St. Lucia

[CXAV8]

I'm going to St. Lucia for vacation in the near future, anybody have any inside info.(i.e. where to eat, dive, drink etc.).
Thanks

 

[cvsfly]

Did my honeymoon there 3+ yrs. ago. Stayed at Breezes all-inclusive near Castries. Although it was a nice facility, we decided that the all-inclusive wasn't our bag. Probably not a bad deal if you want to eat and drink (watered down drinks/ limited wine selection) yourself silly and do nothing else. Also got the impression they did not trust the local population as the security was tight and they really didn't recommend going outside the resort grounds. Interesting trips: Jeep safari trip through banana plantations and rainforest, Soufriere volcano, sulfur springs and botanical garden. The Pitons on the south west end are spectacular and I here the diving is the best on that end (took an all day sail/snorkel trip to that end that included the volcano/sulfur springs, botanical garden and lunch above Soufriere). Probably a neat place to stay at that end, but might have to endure the smell (sulfur). Main airport Hewanorra (TLPL) on south end handles the major airlines (we flew Delta/Air Jamaica) with a wild 45 min ride to Castries and George Charles (TLPC) in Castries that sees mostly interisland commuters.

 

[SkywayFO]

I second the Jeep Safari, I had great time on the trip. It was also my honeymoon with my ex, about 2 years ago. We did the all inclusive aswell. Security could be an issue, it is a very poor country. The guide on the Jeep tour was telling us most folks make maybe $10-15 per day. They had just finished a new parking structure in the Big City I for get he name of it. It was $3 a day to park. So if you drove to work you are know down to $7-12 bucks a day. Hell I would mug the tourist too. We were at Windom Resort, trying to save some money over Sandals. I should have spent the money. There were a lot on Europen families with Kids, not what you want on your honeymoon. There is a really nice place to eat in some cove. A lot of movies were filmed in the cove and a lot of big stars have homes that over look the the lagoon. The thing was you have to take a cab to get to the water taxi. It was going to stretch the First year Regional FO pay. So we didn't go. There was a nice sunset cruise on a tall ship that was a good time. The Rum Punch was just right, very stong. There was a steel drum band and food. What more could you ask for.

 

[cvsfly]

That's it, Sandals not Breezes. And if you find a wedding band on the beach that's mine ...DOH! Yeah still married. That cove is Marigot Bay. I think Dr. Doolittle was shot there? Now how about Antigua? Any info? Especially for diving. Going in December. Do they ever suffer the effects from Montserrat's Galway Soufriere volcano? Any good volcanic activity websites?

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I LOVE ANTIGUA

and I truly hate most of the carribean.

I like a small place called Yepton Beach. Very quiet, condo like.
For more excitement try the bigger resorts.

Dont miss Chez Real (?) - a great French Restaurant up the hill from Yepton. Also dont miss Sunday afternoons up on the cliffs overlooking the harbor. great party. The downtown city is typical scumy island but Antigua is beautiful and he people are very nice.

For higher end try Barbuda right offshore...some top notch accomodations.

Have Fun

 

[CRJ700 FO]

I used to fly for American Eagle Caribbean and have done a lot of overnights in St. Lucia, we flew into Casteries.
While to economy may be slow there or non-existent, I found the people there to be extremely friendly. As for the crime there, most of it is crime of convenience. If you leave your new $1000 camera on the beach while you go snorkeling you deserve to have it stolen.
Definately go to the Pitons and to the volcano. I think you'll enjoy St. Lucia, especially once you get outside of the city limits.

 

[CXAV8]

Thanks for the info. It's always a big help to have some inside info. See Ya