Recommendations for St Lucia and barbados needed!

Hi All,

Hope you can help! Im planning to go on a relaxing holiday to Barbados
in June for two weeks with my boyfriend, and in those two weeks i am
planning to go to st lucia for a week.

Ive looked at 'caribbean star' for flights. has anyone been on these
flights before? any good? or know of any others?

would you recommend that we do scuba diving and any other activities
in barbados or st lucia? ive heard that soufriere, st lucia is
supposed to be amazing. (please note: im a beginner!)

also, does anyone know how far it is to get from Castries to Soufriere
in st lucia? (we dont drive) which coast/location would you stay in?
any recommended mid range hotels for barbados/st lucia?

THANKS A MILLION IN ADVANCE!!!!

Chrissy

"Chrissy" wrote in message
om...
Hi All,

Hope you can help! Im planning to go on a relaxing holiday to Barbados
in June for two weeks with my boyfriend, and in those two weeks i am
planning to go to st lucia for a week.

What kind of place are you looking for? Is is a cheap place, or a luxury
resort. All inclusive or self catering.
Give some clues, and it is easier to give some suggestions.
I am hopfully going to Barbados myself in a couple weeks. I just need to get
off from work...


Leif Arild
Norway

On 3 Apr 2004 07:49:08 -0800, (Chrissy)
wrote:

Chrissy

gIVE ME BACK MY NAME, wITCH.

On 3 Apr 2004 07:49:08 -0800, (Chrissy) wrote:

also, does anyone know how far it is to get from Castries to Soufriere
in st lucia?

To answer this best I need more context. There is a bus from Castries to
Soufriere. It isn't all that long. But you aren't going to be staying in
Castries itself. You need to get there somehow. And there are no buses at
the airport. The driveway in is about a mile long. So you have to take at
least one taxi while you are there.

You can take a bus to the airport if you are staying in the Rodney Bay
direction. You just have to ask and be prepared to tip. You can tip
generously and it would still be a bargain compared to the taxis.

If you are staying up in Rodney Bay they have boat trips down to Soufriere.
It would be a day long affair. From Rodney Bay you can get a bus to
Castries, and then a bus to Soufriere. If you want to stop at places along
the way to Soufriere, e.g. Marigot Bay and Anse La Raye, you have to do it
on the way back. If you get off at Marigot Bay you can not get a bus from
there to Soufriere. They will all still be full of passengers from
Castries. So you would have to go back into Castries.

Beware of people recommending the hire of a taxi for a day. I did this
based on the recommendations here. It was probably the biggest waste I ever
did when traveling.

I have discussion notes I can forward to you.

Here are a few pictures: http://donwiss.com/pictures/SLU-1999/

I have more from a later trip that aren't on the web. But for that later
trip there is a trip journal on the web at:
http://donwiss.com/carib2001.txt

Don donwiss at panix.com.

hi chrissy,

While in Barbados, see the island in one of our
vehicles. Visit my site (see below) for information
on barbados.

Anderson.

www.carsnowrentals.com
Great Cars, Best Prices, Free Gifts

"Chrissy" wrote in message
om...
Hi All,

Hope you can help! Im planning to go on a relaxing holiday to Barbados
in June for two weeks with my boyfriend, and in those two weeks i am
planning to go to st lucia for a week.

Ive looked at 'caribbean star' for flights. has anyone been on these
flights before? any good? or know of any others?

would you recommend that we do scuba diving and any other activities
in barbados or st lucia? ive heard that soufriere, st lucia is
supposed to be amazing. (please note: im a beginner!)

also, does anyone know how far it is to get from Castries to Soufriere
in st lucia? (we dont drive) which coast/location would you stay in?
any recommended mid range hotels for barbados/st lucia?

THANKS A MILLION IN ADVANCE!!!!

Chrissy

gIVE ME BACK MY NAME, wITCH.

iNsTeAd oF GiViNg It bAcK FoLkS, LeT'S jUsT aDD ApPrOpRiAtE dEsCriPtiVe
dETaiL

"Petal & Leif" wrote in message ...
"Chrissy" wrote in message
om...
Hi All,

Hope you can help! Im planning to go on a relaxing holiday to Barbados
in June for two weeks with my boyfriend, and in those two weeks i am
planning to go to st lucia for a week.

What kind of place are you looking for? Is is a cheap place, or a luxury
resort. All inclusive or self catering.
Give some clues, and it is easier to give some suggestions.
I am hopfully going to Barbados myself in a couple weeks. I just need to get
off from work...


Leif Arild
Norway

Hi Leif!

We are looking for self catering accomodation with Air Conditioning.
Averaging out at a maximum price of US$120 max per night over those 13
nights. hence we can stay in a cheaper hotel in one island and more
luxury on the other. as long as it averages out.

(is AC not needed? as i have seen a few hotels that does not provide
it?? wont that mean there will be a lot of mosquitos etc in the room?)

