James pulled his air conditioned van to the side of the road, reached under his seat, turned to face us and with a serious expression, held up his large machete.
“Wait here…”
Exiting the vehicle, James entered the dense brush on the side of the road and proceeded to hack the lush foliage with his sharp blade as we watched curiously.
“What is he doing?”
Desiree, James’ charming and informative colleague, replied with a reassuring smile,
“It’s a surprise…”
James returned to the vehicle, handed me what appeared to be a piece of bark and smiled.
“Smell this.”
To my delight, this wasn’t just ordinary bark. This was fresh cinnamon bark sliced right from the tree. I held on to the bark tightly as if it were gold, trying to breathe in every ounce of the heavenly aroma before I had to pass it around to the five other passengers to enjoy. Little did they know that this was my favorite scent!
Cinnamon Bark
This was just one of the many personal touches that James St. Prix of James Touring Service offered his guests making our day in St. Lucia a special one filled with one surprise after another!
At 9:00am that morning, we disembarked the Carnival Valor and stepped outside the gates of the cruise terminal. Seeing a “James Tours” sign, we were greeted warmly by Desiree. As the other members of the tour gathered, James came to introduce himself with his friendly smile and fun personality.
A Pittsburgh Steelers fan to the core, James’ Toyota van was no exception. Proudly displayed on the hood of his clean and comfortable van was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ logo and wide receiver, #84, Antonio Brown. Although many taxi services have claimed to be James to draw business away, don’t be fooled! There is only one James St. Prix!
After we introduced ourselves to the four other passengers including a newly engaged couple and two friends from Chicago, we piled into his Steelers van complete with free WI-FI and listened to James as he gave us a brief summary of the day ahead.
Given the twisty roads of St. Lucia, James focused on driving and left the informative guiding to Desiree. If you succumb to motion sickness, don’t let this stop you from experiencing James Touring Services! James drove up those winding switchbacks carefully and with a seasoned hand. For those with extra sensitive equilibriums, consider taking a few ginger tablets beforehand like I did, and you should be fine.
The adventure began with a stop at a large and bountiful banana plantation. After James explained to us how bananas were harvested, three friendly young ladies who worked at a nearby souvenir shop treated us to samplings of banana ketchup, banana & honey barbecue sauce and banana rum! We even got to try fresh, sweet bananas picked right off the tree! Everything was so delicious, and my husband and I left with a bottle of the barbecue sauce to enjoy at home.
When asked how he chose which local merchants to stop at, James said that it was based on their behavior and whether or not they pressure the tourists into buying their products. He ensured us that as long as he’s around, we will not be harassed. Each vendor we encountered was very pleasant and open to answering any questions…or even just having a friendly conversation!
Christiana, a very nice lady with a sweet Grandmotherly presence, made cashew candy and sold it for $2.00.
It was a great purchase…and so delicious!
As we drove through the old fishing village of Canaries, James and Desiree discussed the local economy, pointed out where locals spend their free time and even showed us where laundry is washed on the banks of a river (where the juiciest gossip is shared!) As we passed the first church on the island, James stopped to ask a young boy who was selling shell necklaces why he wasn’t in school. After a brief conversation in Creole, he bought a necklace and told the boy to get back to school. In addition to being well respected in the community, it was obvious that James also cares about his home and the people of St. Lucia.
Canaries
During the tour, James peppered the conversation with funny jokes which he confirmed are funnier when told in Creole, a “harsh” French-based language containing African and Carib words. He was also very generous when it came to photo stops and complimentary snacks where he would stop at local eateries and let us experience local treats like “Crunchy Cookies” and “Cassava Bread”. He even kept his van stocked with ice-cold beverages to keep us hydrated throughout the day. We learned that James had worked for Royal Caribbean for over 15 years, so he knew all about providing excellent customer service, and it showed!
Photo stop of the Pitons on our way to Soufriere.
Crunchy Cookie
I was most excited about going to the oldest town of Soufrierie where we would experience Sulphur Springs Park, the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano and St. Lucia’s premier tourist attraction! Ask anyone on the island, and they will tell you that the mud is supposed to take ten years off your appearance! So with that in mind, my hubby and I did not hold back on this natural beauty treatment!
