So Green, So French, Beautiful Martinique
Apr 23rd, 2015, 07:37 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So Green, So French, Beautiful Martinique
So close but yet so far away I have always been intrigued to visit Martinique. A flight from South Florida to San Juan then we take a long hike to Terminal D for a Seaborne journey south. As we leave San Juan behind the harmonic sounds of two powerful engines along with large spinning props are for me soothing reminders of the miracle of flight.
A mostly smooth ride and in less than two hours we are touching down at Fort de France to experience a bit of “The French Caribbean”.
Video:http://youtu.be/9RkVd5N13KE
A mostly smooth ride and in less than two hours we are touching down at Fort de France to experience a bit of “The French Caribbean”.
Video:http://youtu.be/9RkVd5N13KE
Apr 24th, 2015, 08:06 PM
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You just got off the ship and now you are on a plane, not fair 
. I haven't had one vacation this year and you are already on another one. Have fun 
. As usual I loving the videos, but not the small plane.
. I haven't had one vacation this year and you are already on another one. Have fun . As usual I loving the videos, but not the small plane.
Apr 25th, 2015, 08:45 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Around Tartane
A non event Immigration and Customs arrival procedure and we are soon at Hertz where we get a better car rental deal than we bargained for. Instead of $95 for a two day car rental it is only $75. This is cheap as far as Caribbean car rentals go. Surprisingly, though it seems like all the rental cars are white.
Our hotel for our first night here is about nine miles away and it is a refreshing green and scenic drive to get there. The roads across the rolling terrain are nice and are lined with numerous banana and sugar cane fields.
Just as we think we must have made a wrong turn somewhere, we arrive in the quaint coastal community of Tartane. A stroll along the waterfront and we take in a nice bay view where few smaller boats are resting for the afternoon. Although a tropical breeze is blowing the shore seas are tranquil.
In one area fishermen have returned for the day and I watch as they make their fresh catch available for bargain prices. This is a part of island life that I really enjoy and wish there was a grill nearby.
An early dinner at Chez Suzy then it is back to our hotel to share a bottle of wine on a balcony with another view of this seaside community. Below us is a church with tolling bells that adds a charm to the already cool and relaxing atmosphere.
A lazy get up and go and soon we are leaving Tartane to explore more of Martinique. We take a lunch break in Saint Marie then our next stop is one that is so tastefully delightful we don't want to leave.
Video:https://youtu.be/lklo8Lku1ho
A non event Immigration and Customs arrival procedure and we are soon at Hertz where we get a better car rental deal than we bargained for. Instead of $95 for a two day car rental it is only $75. This is cheap as far as Caribbean car rentals go. Surprisingly, though it seems like all the rental cars are white.
Our hotel for our first night here is about nine miles away and it is a refreshing green and scenic drive to get there. The roads across the rolling terrain are nice and are lined with numerous banana and sugar cane fields.
Just as we think we must have made a wrong turn somewhere, we arrive in the quaint coastal community of Tartane. A stroll along the waterfront and we take in a nice bay view where few smaller boats are resting for the afternoon. Although a tropical breeze is blowing the shore seas are tranquil.
In one area fishermen have returned for the day and I watch as they make their fresh catch available for bargain prices. This is a part of island life that I really enjoy and wish there was a grill nearby.
An early dinner at Chez Suzy then it is back to our hotel to share a bottle of wine on a balcony with another view of this seaside community. Below us is a church with tolling bells that adds a charm to the already cool and relaxing atmosphere.
A lazy get up and go and soon we are leaving Tartane to explore more of Martinique. We take a lunch break in Saint Marie then our next stop is one that is so tastefully delightful we don't want to leave.
Video:https://youtu.be/lklo8Lku1ho
Apr 26th, 2015, 05:01 AM
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DMBT I am going to Ohio for my nephew's graduation and Virginia Beach for my birthday in September. Nothing else this summer. I am looking at Paris and London for next spring. I am enjoying your videos and waiting on the rest of your trip report. Leave a little fun for me on your next Carnival cruise .
and waiting on the rest of your trip report. Leave a little fun for me on your next Carnival cruise .
Apr 29th, 2015, 07:51 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A Mighty Fine And Tasty Museum
Continuing our drive around Martinique a huge sign catches our eye and we make an unplanned stop. A walk around a shopping centre and we are soon at the entrance to a famous museum on the island.
Secretly started in the late 1700's by a skilled priest, St James Rum is known worldwide and is a unique part of Martinique history.
We arrived to late to participate in the organized tour but we are given a warm welcome to roam the public areas with a promise of treats when we are done exploring on our own. Within sight of us we can see large trucks unload fresh sugar cane the birth ingredient of the fine products made here.
In the “Distillation House” we learn about the making rum and how influential the Arab culture was in developing the process.
With our exploration done we return to the main building and we are not at all disappointed with our smooth but sometimes fiery rewards.
Video:https://youtu.be/xNQVDt_xIPE
Continuing our drive around Martinique a huge sign catches our eye and we make an unplanned stop. A walk around a shopping centre and we are soon at the entrance to a famous museum on the island.
