St. Lucia - Going in 2 weeks and have TONS of questions
Aug 29th, 2003, 09:16 AM
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St. Lucia - Going in 2 weeks and have TONS of questions
Hi - thanks in advance for any suggestions, warnings etc:
My husband and I a heading to St. Lucia with another couple in 2 weeks. We'll be staying at the Windjammer Landing in a 2B timeshare. I am looking for any recent reviews of the property as well as the restaurants on site. Has anyone done the AI there? We are considering doing it for 3 days so we can still explore a lot of the island as well. I've been trying to find info on the high speed ferry to Martinique - has anyone used this service? Also I've seen a bit on the boards about water taxis - we are arriving at the southern airport and need to get up north. I've heard the roads are pretty sketchy even with a taxi and helicopters are not an option. Is there a water taxi we can use to get to the north? Any must do restaurants? (or must avoid?) We've been to the Carribean many times (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Barths) so we're looking forward to getting some local flavor and not being resort bound. Sorry for the long post, but I'm not having much luck on the web!
My husband and I a heading to St. Lucia with another couple in 2 weeks. We'll be staying at the Windjammer Landing in a 2B timeshare. I am looking for any recent reviews of the property as well as the restaurants on site. Has anyone done the AI there? We are considering doing it for 3 days so we can still explore a lot of the island as well. I've been trying to find info on the high speed ferry to Martinique - has anyone used this service? Also I've seen a bit on the boards about water taxis - we are arriving at the southern airport and need to get up north. I've heard the roads are pretty sketchy even with a taxi and helicopters are not an option. Is there a water taxi we can use to get to the north? Any must do restaurants? (or must avoid?) We've been to the Carribean many times (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Barths) so we're looking forward to getting some local flavor and not being resort bound. Sorry for the long post, but I'm not having much luck on the web!
Aug 31st, 2003, 10:01 AM
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Shelby,
It has been a few years since I have been, but St. Lucia remains the most beautiful place I have ever been. The views of the pitons and the people, forests, art, food, everything was a positive experience. I did take a boat taxi (not arranged by me, so I don't know details) and when you see the island from the water, the view just gets better. I envy you and hope you have a wonderful trip ! Take LOTS of photos and try their local beer, "Piton" !!!!!
It has been a few years since I have been, but St. Lucia remains the most beautiful place I have ever been. The views of the pitons and the people, forests, art, food, everything was a positive experience. I did take a boat taxi (not arranged by me, so I don't know details) and when you see the island from the water, the view just gets better. I envy you and hope you have a wonderful trip ! Take LOTS of photos and try their local beer, "Piton" !!!!!
Sep 3rd, 2003, 07:49 AM
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You'll have a blast. St. Lucia is an incredibly beautiful island. I know nothing of the Windjammer Landing, however, so cannot comment there. I know from personal experience that it is a very difficult island to get around. The roads are filled with hair-pin turns and switch-backs. It takes forever to go a short distance. I drove a rental car around the island and even though I am a pretty fearless driver, I would never do it again! A taxi is equally stressful. You will do much better to take a boat to go from one end of the island to the other. I can't remember the names of the boat companies that do this, but it is a common trip. You'll figure it all out once you arrive.
Since you'll land in the south, you should do your sightseeing down there before heading up to your timeshare in the north. You won't want to go all the way down there again. IMHO, the south is the really beautiful part with the Pitons and the walk-in volcano crater and the botanical park with its waterfall. Try not to miss these attractions.
Since you'll land in the south, you should do your sightseeing down there before heading up to your timeshare in the north. You won't want to go all the way down there again. IMHO, the south is the really beautiful part with the Pitons and the walk-in volcano crater and the botanical park with its waterfall. Try not to miss these attractions.
Sep 3rd, 2003, 06:28 PM
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I think St. Lucia is is one of the most beautiful islands, lush, tropical and great for exploring. I can only offer you these people we used to see the island. stluciajungletours.com they were awesome. They use an open jeep, up and down roads where a normal car would not make it at all. As said all ready the roads are windy. They are locals and they give an excellent tour. Have fun and enjoy.
Sep 8th, 2003, 08:04 PM
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Dear Shelby
My husband and I just returned Sept 4 from 5 days at the Windjammer and LOVED it! We stayed in a one bedroom villa with a plunge pool. The villa was bigger than some apartments I've lived in! Full size kitchen, so we went to a grocery store and had breakfast and lunch in the villa--very relaxing! The beach was lovely and not crowded at all, being September. The rooms are mostly open air and you may have birds flying through! Many complimentary activities (kayaks, windsurfing, snorkel trips). The resort has a daily newsletter and orientation at 10 a.m. in the lobby to let you know what's going on. We only ate at the Jammer's restaurant and one breakfast at Dragonfly--I've heard Papa Don's was good. We were trying to stay on a budget, so cooked mostly. Take a taxi to Rodney Bay Marina area--saw this from a tour and seemed to be lots of shops and restaurants--also lots of restaurants in the area of the Rex St. Lucian hotel, which is in Gros Islet/Rodney Bay. Don't know about water taxis, but you can find out about trips to Martinique at the Windjammer. The only drawback to the Windjammer that I could think of is that it is very remote and not within walking distance of anything. You'll need to hire taxis (about $10 US minimum) or rent a car. We didn't rent a car and the roads seem a bit dicy. Anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed our time there and would like to go back someday. Practically any tour you want to take you can book from the Windjammer
My husband and I just returned Sept 4 from 5 days at the Windjammer and LOVED it! We stayed in a one bedroom villa with a plunge pool. The villa was bigger than some apartments I've lived in! Full size kitchen, so we went to a grocery store and had breakfast and lunch in the villa--very relaxing! The beach was lovely and not crowded at all, being September. The rooms are mostly open air and you may have birds flying through! Many complimentary activities (kayaks, windsurfing, snorkel trips). The resort has a daily newsletter and orientation at 10 a.m. in the lobby to let you know what's going on. We only ate at the Jammer's restaurant and one breakfast at Dragonfly--I've heard Papa Don's was good. We were trying to stay on a budget, so cooked mostly. Take a taxi to Rodney Bay Marina area--saw this from a tour and seemed to be lots of shops and restaurants--also lots of restaurants in the area of the Rex St. Lucian hotel, which is in Gros Islet/Rodney Bay. Don't know about water taxis, but you can find out about trips to Martinique at the Windjammer. The only drawback to the Windjammer that I could think of is that it is very remote and not within walking distance of anything. You'll need to hire taxis (about $10 US minimum) or rent a car. We didn't rent a car and the roads seem a bit dicy. Anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed our time there and would like to go back someday. Practically any tour you want to take you can book from the Windjammer
Sep 9th, 2003, 08:20 AM
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Ally - Thanks so much for your review! It seems like we made the right choice in choosing the Windjammer Landing. Pretty sure we won't be renting a car - as you've said it can be scary at best.
Wednesday, Shibumi & Diann - Thank you so much for your suggestions. We really look forward to exploring and taking in the local flavors and beauty.
Our only concern now is Isabel as she is brewing out in the Atlantic. God-willing she won't make landfall, but this time of year is always a chancy bet. I will post a complete review as well when we return.
Thanks again to all of you!!!!
Shelby
Wednesday, Shibumi & Diann - Thank you so much for your suggestions. We really look forward to exploring and taking in the local flavors and beauty.
Our only concern now is Isabel as she is brewing out in the Atlantic. God-willing she won't make landfall, but this time of year is always a chancy bet. I will post a complete review as well when we return.
Thanks again to all of you!!!!
Shelby
