The AdrenaLUNA zipline by Rainforest Adventure in St Lucia has been described as one of the world’s coolest ziplines by Travel and Leisure Magazine. It’s the only zipline in the Caribbean to be included in the list, so by our reckoning that makes AdrenaLUNA the coolest zipline in the whole Caribbean!

What’s so special about AdrenaLUNA? Well, it’s only available three days a month, around the time of the full moon, because on this zipline you get to explore the rainforest by moonlight!

After scrambling up a set of floating steps, visitors get to zip through the rainforest by the light of the moon, then leap from a platform with a Tarzan vine onto a nest, before rappelling back down to earth.

Tickets for AdrenaLUNA cost US$79 per person, and can be booked before you visit at the Rainforest Adventure booking page.

If you’d like us to organise transport to take you to the AdrenaLUNA zipline while you’re staying with us, please talk to the front desk team who will be happy to help.

There's more to St Lucia than the beach!

When you think of St Lucia, chances are your mind will be filled with images of palm-fringed beaches, lush rainforest, and a never-ending vista of the bright blue Caribbean Sea.

While this isn’t an incorrect view – as a Caribbean island, of course St Lucia does have its fair share of beaches and beautiful views – there’s also a wealth of fascinating things to see and do in St Lucia, so you shouldn’t feel obliged to spend your entire vacation lying on the beach sipping cocktails!

Saint Lucia is rich in history and culture. Kwéyòl – the traditional Creole language of the St Lucian people – is widely spoken throughout the island, and indeed visitors and residents can take classes in this fascinating language at the Folk Research Centre.

The island, in the 18th and 19th centuries, changed hands between the French and British many times, which caused St Lucia to earn its nickname, The Helen of the West Indies; as, like the famous lady whose beauty is said to have caused the Trojan wars, St Lucia’s beauty caused her to be fought over.

If you’re visiting St Lucia and would like to get a taste of the island’s history and culture, here are a few attractions you won’t want to miss.

Balenbouche Estate

Balenbouche is a site of historic and cultural importance in St Lucia. The estate was once a French-owned plantation and water-powered sugar cane factory, where sugar and rum were produced until the early 20th century. The area around Balenbouche was inhabited by indigenous Amerindians from Central America from about 500AD to the mid-17th century, when the Europeans arrived. Balenbouche has over the past few decades been transformed into eco-friendly holiday accommodation and remains a family-run business and organic farm.

The Balenbouche Estate covers 75 acres and there are several walking trails through the grounds. Trails include one which takes you to the old sugar mill, while another takes you past some beautiful Amerindian carvings. Some of these trails require a guide, so it’s worth contacting Balenbouche before you visit, to check whether a guide is available.

Choiseul Arts and Craft Center

The Choiseul Arts and Craft Center is the focal point of arts and crafts in the Choiseul area of St Lucia, if not of the island itself. So many of Choiseul’s residents are involved in one way or another with the Arts and Craft Center (which is owned and operated by St Lucia’s Ministry of Education), the Center is now an integral part of life for many local families.

At this attraction you’ll find all sorts of craft products to buy, including pottery, grass weavings, dolls, framed photos, coconut and wood carvings, and much more. When you buy goods at the Center you directly support the community and the craft culture for which it is famous.

Pon George (The Devil’s Bridge)

Take a walk across Pon George – The Devil’s Bridge – and bear in mind the local legends about this little landmark.

The bridge spans a 200ft-deep canyon in the River Doree district of Choiseul. Due to its mysterious ‘history’, many locals even today will not cross the bridge, because it is said that if you try, you will disappear.

According to local legend, the bridge was many times rebuilt because with each rebuilding, the bridge kept deteriorating at a rapid rate – the work of the Devil, said the local people.

