Lanny, I received your e-mail. It is an honour to tell you of
my island, St. Lucia, the Helen of the West Indies. This
small but fascinating home of the iguanas has been made
known for our twin pitons which stand peaking out of the
sea. Can you imagine? Tourists come from all over the
world to see such a site. The Gros and Petit Piton as we call
them here in St. Lucia are one of a kind. What a site it is
when the sun slowly sets at dawn and making a pumpkin
soup upon the horizon as can be seen between the pitons!
Driving down in the way to Soufriere the smell of what
seems to be rotten eggs can be taken away from miles. But
believe me it not rotten eggs at all but only our one in the
world drive in volcanoes. It’s such a site. It has been
proven that sulphur has healing properties and a bath in
our Sulphur Springs is very relaxing. Right there at the
entrance of the Sulphur Springs we have vendors selling
sulphur soaps as well as creams. Believe it or not the
sulphur from the sulphur springs has helped so many
people with acne problems especially young teenagers as
us. In Soufriere we also have the Soufriere Estate. Tucked
between the mountainsides beneath the sulphur springs,
the diamond falls, mineral baths and botanical gardens are
places filled with history and beauty. The garden path of
the Diamond Waterfall now meanders along-side the
Diamond River where deep grey mineral water rushes
around boulders in a bed lined with bamboo and giant
scarlet heliconia flowers. I have been there myself and ‘Oh
my God’! What a breathtaking site! The diamond Botanical
Garden has been made one of the top Twenty five nature
experiences of the Caribbean.
Moving on to the wonderful sites in St. Lucia, we have the
Marigot Bay which is located on St. Lucia’s scenic West
coast. With it palm-lined beach and steep forested hill
sides it is one of the most attractive natural harbors in the
Caribbean. Right there we can also discover a great choice
of dinning, shopping and ‘liming’. “Can you believe it?”
Known for a reputation as one of the best restaurants on
the island we have the Rainforest Hideaway located in
Marigot. Not forgetting Fond Ger Libre which is located in
Laborie which was practically undiscovered. It was also a
site for runaway slaves. Its unmarred terrain provides a
virginal ambience of what I would like to call “The Garden
of Eden”, just like God created it. Such an environment like
Fond Ger Libre will definitely attract tourist coming here to
St. Lucia. In Mon Repos (My very own community) we have
the Mamiku Gardens which stand as a must see for every
visitor. The variety of different flowers will get you
jumping off your feet. There are flowers of all different
colours that your wildest imagination can think of. Fun
never stops for a visitor because we have so much to offer.
For the adventurous person in you we also socialize in the
great horse adventure through verdant plantations,
natural forests and along our beautiful coastlines .We have
the International Riding Stables which is located at
Beausejour, Trekkers at Morne Coubaril Estate in
Soufriere, Trim’s riding stables situated in Cas en Bas and
so much more. Not last but not least out of our many sites I
will not forget to tell you about the Latille Falls situated
right there in the neighboring community to mine, Micoud.
This is a privately owned estate with an exceptional
attraction of a waterfall and river. You are invited to
explore at your own pace with or without a guide. There
are a number of fruit trees planted there as well as
hammocks and picnic tables placed in the shade as river
water makes one feel sleepy. I can go on and on because we
have so many sites right there in St. Lucia that I can only
tell you of a few of our beautiful ,natural, mystique sites.
Our people are warm, welcoming and very sociable. We
have taxi services which are easy means of getting around.
They are well informed, friendly and will make visitors’
stay an unforgettable one making it their money’s worth.
Our people take pleasure in telling of our culture, history
and beautiful sites. They make a visitor’s atmosphere
lively, interesting and welcoming. There is no doubt in my
mind that a visitor will definitely feel at home.
Like the saying goes my dear friend “No one or nothing is
perfect except God,” therefore it is imperative that I address the
Topic of Crime in my country. We as a people who make up this
fascinating island of St .Lucia are not perfect. There is crime
happening here in St. Lucia just like every other country but
please don’t let this cloud your mind on my country. Crime here
in St. Lucia is not as prevalent as you may think. With the help
of our Royal St. Lucia Police Force (R.S.P.F) the level of crime in
St. Lucia is being controlled. They help to capture the few
criminals here and to put them where they belong, that is, in
prison. Crime, let me reiterate is not a serious problem and we
are uniting our efforts in an attempt to combat it on a national
level.
I hope to see you sometime soon to enjoy all, of our
breathtaking sites as well as an experience which is surrounded
by natural beauty. Again it has been a great honor and privilege
to give you what I would like to call it- a brief enlightenment on
St. Lucia, the beautiful Helen of the West.
Lyndel Smith
Form 3, Room 3