Jan 27 2009

Our Honeymoon

Published by Tim

For our Honeymoon we spent 10 days, 9 nights on the Caribbean island of St Lucia.  We split our time between two different resorts.  The first 6 days we were at a small private resort called Stonefield, and the last 4 were at Sandals Grande.  We were very blessed to not have any weather issues what-so-ever especially for being right in the middle of hurricane season.  Our trip was a good balance of relaxation and activity.

Sunset

Our Honeymoon

The first resort we stayed at
The first resort we stayed at
The path to our vila
The path to our vila
Private entrance
Private entrance
The view as you arrive
The view as you arrive
All the individual villas were named after flowers
All the individual villas were named after flowers
up the steps
up the steps
The view we'd wake up to every morning
The view we'd wake up to every morning
Looking right out to the Caribbean
Looking right out to the Caribbean
 
And just below the Petite Piton
And just below the Petite Piton
We spent a lot of time in the pool, just relaxing.
We spent a lot of time in the pool, just relaxing.
Kate really enjoyed the hammock.
Kate really enjoyed the hammock.
Beautiful flowers surrounded us
Beautiful flowers surrounded us
 
An entire look at our piece of paradise
An entire look at our piece of paradise
 
 
 
Our first day we went down to the small town of Soufreie.
Our first day we went down to the small town of Soufreie.
It was a small fishing town, and also served as a water taxi port
It was a small fishing town, and also served as a water taxi port
We got caught in a short rainstorm
We got caught in a short rainstorm
 
The streets were extremely narrow for 2 cars to pass.
The streets were extremely narrow for 2 cars to pass.
We got a few snacks from the local grocery.
We got a few snacks from the local grocery.
 
The few times the rain would come it would appear instantly.....
The few times the rain would come it would appear instantly.....
...... and leave just as quickly, leaving only the wet ground as evidence.
...... and leave just as quickly, leaving only the wet ground as evidence.
We took at hike up to an extinct volcano and the remaining sulfur springs.
We took at hike up to an extinct volcano and the remaining sulfur springs.
A monument on our way up.
A monument on our way up.
The Sulfur Springs
The Sulfur Springs
The smell was horrible.
The smell was horrible.
The closest town Soufreie translates to mean Sulfur City.
The closest town Soufreie translates to mean Sulfur City.
It was extremely hot, humid and very smelly.
It was extremely hot, humid and very smelly.
The farthest our hike took us.
The farthest our hike took us.
Obviously, extremely hot.
Obviously, extremely hot.
 
 
 
 
We debated hiking up one of the pitons, but it was rated a 9.5 climb, not something for a honeymoon trip.
We debated hiking up one of the pitons, but it was rated a 9.5 climb, not something for a honeymoon trip.
 
This is the view from a lookout point near our resort.
This is the view from a lookout point near our resort.
From here you can see the entire town of Soufriere.
From here you can see the entire town of Soufriere.
Kate thought it looked like a little Greek fishing village.
Kate thought it looked like a little Greek fishing village.
Tim thought it looked more like a pirate town.
Tim thought it looked more like a pirate town.
On the other side of the bay, there were a few more resorts.
On the other side of the bay, there were a few more resorts.
Petite Piton with the Gross Piton barely visable behind it
Petite Piton with the Gross Piton barely visable behind it
 
 
The Mango tree was the restaurant Stonefield owned, and where we ate at for most meals.
The Mango tree was the restaurant Stonefield owned, and where we ate at for most meals.
The dining area was completely outdoors and provided excellent views.
The dining area was completely outdoors and provided excellent views.
Every night the menu provided a different style of meal. Indian, Caribbean, BBQ etc.
Every night the menu provided a different style of meal. Indian, Caribbean, BBQ etc.
 
We also ate breakfast here almost every morning.
We also ate breakfast here almost every morning.
 
The pancakes were the best. And as you might have guessed from the name, the mangos were some of the sweetest.
The pancakes were the best. And as you might have guessed from the name, the mangos were some of the sweetest.
The dining deck looked right out onto the caribbean sea
The dining deck looked right out onto the caribbean sea
 
I believe this was our Indian meal.
I believe this was our Indian meal.
And this was Asian night. Appropriate live music was played during dinner as well.
And this was Asian night. Appropriate live music was played during dinner as well.
The mango tree also offered a pool for the residents, but since everyone had their own private pool, it was never used.
The mango tree also offered a pool for the residents, but since everyone had their own private pool, it was never used.
 
Being on the west side of the island, we saw gorgeous sunsets every night.
Being on the west side of the island, we saw gorgeous sunsets every night.
 
Our third day we went to another resort to go snorkeling.
Our third day we went to another resort to go snorkeling.
We had an all day pass that provided chair rentals, a shuttle back and forth, lunch while we were here, and snorkeling gear.
We had an all day pass that provided chair rentals, a shuttle back and forth, lunch while we were here, and snorkeling gear.
 
