Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2016 | Page 186
Our Special Spot in st. Lucia | Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine by Lauren Rosen
Our Special Spot IN ST. LUCIA
Imagine lounging beside a beautifully tiled heated pool, with a clear view to the Caribbean Sea and, in the foreground, a lush, green peak - Petit Piton, one of two mountainous volcanic spires in a Unesco World Heritage Site in St. Lucia. Wistful contemplation overtakes you merely as you gaze upon it. This is the spot my husband and I chose to return to each day during our weeklong visit to Sandals - which is actually comprised of three unique resorts - the Halcyon, Sandals Grande and Sandals Regency La Toc available for one price with just a bus ride to separate them.
Indeed, what distinguishes St. Lucia is its awe-inspiring Pitons - the Gros Piton and the Petit Piton - 770 and 743 metres high respectively, which cast an enchanting spell on even the most casual observer as they rise dramatically out of the aquamarine Caribbean Sea. Dominating the island landscape are The Petit Piton and the Gros Piton which are linked by the Piton Mitan Ridge. Bountiful coral reefs blanket more than half of the Piton’s marine area. The area explodes with hundreds of varieties of fish, molluscs, and sponges. For the hiker and botanist, there 182
are at least 148 plant species to be discovered on the Gros Piton, and 97 on Petit Piton and the intervening ridge – among them, eight rare tree species. Adventuresome souls can explore the interior of the Pitons with a guide. We chose our spot on the Sandals Grande beach because we could literally slip out of our chaises into the pool or walk a few feet and submerse ourselves in the warm, blue-green ocean. Our spot was by the quiet pool – the one without the in-pool bar – but an attendant saw to it we had drinks. Next to the pool were the exclusive hotel rooms with butler service.