Main Trip Report - Day 5 (Wednesday)
Today is our Deep Sea Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour. The day we head out to sea to bask in waves, sun, and more waves to try and see whales and dolphins.... uuggh.. "I'm feeling sea sick Kate".... "No worry Dave, we'll enjoy the beauty and charm of Marigot Bay and catch some fine views of the Pitons, and then eat a TON of food at the Returnees Party"... "as soon as you come out of a coma".
Wednesday Morning:
Early bird catches the waves today, so we had ordered continental breakfast for this morning for 7am. The bus for our Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour was to pick us up at reception at 7:30am.
Today we had an early start so we ordered the continental breakfast the night before: fruits, toast, coffee and orange juice. Our balcony serviced us well this morning!
Our bus to Castries left reception at 7:30am arriving at the dock besides the small airport in Castries about 7:45am. Our hosts would be the Hackshaw's who operate the only commerical whale watching tours on the island. They have a very high success rate and average 10 sightings out of 12 trips. We had quite a wait once on the Bertram deep sea fishing boat named Lady Hack as there were other guests still to arrive for the trip out to sea. In total about 45 of us would be making the excursion, anxious to see some whales, dophins or both.
Finally were headed off out of harbour passing the large cruise ship in port, the Golden Princess,
We headed out off the west coast of St. Lucia following a deep drop off shelf on the ocean floor out about 3 miles where the whales are most likely to be seen. No luck for the first hour or so. By this time we had past Marigot Bay, Soufriere and soon approach the magnificent Pitons! By this time I am overcome with sea sickness and have lost all interest in whales, dolphins, or anything else not related to dry land... ugh...
Another hour in the area between Soufriere and the Pitons and the captain finally gives up and starts to motor north back towards Marigot Bay. Boy did I welcome that sight! A safe haven for me to recouperate.
By about 11:45 we arrived in Marigot Bay pulling up to JJ's waterfront restaurant and bar for a feast! Our long table of hungry whale watcher wannabees was served plate after plate of local dishes and a rum and ginger (we think) punch. By the end of the meal, Kate was getting pretty overheated so we check out the mangrove forest behind the restaurant before leaving.
Once back on board the boat, we headed back to the Marigot Bay palm beach for a 45 minute refreshing swim off the back of the boat.
Well time to head back to Castries so the skipper pulled us all back on board, and we motored up the west coast in no time passing close enough have great views of the Regency and Halycon on the way back. I went up to the upper deck and spoke with the skipper about his boat, all his hi-tech gps instruments and boating in and around St Lucia. Glad I went up top! Kate decided to relive the Titantic just before arriving back at port. We were a bit late, arriving back at the Grande about 4:00pm.
Well now I'm happy! Back 'home' and straight to the main pool to float around the pool on a float with a fancy drink and 3 foot straw that Dawn assembled for me. This I discovered a few years ago is the most efficient way to sip your drink while relaxing on a float.
So tonight was the Returnees Dinner. We almost didn't get invited (although we were going anyways!), and received no invitation in the room. After 2 inquiries in the days leading up to this night, we had a last minute invitation in our room along with the usual T-shirt. In previous years we usually received T-shirts, a bottle of rum, and at Dunns River Kate was presented with flowers. Before the dinner there was a Returnees cocktail on the Sunset Terrace besides the lobby, where we were welcomed, and offered a glass of champagne.
Several guests won prizes including a free spa treatment, a day trip and a few other prizes. Finally a few couples, including ourselves were presented with two pairs of silver sandals in a small velvet bag for having stayed a Sandals for at least 35 nights. Nice! We are well on our way to 70 nights and a free stay!
The Returnees dinner followed at Bayside which included: seasonal greens drizzled with pimento dressing, gazapacho - a chilled cucumber and tomato bisque, rack of lamb with a grainy mustard and herb crust, wild rice medley and seasonal vegetables served with a lamb jus. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos of everyone at dinner, but did take one of Kate with her strawberry coulis and Chantilly cream desert. Mmmmm... this was the first time I have had lamb... excellent! Our table was hosted by Mervyn, the Human Resources Manager for the Grande. As always chatting with the managers is always informative and we shared our enthusiasm, experiences and suggestions.
At the Returnees dinner we were all presented with a gift. A music video, slide show and music CD featuring Zi on Sax. A great souvenir from the trip since most nights we had a sax player who entertained those eating at Bayside from the 2nd floor of the main pool swimup bar.
We finished off the night over at the beach bar, now our regular hang out. Playmaker Fluffy was manning the music tonight and many of us danced in the open air, and no doubt enjoyed a few night caps...Next Up: Day 6 - Beach Bar, Pigeon Island Hike and Croquette (Thursday)
Back to Yesterday: Day 4 - Seas Sick, Marigot Bay and Returnees Dinner (Wednesday)
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