 
 
The natural color of the sand on the island is black from the volcano.
The natural color of the sand on the island is black from the volcano.
Tim tried to teach Kate how to dive down to swim with the fishes.
Tim tried to teach Kate how to dive down to swim with the fishes.
 
Even though it was Kate's first time, she caught on pretty quickly.
Even though it was Kate's first time, she caught on pretty quickly.
 
 
The water was the perfect temperature.
The water was the perfect temperature.
 
 
One of the other resorts. Prices there ran almost $1000 a night.
One of the other resorts. Prices there ran almost $1000 a night.
We took the opportunity one evening to have a sunset photo shoot.
We took the opportunity one evening to have a sunset photo shoot.
 
 
 
 
Friday night we joined the resort manager and another couple to attend a local Fish Fry. We drove 1.5 hours north along very curvy roads to get to this street party, but it was worth it.
Friday night we joined the resort manager and another couple to attend a local Fish Fry. We drove 1.5 hours north along very curvy roads to get to this street party, but it was worth it.
People came from all over the island and there is music and dancing in the streets.
People came from all over the island and there is music and dancing in the streets.
At our villa we had a few cats that visited our porch and would beg for our snacks. We named this common visitor “Skinny”
At our villa we had a few cats that visited our porch and would beg for our snacks. We named this common visitor “Skinny”
Saturday we took a shuttle over to a neighboring resort to hang out at hte beach.
Saturday we took a shuttle over to a neighboring resort to hang out at hte beach.
We asked them to drop us off at the top of the resort so we could walk down.
We asked them to drop us off at the top of the resort so we could walk down.
The name of this resort was Jalousie Plantation, and it looked like a plantation.
The name of this resort was Jalousie Plantation, and it looked like a plantation.
On our way down, the Gross Piton in the background.
On our way down, the Gross Piton in the background.
 
Cut grass?!
Cut grass?!
A large chess set added to the relaxing nature of the resort.
A large chess set added to the relaxing nature of the resort.
Beautifully kept grounds and plant life.
Beautifully kept grounds and plant life.
 
Kate makes her move.
Kate makes her move.
The resorts have chairs and huts available for rent. We decided to “borrow” one this day.
The resorts have chairs and huts available for rent. We decided to “borrow” one this day.
All the beaches on St Lucia are open to the public.
All the beaches on St Lucia are open to the public.
 
This beach had its sand imported to give a more “paradise” white sand look.
This beach had its sand imported to give a more “paradise” white sand look.
 
The grounds and beach of Jalousie is nestled between the two Piton mountains.
The grounds and beach of Jalousie is nestled between the two Piton mountains.
Gross Piton to our south.
Gross Piton to our south.
 
Sailing was offered, but we saved that for later.
Sailing was offered, but we saved that for later.
And the Petite Piton directly of our beach to the north.
And the Petite Piton directly of our beach to the north.
 
 
 
That evening we visited yet another resort for dinner. They had one of the best views where we enjoyed a few drinks.
That evening we visited yet another resort for dinner. They had one of the best views where we enjoyed a few drinks.
Directly below here is the Jalouise Plantation resort and beach where we were earlier in the day
Directly below here is the Jalouise Plantation resort and beach where we were earlier in the day
Kate enjoying some wine.
Kate enjoying some wine.
 
Watching the sun set on a great view.
Watching the sun set on a great view.
The sun sets behind the mountain.
The sun sets behind the mountain.
 
Dasheene was the name of the restaurant and the food deserved all 5 stars.
Dasheene was the name of the restaurant and the food deserved all 5 stars.
 
A honeymoon dessert!
A honeymoon dessert!
 
Sunday we spent most of the day relaxing and playing in our pool.
Sunday we spent most of the day relaxing and playing in our pool.
Trying to time both of us jumping in.
Trying to time both of us jumping in.
Awwwwww
Awwwwww
 
 
Piton beer was the local beer of choice.
Piton beer was the local beer of choice.
After Stonefield we were headed to the other side of the island. There were a couple options for getting there, and we decided a helicopter ride would be exciting.
After Stonefield we were headed to the other side of the island. There were a couple options for getting there, and we decided a helicopter ride would be exciting.
On our way north, we passed Stonefield.
On our way north, we passed Stonefield.
Only an 8 minute ride, but the view was incredible.
Only an 8 minute ride, but the view was incredible.
Small villages dotted the coast line.
Small villages dotted the coast line.
Kate's first helicopter flight.
Kate's first helicopter flight.
On our way north!
On our way north!
 
Yet another fishing village.
Yet another fishing village.
Banana plantions are a majority of St Lucia's economy.
Banana plantions are a majority of St Lucia's economy.
 
