I don’t cry often so when I do the occasion sticks.
As soon as I laid eyes on the Pitons, two volcanic plugs rising from the sea, something inside me began to stir. I was having that feeling again. Initially, one peak emerged from the hillside and a few minutes later after travelling along a winding road filled with pot holes and lined with palm trees, the other peak emerged.
My guide stopped the car and I climbed out and stood at the side of the road. I couldn’t peel my eyes away from them and I didn’t want to either. Their appearance had a magnetising allure that transcended into something greater, something visceral.
It’s difficult to describe my ‘happy place’, but it’s a point within myself that can’t be navigated with a compass and map. To tell you the truth, I don’t know how to get there. It’s like love, you can’t look for it, it just happens. But I do know that more often than not I’m led by the hand of Mother Nature.
The first time I consciously remember being taken there was in Yosemite National Park. It was eight years ago and I was ankle-deep in the Merced River looking up at Half Dome and thinking to myself that I’d reached Nirvana. It took me a long journey on the Greyhound and a night in a tent with a mouse to find it, but it was worth it.
That’s when my wanderlust really accelerated, I wanted to travel the world because I didn’t want this feeling to end. It was an ineffable emotion that was more than happiness, unlike any kind I’d felt before. A sense of being inspired describes it best, yet not fully.
What I didn’t realise then was that I couldn’t just visit my happy place whenever I wanted. It didn’t work like that. I spent a good chunk of my time chasing that same high I felt under Half Dome but the more I tried the less I came closer to finding it. It was Catch-22.
Instead of comparing all my travel moments to Yosemite or Iceland, where my happy place had unveiled itself, I should have just enjoyed each singular experience for what they were without hoping for more. By comparing them I was, in a way, looking for faults that were not there to begin with and as soon as I realised what I was doing, I nipped it in the bud.
So when I found myself looking at the Pitons, you can probably guess what I’m going to say next… a surge of emotion beginning at the pit of my stomach, worked its way up to my head and released itself through tears of joy – I was in my happy place once again!
Boat trip to the Pitons & Sugar Beach
I fell in love with the Pitons so much I returned a few days later by boat to get another perspective.
We stopped at a place called Sugar Beach and it certainly lived up to its name with its powdery white sand.
It’s a private beach owned by boutique resorts, but day-trippers like myself can head there too to enjoy its prime location with views overlooking the Pitons. Staying there must be rather spenny, but I’m sure worth it if you can afford!
Apart from the gorgeous picture-postcard views, Sugar Beach offers a lovely sense of seclusion and relaxation.
Where to stay near the Pitons
Soufrière: This charming town is situated on the southwest coast and is known for its proximity to the famous Pitons.
- If you’re looking for luxury and the best view of the Pitons, than Jade Mountain Resort is your answer.
- For those after an authentic an memorable experience at a more affordable price point, I recommend staying at Green Fig Resort & Spa. This place also has majestic sea views that encompasses the Pitons.
Pre-bookable guide trips to the Pitons
Whether you want to see the Pitons from the sea on a boat trip, or reach the summit of Gros Piton by foot, take a look at some of the tours you can join to maximise your experience in St Lucia.
During my winter escape to sunny St. Lucia I was a guest of Thomas Cook Airlines. Getting an insight into life in the Caribbean was a new experience for me and I’m hoping it won’t be my last!
13 responses
I have to say that before your Facebook posts, St. Lucia really wasn’t on my radar. But holy motherfucking christ it is GORGEOUS! It must be one of the most stunning islands in the world. Too bad that a €560 return isn’t amongst my realm of possibilities right now </3
St Lucia wasn’t on my radar either, but I’m so happy I had the opportunity to go because it exceeded my expectations – it’s way more than just beaches and in my up and coming posts I’ll hopefully prove it! St Lucia in particular is one of the greenest and lushest of the Caribbean islands so it’s perfect for outdoorsy people like yourself Wesley!
The airfare isn’t cheap but it’s worth saving up for! You can also combine it with other nearby places like Puerto Rico or Cuba… I really want to go there so I’m saving up!!
Hello shing, I am actually from saint lucia .I have lived here my whole life and sometimes we forget to appreciate how beautiful our island is..it is nice to hear it from a tourist perspective.
– makellah
Hey, Shing. This is wonderful – the notion of your happy place being more than a place, but a time and a feeling too. So, my happy places… Englishman’s Bay in Tobago, Mount Etna, Firenze, Weston-Super-Mare, Yeavering Bell, to give just a few. For lots of reasons.
I look forward to seeing where you go next and where / when / how you feel your next burst of happiness.
You’ve just listed some wonderful places, all but Florence I’m yet to visit!! Pleased you enjoyed reading the interpretation of my happy place being something more inward and intangible.
Merry Christmas Eddie!
St. Lucia is beautiful! We hiked Gros Piton, it was a great hike with beautiful views! Great photos- makes me miss it more!
Hi Cathy! Amazing that you hiked Gros Piton, I can just picture the view… or at least I’m fantasising about it! 😉
Fabulous photographs Shing. What an opportunity!
I’d have too say that my Happy Place would be either on top of a mountain looking out at the view or crusing on a river with the wind in my hair lol!
Happy places and mountain tops go hand in hand, eh Victoria?! There are fewer places I’d rather be!
Hmm.. I wonder if Pixar’s short film Lava was actually inspired by these twin peaks.
I’ve not watched that Pixar film, but I love how you’re reminded of it when you see the Pitons!
St. Lucia looks beautiful! Nice to see you in a hot country under the sun, rather than surrounded by ice haha
Haha! Sand and sun is definitely a drastic change of scenery for me Lily!!