Caribbean island of St. Lucia from the water
Caribbean,  The Archives,  The places we've been

Looking for Mercy in the Caribbean

September 19, 2024 /

Have you ever had an idea about how your day would turn out, only to have something much better happen? This was the day we had on the island of St. Lucia. Why don’t you grab a cup of your favorite bevy and join us as we go looking for mercy in the Caribbean?

The Quick Catch up

We were in the Caribbean on our very first cruise. Not knowing what to expect, we did a little research to find things to make the experience much easier. We did excursions on the island of St. Thomas where we found pirates and swam with sea turtles. And we did an excursion on Dominica where we went chasing waterfalls and peering into the Emerald Pool. This week, let’s explore together the beautiful island of St. Lucia.

Caribbean island of St. Lucia from the water
Hello, Saint Lucia!

St. Lucia

After a few days of structured time, we felt like we wanted to stretch our legs and explore a little. Right off the docks we found this great sign, which I climbed up on and was yelled at. That lady DID NOT have any mercy. But we also found these two local beers, so I was able to recover from my shame pretty easily.

Sign that reads “Saint Lucia”. Behind it is a blue bay and on either side are palm trees.
Welcome to Saint Lucia!
Two Piton beer sitting on a wooden table. Behind them are a beach, blue water and palm trees.
Two Pitons on the beach? Yes, please!

As we made our way around the bay, we got many offers for tours by locals but we knew the ugly truth. As fantastic as these site seeing trips might be, if you’re not back on the boat by the time they gave us for departure, you’re on your own. That’s right, your belongings will move on to the next port of call and you’re left behind, looking for a ride. So we wisely said “no thanks”.

Pymarid covered in art and bright colors. It’s surrounded by palm trees. In front to the right is a white fence with a sign on it that reads “Study in France”.
The artful pyramid

And then we met Roger

One of locals, fell in with us as we walked along. Rather than talking us into some sort of a tour, he happily shared information about the places we were seeing along our route.

A statue of a boy in a green bird bath, erected in an intersection
Little boy in a bird bath
Two story blue building of the Castries City Police
Home of the island po po
A man in a colorful outfit and straw hat, walking next to a man with dreadlocks in a plaid shirt
The walk and talk

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

We read that there was a basilica on the island, which is a big deal in the Catholic faith. We had visited one other basilica previously in St. Paul, Minnesota. I expected to find a very formal, very large and quite ornate place for worship, instead, the place was inviting and full of local love and charm.

Exterior of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. It’s a brown brick building with a red, tiled roof.
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Portrait of St. Martin De Porris above three tombstones inlaid in the wall.
St. Martin de Porres above three inlaid tombstones
A sign above a marble pillar that reads “Door of Mercy”
Found it! Thank God!!
Interior of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The vaulted ceiling is brightly painted and the pews are a dark wood
I mean…wow!
Altar with two marble angels. The walls behind it are painted gold. Above it is painted the image of Christ crying
Christ and the altar

Derek Walcott Square

St. Lucia was the home to two nobel winners – Sir William Arthur Lewis, who won the prize for economics in 1979 and Derek Alton Walcott, who won the prize for literature in 1994.

Golden bust on a green pedastal. It is sitting on two rings of stone and stands in a park with palm trees
Sir William Arthur Lewis
Golden bust on a green pedastal, standing on a two tier ring of stone, in a park with Pam trees.
Derek Walcott
Fountain in a park with a large, old tree behind it
Fountain in front of the four-hundred-year-old Saman tree

Castries Central Market

We left the square and enjoyed the sights and sounds of a large market that had stalls both indoors and outside.

Interior of Castries market. Tour guide, Roger, is in the middle of the hall.
Inside the Castries Market
Brightly colored wares inside the Castries Market
The colorful goods for sale
Multiple umbrellas sitting over tables with items for sale. Behind them is the pavilion for the market
Outside stalls of Castries market
Table with multiple gords and bowls
These gords are cleaned and used to make bowls
Red cart full of silver fish
Red cart and silver fish
Man filleting a red snapper on a table in front of a red table umbrella
Filleting some red snapper
Hand carved wooden goods and jewelry on a red velvet cloth
Hand carved goods and jewelry

Parting Ways

We were so thankful for Roger’s company and his knowledge about the island and the sites in Castries. We gave him a tip and thanked him for his company. If you’re ever in Saint Lucia near the bay, you may get the great opportunity for a personal tour.

Woman in a pink skirt and black hat standing next to a man with dreadlocks in a plaid shirt and jeans
Jill and Roger
Three row boats beached on the sand. Behind them is the blue water
The beached boats

Setting Sail

Heading out of the harbor, we got to watch the MOST amazing sunset. St. Lucia was so beautiful, I was sorry to see it go. But ahead of us was Martinique and Antigua, so more beautiful places to come. Join us next week as we show you around the islands and share what it’s like to swimming with sting rays.

Sun setting over the water
Sunset in St. Lucia

Be sure to not miss a moment by following us in real time on Instagram at The__Travel__Oracle. And for fun, curated content, be sure to join our tribe. It’s free and did we mention it’s fun? Until next time!

You May Also Like

Lush, green mountain with two waterfalls coming off either side

Let’s Go Chasing Waterfalls in the Caribbean

August 29, 2024
Group of people fooling around in a pool

Plan B-eautiful – Setting Sail to the Caribbean

August 1, 2024
Man in running clothes, standing in front of a pirate statue and the tower of Bluebeard’s castle

Finding Pirates in the Caribbean

August 22, 2024