St. Lucia (Caribbean Sea)

Posted on March 22, 2025 by richardcedwards

St. Lucia, photograph # 1—on the southwest coast of the island, the UNESCO-designated Pitons soar high into the sky

Leaving Martinique late at night, we sailed the short 12 miles [19 kilometers] to the independent Eastern Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia (formerly British, explaining why vehicular traffic on the roads is on the left side of the road). “The Verdant hills of St. Lucia create an idyllic Caribbean backdrop for its capital city of Castries [where our ship docked]. Outside of the capital, the island has unspoiled tiny fishing villages dotting the shoreline, banana plantations edged with wild orchids, picture perfect beaches lapped by cerulean waves, and the UNESCO-designated Pitons soaring high into the sky. Outdoor experiences dominate time spent on this island paradise, from admiring the panoramic views at Morne Fortuné and exploring the vibrant tourist hub of Rodney Bay to snorkeling at Pigeon Island, driving through the Soufrière Volcano, and discovering scenic Diamond Falls. For cultural immersion, peruse the fresh produce and handcrafts at Castries Market, shop for local made batik items, and sample Admiral Rodney rum and golden Piton beer, named after the island’s signature volcanic spires.” – our ship’s travel guidebook

Emblematic of St. Lucia, the UNESCO World Heritage site is comprised of Petit Piton and Gros Piton, two volcanic spires rising from the sea and blanketed with thick forest and abundant bird species. Hikes up the Pitons are strenuous due to the steep climbs and humid climate.

St. Lucia, photograph # 2 – sailboats anchored in a bay on the west coast of the island

Little known fact: “St. Lucia is one of only two countries in the world to be named after a woman. While the reasoning behind the name is vague, it is believed that early French seamen who were shipwrecked on the island and grateful for their survival named it after the Christian martyr Saint Lucy of Syracuse.” — our ship’s travel guidebook

St. Lucia, photograph # 3 – the large fishing village of Soufrière on the west coast of the island

St. Lucia, photograph # 4 – Soufrière Drive-In Volcano has bubbling sulfur springs in the caldera of the dormant Qualibou volcano that last erupted in 1746; it is the Caribbean’s only “drive-in” volcano

St. Lucia, photograph # 5 – sulfur venting out of the caldera at the Soufrière Drive-In Volcano

St. Lucia, photograph # 6 — bubbling sulfur springs in the caldera of the dormant Qualibou volcano

“The nature is absolutely the draw at this small, eastern Caribbean island — volcanos, rainforests, and black-sand beaches are just par for the course. It might be loved by honeymooners, but St. Lucia is ideal for anyone looking for a relaxing beach vacation, charming island culture, and activities when you want them. For hikers, there’s the lush rainforest, Pigeon Island National Park, and Tet Paul Nature Trail. Over on the west coast of the island, Soufrière, set against the volcanic Pitons, is ripe for exploring: Don’t miss its Sulphur Springs and mud baths, beautiful Diamond Botanical Gardens, and the private black-sand beach of Anse Mamin. Get a taste of local cuisine at a bevy of restaurants serving up everything from green figs and salt fish to cassava bread.” — www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g147342-St_Lucia-Vacations.html

St. Lucia, photograph # 7 – following our walking tour of the Soufrière Drive-In Volcano, our three-generation family of seven stopped for a tasty 4-course luncheon at the very popular (with honeymooners) Ladera Resort, just south of the fishing village of Soufrière – overlooking the UNESCO-designated Pitons

St. Lucia, photograph # 8 – the infinity swimming pool at the Ladera Resort

St. Lucia, photograph # 9 – the view from our luncheon table at Dasheene Restaurant at the Ladera Resort, overlooking of one of the UNESCO-designated Pitons soaring high into the sky

“A one-of-a-kind place on earth. Built by hand, Ladera Resort sits on the volcanic ridge between the two legendary Pitons of St. Lucia. The only resort built on a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A space to love, explore, restore and celebrate.” — www.ladera.com

St. Lucia, photograph # 10 – the Ladera Resort has spectacular views of the two UNESCO-designated Pitons soaring high into the sky

St. Lucia, photograph # 11 – at the Ladera Resort, the accommodations are rustic suites — very Swiss Family Robinson in look and feel — that have private plunge pools and no fourth wall, allowing unobstructed views

“Anticipate the experience of a lifetime at this eco-lodge built with Caribbean timber, local stone, and terra-cotta tiles on the site of a former cocoa plantation. It’s in a calm, beautiful garden setting on a forested ridge overlooking the Pitons and the sea far below. Rustic suites — very Swiss Family Robinson in look and feel — have private plunge pools and no fourth wall, allowing unobstructed views. At Ti Kai Posé Spa, indulge in a hot volcanic stone massage or take a dip in the mineral pools. A free shuttle can take you to Sugar Beach, just five minutes away. Note that there are no televisions or phones in guest rooms, but there’s free Wi-Fi for the needy (plus, only 17+ here — befitting one of the world’s most romantic resorts).” — Condé Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards 2017 – 2024

Duke of York Islands, Papua New Guinea

Posted on September 16, 2024 by richardcedwards

The Duke of York Islands are a small group of wooded islands located in the center of St. George’s Channel that separates the provincial islands of New Britain and New Ireland and form part of the Bismarck Archipelago. The islands were named in 1767 by British navigator Philip Carteret to honor Prince Edward, son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and younger brother of King George III of Great Britain. The Duke of York Islands consist of a total of 13 islands. They lie “in an active seismic zone, where two tectonic plates push upon each other. Earthquakes and tsunamis are not uncommon for inhabitants of the islands. The islands are low-lying and are threatened with inundation due to rising sea levels. On 28 November 2000 the evacuation and resettlement of one thousand inhabitants [from the main island, Duke of York Island] to New Britain was announced.” — Wikipedia

We visited one of the uninhabited islands and set up Zodiac boats to use as “platforms” for snorkeling above the coral reefs.

