Day 1 itinerary
Good morning from Balenbouche!!
In the morning we will be carrying out beach profile surveys at three different locations on the beach - looking at the effect of different factors on the shape of the beach
In the afternoon we will be looking at turtle nesting sites to investigate the effect of temperature on sex determination
Day 1 Activities
In the morning we we carried out beach profile surveys at three different locations on the beach assessing the effects of different factors on the shape of the beach.
Also, in the morning we evaluated the beach to figure out the optimal location for turtle nesting sites by evaluating factors such as temperature of sand and moisture levels. We concluded that the best spot is approximately 6 metres from the shoreline as the temperatures and moisture levels were the optimal temperatures to allow for safe growth and hatching.
In the afternoon, we conducted research on microplastic levels within the sand by collecting samples, which will be sent to The University of Portsmouth to provide the data to the St Lucian government as they haven't got any data on microplastic levels.
After that, we picked up litter to ensure the beach was left in a cleaner state than when we arrived.
Day 2 - Itinerary
Marigot Bay, sea grass and sea urchin survey.
Euros final in the afternoon.
Dinner at Rodney Bay
Day 2 - Activities
In the morning we travelled to Marigot Bay also known as the hurricane hole, where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed. We met group 1 at the beach, to conduct a sea grass and sea urchin survey.
In the afternoon, we went to watch England lose in the Euros final, as per usual. Rather depressing. We were watching the football in a bar called DAX.
Then in the evening we had dinner in Rodney Bay, at the Harmony suite. Where we got a large selection of food offered to us.
Day 3 - Itinerary
Tour of Balenbouche by Uta
Piton Falls spa visit
Activities
Our day began with a tour of the Balenbouche estate by our host Uta. The tour included lots of intruiging information about the estate and a tour of the factory and grounds. After this tour we were treated to lunch by Uta, which involved home-made bread and a lot of second courses.
After this we headed off to the Piton falls spa pools, which are naturally sourced water pools with a ranging of temperatures and even a natural waterfall. The spa also had fabulous views of Petit Piton as it was right at the base.
Once again for dinner we returned to Balenbouche for a homemade dinner which consisted of a bean chilli with plantain, coleslaw and rice.
Day 4
Our day commenced by reuniting with group 1, and a guided hike with views of Gros and Petit Piton. At the view point there were many varieties of flora such as breadfruit trees. Once we had reached the bottom we were rewarded with wax apples and tamarin juice, which was a refreshing delight. After a short bus drive we arrived at our lunch buffet which was filled with a variety of native cuisines to enjoy. We ate garlic plantain, mango and avocado salad, locally sourced salad and many other delicacies.
Following this, we had another highly informative guided tour of Soufriere (which means sulphur in the air, in French). We learnt that each European country wanted its own Caribbean island in order to grow and trade sugar and tobacco goods, however, this lead to many years of conflict. We were educated on the submerging plate boundaries which lead to the formation of the islands and geographical features such as the Pitons. The Pitons were formed by built up magma trying to find a way out to the surface through weakness is the crust, however it only built up underneath the surface causing the peak's formation. There were also cashew and mango trees.
The natural volcanic mud spa rejuvenated our skin. Then we retuned to Balenbouche estate for another delicious dinner.
Today, we had an early start as we had to leave promptly, we drove 2 hours to a nature trail in a tropical rainforest. We arrived and it was very hot, Kanya (our Caribbean Elective guide) was not allowed to go on the hike due to inappropriate footwear not suitable in protecting from the 14-18ft venomous snake we were warned about. We began the hike with much apprehension about the boa constrictors and the local venomous snakes, we trekked up many, many flights of stairs and eventually reached the top. The view was incredible and definitely worth the climb.
We walked the rest of the way back to the vans for lunch before leaving to go to the beach. We arrived at the beach just before sundown and had many seaweed fights, after leaving the beach we went to a local restaurant - Mamma Rose - a buffet style meal consisting of: mac&cheese, lentils, rice, fish, chicken and salad. Delicious. Then we returned back to Balenbouche where we all played cards before bed.
Today, we visited Morne Fortune museum and art gallery which encapsulated the history of St Lucia as well as some locally produced art. We also got to produce our own art by designing carnival costumes with paint and stamps. Alongside this, we had a tour of the Morne Fortune which consisted of many buildings built by the English and French which could easily be distinguished by their external architecture. The English buildings were made of imported brick and the French, of stone, with some buildings being a hybrid of both due to their time being built during both French and English rule. We learned that the French won 7 battles and the English won 7 battles however the final battle was won by the English.
