You could opt to rent a car for
the day and drive wherever you want, whenever you want.
Be aware that the roads are narrow, bumpy, and snake up and
down the sides of mountains with a steepness that makes even the
most experienced drivers squirm.
It will require 100% of the driver’s concentration at all
times, meaning that the driver will not have a lot of time to see
things while under way.
You might want to consider hiring
a local taxi (mini bus) for the day instead.
The driver will suggest an itinerary, but you can pretty
well alter that at any time.
That way, you just sit back and enjoy the show.
I have suggested that these tours can originate in either
Soufrière or Marigot Bay. In Soufrière, the kind folks at the Hummingbird Resort can
put you in touch with a reputable Taxi driver.
In Marigot Bay, I personally recommend the services of
Kieran Sonny, who can be located through JJ’s Paradise.
In fact, you can find him through just about anybody
anywhere in Marigot Bay.
In terms of cost, four of us paid $120 US
for a half-day tour that started in Marigot Bay and took in all
the sites up to and including Soufrière.
We did not negotiate so I cannot say how this compares with
other operators. I would recommend spending a few minutes negotiating a price,
perhaps you can do better than $120.
Nonetheless, we were extremely pleased with Kieran and felt
we got our money’s worth.
Just sitting back and taking in
all the sights and sounds as you drive through the countryside is
part of the experience. You
will see things that you will not find back home.
At the top of the hill overlooking
Marigot Bay,
you will stop at a lookout point.
Bring your camera because from this strategic location you
will conclude that Marigot Bay is one of the prettiest natural
harbors in the Caribbean. I
am told that British Admiral Samuel Barrington sailed into this
secluded bay in 1778, covered his ships with palms, and
successfully hid from the French.
One Particular Harbor
Leaving Marigot Bay, the road
takes you through a few banana plantations.
If you have never seen one, ask the driver to stop and have
a look at exactly how bananas are manufactured.
Yes they do grow on trees.
There are two towns between
Marigot Bay and Soufrière, both at sea level.
To reach them, you must follow a tight bumpy road that
winds up a steep mountainside with loops back and forth many
times. There are no
guardrails between you and the cliff below, raising the level of
excitement somewhat. Do take
the time to have a look, because the view of the surrounding
mountains and cliffs set against the bright blue background of the
Caribbean Sea is what this trip is all about.
You will catch a whiff of overheated brakes from oncoming
vehicles as they descend. You
hope that your vehicle has had a recent brake inspection.
| Along the way, you will encounter
several roadside stands that sell a variety of local foods.
Ask your driver for recommendations and be sure to stop
along the way for a great local snack. As well, you must
experience the taste of a fresh coconut.
There are several stops along the way where youths will
climb a coconut tree and select one for you.
They will cut the top off with a massive cutlass, enabling
you to drink the delicious coconut water contained within.
Finally, ask them to split the coconut in half so that you
can scoop out the delicate meat. |
Kieran Sonny (second from left)
leads
several Suspects on a quest for coconuts.
Look closely at the size of the cutlass held
by the lad not wearing a shirt - yes he still
has all his fingers.
|
You will pass through the fishing
villages of Anse La Raye and Canaries along the way.
Both provide an interesting glimpse of contemporary life in
the Caribbean without any of the external distractions associated
with tourism. You
will witness the local women laundering their clothes at a
community laundry facility, as they have done for decades.
Farm animals roam freely about.
Leaving Canaries, the road
traverses up a very steep and narrow ridge that features a
terrifying cliff of over a thousand feet on both sides!
Again, be sure to look around because the scenery is just
unbelievable. You’d swear the St. Lucian Government constructed this road
in such a way as to tease you as you approach The Pitons.
You are offered brief glimpses of them at various points
along the way, whetting your appetite for something more.
Their full splendor is finally revealed as you round a bend
in the road, prompting a chorus of Oooohs and Ahhhhs from the passengers.
Several
lookout points along the way provide excellent photographic
opportunities of the twin peaks as they rise steeply out of the
bright blue waters of the Caribbean.
These incredible mountains have
become the symbol of St. Lucia.
Formed by lava from a volcanic eruption 30 to 40 million
years ago, the twin pyramidal cones are covered with thick
tropical vegetation.
Your trip continues down yet
another steep descent into the oldest town in St. Lucia, the
fishing village of Soufrière.
It was founded by the French in the mid 1700’s and named
after the nearby volcano. See
The Pitons and
Soufrière for more information.
Just out of Soufrière, the Diamond
Botanical Gardens are part of Soufrière Estate, a 2,000-acre
gift from Louis XIV in the early 1700’s to the Devaux brothers
from Normandy for their service to France.
Do not miss this. There is a small charge to enter, but you must experience
the beauty of the gardens. Tall
trees of every variety tower above bushes and flowers that line
the path that leads up a gentle slope.
All are marked by signs, so you'll know what you are
looking at. It is quite interesting to
see the natural origin of some common household products and
spices. The fragrance
that emanates from this vegetation is quite intoxicating.
The path continues into a steep
gorge and ends at the Diamond Waterfall. The
source of this waterfall is vapor from La Soufrière volcano and
water bubbling up from nearby sulfur springs.
The rocks behind the waterfall have become stained with
various shades of green, purple, and yellow as a result of the
minerals from the black water.
Near the falls, underground
springs feed the mineral baths.
For a small fee, you can bath in one of the outside pools,
or you can upgrade to Business Class and get a private pool of
your own. Apparently,
Louis XVI of France had a dozen or so stone baths constructed for
his troops in the late 1700’s.
Remnants of these original baths are still present.
It is also claimed that Josephine Bonaparte bathed here as
a young girl, but who’s going to dispute that?
While
vacationing in St. Lucia in the mid 1980’s, Ronald McDonald was
driven by car through La Soufrière Drive-In Volcano and an
idea was born. Today,
Drive-Thru McDonalds litter the urban landscape in tens of
thousands of locations worldwide.
Seriously, the north side of the crater was blown off in
the last eruption, making it rather straightforward to enter.
A road constructed by the Government gets you to within a
few hundred feet of the bubbling, steaming pools of muddy water,
multi-colored mineral deposits, and scorched earth that make up
the center of the crater. Admission
includes a guide who will give you the tour that is fascinating
and educational. Prepare
your nose for the strong scent of sulfur.
All in all, the
Overland Tour is one of the great Caribbean Experiences that you
do not want to miss.