Eventually a villager entered a pact with the Devil that a new bridge would be built, and would be kept safe from deterioration, but in exchange for this the Devil wanted the first living soul that crossed the new bridge. So the villager walked to the new bridge with his dog, and sent the animal ahead to cross to the other side of the canyon. The Devil took the dog’s soul and the bridge’s safety was assured, but the Devil was furious to have been tricked in this way. Still, reasoned the old villager: the Devil hadn’t specified a human soul, just a living soul, so the deal had been kept fair and square. And the Devil couldn’t argue with that!

New decor at Doolittle's

In recent weeks we’ve given our restaurant and bar, Doolittle’s, a bit of a facelift. The new white floor tiles and cheerful red walls look very bright and fresh in the gorgeous St Lucian sunshine, and the new curtains and upholstery in the bar add to the comfort and ambience of the resort.

New decor at Doolittle's

New decor at Doolittle's

New decor at Doolittle's

As well as benefitting from new decor, Doolittle’s also has a new chef/food and beverages manager, Ian Sherlock, who has recently given us a tantalising glimpse of the delicious delicacies he will be serving up to our guests. Ian is an award-winning chef who has worked all over the world, and his creations at Doolittle’s are sure to be the talk of St Lucia!

Stay tuned for some more exciting plans that Ian has lined up for us… we’ll be announcing these shortly!

Ian Sherlock, our hot new chef

We recently announced that we have a new chef/food and beverages manager, Ian Sherlock, joining us at Doolittle’s Restaurant and Bar. Ian has given us a sample menu to share with you, and it’s making our mouths water!

Sample Lunch Menu

Image © Ian Sherlock

Appetizers
Prawns tempura with chili sauce, classic soya and Japanese mustard dip
Tandoori pumpkin soup

Sandwiches on homemade breads
Steak on rosemary and onion bread, roasted vegetables bound with English mustard and peppercorn spread
Roasted tomatoes and olive bread topped with tzatziki and pork brochettes

Main Courses
Spinach and goat’s cheese gnocchi with baby shrimps
Orgasmic salmon with rice noodles, baby greens in a fragrant Thai curry broth
Grilled fragrant spiced fish and mashed potatoes scented with olive oil and salt fish

Desserts
Poached bananas in tangerine tea with vanilla ice cream
Spiced pineapple in a fragrant apple and Perrier water soup

Sample Dinner Menu

Image © Ian Sherlock

Appetizers
Chicken satay fillets in a Thai fragrant peanut sauce
Pan seared frog’s legs in a light Chinese garlic black pepper glaze

Main Course
Pan seared mahi-mahi with local spices and roasted baby vegetables
Chef’s special tender goat curry with rice pilaf
Lightly spiced Jerk pork fillet with sour pineapple

Desserts
Papaya and ricotta cheese strudel with a ginger earl grey reduction
Wild and jasmine rice pudding topped with gratinated ginger cream

These dishes are subject to change according to season

Look out for the new menu making its debut at Doolittle’s Restaurant and Bar very soon!

Pigeon Island, St Lucia

Sometimes referred to as a “living museum”, Pigeon Island National Landmark is a must-see attraction when you visit St Lucia. Rich in both wildlife and history, Pigeon Island is the perfect day trip destination for all the family.

A mere few minutes away from one of St Lucia’s most popular resorts, Rodney Bay, is Pigeon Island. This picturesque 44-acre nature reserve was once fully an island, completely surrounded by water; but in 1972 a causeway was built, linking the island to St Lucia’s mainland. In its lifetime Pigeon Island has been a stronghold of Amerindians, pirates, and both French and British troops. Today, the island is a national park, a national landmark, and a popular destination for day trippers.

Pigeon Island’s first inhabitants were the Arawaks, who were driven out by the Caribs in about 1000AD. Centuries later a band of pirates, led by a captain called Francois le Clerc, took up residence. This colourful character had a wooden leg, and the French called him “Jambe de Bois” (“Peg Leg”).

In 1778 the French, who owned Pigeon Island at that time, declared war on the British, who then attacked St Lucia and captured the island and built fortifications there (the fort – Fort Rodney – can still be visited today). The island from then on played an important strategic part in battles between French and British troops.

