The port of call for today was Castries. St. Lucia is an island of 230 square miles of volcanic and mountainous peaks and lush fertile valleys. The tallest peak is 950 meters high. It is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide. The average temperature is 70 to 90 degrees, and the annual rainfall is 90 inches. That is why it is so green and tropical high in the mountains. The population of 150,000 people speak an English/French based language, but also mixed with West African and Spanish dialects. Castries is the capital, and is ruled by the current prime minister, Kenny Anthony. Although it is within the British Commonwealth, St.Lucia has been an independent state since In the old days, St. Thomas was a magnet for pirates , and often attacked ships bringing silver and gold back to Europe. Plantation owners grew sugarcane (for rum making), cotton, and indigo for export to the rest of the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe. This area is famous for their johnnycakes, a bread snack eaten while working in the plantations. Imported slaves from Africa were given these cakes so as not to stop field work eating a proper lunch. Time is money…..nothing has changed, has it?
Today, there is much to do here such as sailing, beaches, diving, snorkeling, golf, and horseback riding. Naturally, it has become a shopper's paradise with gold, diamonds, and emeralds. High end shops are here by the dozens, as well as upscale resorts and hotels. It can be very expensive during the peak season of December through May. Tonight we dine in our 2nd of 4 specialties dinners. It is called Moderno Churrascaria so if you’re looking for a unique experience you gotta come here. It’s a Brazilian steakhouse with a very impressive salad bar. With imported cheeses, olives, cured meats, ceviche. So after you do the salad bar these guys gauchos come by your table for skewers of slow roasted meats like beef, pork, lamb and chicken. They also give you cards that one side is green (which means more please and the other side is red which means no thank you I’am full). What a great experience. So today was another great day.
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