The end of our honeymoon brought on for me what was to be the coolest experience of the entire trip. You see, a week earlier when we arrived on the island we were faced with the transfer to our resort/hotel. This meant sitting in a van with 4 other couples and spending an hour and a half traversing the entire island. The Airport was on the most southerly tip of the Island, and we were staying in the north part of the island.
So we decided to splash out on a helicopter to take us from the resort to the airport! 15 minutes instead of 90! It was with out a doubt, the coolest taxi ride I've ever taken.
The way it works is that you book your day and time for the helicopter and hope that someone else does too. Minimum numbers for a helo ride is 4 people. Right up until the afternoon before we were due to depart, no one else had booked the chopper. Then suddenly we got the call that it was going ahead. So the next day they take your suitcases ahead in the morning to the airport, as you cant take anything except a small bag with you on the chopper.
We get to the airfield next to the hotel in the afternoon and the guy there (who was very friendly) assured us he would get us seated in the co-pilot seat which can snugly fit two. So another win, we get front row seats, which works out perfectly for me taking some shots. As you can see above, the chopper lifts off and moves across to the runway.
From the runway the chopper starts moving forward like its a plane building up a bit of speed.
After a few seconds the chopper veers off to the side and over the water towards the bay next to the main city.
The main city is up ahead and to the left and is called Castries. Straight ahead you can see a huge cruise ship. This is the first one, as cruise ship season is about to start in St Lucia. Most don't enter the harbour as they are so big and at the height of the season there are so many cruise ships, the local water level actually rises a noticeable amount. Over a meter.
Once over the cruise ship and out of the harbour we fly along the coast. Here you see some big oil containers. These silos contain a lot of crude oil, and its all going to the USA. Apparently St Lucia is a major part of the crude oil supply chain that runs from south america up to north america.
As we fly along the coast we get to see all the little villages and island resorts below..
Its also worth noting that the helo is small and even though its not that windy you are getting pushed around a lot in the wind.
Its not like a commercial airliner, like other small aircraft, you feel every gust of wind pushing the chopper sideways. so in equal parts fear and excitement I am taking as many shots as I can while hoping not too many turned out all shaky and blurry.
I had about a 50/50 success rate.. this resort here in the image above, that is the most exclusive resort on the island and features an infinity pool inside each room! It's also where they film the US version of the bachelor. (a bit of pointless trivia for you)
I love how you can see right to the bottom of the water here. The water was beautiful, warm and oh so clear.
The two peaks you can see here are the 'pitons'. They are called 'Gros Piton' and 'Petite Piton' or big peak and little peak. They are the most famous landmarks of the island.
The rather populace place above is a town called 'Vieux Fort'. This used to be the capital of st lucia until Castries became the capital. Why they changed capitals is another question. We never did find out. Though I am sure its easy enough to look up!
At Vieux Fort we cross inland and fly over a volcano crater (no pictured) which stank of sulphur (naturally) which is just that horrid rotten egg smell. Then we pass over various houses and small villages and I kept thinking, 'if we crash now we are most certainly dead'. Pleasant!
As soon as we clear the jungle the airport comes into view. I still cannot see where the chopper is meant to land so I keep my eyes peeled and keep shooting.
The helipad comes into view close to the runway and I start to get a bit sad that the ride is over.
We get closer, and come in to land. As we do you can see a little white van parked by the pad, containing passengers for the return trip and what will be our ride to the airport terminal.
No sooner than we have landed and cleared the chopper and the next group of people head over to board. The engine on the helicopter just keeps running. I am not sure what their schedule is but it seems to be pretty constant back and forth all day long.
If ever given the opportunity .. and the means, I would do it again!
Thanks for Looking.
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