TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) Trip Report and Photo Archives Day 37 Back to St. Lucia

Dec. 28: Soufriere, St. Lucia
When I woke up I could see why the restaurants were busy in the bay last night, we counted 19 yachts at anchor some were not tied back to shore, the usual method here, as all the trees were taken; it’s good to see the locals get some business. We left Cumberland Bay early for our long sail to St. Lucia, the winds were moderately brisk and we made good speed under single reefed main.

Debby at the helm as Skyelark is heeled over upwind


Approaching the Pitons

We arrived at our usual anchorage off Harmony Restaurant at the base of Petit Piton. Benny Jr. had just dropped some people off at a nearby boat and upon seeing Skyelark he came over to say hello. We made reservations for dinner at the restaurant for later in the evening and he told us the selections available so we could order in advance. Dan put us ashore on the beach and I led an expedition along the coast road into the town of Soufriere, you have to go through a pretty rough neighborhood as you enter town and I would not recommend doing so after dark.

Dave along the coast road

I showed the crew the restaurants, bars and shops in the center of town; we stopped at St. Lucia Debs (TA destination expert) shop for some souvenirs and gifts for the folks at home. We made our way around to the little park on the waterfront, picking up some ice cream at the shop there. I finally got to try the Guinness ice cream, it was sweet but didn’t really taste like Guinness, it was more like a light coffee flavored ice cream; everyone enjoyed the coconut flavor and I added a scoop of tropical dream to mine. While we were waiting for the sunset, a wedding party arrived to take photos at the gazebo there. A cruise ship pulled up to pick up passengers who must have done an island tour; it was blocking the view of the sunset so we moved down the street a bit to get a clearer shot. So far this trip it seemed like there were always clouds on the horizon at sunset, so e didn’t have the opportunity to see the fabled green flash; tonight the sky was clear and we followed it all the way down and finally got to see the spot of green as it disappeared below the horizon I’m not sure if that is the real green flash, but it was close enough for us.

The beautiful sunsets never end

Dan had made arrangements for Benny Jr. to pick us up at the dingy dock and he arrived right on time to take us back to the boat. We got ready for dinner, and he came back to take us to the restaurant. It is really a lovely setting the food and service are very good and the prices reasonable. The crews from two Scandinavian boats were sharing a large table; they were on the same type of sailing holiday as us, all singles except for two couples, who had not met before their charters. After dinner and dessert of bananas flambé, we went back to the boat for our usual; you guessed it, rum nightcaps.