Check out this long line of cars trying to get in!
The mud bath was a 4-step process.
First, we bathed in a mineral rich thermal pool. If you like taking hot showers, this will be a most welcome experience. The temperature is about 100 degrees Fahrenheit!
Next, we slathered ourselves in the age reducing mud. There were two types of mud – black & grey. They both have the same therapeutic properties but differ in that the black mud is from volcanic ash and could permanently stain your swimsuit. The grey mud, on the other hand, is thicker, less messy and won’t ruin your swimsuit. James had someone set aside a container of the special grey mud for us that we eagerly slathered ourselves with!
I didn’t know getting muddy could be so fun!
After letting the mud dry on for a few minutes, it was time to turn up the heat as we slowly reentered the mineral pool to rinse off as best we could. It helps to have someone with you to assist in those areas you can’t easily see or reach.
The last step was the shower…or what I’d like to call…the trickle. We basically stood under a spigot and attempted to rinse ourselves by contorting our bodies in a way so that the very light stream of water could reach those remaining muddy bits. As I rinsed off, I was baffled by what I saw…for someone who usually gets devoured by mosquitoes, I was bite free! It turns out that sulphur repels mosquitoes…oh happy day!
The mud bath experience made us feel rejuvenated, and the pumice consistency of the mud left our skin softer than I can ever recall! My hubby’s sunburn was even less intense. As far as looking younger, I’m not sure if it took ten years off my appearance, but I’ll make any excuse to get back to Saint Lucia!
The excitement was far from over as our next stop was to Toraille Waterfall, or as Desiree called it, the “Power Shower”!
Toraille Waterfall, one of St. Lucia’s natural heritage sites, spills into a refreshing pool that visitors are welcome to swim in or in some cases walk in, scream upon the realization of the freezing temperature, and quickly exit the pool!
Guests lined up to bravely stand under the “Power Shower”. A photographer was available to capture those special moments of being pounded by the force of the water!
Desiree was kind enough to capture these romantic awkward moments for us…lol!
Try to smile normally…I dare you!
Take 1: “Smile at the camera honey!”
Take 2: “Ok, let me just fix my hair first!”
Take 3: Cover of Sports Illustrated here we come! LOL!
Yay, we did it! (Well, kind of…)
Did I mention how fun that was?!
The water didn’t feel so cold afterwards…quite refreshing actually!
Words of advice – bring water shoes because rocks line the bottom of the pool and were slippery and challenging to navigate through. And be sure to reapply sunscreen immediately afterwards because after sloughing away a layer of skin at the mud bath, the sun can be very unforgiving!
After a thoroughly enjoyable morning learning about the island and trying new things, it was time to experience the flavors of Saint Lucia!
Tucked high above the bay with phenomenal views of the Pitons is La Haut Plantation Resort.
It is here that we were treated to a delicious Authentic Plantation Gourmet Lunch that matched the glorious views before us! This all-inclusive island luncheon consisted of:
- Creole chicken
- Breaded fish with lime ginger sauce
- Caribbean Rice
- Stew pink beans
- Sauted freshly picked garden vegetables
- Collis of tomato & onion on root vegetables (dasheen, plantain)
- Local signature macaroni and cheese
- Fresh market garden salad with a choice of mustard and balsamic vinaigrette
- Banana ice cream
Hands down, the most delicious meal on the trip!
It doesn’t get better than this…
It’s easy to lose track of time at La Haut Plantation Resort. The grounds are so green and lush and filled with flowers of every color, a refreshing pool that guests are welcome to use, a breathtaking backdrop of the Gros and Petit Pitons and the volcano that was emitting steam, and gorgeous grounds to explore. I thought I was in heaven!
I think I’ll stay here!
The day was quickly coming to an end, and James had two more surprises for us. We stopped at a vista overlooking the gorgeous Marigot Bay. This is the site where several battles between the French and English took place, and it’s also the setting of where Doctor Doolittle was filmed! Today, it’s a peaceful haven surrounded by a mangrove of trees with a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, land and water activities, shopping and entertainment.
