St. Lucia- our favorite secret beach!

St. Lucia has become one of our favorite islands to visit in the Caribbean.  We've found a little hide away there - a secluded beach-  away from the cruise ship crowds - a place for total relaxation - a place that we have come to LOVE~~

Should I tell you where it is?  Can you keep my secret?  

We met our taxi boat at the pier and were whisked away on a 30 minute ride across the beautiful deep blue ocean~

 Out of a cruise ship population of 2000 people -

 only our group of 4 and another 2 couples

 were with us on this great 

adventure. 

(In this photo - the Gardener and our friend Bob 
are getting ready to be drenched
 by a huge boat wave!)

Here I am on the boat with my friend Robert.  If you want to plan a visit to TiKaye Village - Robert is the guy to talk to.  He will take good care of you!   We each paid $75 for our fabulous day at TiKaye.  Our trip included round trip transportation, lunch, 2 drinks, snorkel equipment and the opportunity to go out on the boat with the snorkel excursion. (or you can snorkel on your own from the beach).  You can also go on a diving expedition - however there is an extra charge to go diving with the group.  We made our reservations about 3 months in advance of our trip.  You will need to keep that in mind when making your plans. 

Remember our previous discussions about the type of camera I use for photo taking?  Here you go - proof positive.  Caught in the act.  Kodak Easy Share - (I rest my case.)  Like I told you - I'm a total wimp when it comes to fancy cameras!

Arriving at TiKaye Village.

Here we are - 

can you even believe the crowds?

 The Gardener and Bob 

are preparing

 to leave on the dive boat with Robert.  

(The Gardener went snorkeling and Bob went diving.) 

Me - 

I've got other plans!!

 

The hotel actually sits upon the cliff that over looks the beach.  There are a series of stairs that lead from the beach to the hotel area on top of the cliff.  I have this thing about stairs~~ I love to climb them!    Come on up with me~~

The view from mid way up the stairs.

Come on - keep climbing!

Here we are at the top of the stairs!

It's so beautiful up here!

Another beautiful view from the top of the cliff!

Looking out towards the beach~

Don't you wish you were here right now?

The hotel restaurant at the top of the stairs.

Such a beautiful view for a restaurant. 

You don't HAVE to climb the stairs~~ 

Here is the view from the beach bar restaurant where we ate our lunch. (for those of you who don't have my obsession with stairs -- you CAN request that the hotel shuttle drive you from the beach to the hotel at the top of the cliff.)  I'll meet you at the top!

 There are so many wonderful things that we love about cruises~~

but the downside to all the great places that you get to visit - is that time passes all too quickly and at the end of the day - we have to pack up and leave~~

      Headed back to the ship~

Our motley windblown group!

Our view of St. Lucia 

as seen from the top deck of the cruise ship.

Next to Venice, Italy - the sail out from St. Lucia is one of the most scenic that I have ever experienced. 

 It is truly beautiful.

   Have your camera's ready!

We left St Lucia with some wonderful memories and a few of these sea shells!

 

~~~~~~~

Are you tired of cruising with me yet?  We still have Aruba and Curacao left - I want to take you there also!  (I promise a reward for you all at the end of the cruise photos - a little tropical give away!)  And~~ I can hardly wait to share with you the photos that the Gardener took when we went swimming with sea turtles~

But first-- I want to take a little break from travels and share with you the incredible spring that we are having here - it is so unbelievably beautiful~~

May I share something with you that is heavy on my heart?

I have a dear blogging friend who is just beginning a journey to places that none of us ever want to go.  She is fighting cancer head on in a battle that I KNOW she will win. Please pray for my friend and for all those that you know and love who are staying strong and not giving in to this retched disease.  I love you Donna~

Vicki