Lonely Planet Magazine, December 2010 (with Jean-Bernard Carillet)
revered for their sandy beaches and clear sea, the Caribbean islands have much more to offer than this idyllic picture postcard. On land, forest, flora and endemic fauna and breathtaking scenery are worth the trip just as much. Here is a taste to whet your mouth.
Martinique
La Caravelle, a concentrate of Caribbean
Away from the famous beach of Salinas, ascending the east coast to the north is a strip of land six miles that starts in the Atlantic. Peninsula of La Caravelle, the oldest land of Martinique emerged from the waters there are 24 million years, well worth a trip of several hours. And even a full day if you want to appreciate the incredible geology, magical views, the exceptional variety of landscapes. An easy trail (elevation 160 m) can walk around in less than 5 hours. The walk begins flat in the semi-dry forest trees typical of this medium: red gum, Caribbean pear, cherry Wild résiniers leaves as big as plates, and some rarer species such as imposing acomat freehold or courbaril. Here lives an endemic bird, the mocking-white throat, you hear the typical call failing to observe it. More widespread, the mongoose will cross your path may be. Do not miss the junction leading to the lighthouse, one point of view allows them to embrace almost the entire east coast of the town of Vauclin south to Basse-Pointe in the north with a clear day, Mount Pelee ahead. The trail then runs along the sea and suddenly it's like a Brittany coast battered by waves, hot sun naval stores and wild bonuses. But the highlight of the tour takes place later at the Bay of Treasury, pretty wild beach lined with mangroves, the typical tree of the mangrove. Here, the water flat as a lake, warm and shallow to meditation or why not, ti-punch. - The islet iguanas
- Before the settlers arrived, Martinique Juanacaera called, "the island of iguanas," a name given him by the Carib Indians. We can still find some of these reptiles in the vicinity of some beaches in the northern forest and even in Fort-de-France on Fort St. Louis. But to observe the Iguana "sensitive" species endemic to the Lesser Antilles, one must visit the small island located in the Chancel Robert Bay, where ilsvivent and breed in safety. To get there, ask a fisherman from the town of Robert. He will ask you twenty euros for a tour of the islets of this pretty bay with turquoise waters and shallow.
Saint Lucia
A landscape of adventure novel
can come to St. Lucia for its ultra-popular beaches of the north as Reduit Beach, Pigeon Island Beach. Or take the southern route, and actively exploring a less known side of the island nature reserve desPitons of Soufriere. Represented on all the postcards, these two peaks of volcanic lava rising to over 700 meters above the sea are classified as World Heritage of Humanity since 2004. It is on the sides and top of the "Twin Peaks" that will live the most beautiful emotions. Half a day just to hike the Gros Piton (the Petit Piton is more difficult or dangerous). The walk starts early in the morning from the lovely village colorful Fund Gens Libres, nestled in a tropical garden on a mountainside. The trail, sometimes arduous but well appointed through the tropical rainforest and subtropical rain forest. As the sun appears behind the mountains, the sea is always present through the vegetation changes from gray metal blue emerald. Here we meet a wide variety of plants (cannas, tree ferns, orchids), rare trees and birds, some endemic species like the solitary plover or Crested Hummingbird. Once up there (770 m), 180 ° view is soon forget the agony of the climb: to your feet, the twin Petit Piton, Mount Gimie and all villages in the south coast, seem close at hand. Back at the foot of the peaks, a site visit "drive-in Sulphur Springs, collapsed crater giving off sulfur fumaroles, comprehensive exploration of this remarkable volcanic whole. With mud bath for lovers. - Recharge water volcano
- Like many marchers, go to the bathroom after the effort of the Diamond Botanical Garden, a charming tropical garden located just outside the village of Soufriere. After having admired Diamond drop Fall, you can, for about 4 €, immerse yourself in one of the ten basins of the park. Straight out of the belly of the volcano, this source is deemed highly mineralized hot treat rheumatism, eczema or sunburn. Built in 1784 for soldiers of Louis XVI during one of the seven periods of French colonial St Lucia, these spas are now highly prized by locals.
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