GUADELOUPE, "THE BUTTERFLY ISLAND"
BY Clay Larroy
Across the America many couples are having
wonderful wedding after months of planning. The bride and groom will need a
honeymoon to rest and recuperate. Vacations
are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress
free relaxed environment. Couples that take vacations together build memories
that will last a lifetime. Couples vacations and travel can be a most rewarding
experience especially in the Caribbean. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
There's no doubt Guadeloupe
possesses a certain je ne sais quoi—a
spark that separates its sun-washed coasts from other Caribbean getaways.
Sparkling white- and black-sand beaches extend into calm, cerulean waters, and
verdant forests border the imposing La Soufrière volcano. And just a few miles
south, quaint villages welcome visitors to centuries-old distilleries and
remote sugar plantations. Put simply, Guadeloupe features an unspoiled natural
setting with rustic charms. But that's not all this picturesque cluster of
islands has to offer. Where else can you savor the sweet aroma of sugar and rum
wafting through the air, taste tantalizing French-Creole flavors, and lay your
towel down along untouched stretches of sandy bliss?
Active volcano hike
Take a hike to the
top of La Soufrière, a still-active volcano that it hasn't shown signs of
erupting since 1976 (it didn't erupt then, but there was widespread panic in
the capital when it looked like it was about to go off). It's a strenuous
one-and-a-half-hour climb to the top, but it's worth it for the views.
Beaches
Guadeloupe's beaches
are good for swimming, and the sand varies depending on the area: Grande-Terre
has white sand, the sand on the Leeward coast is brown, while black-sand
beaches can be found on the western end of Basse-Terre. Topless bathing is
acceptable on all beaches.
Food festival
The Festival of Women
Cooks (Fête des Cuisinières) is one of Guadeloupe's most spectacular
events. The festival features a banquet of Creole and French foods that open to
all and that lasts for hours. Many of those attending come in traditional
Creole costume. Dancing and parades proceed the event.
French fort
Fort Louis Delgrès,
in the town of Basse-Terre, situated at the foot of La Soufrière, was built in
1605 and is now restored and converted into an historical museum. While in
Basse-Terre, don't miss the 19th-century cathedral and market place.
Galion waterfalls
Hike to the Galion
waterfalls - follow the route to La Soufrière from Saint Claude until the Bains
Jaunes, where the trail leads downwards through the rainforest. It will take
about 90 minutes to reach the falls, which drop about 40m (131ft).
Hindu temple
A lot of Indian
workers came to Guadeloupe in the 19th century, hence the Hindu temple at St
Marie. The bright wight walls contrast with the colorfully painted sculptures
of Hindu gods. It may be possible to see religious ceremonies taking place.
Place de la Victoire
Allow time to explore
Pointe-à-Pitre, the commercial capital of Guadeloupe, on Grande-Terre. A
guillotine stood in the Place de la Victoire during the French Revolution and
more than 850 people lost their heads. Today it is surrounded by a busy market.
Rock carvings
At the Parc
Archeologique des Roches Graves, near Trois Rivières on Basse-Terre, you can
see some of the earliest evidence of man in the Caribbean. Rock carvings made
by the Arawak Indians, including the head of a Carib chief, are believed to
date back to AD300-400.
Rum tastings
Learn how sugar cane
is made into the Caribbean's favorite drink at the Rum Museum at Bellevue, near
St Rose, Basse-Terre. The visit ends, of course, with a chance to sample some
of the rum.
Schoelcher Museum
The museum is in
Pointe-à-Pitre and dedicated to Victor Schoelcher, the man accredited with
helping to abolish slavery in the Caribbean. The Museum St John Perse, in a
19th-century colonial house, is dedicated to the islands' poet laureate Alexis
Saint-Léger.
The best places to
dive or snorkel are around the preserved underwater sanctuary of the Pigeon
Isles in the crystal-clear Cousteau Reserve, which is filled with multicolored
fauna. Glass-bottomed boats operate at several marine nature reserves on
Petite-Terre and Basse-Terre.
Walks in Grande-Terre
There are 263
hectares (650 acres) of mangrove swamp and a marine park where you can see
birds such as pelicans and doves - and along the cliffs of the Atlantic coast.
You can also take a kayak or pedal boat into the mangroves from the village of
Port Louis.
Waterfall walks
The National Park of
Guadeloupe provides around 300km (188 miles) of marked trails leading into the
rainforest, where visitors can observe many tropical animals and plants. The
scenery on these walks often includes waterfalls (such as the Cascade aux
Ecrevisses) or lakes (such as the Grand Etang).
REFERENCE SITES
I liked going to the Caribbean, just having nice holidays,
do you know what I mean?
Dizzee Rascal
Travel
to create marvelous memories for you and your family or friends!
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