Tagged: Caribbean
Holidays Part 2; Paradise in St Lucia
Am writing this at a time of major change in my life- new job/ career which is fantastic but has also been a quite stressful few weeks. So this is the perfect time for me to reminisce on my blissful time in St Lucia last month where I spent time with my mum who lives there. It was an active trip but I enjoyed every second and restored my energy each evening when chilling on my mums balcony which has a stunning view of the sea and famous mountains and world heritage site, the Pitons. Although I love the beach I could never be a holiday beach bum so managed to pack in trekking through the rainforest, visiting the volcano and sulphur springs, attending the St Lucia Jazz festival, going to a fish themed street party and catching lizards with the national trust on Maria Island! I also got to learn more about the work of the Vieux Fort Children’s home which is being funded by the Jermaine Defoe foundation. You can learn more about there work on their Facebook page- feel free to add them; https://www.facebook.com/vieux.home?fref=ts. or check out their wesite http://thevieuxfortchildrenssociety.weebly.com/who-are-we.html. Due to the good whether, fresh food and general good vibes I still managed to come back refreshed- albeit a bit tired!
At the hot Suphur Springs on the volcano
At Jalouse beach in between the pitons- its down a steep hill so we took this cute buggy
My grans local beach!
Wild plants, fruit in the rainforest
Stunning view from Mums balcony and the adorable resident dog
Eating Langoustine and turtle at the fish festival
My friend from neighbouring Guadeloupe chilling at my mums local beach
Saw some classic calypso and more modern soca at the St Lucia Jazz festival mini concert in Vieux Fort
The beautiful beach, Lizards and view from Maria Islands where I went with the National Trust to watch their lizard survey. One of the poor creatures got panicked and shed its tail in front of my eyes. I had only just learnt they can do this so was quite stunned!
On a boat ride past the Pitons to Anse Chastenet beach, famous for snorkellig. I saw some beautiful fish but called it a day after seeing a young Barracuda and what I thought was a snake but in fact a yellow eel!
One of my final trips and birthday treat involved a meal at Hotel Chocolat’s restaurant and hotel. They only have shops in the UK but the cocoa comes from this plantation. The meal was curry and rice infused with Cacao nibs and it actually went well together. Dessert speaks for itself!
The beauty of the Islands continued to the skies with this incredible cloud formation en route back to the UK. God really is the Great Artist!
Holidays Part One, Jamaica & Trinidad
Am currently feeling refreshed and jetlagged at the same time having just returned from a trip to my Caribbean homelands Jamaica and St Lucia- plus a day in Trinidad. I’m lucky enough to have family living in my two favourite Islands- mum in St Lucia and grandad in Jamaica so got to spend time with loved ones, get an experience of real life on the Islands whilst doing some touristy stuff – a perfect mix! I started off in Jamaica where I’ve been the past few years in a row but I always find it equally amusing simply watching the energetic often hot headed people and the hustle and bustle in the local markets. I also arrived in time for the annual curry festival. Coming here makes me realise where my passion for food comes from as Jamaicans love their food that they have individual festivals for national favourite food types such as the Crab fest, Jerk Chicken fest, Fried fish Fest and Breadfruit fest(Caribbean starchy vegetable) – these are just the ones I ‘ve seen recently so there are probably more. I made the most of the food and drink and of course the beach.
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7 miles of white sand in Negril
With mum at the curry fest in Savanna La Mar
Curried goat
Curried prawn
Jerk pork – Jamaicans are not afraid to see where their meat comes from!
Teaching grandad to selfie
Grandads puppy
Cocktails at a beach bar negril. Am wearing jewellery from www.realmoftreasure.com
Guinness cheesecake at the airport- Jamaica has the best alcoholic treats!
Spotted this unfortunate lonely fish washed up on the shore in Trinidad
Beautiful morning on Macqueripe beach, Trinidad, before flying to St Lucia in the afternoon- a busy 2 days! Oh and i spotted Levi Roots on my plane after seeing Nick Canon in Negril- my lack of pics shows I’m not too much of a celeb follower as it took me too long to put the faces to names.
Poignant Beauty; National Museum of the American Indian
My trip to New York in 2011 had to include a trip to the Museum of the American Indian, and since I shared Savage Beauty from the Met I thought I’d also share this equally fascinating (if not moreso due to my personal connection) permanent exhibition. I’ve always been obsessed with Native Indian culture possibly because I know they were the original people of my mother islands, the Caribbean. Theres a possibility that I have Native ancestry as do a significant number of islanders, so whilst most Native Indians on my land of sunshine were sadly almost completely wiped out, their spirit is mainly being kept alive by their somewhat diluted blood running through the veins of the very mixed up population. I was lucky enough to see Native Indian tribes living in the traditional way as their ancestors did, when I lived in Brazil so I jumped at the opportunity to learn even more about their mysterious culture which is still very much alive in parts of South and North America. Even after visiting the National Museum of the American Indian in New York, which includes pieces from the the islands, I didn’t find enough information to conclude how their influence can be seen in the modern day Caribbean, though I am now inclined to research further. It was still a stunning collection with artefacts dating back to the 15th century (probably before, it was a while ago). I also couldn’t help but get excited by the clothes and jewelry, but they provoked poignant reflection when thinking of the hardship that led to some of the people who wore them to become almost extinct and also the hardship of the people who replaced them- my main African ancestors. They were beautiful nonetheless as was the entire museum.
The Last Straggler 