Ib, MP 200 °C (with decomposition event).
1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 500 MHz) δ: 8.52 (s, 2H), 7.99 (s, 2H), 6.76 (s, 2H).
13C NMR (DMSO-d6, 100 MHz) δ: 164.1, 163.9. HRMS: [C4H6BN3O2 + H+]: calculated 140.06258, found 140.0639.
Soufrière, Saint Lucia
Soufrière, Saint Lucia
Town in Saint Lucia
Soufrière
is a town on the West Coast of Saint Lucia. The town and the
surrounding district has a population of 7,935. Originally founded by
the French it was the original capital of the island.
Wikipedia
Soufrière
is a town on the West Coast of Saint Lucia. The town and the
surrounding district has a population of 7,935. Originally founded by
the French it was the original capital of the island.
Why Go
With 28 islands in the Caribbean, choosing the best fit for your
ideal vacation can be daunting, especially when you throw kids in the
mix. Is it just fantasy to hope for a tropical spot with soft sand,
dense foliage, lots of activities, away from the hard-partying college
crowd—in a reasonable price range? Not if you head to St. Lucia. This
small island in the Lesser Antilles has a reputation as a romantic
getaway—it was featured on a recent season of ABC’s
The Bachelor—but it also offers plenty of low-key fun for families.
Insider Tips
- Temperatures in St. Lucia tend to stay between the low-70s to
mid-90s ºF; December and January are the mildest months. The dry season
lasts from December to May, and the wet season runs from June to
November. But rain is possible at any time, and you might get a brief
shower at some point on any given day. The sun rarely stays hidden for
long, though. If you book through a travel broker, be sure to ask about
their rain policies. Some companies provide rain guarantees that promise
discounts on future vacations if rain disrupts your fun.
- Castries is the capital city, and has the highest concentration of
tourist activity. It is a stop on many cruise ship itineraries, and
hosts many international visitors.
- Soufriere, Marigot Bay, Gros Islet, and the coast near Vieux Fort also offer beautiful scenery and comfortable lodgings.
- There are two airports in St. Lucia: George Charles Airport in
Castries on the north end of the island, and Hewanorra International
Airport in Vieux Fort on the south end. Confirm your hotel/resort’s
location and plan your arrival accordingly. While the road system is
well maintained, it can still take almost two hours of drive time to get
from one end of the island to another. Transfers across the island can
be expensive, as much as $110 per person, depending on the company and
type of service. Try to book in advance.
- The west coast of the island faces the Caribbean Sea; the east coast
faces the Atlantic. If you are really yearning for the calm, crystal
blue water that everyone associates with the islands, choose an
accommodation closer to Castries. This side has the best conditions for
snorkeling, scuba, and just splashing around. If you have younger
children, however, give some serious thought to an all-inclusive resort
in the south near Vieux Fort. The area is quieter, and several
properties have wonderful children’s activities that leave you free to
lounge in the sun all day. The water is rougher on that side, and the
beachfront is thin, so ocean activity consists mostly of sunbathing and
wading. The resorts make up for this with beautiful pools and supervised
water parks that are probably a better choice for little ones—and they
can still build sand castles! Most hotels can arrange excursions to the
rest of the island.
- The south and east coast are also the best spots for windsurfing, if
you, or your teenagers, want to give it a try. Novices will need to
plan for a two-day set of lessons before going out on their own.
Water slide at Coconut Bay Resort, St. Lucia
Where to Stay
When traveling with a family group, whether it’s just you and the
kids or if the grandparents and cousins tag along, all-inclusive resorts
have many advantages. There are usually a variety of food options, so
you don’t have to spend hours finding restaurants where everyone is
willing to eat. Most have activities and equipment for those who enjoy
playing outside, host of lounge chairs where you can sit with a book and
a beverage, and spa services if mom needs a little “me time.” Everyone
can stay busy doing exactly what they feel like doing, and no one gets
stuck doing the dishes.
