St. Lucia, Lesser Antilles
Early this morning we were approaching St. Lucia from the south, and the dramatic Pitons were easy to recognize, even at a distance. They look like giant, green triangular mountains - two volcanic plugs that are close to 2500 feet high. On Sea Cloud II, crew set nearly all possible sails, and the Pitons grew larger as we rounded the southwest coast of the island. Thanks to light wind conditions, we had a fantastic photo opportunity: Zodiacs were dropped and we photographed Sea Cloud II with nearly all sails set, in front of the dramatic Pitons. What a beautiful sight!
Also this morning, we had the opportunity to tour the engine room with Chief Engineer Terry Gardiner. David Barnes gave a presentation; his topic was “The French and British in the Caribbean.” Many of these islands have changed hands between these nations multiple times.
During lunch we dropped anchor just in front of the town of Soufriere, next to the Pitons. What a dramatic sight! It became even more dramatic as the light wind shifted direction, swinging the stern of the ship around. As we ate lunch on the Lido deck, our views of town improved until it appeared that we would almost be able to jump onto the pier!
Our excursion on St. Lucia included a walk through Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, where we saw a multitude of colorful flowers including tropical ginger lilies and heliconias, a waterfall, and mineral baths. We also visited ‘The Caribbean’s Only Drive-In Volcano’, Soufriere volcano. Steaming fumaroles and farmers exist side by side in the old caldera. At Toraille waterfall we had the chance for a refreshing dip and rejuvenating massage under the tumbling water. Local guides claimed that it would ‘take 10 years off our age.’ (Some of went in twice to lose 20 years!) Our afternoon ended with a stop for refreshments at a mountainside restaurant with fantastic views of the Pitons and the town and bay below.
Our full and memorable day ended with a lavish barbecue on deck. Afterwards, many members of the crew reappeared after dinner as the Sea Cloud II Shanty Singers. We sang along with them, then capped off the evening by sharing conversation and drinks with the singing crewmembers.
Early this morning we were approaching St. Lucia from the south, and the dramatic Pitons were easy to recognize, even at a distance. They look like giant, green triangular mountains - two volcanic plugs that are close to 2500 feet high. On Sea Cloud II, crew set nearly all possible sails, and the Pitons grew larger as we rounded the southwest coast of the island. Thanks to light wind conditions, we had a fantastic photo opportunity: Zodiacs were dropped and we photographed Sea Cloud II with nearly all sails set, in front of the dramatic Pitons. What a beautiful sight!
Also this morning, we had the opportunity to tour the engine room with Chief Engineer Terry Gardiner. David Barnes gave a presentation; his topic was “The French and British in the Caribbean.” Many of these islands have changed hands between these nations multiple times.
During lunch we dropped anchor just in front of the town of Soufriere, next to the Pitons. What a dramatic sight! It became even more dramatic as the light wind shifted direction, swinging the stern of the ship around. As we ate lunch on the Lido deck, our views of town improved until it appeared that we would almost be able to jump onto the pier!
Our excursion on St. Lucia included a walk through Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, where we saw a multitude of colorful flowers including tropical ginger lilies and heliconias, a waterfall, and mineral baths. We also visited ‘The Caribbean’s Only Drive-In Volcano’, Soufriere volcano. Steaming fumaroles and farmers exist side by side in the old caldera. At Toraille waterfall we had the chance for a refreshing dip and rejuvenating massage under the tumbling water. Local guides claimed that it would ‘take 10 years off our age.’ (Some of went in twice to lose 20 years!) Our afternoon ended with a stop for refreshments at a mountainside restaurant with fantastic views of the Pitons and the town and bay below.
Our full and memorable day ended with a lavish barbecue on deck. Afterwards, many members of the crew reappeared after dinner as the Sea Cloud II Shanty Singers. We sang along with them, then capped off the evening by sharing conversation and drinks with the singing crewmembers.
