Besides, the grounds are staffed by well-experienced trail guides, which makes for a safe and efficient trek. It was recommended that we do a "My Adventure Tour". The country’s national sport is cricket, introduced by the British, and Darren Sammy is a St Lucian who is the current captain of the regional West Indies cricket team. This was not as I'd imagined a walk through the rainforest would be as it was a prepared walkway through the trees starting in a banana plantation. The main economic activity of the island is tourism, although the financial crisis in the US and Europe has seen a huge decline in the last few years.

Very disappointingly we did not see much. Thanks Big Rich for an awesome experience! Always evocative, she welcomes visitors with her soothing waves, warm beaches, and hospitable people. They named a square after him in Castries, which has a 400-year old samaan tree shading the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. Their customer service was impecable!! The first of these were the Arawaks and the Caribs, Amerindian peoples indigenous to the entire Caribbean. Both Kim and big Rich are natives of the island, are very knowledgeable and can share some amazing stories that will enrich your experience. The majority of St Lucia’s population comes from African slavery descent, and largely they practice Roman Catholicism, although very liberally. My family was vacationing in St. Lucia and wanted a tour of Soufriere. Ask Obed A about Best of St Lucia Cultural Heritage Tour, Ask bekhspike2018 about Superior Tour Services, Ask Dana S. M about Best of St Lucia Cultural Heritage Tour, "Climbing the Pitons Tour" (with Big Rich), Ask gwgoldberg about Superior Tour Services, My Adventure Tour with Superior Tour Services, Ask JerryM2490 about Superior Tour Services, Hotels near St Lucia Airport Taxi & Tours, Hotels near Rising Sun Taxi Service Saint Lucia, Hotels near Owen Eugene Executive Services, Canyoning & Rappelling Tours in St. Lucia, Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in St. Lucia, Points of Interest & Landmarks in St. Lucia, Game & Entertainment Centers in St. Lucia, Joy's Adventure Excursion and Coastal Cruise. I highly recommend this tour and ask for "Big Rich" as your guide. My favorite was the walking tour of a local farm where we experienced them making bread, showing us plants and fruit trees, tasting fresh fruits, freshly baked bread, and refreshing beverage. The entire population of St Lucia is approximately 178,000 people. On one special day, we were lucky to have the founder Kim and big Rich. Firstly - to our driver "Big-Rich". Their descendants constitute the largest percentage of the island's population, and their proud heritage has had an enormous impact on St. Lucia's character as a nation. Some villages still practice the ancient art of fishing in dug-out canoes. Our island’s heritage, traditions and culture have been influenced by their culture as well as the culture of the resilient enslaved Africans who fought for their freedom. The banana export industry is also an important part of the economy, but increased competition from Latin American growers has also seen the pockets of St Lucians suffer recently. St Lucia is a small island nation which boasts a huge history. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The country joined different alliances, never fully independent, until it gained full sovereignty in 1979. He captured the entire day with amazing photography and a compilation of clips throughout the day. In comparison to other immigrant groups, their numbers were small.

