Day 3 (November 10, 2018): So much rain, maybe we should build an ark?!
For at least the last 10 years, we have gone south on this Remembrance Day long weekend. And not once has it rained to speak of. When we turned in last night, the forecast for today was anything but promising. In fact, as we left breakfast at 9:30, the rain started. We headed to the beach in spite of it, and found that the combo of a beach umbrella and a palm tree kept us fairly dry. But there were times when the rain came in absolute buckets and there was no getting around the water!
When you fly from Canada to the southern Caribbean for four short days, you become bent on making beach-time happen – rain, or no rain. So we spent a full three hours amid the start-stop-start showers. It was actually kind of entertaining, as everyone else seemed bent on making the most of it, too, and the number of water sport participants was more exciting than a Netflix feature! First, a cool-dude water-skier went out and showed off using one ski. Next, a woman with a ski-board – she wasn't quite as cool or competent. Then another gal with a pair of skis. She, too, wasn't great! There were people of varying degrees of capacity using the resort's paddle boards, sailboats, and kayaks – and some made for laughter that made us forget the rain.
I must re-count the most memorable experience of today. When Pam and I went for a swim, my nipple was bitten. Yes that’s right, you read that correctly. It was kind of a shocking moment. I thought Pam had poked me. But two seconds later a huge green fish jumped out of the water next to me. And I realize it was the culprit biter. So there you go: my St. Lucian encounter with marine life.
At 1pm, we headed to lunch, followed by cappuccinos in the Choc Bay Cafe, before heading off-resort in our Chevy Spark rental car to explore the capital city, Castries. One third of St. Lucians live in Castries, which is the main cruise ship port for the island. It boasts a small cathedral, a bustling market, a busy port, and a small airport.
We visited the market (very rough and tumble!), and then the rain turned to an off-the-chart downpour, as we parked and walked around the Cathedral. We took in a few other sites, looked without success for a shopping mall, checked out the micro-sized airport where turbo-prop planes for the neighbouring islands depart, and then headed back to the resort.
Dinner was again had at Bambou on the water. Pam had an island take on Shepherd's Pie, while I had jerk chicken. Quite good!
As our evening winds down, the rain continues to pour in torrents, and Sunday looks no better. We were planning to drive south to Soufriere and see the famous Piton twin peaks, but the plan looks less and less promising: these narrow, windy, mountain roads are bad enough without adding the wet factor. The morning will tell the tale, however. Good night from soggy St. Lucia.
Although a wet morning at the resort's beach, the entertainment was top notch! This "look at me" water skier stole the show.
Locally-grown fruit and root vegetables at the Castries market.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception from 1897. Although it was locked up, apparently the island's patron saint -- Saint Lucia -- is portrayed directly above the altar.
Sir John Compton, St. Lucia's first Prime Minister. And Pam, trying to find a reason to be goofy amid the torrential downpours. That's the non-descript city hall in the background, by the way.
The Port of Castries.
There were a few interesting architectural things of note, including this pyramid, which serves as the office of Alliance Francaise.
It's just an office building, but it shows the clear European influence on the island.
This has to one of the smallest commercial airport terminals anywhere!
The only thing more depressing than a graveyard is a graveyard in pouring rain. So why the pic? Just to show that they bury their dead in above-ground tombs here: a common Caribbean practice.
But we do know these represent Les Pitons - the island's famous twin peaks.
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