The best tour team on St. Lucia – James & Desiree!
On our return to Castries, we even stopped to see a unique rock formation called the Natural Bridge that was featured in the popular movie Pirates of the Caribbean.
Natural Bridge
The tour came to a close much too soon, and we all agreed it was a one of our favorite tours from our cruise! Our tour mate, Art from Chicago, said, “It’s a beautiful island and worth coming to see. James gives a great tour.”
Our tour group looking 10 years younger!
When considering a tour of St. Lucia, remember that you get what you pay for. According to James, taxi drivers who charge $20 may claim that they’ll provide an island tour with lunch, but what you will get is an impersonal drive from point A to point B with a simple lunch of bread and cheese on the roadside.
Pay $70.00 per person for James’ Tour, and you will receive an exciting, personal and quality tour of St. Lucia with two considerate, fun and professional tour guides whose goal is to treat people well and show them a good time while introducing you to their homeland!
I had the best time with this fun group!
When I asked James and Desiree how they’d describe St. Lucia in one word, it wasn’t easy for them because St. Lucia embodies so many things! James said, “It’s incredible, so lush and green, and the people are wonderful!” Desiree described St. Lucia as picturesque and simply beautiful. She also revealed her favorite things about St. Lucia including the freedom to walk wherever she wants, the delicious food, the friendly people and the relaxing evening mud baths!
James showed us everything he loved about St. Lucia and more!
On the back of his van, it states, “I ain’t no joke.”
Remember, there’s only one “Steelers” James St. Prix – he’s the real deal, and he will give you the time of your lives and a tour of St. Lucia that you will never forget!
I know I won’t!
Have you ever been on a tour like James Touring Service?
What aspect of James tour would you enjoy to do the most?
James Touring Service
www.jamestouringservice.com
tourstlucia68@yahoo.com
1 (758) 712-6285
1 (758) 719-5836
SO glad you had a great time! We loved our tour with James Touring in St. Lucia too 🙂
Thanks so much you Bri! Wasn’t James great? We had such a blast on that tour! 🙂
Wow! I have so many questions. I wish we knew each other so I can call. So what was the cinnamon bark like? Did it smell like the spice or like more – making you feel like “now THIS is cinnamon.” – And do they use the bark for anything? And I love that there were so many banana products – it’s like the US craze for all things bacon, which I refuse to join but I’d love to try banana ketchup.
I love that you had this amazing adventure. I have yet to travel too much, I’m more of a home body and love being at home with our dogs. So I appreciate blogs like that that share their amazing adventures. One day, I’ll leave our dogs for more than a couple days. LOL
Hi Kimberly!
To me, the cinnamon bark was BETTER than what you find in stores! I was in heaven! Good question about the bark – I’m not sure if or what they use that for.
Oh & the bananas were soooo good! Very sweet and fresh & quite tasty as ketchup! Who would’a thought?! 🙂
Makes me want to go to St. Lucia, especially after the cold, snowy winter we have had. It’s amazing how much you did on this one day tour! who knew St. Lucia had Pittsburgh Steelers fans! Enjoyed visiting your blog and great travel posts!
Thanks Linda! I highly recommend St. Lucia if you want to escape the cold.
There was SO much to do in St. Lucia. I wish I could have stayed longer to experience everything, but James covered A LOT and gave us a wonderful tour in the short amount of time we had.
Iove playing in the mud and very hot showers!!
Then St. Lucia is for you!!! 🙂
Wow! Banana & honey barbecue sauce, now that’s something I’ve never heard of before! Does it have a strong banana taste or does it just add some sweetness? I mean, I love bananas but I’ve never thought of putting them in a sauce. Great! Now I’m craving BBQ sauce! I’ll have to add St. Lucia and Banana BBQ to my bucket list!
Hi Tiffany!
Oh my gosh, the banana bbq sauce was SO good! It adds a mild banana flavor without being overbearing…very smooth. There was also banana ketchup that was just as delicious! Now I’m bummed because our bbq sauce is almost finished…{sigh…} Time to return to St. Lucia! 🙂
Jen,
Your trip was amazing! St. Lucia is definitely on my list of places I’d like to visit. Of course, if I do go, I’ll look for James to take me around and see the sights. It sounds like he really makes an effort to make his tours fun.