After lunch and a short drive, we arrived at Fond d'Or Nature Heritage Park where we were given a guided tour of the historic grounds and the beach of Fond d'Or Bay. on the headland there was a a stack in the shape of a face and one of a lion which we were taught were worshiped over 200 years ago.
Day 7
Today we said goodbye to Balenbouche and our drivers Manny and Ray. We had our last breakfast and said our goodbyes before heading towards the North. On our way to the North we stopped at Fond Doux eco resort where we had our guide walk us around the cocoa plantation explaining the history of the resort and information about fruits that grow there; for example that star fruits are very good for women, but not men. We then learnt the process of making chocolate. We saw how the cacao beans are dried and then are "danced on". We then went into the chocolate lab and saw the process of the chocolate being made into bars and got some free samples. After we reunited with group 1 and had a Saint Lucian style buffet for lunch. We then received our free chocolate bars and continued our journey to the north. Late afternoon we arrived at harmony suites and settled in and unpacked before having dinner.
First time waking up at Harmony suite, had a lovely lie in and an even better breakfast. Came downstairs to egg, bacon and tropical fruits. Then into the minibuses with new drivers, off to La Toc beach. We started off with a quick swim and a snorkle to the coral reef, with a bit of football on the sand. Then we got onto doing coral identification, where we used a key with each different colour and type of coral . After this, we had lunch at the beach and bought some souvenirs. Then we moved to the fish identification, we went back into the water and counted the types of fish and their quantities . This was a fun activity that helped us learn more about local sea life. Then we conducted a microplastic survey. We collected sand samples and analysed them for the presence of microplastics. After this, we returned to the hotel and had our dinner at Domino's .
Day 9:
Today we went bamboo rafting along a murky river around the beautiful mangroves which we could see with their long roots stretching into the water which had barracudas in it - so not so lovely as seeing the mangroves. On the return journey we saw many wildlife and insects in and around the river making the boat ride much more interesting and entertaining. After we went further into the mangroves of Marigot Bay to complete a biomass survey of the mangroves to collect averages and anomalies. This provided great information for a deeper insight to the natural growth of mangroves in the area.
Today we went to Pigeon Point, this beautiful island connected to mainland St Lucia via a land bridge, we arrived at around 10 and walked to the beach. The beach was amazing with white sand and palm trees, we split into two groups, group 1 (the boys) were first to go out on the boat to explore the coral reef and collect data on the amount of coral bleaching and the coral health in this area. Whilst they were snorkelling the girls had some time to swim in the sea and jump off some little rocks into the water. A man arrived with his floating fruit market and most of us bought a coconut which we drank then had cut up so we could enjoy the fruit. After the boys got back it was the girls' turn and we took the boat out and began quite close to beach diving down to examine the coral. We noticed a lot of destruction, probably amplified by the hurricane a couple of weeks ago, as well as a high amount of bleaching, however the colour of much of the coral was still incredible and the fish were the most tremendous colours: neon orange, electric blue, greens, pinks, reds, leopard print and even a rainbow one! We swam out far being carried by the current exploring the amazing various types of coral, after deciding we'd gone far enough - so we couldn't see the bottom only the sun rays reflecting through the water we returned to the boat and went back to shore. Afterwards, we had a quick lunch before walking up Pigeon Point - with a remarkable view at the top. We admired the scenery before descending and returning to the vans to go back to the hotel. After a brief swim in the pool and a couple of swimming races, and handstand competitions we got ready to head out for dinner - Amici's Italian - where everyone enjoyed a delicious pizza before coming back to the hotel to bed before an early start!
Day 11
Today on our excursion we visited a local agricultural crop farm and had a tour round the facilities. Our tour guide taught us about the irrigation systems and their economical issues surrounding farming in Saint Lucia, as well as telling us about the fruit and vegetables grown there ,letting some of us try fresh guava. We then returned to Marigot Bay to complete our seagrass survey whereby we measured the percentage of seagrass per square metre. We then had some free time to swim in the sea finding loads of hermit crabs and geckos. Finally we returned to our hotel and had some free time in the pool and had dinner.
