Island Time

It would be another 3 days before the next ARC boat would arrive Rodney Bay, St. Lucia. 

The 8 days i spent on the island are a mix and jumble of fond memories.  Each day in the Caribbean feels like the last one and you get the feeling that tomorrow will be again similar.  Picture yourself living a rum fueled Groundhog Day.  Also since there was so much sun to greet, sand to get covered in, and warm salt water to soak up I spent 0 time writing, leaving the end of the trip undocumented and relying on my fascinating memory to put the pieces of time into a story that makes sense.  But in place of that here are some sentence fragments and a couple photographs.  Perhaps the photos will trigger some better recollection.

I spent a few warm rainy mornings running in the green jungle covered hills of the island.  The songbirds were singing and the insects buzzing, chickens clucking; definitely no need for headphones on these runs.

The normal "trade" wind pattern for St Lucia  in months December - May is Northeast 18 to 22 knots; a kiteboarder's paradise.  But the winds were not so dependable here at this time; as with many weather "norms" around the planet that no longer run on dependable patterns because of climate change.

Piton is the national beer of St. Lucia.  Served so cold that it turns to slushy when opened.  It tastes better on salt water covered lips.

What is good to eat on this Caribbean island ?  So many fresh fruits, spiny lobster, fresh fish, and they make some incredible hot sauces, spiced rums, jerk seasonings, etc.  

I attended 3 parties for sailors on boats from the ARC.  There was a Friday night street party with the most excellent fish grill and dancing in the street until late into the night.  I took no photos of this party since I was worried about getting my phone stolen if i had it out but it was unlike any other festival anywhere in the world I have been..... and they do it every Friday night!? These islanders love to party.  I met some talented musicians on the island and attended Jazz dinner at the famous Jaem Du Bois (Wooden Leg) restaurant located within the National Park fort ruins and named after St. Lucia's most infamous pirate.  

Leaving the North end of the island where Altair was docked and driving to the South end of the island to the airport over the island's hilly and curvy roads.  Dense jungle, banana farms, coconut trees abound; through small villages and larger towns and past many pretty sandy beaches. 

 Gorgeous views from the jet before we flew above the clouds and away from beautiful St. Lucia.