Traveling is so much fun! I’ve been fortunate enough to live in Sicily and Italy. Now that I’ve been back stateside for so long, I’m really ready to go back and visit Europe. Interacting with people from other cultures and experiencing their beautiful lands is so exciting.
I love the ways you are filling your passport. Be sure to keep sharing and enjoy yourself.
Hi Charlie!
I see that our hubbies have something in common – the Navy! (although I met him after he finished serving.) How wonderful that you got to live in Sicily and Italy!
Yes, if you find your way to St. Lucia, look up James! He is so professional & wants everyone to have an amazing time…and we did! Thanks for dropping by!!!
Your pictures are beautiful! I’ve never looked into St Lucia, but now it’s on my list of places I want to visit! I took a bus tour in California a few years ago, but nowhere near as personal as this. I think what I love the most is how personalized and personable James made the tour. I would love to smell fresh cinnamon bark!
Thanks Ashley! It’s hard not to take a good photo in St. Lucia! Everywhere you look is so scenic. And that cinnamon bark…heavenly!!! 🙂
My husband and I visited St. Lucia for 2 weeks this past July and we had the best time. It was during Carnival so we went and watched the parade, ate the local food and had the best time. Our resort was dreamy. This July we’re headed back to St. Maarten. We love the Caribbean. Looks like you had a fab time, too!
Oh how wonderful! You went at a great time then! Carnival sounds like so much fun.
St. Maarten is so gorgeous too…those beaches! Have you been to Orient Beach? That water was soooo turquoise! Have a great time!
um..wow! that looks like a fabulous trip! Smelling the fresh cinnamon bark sounds amazing- I love cinnamaon!!
The cinnamon bark was a pleasant surprise! Very fragrant. I wanted to hide it in my bag and take it home with me!!! LOL!
It sounds like such a fun tour! An awesome tour guide makes all the difference in the world. We had wonderful guides when we went to Peru and Bhutan and I know they are the ones who really made those trips fantastic.
I’m so jealous about the cinnamon bark. That one of my favorite scents too!
So true – an awesome tour guide makes all the difference!!! James definitely goes the extra mile!
Wow, one of the best blog posts I have read in a while. Seriously. Loved the plethora of pictures you included, especially the ones with the little thought bubbles.
Cinnimon? Oh yes, that is one of the best smells for sure!
I totally have to get an I Aint No Joke bumper sticker. Sadly I did not find one on Amazon.
Will be back to explore more stories and adventures, especially the parts about So Cal
Thanks so much Troy! I’m glad you enjoyed my stroll down St. Lucia lane! 😉
I loved the bumper sticker too! It really represented James perfectly…and that cinnamon bark…blissful!!!
What an amazing trip! Sign us up! 😉 I love going to other countries to experience their beauty, culture, food, sites, and smells!
Traveling to other countries is the best! It’s so much fun to experience everything different countries have to offer!
Wow fabulous pictures. Always wanted to go to St Lucia, and now you’ve convinced me that it’s definitely worth going.
I’m sure James would be happy to show you around St. Lucia!!! 🙂
Where do I start — it looks like so much fun. Your photos are so breathtaking! I really want to travel abroad but have yet to do so.
It WAS fun! Yes, it’s time to pack your bags! 🙂
Ah what a heavenly trip! It has been so long since I have traveled… That mud bath sounds amazing…
Heather, that mud bath was amazing! I never thought my skin could be that soft! 🙂
I am so jealous! I have been wanting to go to St Lucia for a long time. It will be a while since my youngest is 3. Reading your post I feel like I was right there with you. So many fun pictures. Oh and now I want something with cinnamon!
http://www.anotherbusymom.com
Sounds like you had such a fun trip. Especially loved the intrigue in the beginning, I was wondering what the surprise was going to be – berries? Loved the muddy photos, too 🙂
You did all that in 8 hours? What a trip! I love the intrigue in the beginning, I was wondering what the surprise was going to be – berries? Love the muddy photos, too 🙂
What a wonderful experience and fabulous photos that you have share.
