Cruising the Caribbean
» BlogPlan a Caribbean cruise through the mountainous islands of the Lesser Antilles starting with Guadeloupe. As part of the European Union, Guadeloupe is best known for its cultural contributions and for Nobel Peace Prize winner Alexis Léger, who published poetry under the name Saint-John Perse. Guadeloupe has a rich history in literary production, which can be enjoyed during the annual poetry competitions. Another cultural tradition comes in the form of brightly colored fabrics used by the local women in their dress along with ornate gold jewelry inspired by a myriad of influences including European, African, and Indian.
Next stop is the island of Dominica. Known as the “Nature Isle” because of the pristine condition of its beaches and forests. Sperm whales and dolphins often visit the coastal waters of the island, as well as the occasional pod of Killer Whales. Geothermal and volcanic activity still shape the island today. See these wonders at work at the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Designated a World Heritage Site, the park is home to a flooded fumarole, or boiling lake, sulfur springs, mountains, volcanoes, and rain forests.
To the south of Dominica lies Martinique, which shares the lush forests of its neighbor to the north. Martinique also contains volcanic mountains, including a group of extinct volcanoes, the Pitons du Carbet, and the active Mount Pelée. The ash from old eruptions of Mount Pelée creates the distinctive black sand beaches on north side of the island. Traditional French customs and French products are readily available here, including everything from designer clothing labels to Limoges porcelain.
From Martinique reach new heights with St. Lucia. This island boasts the most mountains of any island in the region, including the towering Mount Gimie, the two peaks known as the Pitons, and a drive-in volcano. Other natural attractions include the Sulphur Springs that create incredibly colorful mineral deposits and function as a type of natural spa, allowing tourists to bath in the warm waters or mineral rich mud. Culturally, St. Lucia celebrates the annual St. Lucian Jazz Festival along with its two Nobel Laureate winners, Sir Arthur Lewis and Derek Walcott.
After visiting the civilized St. Lucia learn to live like a pirate during your stop over at St. Vincent, where parts of the Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) were filmed. On your adventures explore another active volcanic wonder, La Soufiere. Last erupting in 1979, the volcano lends St. Vincent the same unusual black sand beaches as Martinique. The partially submerged volcanic mountains make for great diving just off the coast.
After a stiff diet of bootlegged rum, visit the “Spice Island” of Grenada. So called because Grenada produces one of the world’s largest exports of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, ginger, and mace. These spices, along with a strong French influence, flavor the foods of this island. Dishes like the “oildown” use coconut milk, spices, flour dumplings and other local ingredients to infuse generations of cultural shifts in a way that is uniquely Grenadan.
When planning a trip to the Caribbean, beaches and diving are expected, but the islands of the Lesser Antilles offer so much more. Let the hybrid cuisines that fuse the bounty of the islands with European, African and Asian influences, distinctive dress, and breathtaking natural wonders blow your expectations away for an unforgettable experience.
The Pitons, St. Lucia Emerald Pool, Dominica St. George’s, Grenada
This article was posted on Thursday, January 26th, 2012 at 12:49 am and is filed under Blog.