St. Martin
St. Maarten & St. Martin are two fascinating Caribbean
countries that share a single island of only 40 square miles in size. In the
year 1649, this Caribbean nation split in two; with the Dutch inhabiting the
southern portion of the island, and the French inhabiting the north. Today, a
peaceful coexistence between the two governments make both nations a charming
getaway that welcomes all visitors to bask in their ample beaches, fabulous
duty-free shopping, terrific nightlife, exciting casinos, and world-class
dining.
If you are looking for a destination to enjoy the quiet and
tranquility of the Caribbean, then you might be tempted to look elsewhere, for
in recent years, especially after the massive and impressive rebuilding projects
on the island following Hurricane Luis in 1995, St. Maarten/St. Martin has
become a tourist mecca. But locals are stilly friendly, attractions are
plentiful and affordable, and if you are drawn to a variety of water-sports and
sport fishing opportunities, then the island is perfect for you.
There are two capital cities on the island, one for the Dutch
side, and one for the French. Phillipsburg, St. Maarten is by far the largest
city on the island, and the number one destination for cruise-ship passengers.
Founded in 1763 by John Phillips, the city has evolved into a major port of
call. Stroll through the town and visit Front Street, where you can shop for
everything under the sun and enjoy some of the very best bargains anywhere in
the Caribbean. The city is a hustling and bustling capital that is the epitome
of the progress this island has made in recent years. As you head north to the
French side of the island you will come across Marigot, St. Martin. Here you
will be treated to a far more serene town that will remind you of a small French
seaside village.
If time permits, then a small drive to Grand-Case is well
worthwhile. Here you will find a quaint fishing village that has escaped the
over-development of other parts of the island. Instead, you can soak in the
beauty of the Caribbean surroundings in relative tranquility and dine on some of
the best local cuisine available.
St. Lucia
Just recently, St. Lucia, and Castries in particular, has
become one of the most popular regions for tourists. The accommodations and
facilities are top of the line, and the restaurants and activities fabulous. The
majority of travelers reside between Castries, which is the capital of St.
Lucia, and the northern end of the island. The entire north side of the island
is comprised of white-sand beaches to dazzle even the most seasoned and
experienced traveler. The water is a glorious blue-green, and the atmosphere is
a majestic combination of beach and lush gardens. With the exception of the area
between Castries and the northern peninsula, the island is unspoiled and a lot
of it only inhabited by exotic animal life.
St. Lucia is a mountainous island of about 240 square miles,
and approximately 240,000 citizens reside there. Derek Walcott, native of
Castries, won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1992. He is extremely proud of
his hometown, but he does not write of his bountiful homeland, out of fear that
"everyone [will] go there and overrun the place." Unfortunately,
others are doing the writing for him, and the area is already bustling with
tourists.
Banana plantations, green-mantled mountains, valleys,
wildflowers, a bubbling-volcano, and interesting fishing villages are only the
beginning of this incredible paradise. The majestic Pitons, two 2,000 foot
mountains that rise from the sea in dramatic and breathtaking fashion, are a one
of the scenic wonders of the world.Taking a tour around the island is like
watching all of the best cinematography out of your favorite movie. The sights
and sounds will dazzle your senses and the beauty will boggle your mind. St.
Lucia is truly an experience that is a must for any Caribbean traveler.
The beaches and wide array of outdoor sports on St. Lucia are
marvelous. You could not ask for more activities and fun-filled events to occupy
your time. The best part about the island is that if you do choose to have a day
out of the sun, the shopping, dining, and indoor relaxation stations on St.
Lucia are magnificent.
St. Kitts
St. Kitts, the first English settlement in all of the Leeward
Islands, was in British possession until 1983, when this island, along with
Nevis, declared their independence and formed a tiny, two-island nation. The
pioneering and energetic spirit of a move such as this lives on, and is quite
recognizable in the demeanor of the islanders. Friendly and helpful, but not
likely to take guff, the citizens of St. Kitts are extremely proud of their
heritage and ancestry, as well they should be. However, British traditions, such
as the sport of cricket for instance, remain a strong influence on the
inhabitants.
For years St. Kitts suffered because they were basically a
one-resource nation, with all of their monetary revenue coming from sugarcane.
This made the health and wealth of the island extremely fragile, especially
considering its vulnerability to hurricane damage. Hurricane Hugo in 1990 caused
what was then thought to be permanent devastation. But through perseverance and
a rapidly growing tourist economy, St. Kitts rebounded stronger than anyone
could have thought. Travelers have just recently begun to discover the wonders
of St. Kitts, and as a result, tourism is expanding every year, and the economy
is at an all time high.
An interesting situation is brewing in St. Kitts, and it has
to do with its partner island Nevis. Nevis is attempting to break off their
partnership from St. Kitts, and as a result trying to steal a lot of the new
thunder that St. Kitts has acquired. As a result of the verbal war that is being
waged, prospective tourists can find great deals on St. Kitts as they compete to
control the tourism cycle in the Leeward Islands.
The natural beauty of the island remains unspoiled, so
hopefully you will have a chance to get there soon. Unlike many of the
neighboring islands in the Caribbean, St. Kitts is still relatively uncrowded,
and the white-sand beaches stretch for miles. The 18th century
architecture of St. Kitts is magnificent, and the extravagant man-made buildings
are complemented fantastically by the lush rain forests that encapsulate the
majority of the island. This is exactly what makes St. Kitts so incredibly
exciting. The diversity all around the island is amazing, as locals can be seen
shirtless wearing sandals, while others prefer to suit up in thousand dollar
linens, while sipping martinis in one of the posh dining facilities.
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