In 1979 St Lucia’s government, in recognition of the need to preserve such a historically important site, designated Pigeon Island a national park; later, in 1992, it was declared a national landmark. To this day, the island is maintained as one of St Lucia’s most beautiful and popular visitor attractions, which is open to visitors 365 days of the year with a small fee payable by visitors who want to explore this very special place.

When you visit Pigeon Island there’s plenty to do and see. Photography is the obvious activity; with so much beautiful scenery and such fantastic views once you’ve climbed either (or both) of the island’s peaks, you’ll really kick yourself if you forget your camera, so make sure you remember to pack it!  There are two beautiful white sand beaches at Rodney Island, with ‘kayak safaris’ available for those who enjoy watersports. Walking and exploring of course are very popular activities, and once you’ve finished exploring you can rent a beach lounger and relax in the sunshine.

There’s also a pub and restaurant with a historical theme, an interpretation centre where you can learn about Pigeon Island’s history in more detail, and of course the ruins of the military buildings that were in use during the battles between the French and British. At the interpretation centre there is much emphasis on the late eighteenth century, with plenty of information about the Battle of the Saints. And there’s also an excellent shop on Pigeon Island, where you can buy souvenirs, books and gifts to take home with you.

Wildlife is also prevalent on Pigeon Island; you may even see kestrels, or mongoose, during your exploration. And with its close proximity to Rodney Bay, once you’ve finished your tour there’s even more to see back on the mainland.

When you visit Pigeon Island, it’s advisable to be well prepared: remember to pack plenty of drinking water, sunscreen, comfortable/sturdy shoes for walking, and swimwear; after all that walking, you’re bound to want to cool off a little in the sea!

David Shimeld and the Honorable Kenny D. Anthony at Doolittle's, St Lucia's meeting place and eatery for the rich and famous

We were recently greatly honoured to welcome none other than the Prime Minister of St Lucia, The Honourable Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, to Doolittle’s Restaurant and Bar at Marigot Beach Club and Dive Resort.

The Prime Minister was at Marigot Beach Club to help celebrate the baptism of our new chef Ian Sherlock’s baby daughter, Charlie. Ian, of course, provided a magnificent spread for the guests; and that’s despite the fact that we had no electricity or water for a couple of hours before the party started – what a hero!

Ian prepared a sumptuous feast, which included some amazingly delicious dishes:

Marigot Beach Club’s owner, David Shimeld, said of the event (in his inimitable style):

“The food was superb. However, one course consisted of Garry the goat who was running around two hours earlier… that mucked his day up, and didn’t do much for my day either! But socialising with the Prime Minister was a wonderful treat… he was very warm, friendly and amusing, and we had a few hearty laughs. I would tell you more, but then I’d have to shoot you!”

Quite! We bill Marigot Beach Club as a relaxing and laid-back resort, which it is; but when it comes to partying, we certainly know how to do it in style!

Marigot Beach Club owner David Shimeld planting trees at Dennery

St Lucia celebrated 33 years of independence on 22nd February 2012, and as part of the celebrations Marigot Beach Club owner David Shimeld, and Lorne Charles the Financial Controller, went over to Dennery on the east coast of the island on 24th February to join the St Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) in planting trees.

Under the theme “One people, one nation – limitless possibilities”, Saint Lucia celebrated this important milestone with a number of events, including a visit by the Earl and Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward and his wife Sophie). And the SLHTA also organised this wonderful day in Dennery, where there was fire eating, a bed of nails, snakes in pants(!) and a special lunch.

The purpose of planting the trees was to strengthen the local natural ecosystem by restoring the forest, riverbeds and wildlife habitats in a number of St Lucian communities after the devastation caused by Hurricane Tomas in 2010, which caused a lot of damage including massive landslides and claimed several lives.

Here’s a slideshow of the photos we took during the course of the day – hope you enjoy them!

We’ve got a really special deal for families during Easter 2012!

Book any five nights or more over the Easter period, and your child(ren) stay FREE (i.e. no charge for foldaway bed).

