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*I first became familiar with St. Lucia almost by accident. While enroute home from Carnival celebrations in Martinique, the island was my connection point on my return flight to the States.
My lay-over was a long one – all day in fact, and it required traveling from the island’s regional airport to its international gateway located on the other side of the island.
Fortunately, one of my traveling companions had connections on the island who arranged for a quick tour during which I feel deeply in love with the islands lush and tranquil surroundings.
After spending the better part of the day on the island I was more than grateful for the long layover and knew that I wanted to come back to take in more of truly amazing place. Imagine my surprise when I was invited to attend the annual St. Lucia Jazz Festival. I couldn’t wait to pack my suitcase and run out the door.
Getting There
Major U.S. carriers (Delta, American and US airlines) provide regular service to St. Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport. From other Caribbean locales, the island is easily reached via regional service to the capital city, Castries. The most popular time to visit the island tends to be during the dry season (January – April), although the tropical climate makes the island a desirable destination anytime of the year.
Accommodations
My trip to St. Lucia was punctuated by accommodations that were provided courtesy of Molly McDaniel, PR Director of the luxury resort compound, Discovery at Marigot Bay. Neatly tucked in an emerald accented bay located on the island’s west coast, the property is truly a glorious site to behold. The accommodations are equally impressive with beautifully appointed suites offering every amenity and a staff pays attention to every detail connected with making your stay a memorable experience. The breathtaking views of the Bay further cemented my positive view of this property, and the food, spa and adjacent shopping gallery only added to my opinion that I had arrived at Shangri-La. I guess you can tell that I simply adored this property and strongly recommend it for travelers looking for an A+ vacation experience. In fact, if you’re coming to St. Lucia, Discovery at Marigot Bay is a must-do!
Culture
St Lucia is home to a rich culture that is largely influenced by West African traditions with hints of English and French customs as well. With a population that is largely Roman Catholic, the island annually hosts the La Rose and La Marguerite festivals. St. Lucia also hosts a Carnival festival that’s held in mid-July every year so as not to conflict with larger celebrations held on other Caribbean islands.
St. Lucia Jazz Festival
Now that Caribbean Jazz Festivals have become about as common as Pina Coladas and Rum Punch, my expectations for the St. Lucia Jazz Festival were tempered only by my true love for the island. Like everything else on the island, the jazz fest was a tremendous surprise First of all the facilities on Pigeon Island were well organized and first rate, which provided a comfortable environment to enjoy the major talent line-up that featured: Ledisi, Dionne Warwick, Michael Bolton, Air Supply, Jonathan Butler , Anita Baker and Wyclef who performed during the festival. I highly recommend that you mark this festival on top of list for 2009.
Gil L. Robertson IV
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BEST BETS – Home Entertainment: “The Black Candle”
Every year millions of African Americans ask themselves what to do about Kwanaza. Although as many as 22 million people of African descent celebrate the week long (observed from December 26 to January 1) affirmation of African principals and beliefs, many people (myself included) are still challenged as to the best way to incorporate it into the traditional Christmas season. A new documentary, “The Black Candle” by director M.K. Asante, Jr., examines the meaning of this important African American holiday and presents a thought-provoking message for why it should be embraced by every American of African descent. Narrated by renowned poet Dr. May Angelou, “The Black Candle should be considered a must have for stocking stuffers this holiday season. www.theblackcandle.com
AUTOMOTIVE SPIN - Toyota Land Cruiser
Wow Factor: Toyota’s Land Cruiser more than lives up to its reputation as the SUV of choice for drivers who seek efficiency, performance and style in their rides. Everything is top-shelf with this car from the ride, from its sleek, edgy design to its state-of-the-art performance features. As I settled behind its wheels, I knew I was in for an adventure on the road.
Ride: The ride of the Land Cruiser is so smooth that you will question if you’re driving on wheels. Equipped with a 5.7-liter V-8 that emits 381-horse and 401-lb-ft of torque power, the Land Cruiser also features a six-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shift mode. Other features include a transfer case that features a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential. The suspension system is excellent, designed with off-road capability in mind. Once you get behind the wheel you won’t have to worry about a thing.
Comfort: In addition to superior functions the Land Cruiser is also outfitted with the driver’s safety and comfort in mind. My model was fitted with a total of 10 airbags - two front airbags, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, two rows of side-impact airbags, and three-row curtain airbags. Other safety features include active headrests for front-row occupants, a direct-sensing tire-pressure monitoring system, parking assist, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, active traction control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, hill-start assist control, and vehicle stability control. A real plus…
Spin Control: Priced at over $70,000 Toyota’s Land Cruiser is definitely a ride for high-end drivers. From A-Z, this car offers everything a driver needs for the ultimate driving experience, and if you can afford it, it definitely worth its price tag.
Grade: B+
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