Which area would you recommend staying in at barbados/st lucia?

Thanks again!

Chrissy

Don Wiss wrote in message . ..
On 3 Apr 2004 07:49:08 -0800, (Chrissy) wrote:

also, does anyone know how far it is to get from Castries to Soufriere
in st lucia?

To answer this best I need more context. There is a bus from Castries to
Soufriere. It isn't all that long. But you aren't going to be staying in
Castries itself. You need to get there somehow. And there are no buses at
the airport. The driveway in is about a mile long. So you have to take at
least one taxi while you are there.

You can take a bus to the airport if you are staying in the Rodney Bay
direction. You just have to ask and be prepared to tip. You can tip
generously and it would still be a bargain compared to the taxis.

If you are staying up in Rodney Bay they have boat trips down to Soufriere.
It would be a day long affair. From Rodney Bay you can get a bus to
Castries, and then a bus to Soufriere. If you want to stop at places along
the way to Soufriere, e.g. Marigot Bay and Anse La Raye, you have to do it
on the way back. If you get off at Marigot Bay you can not get a bus from
there to Soufriere. They will all still be full of passengers from
Castries. So you would have to go back into Castries.

Beware of people recommending the hire of a taxi for a day. I did this
based on the recommendations here. It was probably the biggest waste I ever
did when traveling.

I have discussion notes I can forward to you.

Here are a few pictures: http://donwiss.com/pictures/SLU-1999/

I have more from a later trip that aren't on the web. But for that later
trip there is a trip journal on the web at:
http://donwiss.com/carib2001.txt

Don donwiss at panix.com.

Great info Don, Thanks. So by the sounds of it, its probably better
to stay in castries as its easier to get to other locations from there
by bus....how long does it normally take on the bus from castries to
Soufriere? and are they quite frequent?

are there any locations/excursions that you would recommend us going
to or any activities? (we're 24/25) are there any waterfalls around?
and is it generally quite safe in st lucia?

Thanks again,
chrissy

On Sat, 03 Apr 2004 07:49:08 -0800, Chrissy wrote:

would you recommend that we do scuba diving and any other activities
in barbados or st lucia? ive heard that soufriere, st lucia is
supposed to be amazing. (please note: im a beginner!)

I've dived in both St Lucia and Barbados. Trip reports are on my website.
St Lucia was definitely better for fish life and coral, but diving in
Barbados is still well worth doing. The best dive there is the wreck of
the Stavronikita, but the shallowest dive you can do on it is to a depth
of 100ft, so might not be ideal for a beginner.

Jason

--
http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Aussie diving reports including
Cape Tribulation, Cairns, Airlie Beach, Exmouth and the HMAS Swan

"Chrissy" wrote in message

We are looking for self catering accomodation with Air Conditioning.
Averaging out at a maximum price of US$120 max per night over those 13
nights. hence we can stay in a cheaper hotel in one island and more
luxury on the other. as long as it averages out.

(is AC not needed? as i have seen a few hotels that does not provide
it?? wont that mean there will be a lot of mosquitos etc in the room?)

Which area would you recommend staying in at barbados/st lucia?

I think there is several good choices for accomodation in Barbados. And for
the price of max 120 USD a night, you have better look for something on the
south coast. West coast is much more expensive, and you will not find very
much up there for that price. The difference between the west coast and
south coast is pretty big. West coast is more tropic and quiet, while south
is busy and with plenty things to do. So if you are going also to St Lucia,
you will get all the peace and quiet you want over there.

We have been looking at Allamanda hotel for this trip, but have not made up
our mind yet. It is a ok hotel, with a good management, and good location:
Short distance to everything you need, and right by the water. The
disadvantage is that there is not a good beach right in front, but 3 minutes
walk away is Rockley Beach, wich is a nice beach indeed. And you also have
some noise from the road. www.allamandabeach.com

Coconut court could also be a choice. Also located on the south coast. The
hotel has won several award for customer service and stuff. Located right on
the beach. Nice. www.coconut-court.com


We have normally stayed at Sierra Beach Hotel, it is very simple in a way.
But in a nother way it has become kind of homy for us. It is so small that
you get to know all the staff right away, it is right on the beach, and have
most things you need in short walking distance. But the disadvantage is that
it is so small hotel, that ther is few if any people around the pool area.
And therefore is often the pool bar closed. you get to buy your stuff still,
but have to phone up to the reception every time... But the best thing about
the hotel is the price. It is cheap, very cheap compare to the location you
get. But also here is some traffic noise. This is the other hotel we
consider on our trip this time. We have stayed there several times before,
and like it even if it is quiet. And it make us afford to spend more money
excursions, car rental and stuff like that.
http://www.caribbean-connexion.com/hotels/sierra.htm

Aircondition? Well, I prefer not to use it, but my wife like to have it. I
dont think it is too hot at night, but some people do. A fan is better!


Leif Arild