Thursday's Child: Anse Chastanet Beach, Saint Lucia

Sometimes I have a complex reason for choosing a travel post to write about. Maybe I've read a poem that reminds me of a trip we've taken. Maybe a country is in the news because of politics or natural disaster, and I'm thinking about the people we met there. Some months I've chosen a theme (like places of worship, or museums) and written about four experiences we've had on that theme.

The motivation in choosing today's post was pretty straightforward. I had never even heard of the phrase "polar vortex" until a week or two ago, and now my life is defined by it.  When we visited our friends on Lake Simcoe last week, the thermometer read minus thirty two degrees. Earlier this week in Toronto, the wind chill hit minus forty degrees. I wore snow pants on my five minute walk to Pilates class. It is very cold.

All I wanted to do today was remember a time when I was warm. It's that simple. So, ladies and gentleman, welcome to the beach in St. Lucia. Wish I was there now.

Thursday's Child: The Pitons, Saint Lucia

Photo credit: My St. Lucia

I haven’t written at all about our recent holidays to Saint Lucia.  It’s a gorgeous island from top to bottom, but the island is identified most strongly by its Pitons, the two mountains that stand side-by-side along the west coast.  Together they form the biggest part of Saint Lucia’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We had planned a family hike up one of the Pitons when we visited in March.  A certain level of commitment is required to do this, not the least of which is being ready to leave the resort at 6:30 am.  (Due to the heat, climbing has to be done early in the day.)  I’m usually more than eager to set off on adventures, no matter how early.  However, I slept poorly and wasn’t feeling well, and was disappointed to have to cancel.  (I did enjoy beautiful views of the Pitons from my yoga class on the beach.)

A view of Petit Piton, taken from Gros Piton

Gros Piton (literally translated as Large Peak) is the only one that the government of Saint Lucia permits tourists to climb.  Although it’s taller than Petit Piton (at over 2600 feet), it’s less steep, and therefore accessible to the casual hiker.  The rest of my family tackled the mountain with an able guide who has climbed it hundreds of times. 

On the way up and at the summit, the hikers were rewarded with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and the island. The climb was arduous (they were gone until 1:00) and the day was hot.  I applauded their resolve when they returned, and I tried not to mention the beautiful views from my yoga class on the beach.