What’s more, the Easter Bunny will make sure your child(ren) receive a yummy chocolate Easter egg on Easter Sunday!

To take advantage of this special offer, please contact us.

Saint Lucia Jazz

Since its inception in 1991, Saint Lucia Jazz has grown from a clever marketing idea into one of the Caribbean’s most important events. Here’s a potted history of the festival.

It all started as an idea for attracting more tourists to St Lucia during the traditionally quiet month of May. This is toward the end of the island’s annual peak visitor season, but the tourism providers were of course keen to extend that season just a little more, and so the idea of a music festival was born.

In a region where music festivals have a tendency to peter out after seven years, the fact that Saint Lucia Jazz celebrated its 20th birthday in 2011 is testament to the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes to ensure this colourful event endures. That – and of course the array of musicians, from little-known local acts to household names, which grace the festival with their talent year after year.

During initial meetings about increasing tourism to St Lucia, organisers brainstormed extensively before finally coming up with the idea for a music festival. But despite the excitement at the thought of such a project, there was an overwhelming feeling that the limited resources available made the festival a ‘bad’ idea. Not to mention the fact that some critics felt that jazz, not being an ‘indigenous’ style of music to St Lucia, was the wrong medium for any musical event that was to be held on the island.

Despite objections and concerns, the first Saint Lucia Jazz took place as planned in 1992. The festival was pretty small, there were few attendees, and only four venues took part. Clearly the festival was not the huge success it had been hoped to be, and it would have been easy at that time to give up on the idea. But the organisers still felt the idea had legs, so they brainstormed again and worked on ways to improve the festival. By 1994 things were picking up, and the festival started to morph into the Saint Lucia Jazz we know and love today. The musical mix – acoustic and fusion jazz with some R&B – was clearly a winning formula, and the expansion of the festival into the fringe has also contributed to the success of St Lucia Jazz today.

In 2012, far from the gaggle of small clubs and hotels that Saint Lucia Jazz started off as, the festival has expanded into a ten-day event that sweeps the entire island up in its enthusiastic wake. The development of fringe events in the south of the island has virtually turned the fringe into a separate festival, where the flavour is distinctly Afro-Caribbean and appeals to a wider range of audiences, particular local music fans.

These days, Saint Lucia Jazz is considered one of the best music festivals in the world. It ranks second of all the Caribbean festivals (pipped to the post by T&T’s Carnival). Far exceeding its original objectives, St Lucia Jazz is today a big brand, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

A festival as prestigious as this obviously attracts musical artistes of the highest quality and talent. In 2012 performers include Lionel Richie, Ziggy Marley and Gypsy Kings. Past performers have included Shaggy, Maxi Priest, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick and of course Amy Winehouse, who was a regular visitor to St Lucia.

Saint Lucia Jazz has achieved what it set out to achieve. It has grown into a phenomenon that has vastly improved the island’s tourism figures every May, and which provides local tourism businesses with opportunities to run ‘specials’ in the lead-up to the festival every year. Look out in particular for special offers made by hotels, who often sell rooms at preferential rates during Jazz or provide complimentary transport to the venues throughout the duration of the festival. If you’re considering St Lucia as a potential holiday destination, this is definitely a good time of year to grab yourself a bargain!

Caribbean cruise

The prestigious title of “Best Port of the Caribbean” has been awarded to Port Castries, Saint Lucia by Editor-In-Chief, Mr. Bill Panoff of Porthole Cruise Magazine.

Port Castries is managed and operated by the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), welcomes over 300 cruise ships and handles approximately 600,000 cruise passengers per year.

Director of Marketing and Product Development Dona Regis says a lot of investments in infrastructure and facilities were made in the development of Port Castries. She said: “SLASPA continues to play a great role in the development of the cruise industry and winning this award reaffirms that we are doing something remarkable in Saint Lucia.”

Porthole Cruise Magazine is published bimonthly and offers cruise and destination related feature stories, as well as information on industry trends, ship reviews, destination features and onboard cuisine, entertainment, amenities, innovations, spas and much more.