6 March - Penguin Island and home

Packed our bags after breakfast and stored them in the hotel's baggage room.  Took the water taxi across to the island, which is now artificially joined to the mainland to make access easier.  Would have been an hour or more's walk because we'd have had to go round the marina.

Walked up to the two peaks, taking in the histories of these as strategic places in the wars between France and Great Britain as ownership swapped hands, ending 7 - 7.

Had a dip and bit of snorkelling, but not much to see.  Walked across to see the Atlantic side, with a lot more rollers coming in.

Then a beer, another walk, and lunch at the only restaurant with its recommended fish cakes.  Caught the water taxi back at 2 pm and had a final sea and pool swim, a shower, and change for the 4.30 pm pick-up.

This was on time, and in a very big posh car.  Took the west coast road as this was less winding than the one we knew so well via Soufriere, getting to the airport in about 90 minutes despite being not much more than 40 miles.  Instant check-in as nobody else had arrived by then.  Mooched around before the flight from Trinidad came and picked us up, on time.

Settled down after the meal and got some sleep, so the journey didn't feel too tedious.  Advised that the weather would be good when we arrived, which it was, reaching middle teens.  Easy drive back, in lovely weather, later well into mid-teens.

Arrived home to find a note from Laura to say there had been a leak through Jim's ceilings, coming from the attic header tanks.  Didn't exactly locate it so drained the entire heating system instead and ran off the cold water from the tank.

Caught up with the rugby matches last weekend, Wales beating France and Italy beating Scotland.

Bed at 9.30 and quickly to sleep.  Good rest, not really waking until after 7am.

5 March - Bean to Bar, Hotel Chocolat Trip

Bit disappointed by this trip.  The route was exactly as yesterday's so we knew all the answers to the questions along the way, and anticipated the things being pointed out.

Arrived at Hotel Chocolat to find that we were joining another group who had just completed the plantation tour.  We thought this was part of ours but were told not.  The presenter of the chocolate making session said he'd take us on a mini version after lunch, as compensation.

The chocolate making was very interesting.  Given the set of ingredients and minute instruction how to grind the dried coffee nibs in a heated pestle and mortar and then add cocoa butter to make the mix into as smooth a paste as our muscles allowed.  The automatic machines take 72 hours for this so not surprisingly our results were a bit gritty.  Finally added sugar to taste before pouring the end mixture into a mould for sticking in the fridge while we lunched.

Lovely setting for lunch, looking out towards the Piton mountains.  Supposedly a gourmet lunch but not that special.

Duly had the quick tour of the growing stages, which was very interesting too but not all encompassing.

New plants in poly tunnel ...

Mature tree with big cocoa pods

Leaf cover removed to show beans fermenting ...

.. then left out to dry after the cocoa butter had been separated

Then back onto the bus where we were offered stops at scenic places but no-one was particularly interested so we came back direct.

Out to Delirius restaurant for our final evening meal, which was delicious.  Mahi Mahi fish, aka dorado?

Back at the resort there was limbo dancing and fire eating, like in Antigua.  Didn't stay too long.

4 March - Soufriere and volcano

Picked up fairly promptly and set off in Jeep with 8 others.  Bouncy and windy drive down to Soufriere, stopping at some viewing points.  This one is Soufriere and the Pitons.

Visited the botanical gardens ...

Then did the mud bath, only one of the ten wanting to do this rather than the tour of the volcano.. Very gritty mud which you applied yourself from a bucket, then waited for it to cake.  Washed off in a very hot and dark grey pool, fed directly from volcanic springs.

Rejoined main group for drive to the port where we waited ages for the boat.

Lots of frigate birds wheeling overhead!

Another bungle, because we had to be picked up by another catamaran that was heading straight back to Castries to rendezvous with a cruise ship.

So missed the snorkelling stop and leisurely return.  Complained about this and received $60 US refund  Still a nice ride though, but very choppy at times. Lots of music and dancing, as ever.

Interesting lunch near Hotel Chocolat, buffet with some exotic things but omnipresent chicken too, and throat-clutchingly hot sauce.

3 March - Rainforest Trip

Collected promptly at 9.25 for ride to rain forest to the west of Bay Gardens.

Got on the suspended cage and headed up through the forest, with Denise explaining the flora and fauna.  Then the rain started, and didn't stop.  Thought it might have been a shower but no, so pretty drenched before putting on the ripped ponchos.  Saw several humming birds as well as a wide range of trees.

Arrived back and immediately set off on the walk, our numbers reduced to four now.  More close up humming birds and varieties of flower and frankincense things.  

2 March - Settling in

Good night's sleep then full breakfast overlooking the sea.

Checked out the resort ...

Walked down to the main part of the town and caught a ramshackle bus to Castries, the capital of the island.  About the only cheap thing in the place, just $3 EC for two, about 70p.

Market in full swing, with masses of fruit and veg in one part, and clothing, exotic foods and knick knacks in the other.  Stopped for cold drinks in amongst all of this then headed back to the bus stop, this time having a much more plush mini bus for the return trip.

Got our bearings in the shopping mall, and checked food prices at several restaurants, all expensive so no escaping them.

Had lunch back at the resort, or at least I did, sharing some of my burger and chips with Hilary. Swam in the sea and the nice pool, and had a long stroll along the complete length of the beach.

Back to the room for a shower and relax before supper at the resort restaurant.

1 March - Transfer to St Lucia

Had a walk in the opposite direction from normal, towards Cocos beach.  Found a deserted beach where I had a swim but Hilary didn't.

Went on to the main Cocos beach which was crowded but we didn't stay.  Back for a swim and to pack, clearing the room by the 12 noon deadline.

Picked up 45 mins before the scheduled time and checked in fairly quickly.  The board said On Time for the 3.20 Liat flight but the due time came and went.  Then the flight disappeared off the board but eventually came back saying 5.55, which became about 6.15

At last got away at about 7.40, on a turbo prop plane that completed the trip without incident.  Long wait for bags to appear, then a queue for immigration before being collected by smiley Eric for the 20 minute drive to the Bay Gardens Beach Resort.

Very sumptuous room compared with the Jolly Beach room.

Too late to eat so settled down for an earlyish night.