On the south coast,
Coconut Bay Resort and Spa
is especially well suited for families with younger children. The
property is divided into areas for all ages and areas for adults only:
you won’t have to worry if your youngsters’ games are bothering the
singles next door, or what your kids might overhear. The family pool
area includes a water park with lazy river, wading pools, waterslides,
and a swim-up bar with a special selection of non-alcoholic mixed
beverages. The kids can have a “mocktail” while you sip your mai tai.
The beachfront is small, and the Atlantic waters choppy, but if you want
snorkel or body surf, the activities desk can arrange day trips to the
Caribbean side. Best of all, the Coconut Bay features a kid’s club where
children can be dropped off for a large part of the day. They can enjoy
games, crafts, and a large playground in a supervised environment while
you swim, shop, or nap. The property features four restaurants: a grill
and a buffet that are open all day, and two sit-down eateries that
require reservations. The food is intended to appeal to the general
public, so you won’t find much exotic spice, but the staff does prepare
most items from scratch.
Fun at Coconut Bay Resort and Spa, St. Lucia
On the north coast,
Smuggler’s Cove Resort and Spa
should appeal to families with older children and teenagers. The
property has well-maintained gardens and pools—also divided in to
family-friendly and adults only categories—as well as beach access and
water sports equipment. They provide lessons in snorkeling, scuba, and
kayaking, among other things. In addition to a kids club with programs
similar to Coconut Bay, Smuggler’s Cove has teen lounge areas and
activities that include archery, cooking classes, and water polo. Their
excursions (these are an additional cost) include whale watching and a
forest canopy zip line. They offer a choice of four dining areas,
including a buffet with kid-friendly fare as well as Creole and Italian
with more formal service.
Beachfront Room, Smugglers Cove Resort, St Lucia
If you prefer to book a standard hotel, St. Lucia has many beautiful properties. The
Jalousie Plantation
is a former working sugar plantation with a beautiful white sand beach.
They provide supervised children’s activities, with an emphasis on
rainforest and marine education. Jalousie offers all-inclusive packages,
but you can opt for an accommodation only booking.
Jalousie Plantation Beach, St. Lucia
Coco Palm, a boutique hotel, is located in
Rodney Bay Village,
an area that caters specifically to tourists with beach access,
shopping, a casino, and other popular amenities. This small property
welcomes children (where many cater to adult couples or singles) and has
small program of activities for them.
Pool, Coco Palm Resort, St. Lucia with Kids
Where to Eat
St. Lucian food, as with much Caribbean cooking, features quantities
of fresh fruit and vegetables, grains, protein from poultry and fresh
seafood, and aromatic spices. The kids can enjoy fresh squeezed juices
or fruit-flavored water; adults should take the opportunity to sample
the local cocoa tea, as well as island-produced rum.
The hotels and resorts, especially the all-inclusives, will have plentiful food available at all hours. There’s nothing
wrong
with that, to be sure. You will find a variety of safe choices….after
all, kids will always eat French fries. But for a real taste of
Caribbean cooking, you’ve got to get out and get to town. If you take
any guided excursions, and feel adventurous, ask your driver to take you
to one of the many small, no-name restaurants where the locals eat.
There you can sample dishes like fried plantain and breadfruit, curried
chicken or fish, and a side of mixed grains. Put a dash of the local
peppah sauce on top if you like spice (go easy on it)! Take the kids to
one of the open air markets in Castries, Soufriere, or Vieux Fort for
tropical fruit, freshly extracted coconut juice, and sweets made with
locally grown cocoa. Remember to take cash, as these kinds of small
vendors rarely take credit cards.
Curried chicken, St. Lucia
Rodney Bay Village
in Gros Islet features a variety of restaurants from fast food to
Creole, Indian, and seafood. You will want to plan ahead, especially if
you intend to eat out for dinner. While there are plenty of low cost
options, you will want to know the average cost per plate, as well as
whether reservations are required. Many higher end restaurants have
dress codes—pants for men, dresses or skirts for women—and may hold the
kids to these standards, as well. The same is true for dining all over
the island.