Secretly started in the late 1700's by a skilled priest, St James Rum is known worldwide and is a unique part of Martinique history.
We arrived to late to participate in the organized tour but we are given a warm welcome to roam the public areas with a promise of treats when we are done exploring on our own. Within sight of us we can see large trucks unload fresh sugar cane the birth ingredient of the fine products made here.
In the “Distillation House” we learn about the making rum and how influential the Arab culture was in developing the process.
With our exploration done we return to the main building and we are not at all disappointed with our smooth but sometimes fiery rewards.
Video:https://youtu.be/xNQVDt_xIPE
May 1st, 2015, 01:10 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes 
and so smooth..
It is interesting the distinct flavors of all the different rums that they where not shy about having us sample. A cube of ice with some, a wedge of lime with others... Nice
and so smooth..It is interesting the distinct flavors of all the different rums that they where not shy about having us sample. A cube of ice with some, a wedge of lime with others... Nice
May 2nd, 2015, 06:18 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gorges de la Falaise
Around one more hairpin curve lined with a lush green vegetation and I am convinced we have missed a turn off for our next stop. With our windows down it seems as if we have been driving through an aviary as there is a continuous sound track of birds chirping even as we are moving about 25 mph. I am almost mesmerized under these conditions but I follow my instinct and make a u turn.
Going in the opposite direction we spot what we are looking for although it is faded and almost camouflaged by the terrain. A sign points us in the right direction for Gorges de la Falaise. We arrive at our destination a bit uncertain it is the right one as there is no one around and a closed gate seems to be guarding a local residence.
Eventually someone comes out of one of the buildings and although there is a language barrier we discover we are in the right place. At first we are a bit uncomfortable to venture off into the rain forest with a guide we might have difficulty communicating with but then an English speaking French family shows up and that puts our mind at ease.
Eighteen euros later and we are on our own descending a set of steep degraded and poorly maintained stairs hundreds of feet down to a river stream that we can only faintly hear far in the distance. The moisture in the air has the colorful green vegetation around us wet. Unfortunately, this same moisture has the stairs dangerously slippery. I am just glad I am doing this outing at 22 instead of 52.
At the end of a long but beautiful and tranquil descent we cross a refreshingly cool river stream then meet up with our guide. Here is the opportunity to change into swimwear as we are told that along our hike we will be in waist deep water.
With crystal clear water rapidly flowing across our ankles we embark on a journey up a spectacular walled in canyon. At some point the walls block the sun light and the water does become waist high. This is turning out to be one of the most gorgeous and adventurous waterfall hikes that we have ever taken. With a portable metal ladder in place and instructions from our guide, we are soon navigating up and through a small but pounding waterfall.
One more set of ladder climbing and we reach our ultimate destination on this hike. We get to walk beneath and around a thundering waterfall before we behind our journey back. This is just as exciting although it is much easier climbing up a set of stairs at 52 than climbing down.
Video:https://youtu.be/HQ_qTRXfwyo
Around one more hairpin curve lined with a lush green vegetation and I am convinced we have missed a turn off for our next stop. With our windows down it seems as if we have been driving through an aviary as there is a continuous sound track of birds chirping even as we are moving about 25 mph. I am almost mesmerized under these conditions but I follow my instinct and make a u turn.
Going in the opposite direction we spot what we are looking for although it is faded and almost camouflaged by the terrain. A sign points us in the right direction for Gorges de la Falaise. We arrive at our destination a bit uncertain it is the right one as there is no one around and a closed gate seems to be guarding a local residence.
Eventually someone comes out of one of the buildings and although there is a language barrier we discover we are in the right place. At first we are a bit uncomfortable to venture off into the rain forest with a guide we might have difficulty communicating with but then an English speaking French family shows up and that puts our mind at ease.
Eighteen euros later and we are on our own descending a set of steep degraded and poorly maintained stairs hundreds of feet down to a river stream that we can only faintly hear far in the distance. The moisture in the air has the colorful green vegetation around us wet. Unfortunately, this same moisture has the stairs dangerously slippery. I am just glad I am doing this outing at 22 instead of 52.
At the end of a long but beautiful and tranquil descent we cross a refreshingly cool river stream then meet up with our guide. Here is the opportunity to change into swimwear as we are told that along our hike we will be in waist deep water.
With crystal clear water rapidly flowing across our ankles we embark on a journey up a spectacular walled in canyon. At some point the walls block the sun light and the water does become waist high. This is turning out to be one of the most gorgeous and adventurous waterfall hikes that we have ever taken. With a portable metal ladder in place and instructions from our guide, we are soon navigating up and through a small but pounding waterfall.
One more set of ladder climbing and we reach our ultimate destination on this hike. We get to walk beneath and around a thundering waterfall before we behind our journey back. This is just as exciting although it is much easier climbing up a set of stairs at 52 than climbing down.
Video:https://youtu.be/HQ_qTRXfwyo
Jun 19th, 2015, 12:13 PM
#15
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Miramar
Cruises
8
Aug 8th, 2013 07:46 AM
