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| Around the Caribbean- the first month |
May 28, 2010
Guadalupe Part 1
After our amazingly productive stint in Dominica, where we hiked and walked and swam our way around the island, Guadalupe has been our recovery island.
The first few days were a whirlwind of absolutely nothing, covered in late mornings, wandering around cities and villages and from cafe to cafe. I blame it on a mixture of laziness, bad weather and good food. Luckily being part of France we indulged in good coffee, pastries, and baguettes. Oh how I love sandwiches. And armed with string, color pencils, books, cards, scissors and markers we amply entertained ourselves until the sun came back out and we hit the (now) amazing beaches of Guadalupe.
Tomorrow we take the ferry to some outlying islands for our first bout of beach sleeping (on ultralight travel hammocks which we finally found!) and in 4 days we should be dirty enough to be impermiable to mosquitoes!! hoorah!
May 11, 2010
Tha Nature Island
We were stopped on the road on our first day in Dominica by a guy who over-enthusiastically began singing us poems about Dominica. He wanted a dollar afterwards, but that's not the point. These people are extremely proud of their country's 'nature island' image.
We often heard them boasting to us about its 365 rivers- one for each day of the year, the numerous hot springs, waterfalls, hikes and general greenness of the place. And its warranted.
You don't go to Dominica for the beaches simply because there are none. Believe me, we tried looking. Nothing but rocks. But the people are amazingly friendly, the place is insanely green and undeveloped (but still has good infrastructure) and there's enough hiking, river walking, hot springs, waterfalss and swimming to exhaust you indefnitely.
So we spent 8 days there doing just that, and wandering around little coastal villages, eating street food and trying the bush rum of this laid back little place.
Photos and more are coming soon!
We often heard them boasting to us about its 365 rivers- one for each day of the year, the numerous hot springs, waterfalls, hikes and general greenness of the place. And its warranted.
You don't go to Dominica for the beaches simply because there are none. Believe me, we tried looking. Nothing but rocks. But the people are amazingly friendly, the place is insanely green and undeveloped (but still has good infrastructure) and there's enough hiking, river walking, hot springs, waterfalss and swimming to exhaust you indefnitely.
So we spent 8 days there doing just that, and wandering around little coastal villages, eating street food and trying the bush rum of this laid back little place.
Photos and more are coming soon!
May 8, 2010
Martinique!
Well on our way in our 2 month Caribbean backpacking trip our 3rd island stop was Martinique...
In Fort-De-France (the capital of Martinique) I spent most of my time taking photos of the city walls in various stages of decay. Looking at the photos you may think that we spent our days wandering the city streets with baguettes under our arms (when in rome...), which is not too far from the truth, but we did even go to some amazing beaches did some great hikes, explored the countryside and hilltops too.
But what we loved most about Martinique is its Frenchness. Its officially a part of France and to us was the first actual city in almost a year. They have Carrefours, cheese, proper coffee, sausages, road signs, good sandwiches, public bathrooms, parks, cultural centers and MORE!!! Return to civilization has never been this good. We even went to a movie- Alice in Wonderland (not in 3D as we would have liked, but still in an actual movie theater!). Yep, the French life was sweet.
In Fort-De-France (the capital of Martinique) I spent most of my time taking photos of the city walls in various stages of decay. Looking at the photos you may think that we spent our days wandering the city streets with baguettes under our arms (when in rome...), which is not too far from the truth, but we did even go to some amazing beaches did some great hikes, explored the countryside and hilltops too.
But what we loved most about Martinique is its Frenchness. Its officially a part of France and to us was the first actual city in almost a year. They have Carrefours, cheese, proper coffee, sausages, road signs, good sandwiches, public bathrooms, parks, cultural centers and MORE!!! Return to civilization has never been this good. We even went to a movie- Alice in Wonderland (not in 3D as we would have liked, but still in an actual movie theater!). Yep, the French life was sweet.
Being French. The baguette disguise clearly worked cuz we were asked for directions more than once, which we happily gave by pointing the baguettes in the 'right' direction. Aah, if only I had a mustache to twirl afterwards.
It was also really notable for us to see how much proper funding in public infrastructure makes a difference to places. This was definitely not the Caribbean we've been used to, but a pleasantly surprising change, and one which we can't wait to experience again once we get to Guadalupe!
St Lucia Photos
Belle Coco!
The St. Lucian flag, representing their 2 Pitons, which they have a bit of an obsession about (these mountains are on their national beer, water, photos, brochures, websites, plates, etc...)
Sunset in Gros Ilet, a fallint apart little fishing village where I had the best fish ever, with great Friday night parties and peeling walls for me to drool over.
The flag boat! Which it turns out sells fruit and not flags as we once thought.
Amazing sunset in Soufriere, a tiny wooden village at the base of the famous Pitons.
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