Saint Lucia: Island Country, Essay Example

Vacation spots are essential for recharging the body and the soul. There is something almost otherworldly to immersing oneself in a foreign culture and climate. I had such an experience when I visited Saint Lucia Island. Bordered by the Caribbean Sea and full of natural and manmade treasures, the island is the perfect place to both unwind and explore. Even the inhabitants seem to embody the island’s policy of serenity. By plunging into the deep foliage and exotic sea life, I was able to forget the stresses of the world and truly appreciate the tropical paradise that this island is. The air seems fresher there, as does the food. Everything feels clean; even when there is sand lodged between your toes. Beyond the calm there are countless ways to traverse the island in search of adventure and new oddities. Saint Lucia has such vibrant life and history that it is like a dynamic little paradise, ripe for both enjoyment and study of its natural elements.

The clean blue waters and green foliage of Saint Lucia Island make it like a vibrant young child and cultured elder at the same time. It gives the appearance of youth because it is so rich and full of life and character. The playful resorts where tourists unwind are like playgrounds. On the other hand the island has such deep history that it seems to have some unspoken knowledge to it. The wind that passes through seems to whisper of history. From its wondrous sulphur springs to its awe-striking waterfalls Saint Lucia is a remarkable place (“St. Lucia”). For me, this place is not a home. I can hardly image being able to live productively under the Caribbean sun with my toes constantly itching for the smooth sand. It is a sanctuary, a place of complete otherness that draws me in and makes me forget the stresses of the world, nice for a time, but too overwhelmingly beautiful for a home. I know that I would become spoiled and disenchanted with the wonders of this island if I was to reside there for an extended period of time, and that would truly be a crime. Saint Lucia is a place bubbling with life that stands as a reminder that rebirth and history can exist simultaneously

Saint Lucia Island is in the Caribbean Sea. Although it is a place of serenity, the island has a background of strife. The Island first became known in Europe around 1500, and the English began attempting to colonize it in 1605. The English received hostility from the natives of the island, and were originally unsuccessful in colonizing it. The first effective colonization of the island was in 1650 by the French. France signed a treaty with the island and it officially became a dependency of Martinique in 1674. Britain attempted to regain Saint Lucia for a time, but in the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle (1748) it was declared neutral. In the late 1700s and early 1800s Britain and France disputed over the island and it was passed back and forth numerous times until 1814, when Saint Lucia was given to Britain in the Treaty of Paris. From then Saint Lucia remained a dependency for many years, it joined the West Indies Federation. With the help of the West Indies Act (1967), and its capacity for self-government, Saint Lucia finally gained its freedom in 1979. For an island of less than 200,000 people, Saint Lucia has a deep history of discord and a currently distinct culture. Saint Lucia has a booming fishing industry and success with trade (“Saint Lucia: Island Country, West Indies”).

When I first visited Saint Lucia Island, I was skeptical about whether or not there would be enough to do there. The island in itself is not excessively expansive. It is not known for a rich night life or theme parks or anything of that sort. Somehow the islands lack of traditional vacation pastimes only serves to add to its charm. Instead of being confronted with a list of must-sees, travelers are encouraged to seek out their own adventures. The rainforest is a thing of storybook magic. There is so much life in between the trees that I could have studied all of the different creatures I met along the way for days. It is hard to imagine that leaves could possibly be interesting, but there were so many distinct shapes and varied hues of green in the rainforest that my eyes began to blur. I found myself photographing plain leaves. On the beach, inexperienced tourists mingle with seasoned surfers. Tourists and residents alike sit in the sand and leisurely enjoy the view. Hiking through the rainforest offered thrills and sipping cool beverages in the resort offered an escape. There is a variety of activities, but I know I could have been fulfilled there no matter what I was doing.

One of my most vivid memories of this magical place was a simple boat ride. We did not even stray that far from the shore, there was no need to. The coral and marine life shone so noticeably through the glass-clear that I almost had trouble believing I was actually seeing it with my own eyes. It looked like a picture from National Geographic or an aquatic documentary. The fish were not shy. They flirted with the boat; curious and energetic. It was obvious they were used to other explorers. The Island is known for its gorgeous sea life, but nothing can prepare you for the majesty of actually entering that world. I could have trailed my fingers in the calmly rippling water for hours and never tired of it. The warm, mild climate of the island smiled down on us that day as we drifted along. The water surrounding Saint Lucia is by far one of the things that make it the most magical. The beautiful island is protected by the mysteries of the unimaginably deep waters that surround it. Near the shores the water is transparent, the gorgeous fish and corals that live there are plain for all to see. But as you move further out, the water is much less translucent. Only a select few have delved into the water there and discovered the secrets below. The simultaneously gorgeous and enigmatic waters provide the perfect fence for the island that is itself a paradox of beauty and mystery.

Statistically Saint Lucia has a diverse, bountiful ecosystem. Its rainforest is stocked with more types of foliage than I ever dreamed existed. The birds are ever-present and the marine life coexists beautifully in the pristine sea surrounding the sandy beaches, prime for studying. But the island is much more than its natural advantages; its heritage gives it depth, its people give it life, and the flocks of tourists give it a sense of wonder. There is always something to discover there, and as much as I wish I could live always in that micro-paradise, I think it is one of those places best left to seldom vacations. I fear the magic would be lost if I were to become over-exposed to the wonders there, and so I look forward to rediscovering everything Saint Lucia has the offer the next time I visit.

Works Cited

“Saint Lucia: Island Country, West Indies.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2015. Web. <http://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Lucia>.

“St. Lucia.” Lonely Planet. N.p., 2015. Web. <http://www.lonelyplanet.com/st-lucia>.