From the capital city of Castries, we boarded a tour van which took us along the winding mountainous road on the West side of the island. We stopped above Castries Harbor for a view of our ship, then at an overlook above lovely Marigot Bay and then at Anse La Raye, an impoverished fishing village. Continuing on through a rain forest, we had an opportunity to see a magnificent view of Soufriére and the Pitons rising up above the coastline. Next, we drove into the Soufriére Volcano where members of our group had a chance to take a mud bath. Since there were so many people there already, Taran and I decided to forgo all the vaunted benefits of mud bathing. A typical Caribbean lunch of chicken, beans, and rice was served at the Morne Coubaril Plantation Estate and we had a little time to explore the property.
At the Soufriére dock, our tour got on a catamaran to make the trip back to Castries. The crew played reggae music and tried to get everyone dancing. On the way, we stopped for a swim in the warm clear Caribbean water and also made a side journey into Marigot Bay.
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A short stop to overlook the port. The Jewel of the Seas is in the sun
Overlooking Marigot Bay
Zooming in
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A short stop at Anse La Raye, a fishing village
On the main highway through town
The town seems to rely more on tourism than fishing these days
The beach at Anse La Raye
Colorful fishing boats
The Catholic Church and cemetery at Anse La Raye
Soufriére and the Pitons
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The Soufriére caldera is the only drive in volcano in the world
Sulpher Springs
There are bubbling mud pots
Tourists from off the cruise ships bathe in the warm water
The walk down to the mud baths
Huge lineup to take advantage of the therapeutic baths
Coming out muddy and getting into the rinse pool
Getting the mud off
The beautiful entrance to the Morne Coubaril Estate
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Heading toward the cacao processing shed
This lady explains the process
Cacao
Burro and horse grazing
The plantation Big House
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Slave cottages from former times
The bedroom
The kitchen
Waiting for our catamaran in Soufriére
Fishermen bring in their catch
Soufriére Bay with Gros Piton behind
Hillside resort condos near Soufriére
Leaving Soufriére Bay on a catamaran leaving the Pitons behind
The town of Canaries from the catamaran
The church at Canaries
Stopping for a snorkeling opportunity
Taran swims
Beach resort
Palm frond bowl and conch shell vendor
Selling conch shells
Marigot Bay
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