St Lucia
It had not been the smoothest of passages overnight and we awoke to squalls that did at least provide us with some wonderful rainbows. It was impressive to watch the crew go aloft in the wet rigging and set the sails as we headed south for St Lucia. Our historian set the tone with a talk on Pirates of the Caribbean and, as if on cue, the ship that had been used in the movie of that name, Unicorn, approached us and fired a cannon!
As we approached the island, now in brilliant noontide sunshine, the majestic Pitons above the township of Soufriere were an immediate reminder that the Lesser Antilles are an attractive destination for vulcanologists as well as lovers of sun, sea and calypso. Soufriere derives from the French word for sulfur and the first stop on our afternoon excursion was to what styles itself as the Caribbean's only 'drive-in volcano.' The sulfur-laden air is reputed to be good for respiratory complaints. With local guides and an information center we were well-informed about the volcano that last erupted some two centuries ago but is clearly far from dormant.
A tour of the Diamond Falls Botanical Garden followed; a riot of tropical flora and a great place to look for birds, including several varieties of humming-bird. At the Toraille Falls many braved the cool waters to feel the weight of water from the falls deep-tissue massage their shoulders.
After this, it was time to repair to The Beacon for rum punch and a spectacular view out over the collapsed caldera and the Pitons. As on other small islands on this voyage, tourism now offers the best prospects for economic growth and it was disturbing to note that a resort had been constructed between the two Pitons on land that many islanders had hoped would be preserved as a national park. On islands with high employment - running at 40% throughout the Lesser Antilles - the temptations to look for short-term gains at the expense of long-term sustainability must be very great.
Back on the ship, after another refreshing shower from a passing squall, we were treated to a special Creole Dinner.
It had not been the smoothest of passages overnight and we awoke to squalls that did at least provide us with some wonderful rainbows. It was impressive to watch the crew go aloft in the wet rigging and set the sails as we headed south for St Lucia. Our historian set the tone with a talk on Pirates of the Caribbean and, as if on cue, the ship that had been used in the movie of that name, Unicorn, approached us and fired a cannon!
As we approached the island, now in brilliant noontide sunshine, the majestic Pitons above the township of Soufriere were an immediate reminder that the Lesser Antilles are an attractive destination for vulcanologists as well as lovers of sun, sea and calypso. Soufriere derives from the French word for sulfur and the first stop on our afternoon excursion was to what styles itself as the Caribbean's only 'drive-in volcano.' The sulfur-laden air is reputed to be good for respiratory complaints. With local guides and an information center we were well-informed about the volcano that last erupted some two centuries ago but is clearly far from dormant.
A tour of the Diamond Falls Botanical Garden followed; a riot of tropical flora and a great place to look for birds, including several varieties of humming-bird. At the Toraille Falls many braved the cool waters to feel the weight of water from the falls deep-tissue massage their shoulders.
After this, it was time to repair to The Beacon for rum punch and a spectacular view out over the collapsed caldera and the Pitons. As on other small islands on this voyage, tourism now offers the best prospects for economic growth and it was disturbing to note that a resort had been constructed between the two Pitons on land that many islanders had hoped would be preserved as a national park. On islands with high employment - running at 40% throughout the Lesser Antilles - the temptations to look for short-term gains at the expense of long-term sustainability must be very great.
Back on the ship, after another refreshing shower from a passing squall, we were treated to a special Creole Dinner.