The Gros Piton hike itself was fairly strenuous, but was totally worth it for the views and lush terrain. The water is very cold and not very clear but VERY refreshing. The island of St Lucia was originally inhabited by the Arawak people, believed to have travelled over by boat from the South American continent between 200-400 AD. The fertile, volcanic soil of the island yields an enormous supply of produce, and the island is one of the leading banana exporters in the Caribbean, with six different varieties available. Although their traditional culture has almost disappeared, the East Indians have had a notable and lasting influence on the island's fine cuisine. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Carib people, who dominated most of the Caribbean islands (and from which the region’s name derives), then began to replace the Arawaks between 800 and 1000 AD, and remained there until European exploration. However it was still nice but again we feel this was because we were the only 2 on the trip. The only sovereign nation to be named for a woman, the island personifies adventure and inspiration. The pebbly (but smooth) sand made for a nice foot massage after the hike! Most worked in the large sugar factories in the Cul-de-Sac, Roseau, and Mabouya valleys and in Vieux Fort, where there is still a significant East Indian community. After the abolition of slavery, East Indians came to St. Lucia as indentured servants. Though the Europeans didn't settle St. Lucia in large numbers, they had an incalculable impact on the island's history and culture. Definitely a good little trip out but not quite as expected. - See 101 traveler reviews, 47 candid photos, and great deals for Castries, St. Lucia, at Tripadvisor. Kim and Big Rich were able to customize and personalize our tours to our likng. Apparently this trip can have around 20 people on it and for the money this would not be worth it as there isn't that much wildlife to see.Overall we were satisfied but a majority of this comes thanks to Big-Rich. The walk continued along the path not really through the rainforest but on a sort of public footpath next to it however there were a lot of different plants to see and learn about which was interesting. The island's outstanding cuisine has recently gained international recognition by garnering several gold medals in the regions most prestigious culinary competitions. In addition to bananas, St. Lucia's abundant tropical fruits include mangoes, papayas, pineapples, soursops, passionfruit, guavas, and coconuts. Whilst it may be a small country, centuries of settlers from all around the world have made it rich in culture.

The next group to arrive on the shores of the island were the Europeans, primarily the British and the French. We had Big Rich and he took us to the Soufriere volcano and sulphur springs, a waterfall, and a beautiful restaurant called "The Still Beach House". Local chefs combine the island's fresh produce with a wide variety of equally fresh seafood to create tantalizing curries, Creole-style entrees, and pepperpot stews. For example, English is the main language spoken although you will also hear a French patois dialect being spoken as a result from centuries of French control. Ways to Experience Superior Tour Services, Boat Tours, Private Tours, Sightseeing Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Speed Boats Tours. Evidence of their existence here has been discovered, such as pottery from archeological digs. I truly want to thank Superior Tour Services and Big Rich for making this experience happen! He answered all the questions we had and gave us a real personal insight into the life and culture of the island. It was first settled by Europeans as far back as 350 years ago, and today the culture is a melting pot of people of European and African descent. African traditions have survived the repressions of slavery and servitude to become the strongest element in St. Lucian culture today. My family and I had the opportunity visit St.. Lucia. Some of the few particular aspects of Amerindian culture that survive include farina and cassava bread, fish-pots and other local craft items. St Lucia was one of the last colonies to do so, becoming an independent nation in 1979. It became part of the British Windward Islands colony, until this was dissolved in 1958. St. Lucia has produced two Nobel Prizewinners: the late Sir W. Arthur Lewis, who won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1979, and poet Derek Walcott, who won the 1992 Nobel Prize for Literature. To understand as well as enjoy St. Lucia's culture is largely a matter of gaining some sense of the various peoples who have contributed to it. A visitor is likely to drive on the British side of the road to an Indian restaurant in a French town, greeted all along the way in Creole patois. He is a credit to your company. more. St. Lucia's culture has evolved from the intermingling of the many different groups of people who have participated in its history. In addition, there were plenty of opportunities to stock up on snacks/water before and after the hike, especially thanks to our driver & tour guide from Superior Tour Services, Richard (Big Rich). Myself and my partner were the only two people booked on this trip so we were the only ones in the minibus.

All rights reserved. The was a stop half way at a small waterfall and a small lagoon. Superior Tour Services: St Lucia Culture. It was first settled by Europeans as far back as 350 years ago, and today the culture is a melting pot of people of European and African descent. The trees are much to dense to even see the sky let alone birds flying. I booked solo through my north island hotel, and found a great group of about 13 like-minded travelers (mostly young, but some middle-aged). We have two small children and didn't want to take a full day tour, nor a tour with any snorkeling (we're not good swimmers). Kim assembled a private/Personalized excursion (all day)that included several highlights from the island such as mud bath, hot springs, stops to several vantage points, was able to fit in lunch at Ladera and made sure we captured the sunset with great views. He had a great sense of humor and was clearly looking out for his guests, which was much appreciated all around.