Duke of York Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 2 — on the waters adjacent to one of the uninhabited islands, Zodiac boats were positioned to use as “platforms” for snorkeling above the coral reefs

Duke of York Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 3 – other islands in the small group of wooded islands

Duke of York Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 4 – the center peak/caldera provides good evidence of active volcanic activity in the group of islands

Duke of York Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 5 — a magnificent sky above the caldera

Garove (Ile des Lacs) Island, Vitu (or “Witu”) Islands, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea

Posted on September 13, 2024 by richardcedwards

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 1 — Garove (Ile des Lacs) Island is a large volcanic caldera island with a narrow channel to enter the “doughnut hole” lagoon from the south; it is the caldera left after a major eruption almost 300 years ago

From a prior expedition visit, our expedition team recalled that some of the best SCUBA diving in the world was on Garove Island. Garove (Ile des Lacs) Island is a large volcanic caldera island with a narrow channel to enter the “doughnut hole” lagoon from the south. Garove Island is the caldera left after a major eruption almost 300 years ago. The caldera’s crater is about 5 kilometers [3 miles] wide with 100 meter [330 feet] to 150 meter [500 feet] high walls around it. Because those walls are breached on the southern side of the island, the caldera is flooded and forms a superb natural harbor. We anchored in the lagoon for the day. Technically, Garove Island is one of several Vitu Islands – a volcanic group of eight islands located in the Bismarck Sea, located 40 miles [64 kilometers] north of the New Britain (island) coastline, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The Vitu Islands are administratively part of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Generally forested, the islands produce some copra and cocoa and the islands are popular with SCUBA divers. Note that copra is the dried, white flesh of the coconut from which coconut oil is extracted. Traditionally, the coconuts are sun-dried, especially for export, before the oil, also known as copra oil, is pressed out.

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 2 — we took Zodiacs to a landing on the western interior coastline of the lagoon to visit the island’s small native Melanesian village

We took Zodiacs to a landing on the western interior coastline of the lagoon to visit the island’s small native Melanesian village. For safety reasons, no swimming or snorkeling took place, as there have been crocodiles sighted in the lagoon. About ¼ mile from the landing spot (the old jetty is broken down, so we had a beach landing) we walked up a concrete sloped walkway ramp to the village, where everyone was very friendly and most people, particularly the younger adults and the children, spoke English. One lady at her home, near the center of the village, offered visitors a whole coconut, whose top she cleaved off, exposing a small hole, enabling us to drink the coconut water, which was extremely refreshing in the warm humid environment. (This was the first day we really felt the humidity, because the forests on the outer rim of the caldera, above the lagoon, blocked the strong trade winds that blow through this region at this time of the year. With calm air, the humidity was very noticeable!).

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 3 – this mother and child were part of the locals’ “greeting committee” to welcome us (warmly) to their village

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 4 – a family that we talked with, in front of their house — as we walked on the trail along the shore to the ramp for the uphill walk to the main village

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 5 – a family at their home that was part of a multi-home compound

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 6 – the communal kitchen building for the families in the compound shown in photograph #5, above

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 7 – outrigger canoes along the shore of the lagoon

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 8 – homes in the main uphill village

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 9 – a young carpenter who was building a new door for a home in the village

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 10 – a rooftop solar panel (the only one we saw on our walk in the village)

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 11 — one lady at her home, near the center of the village, offered visitors a whole coconut, whose top she cleaved off, exposing a small hole, enabling us to drink the coconut water, which was extremely refreshing in the warm humid environment

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 12 – this woman was home shredding fresh coconut meat for cooking

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 13 – happy boys on the walkway to the upper main village; note the mother’s teeth are orange from chewing beetel nuts (areca nuts)

Betel nut chewing, also called betel quid chewing or areca nut chewing, is a practice in which areca nuts are chewed together with slaked lime and betel leaves for their stimulant and narcotic effects, the primary psychoactive compound being arecoline.

“The seed is separated from the outer layer of the fruit and may be used fresh, dried, boiled, baked, roasted or cured. The most common method of using betel nut is to slice it into thin strips and roll it in a betel leaf with slaked lime (powder) or crushed seashells. This leaf package is known as a betel quid, betel nut chew, betel chew, betel pan or betel paan (India). Betel quids may also contain tobacco and other additives such as cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, aniseed, coconut, sugar, syrups and fruit extracts, to enhance the flavour. Betel nut chewing is an important cultural practice in some regions in south and south-east Asia and the Asia Pacific. It has traditionally played an important role in social customs, religious practices and cultural rituals.” — https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/betel-nut/ (website of the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation)

Garove Island, Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea, photograph # 14 — the “stairway to heaven” stairs to the primary school and the local church, situated on top of a hill

After visiting the village, we walked downhill, back to the Zodiac landing spot and continued on to reach the “stairway to heaven” stairs to the primary school and the local church, situated on top of a hill. Everyone climbing the stairs was conscious of the fact that there was no handrail and that, years ago, so the story goes, author Peter Benchley (Jaws) had too much to drink and lost his balance and fell off the stairs – breaking an arm.