By reading your description and seeing your pictures, I want to go visit there & take James tour! I have been on a cruise one time but I did not go do anything like this. You are great publicity for this man & his tour!
Wow! Lovely places! Thanks for sharing you adventure with us!
The mineral rich thermal pool pics were my favourite. I love natural hot springs!
-Kim
How glorious your time in St Lucia looks. I would love to take our whole family and follow in your footsteps! – I’m very jealous 🙂
Wow, great trip! You totally made me want to go to St. Lucia.
Wow! This looks like an amazing trip–I really love the way you recounted this. Thank you!
Wow! I was captivated by your descriptive words of your vacation. It makes me want to go there on vacation for sure. I would love to try out the mud bath. That looks like fun. Thanks for sharing your time! Sounds like it was a great stop on your cruise.
Gorgeous photos! I cannot even imagine smelling cinnamon bark. As a baker, that would be so neat. And the mud bath! What fun. A fun post to read while we wait for our 4 feet of snow to finish melting away.
Oh my goodness. Wonderful post & loved all of the wonderful pics. I would love to go one day. Maybe when the kids are all grown (dreaming). I love the mud bath & the waterfall. Looks like the food was delish too. Thanks for sharing.
Okay, you won me over. DEFINITELY going to go to St. Lucia and have James show us around! That sounds positively amazing! Now…I just have to get over my fear of flying to get to the awesome places like that haha
I love all of your pictures! Looks like a wonderful vacation. I’ve always wanted to go through a waterfall.
That was some adventure. I wish I could do that too. Explore and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and that mud bath is one of a kind. You surely enjoyed your time there.
Jen it looks like a beautiful island! I would love to experience a mud bath. Looks like lots of fun 🙂
What a wonderful trip and a fabulous time you had. James certainly looks good at what he doesn – giving real value for money! Who needs to be a chreapskate when you can enjoy St Lucia with James!
Such an inspiring post! This is a part of the world I’ve always wanted to go to – and I REALLY want to try a mudbath! Look forward to reading about more adventures 🙂
Wow- we’ve had about 10 feet of snow in the past two months. Your sun holiday looks amazing! Just seeing your pictures helps remind me that there is warmth and sunshine somewhere 🙂 Great tips for people planning a trip to St. Lucia.
Aww this reminds me so much of Trinidad. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely photos with us. I really enjoyed your photos and your post about your visit to the island.
This looks like so much fun! I love the mud! And the food. What an adventure. I went to St. Lucia many years ago, and your photos remind me of some of the trip–but I do think you had more fun! It’s lovely to see your zest for travel.
WOW, this sounds like an amazing day! I would love to be able to go on a trip like that one day.
Wow! It looks like you had an amazing time! This is the first time I’ve heard of banana ketchup. Was it mushy? Did it taste like just banana or was there another unique flavor to i? I’m intrigued! lol
I wanna go! Looks like it was a fantastic trip. I’ve never been on a touring trip like yours but I will if I’m ever in St.Lucia. Very well written…
I still have snow on my lawn, so I am drooling while looking at your photos of waterfalls, mud baths, and oceans! St. Lucia is one of a handful of Caribbean Islands that we have not yet toured. I continue to hear wonderful things about the people and geography and FOOD. If we do get there, rest assured I will be looking for James!!
This trip looks like pure bliss. It has been so long since I’ve traveled. I love your photos. Thank you for sharing.
Your pictures are amazing! This is for sure one place that I would LOVE to visit someday. Plus, that Steelers van is great! (I’m from Pittsburgh but not biased or anything! Hahaha.)
What an exciting adventure and fun time with your hubby.
Wow, that looks like so much fun! I would love to smell the fresh cinnamon bark… I love cinnamon! When we head over to St. Lucia we are definitely going to have to go on a tour with James! Thanks for the great review!
That looks like so much fun. I haven’t been on a trip in years. Thank you for sharing. I would love to cover in mud and hop in the hot water.