For spectacular views and fresh, local delicacies, make a trip to
Le Haut Plantation Restaurant
in Soufriere. Breakfast and lunch are the best times to take advantage
of the restaurant’s three balconies that overlook the city and ocean,
including a stunning vista of both peaks of the Pitons. Try the daily
fish specials—much is fresh caught, and delicious grilled or fried. The
chicken roti are also a St. Lucian favorite and recommended.
View from Haut Plantation Restaurant, St. Lucia
What to Do
Snorkel in the Caribbean Sea: In shallow water, this
is a fun activity for even small children if they are confident
swimmers. There are dozens of colorful fish species, turtles, and other
marine life to experience, and the crystal water makes for excellent
viewing. The Caribbean side of the island has much calmer water and more
sheltered inlets. Consequently, most of the outfitters for water sport
are on the north and west side of the island. There are a number of
different companies providing equipment, transportation, and other
services. If you stay in a resort or hotel, it is likely you can book a
day trip through their activities desk. Private vendors, many of whom
station themselves on the beaches, offer less expensive packages. But
ask around before contracting with any of them, and make a special point
of talking to other visitors, as some of vendors are more conscientious
and safety-oriented than others.
Snorkeling, St. Lucia
Walk Through Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens: Located
on the privately owned Soufriere Estate, this preserve is a verdant and
vibrant haven for the island’s many plant and bird species. The grounds
are carefully landscaped with local trees, plants, and flowers—all of
which are available for close viewing from carefully groomed paths.
There are some inclines and slightly slippery spots, but the majority of
the park is easily navigable for adults and children. Island residents
serve as guides for an informative, restful nature hike among
multicolored blossoms, jewel-toned birds, and towering rubber trees.
Entry is $5 for adults, and half price for children. For an extra $4-6,
you can soak in natural mineral baths dating back to the French
occupation of the 1700s. Have one of the island guides accompany you for
a wealth of useful information about the flora and fauna; your family
will enjoy the gentle humor and warmth of the St. Lucian temperament.
The guides do work for tips, so keep that in mind at the end of your
visit.
Diamond Falls, St. Lucia
Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, St. Lucia
Ride a Zipline Through the Rainforest: At least two different outfitters,
Rainforest Adventures St. Lucia and
Treetop Adventure Park,
provide canopy tours for adrenaline junkies. A gondola carries you up
to the treetops…then you explore the forest via a series of high-speed
rides on ziplines (with proper safety equipment, of course). These tours
are appropriate for adults and older children. Rainforest Adventures
excursions start at $69, and have a minimum age of 12. Treetop
Adventures asks for a minimum height of 50”, and fees range from $49-59.
For families with children as young as 3, Treetop provides a “Treetop
Adventure Tour” that skips the zipline, but includes a mini-course with
suspended bridges and safety equipment.
Zipline, Treetop Adventure Park, St. Lucia
Drive into the Volcano: Much of St. Lucia’s
geography, including the Grand and Petit Piton mountains, was created by
volcanic activity. The island is one of the few places in the world
where visitors can get up close and personal with an active volcano.
Don’t expect to see red-hot magma or flowing columns of melted rock, but
the sulfur springs and park will allow you to walk quite close to open
fields of bubbling sulfur and steaming pits. The area is still active,
and quite dangerously hot. So visitors are limited to observation decks
in close proximity to the pits, where the acrid tang of sulfur permeates
the air. Before driving down into the volcano, visitors stop at a small
information center with displays on the island’s geological and social
history. After observing the sulfur pits, you can request a stop to soak
at the mud baths and hot springs. A number of local companies will
schedule visits to the area; prices vary depending on the vendor and
length of excursion. This visit is best for adults and teenagers, who
will find nature’s raw power fascinating. Small children will find less
to interest them in the simple facilities and pungent atmosphere. For
more information, visit the
Soufriere Foundation’s website.
Steam from volcano, St. Lucia
Related Posts
//////////