Oil storage for the island.
Oil storage for the island.
As we arrived at the airport we could spot Sandals in the distance.
As we arrived at the airport we could spot Sandals in the distance.
We had arrived. Sandals!
We had arrived. Sandals!
 
A difference pace from Stonefield.
A difference pace from Stonefield.
 
Checking out the grounds, the feel was a total opposite from where we had just came. But it was a nice change.
Checking out the grounds, the feel was a total opposite from where we had just came. But it was a nice change.
 
Swim up bars and Beach Volleyball, it was the Spring Break for honeymooners.
Swim up bars and Beach Volleyball, it was the Spring Break for honeymooners.
A quick beach walk to view the sunset our first night there.
A quick beach walk to view the sunset our first night there.
 
After a beach-party-buffet-dinner, we were entertained with dancers......
After a beach-party-buffet-dinner, we were entertained with dancers......
 
....Limbo.....
....Limbo.....
...fire dancing.....
...fire dancing.....
....and fire breathers!
....and fire breathers!
 
On Tuesday we took an excursion on a zip line through the rainforest.
On Tuesday we took an excursion on a zip line through the rainforest.
Kate isn't a big fan of heights but had a blast anyway.
Kate isn't a big fan of heights but had a blast anyway.
Through the jungle!
Through the jungle!
Our super cool helmets and harnesses.
Our super cool helmets and harnesses.
Plenty of rope bridges to add to our adventure.
Plenty of rope bridges to add to our adventure.
 
On our shuttle back from the zip line, we stopped at a lookout of the Atlantic side of the island.
On our shuttle back from the zip line, we stopped at a lookout of the Atlantic side of the island.
 
Picture of the local firehouse for Kate's Dad.
Picture of the local firehouse for Kate's Dad.
 
Lunch on the beach at one of the numerous eating places Sandals had to offer.
Lunch on the beach at one of the numerous eating places Sandals had to offer.
That afternoon we changed into swimsuits and went kayaking.
That afternoon we changed into swimsuits and went kayaking.
We went out a little further than we were supposed to, but just had so much fun exploring the bay.
We went out a little further than we were supposed to, but just had so much fun exploring the bay.
Kate being cautious of her husband, the splasher.
Kate being cautious of her husband, the splasher.
 
A nice diner at their Italian restaurant.
A nice diner at their Italian restaurant.
Entertainment was everywhere you looked.
Entertainment was everywhere you looked.
Kate at the bar while we get ready to be part of the audience of Sandal's newly wed game show.
Kate at the bar while we get ready to be part of the audience of Sandal's newly wed game show.
On our last day we took a short hike from Sandals up to Pigeon Island.
On our last day we took a short hike from Sandals up to Pigeon Island.
Pigeon Island served as a fort to protect the local city.
Pigeon Island served as a fort to protect the local city.
At the top of were look outs that were used from the early 1500s all the way up until World War II
At the top of were look outs that were used from the early 1500s all the way up until World War II
 
 
Protecting the bay.
Protecting the bay.
 
 
 
We learned about the history of the island and how control had gone back and forth between the French and British 14 times.
We learned about the history of the island and how control had gone back and forth between the French and British 14 times.
Entire view of the bay.
Entire view of the bay.
 
Silly pictures at the top.
Silly pictures at the top.
I command this land!
I command this land!
Look who's there!
Look who's there!
Strike a pose.
Strike a pose.
What's in here?
What's in here?
Keep a watchful eye to the north.
Keep a watchful eye to the north.
 
 
 
 
A model of Pigeon Island.
A model of Pigeon Island.
One of the remaining fort structures that was kept up.
One of the remaining fort structures that was kept up.
Our last full day Tim took some basic sailing lessons.
Our last full day Tim took some basic sailing lessons.
We had a blast crusing around the bay.
We had a blast crusing around the bay.
It was amazing how much easier it was using the wind to move on the water, than rowing in a kayak.
It was amazing how much easier it was using the wind to move on the water, than rowing in a kayak.
So peaceful.
So peaceful.
 
On our way back we were delayed and had to spend an extra night in Miami. How fiting that we got our own Ricky and Lucy beds to cap off our honeymoon.
On our way back we were delayed and had to spend an extra night in Miami. How fiting that we got our own Ricky and Lucy beds to cap off our honeymoon.
St Lucia Honeymoon 2008
St Lucia Honeymoon 2008

One response so far

One Response to “Our Honeymoon”

  1. # Laraon 24 Feb 2009 at 12:21 am

    Hello,

    thanks for putting all these great photos about your trip to St. Lucia. I just booked a villa at stonefield, our friends are getting married next door at the Jalousie plantation, but stonefield looked nicer to me! My husband and I are actually wedding photographers, but on this trip we’ll be guests, I’m looking forward to it, especially after seeing your pcitures!

    Lara

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