bright stars but waking up to clean, fresh air and birds chirping. Let’s enjoy my mountainous, two seasons- wet and dry but perfect weather island.

Still in my pyjamas but looking for crayfish in the Troumassée river, Micoud

Although individuals can come to visit Saint Lucia via cruise, I would recommend vacationing for a few days or weeks to enjoy the countless benefits of this small island. Coming by cruise or just for one day would mean lots of missed opportunities because it limits site seeing, fully discovering the island, tasting local treats and buying local souvenirs for loved ones.

Holidaying in Saint Lucia is sure to be relaxing, a stress reliever, engaging in self-care, acts as a hide away, a place to fall in love or to affirm love and it is paradise so ensures peace of mind.

Want to live in the city of Castries or the vegetative outskirts of the island whilst visiting? Either way be prepared to enjoy this island and the numerous activities it has to offer and questioning whether you should go back to your home.

Orange sky on the Ramp, Gros Islet
 

Type #fun fact and tell us one fact you know about Saint Lucia

Bonjour, vini vizite Sent Lisi! (Good morning/ Hello, come visit Saint Lucia)

Reems

Our Tropical Living

Come live and love island life

Reference: Harmsen, J., Ellis, G., & Devaux. R (2014). A history of st lucia. Vieux Fort. Lighthouse Road Publications.

48 thoughts on “What is #758? St. Lucia…sweet Saint Lucia”

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  7. Beautiful pieces. Girl you just made me fall in love with my home country all over again. Love my sweet St. Lucia.

    1. Thank you Cindy Philippe. Saint Lucia is a beautiful place where you can fall in love with the country and even someone again and again.

    1. Evergreen trees, the blue sea, white and golden brown sandy beaches, the yellow moon most nights and the bright stars all enhance vacationing in Saint Lucia gotty

  8. Love this site. Very innovative and interactive. Tropical living indeed , where can we do it better but in the beautiful isle of St. Lucia.

  9. St Lucia is and will always be the most beautiful in my opinion..and I have not explored it as much as I would have liked to..but I’m getting around to that..thanks for the lovely insights and sharing your experiences

  10. Remarkable and relatable piece. Looking forward to reading much more from you. Keep it up.

    1. Although a round-de-island trip in Saint Lucia can be done in one day, the activities offered such as hiking, site seeing or going to the beach cannot all be done in one day lucius

  11. Very relatable Those are the reason for me never wanting to leave as well. Sweet St. Lucia🇱🇨

  12. Amazing piece! Has me looking forward to my next staycation!
    #funfact the Saint Lucia national bird ‘Amazona versicolor’ cannot be found anywhere else in the word!

    1. Thank you Sam for sharing such a unique fun fact. I can remember my mother telling me as a child that the Amazona Versicolor is a species of parrot indigenous to Saint Lucia and is also called the ‘Jacquot.’ Compared to the hummingbirds and rock pigeons that I commonly see, I have only seen a Jacquot once and that was at the zoo.

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