Castries: 4 Jan 2009

The verdant hills of St. Lucia create the perfect backdrop for its capital city, Castries. Most of the island’s development is concentrated around the capital, with the remainder of the island relatively unspoiled—tiny fishing villages dot the shore line, banana plantations edged with wild orchids, steep green-robed mountain peaks pierce the clouds, picture-perfect beaches lapped by cerulean waves…welcome to paradise.

Due to several disastrous fires in the capital (most recently in 1948) you won’t find many historic buildings in Castries. Tour one of several old plantations on the island or just head to one of the celebrated beaches, easily reached by car or scooter.

Twin coastal peaks known as the Pitons rise above the lush rainforest. Brilliant blooms, rare native parrots, regal palms and thundering waterfalls are each part of the mélange of beauty that is St. Lucia. A visit to the tiny villages of Anse-le-Raye and Canaries allows the chance to observe fishermen in their traditional dugout canoes, while Soufriere, the island’s oldest town, boasts a uniquely colorful marketplace.