I couldn’t believe my luck when I heard that I had won the CTO window display competition prize of a trip to St Lucia, especially as I had never been to this lovely island before. I decided this was "one for the girls" (i.e. lots of tennis, and watersports) and invited my daughter to share the prize. Needless to say she was delighted to accept!

Sunday May 18^th found us happily heading across the Atlantic with the friendly BWIA staff attending to our every whim. Only the very strong headwinds meant that we arrived a little later than we should have done, but this was more than compensated for by that wonderful feeling of warmth and sunshine which hits you whenever you step out of the plane on arrival in the Caribbean. We then had a real treat in store for us. I had been advised that, if possible, we should take the helicopter from Hewanorra to Castries, which would not only dramatically cut down our transfer time but also give us a fantastic panoramic view of the island. Not one to ignore such advice, I had pre-arranged this with St Lucia Helicopters. The helicopter flight was everything I was told it would be, and more. It was wonderful to see St Lucia’s rich hinterland with its rainforests and banana plantations, not to mention having a fabulous birds-eye view of the famous Pitons. I would recommend this treat to any arriving passengers at St Lucia (as long as they are not nervous flyers!), but they would be advised to take their overnight things in their hand baggage as the cases are delivered by road – much later!

Our hotel, the Rex St Lucian – which had generously donated our accommodation for the next seven nights – was situated in a prime position right on the edge of the lovely Reduit beach. To sit in the restaurant overlooking the gently lapping waves eating one of the island’s 53 varieties of fresh mango (it’s true!), and delicious crispy bacon is one of the best ways to start one's day! We made full use of the hotel’s facilities, including gym, tennis courts, and adjacent watersports centre, although I could not bribe Emily to participate in the evening entertainment of Karaoke or limbo dancing.

Our week was spent in a variety of activities and sightseeing trips recommended for visitors to the island. This included a visit to the Sulphur Springs (drive-in volcano) and botanical gardens; a Catamaran trip back up the coast with snorkelling and free bar; a morning in Castries visiting the smart new duty-free shopping area of Pointe Seraphine and the colourful local street market; and a night at the Friday night "Jump Up" – a great experience but beware of the attention you may attract as an unaccompanied lady!

One of the highlights of our trip was a day spent at the one-day cricket match between the West Indies and Australia. St Lucia’s cricket stadium at Beausejour, Gros Islet, is very new, and to host an international match of this calibre was quite something for the St Lucians. The stadium was full to the brim with locals and visitors intent on having the best day out ever! Whenever the West Indies hit a four or a six the whole stadium erupted with people cheering, singing, dancing and leaping up and down! It was all tremendously atmospheric, and although the West Indies did not win the match they certainly took the prize for best-supported team!

A sampling of St Lucia would not be complete without a visit to one of the luxury hotels in the island’s south, and we were very fortunate to have been invited to spend two nights at the spectacular Anse Chastanet. This hotel is a colony of small villas extending from a beautiful natural beach up a lush hillside, all within a 600 acre tropical estate. We were given a deluxe room quite high up on the hillside which had the most spectacular views across to the nearby Pitons and over the Caribbean sea. The rooms are designed to be totally secluded and "at one" with the environment, and have nothing but a few louvres between you and the mountain air. When the sun goes down the tree frogs take over with their chorus of chirruping; then you wake up again to the songs of the tropical birds the next morning. One room even has a tree growing in the middle of the bathroom! No wonder the likes of Harrison Ford like to chill out at this innovative hotel.

Down at the resort's beachside there are rondavel huts, and hammocks strategically placed under palm trees to keep you cool. I made a complete fool of myself by climbing into one and then falling right out again on the other side (fortunately Harrison Ford wasn’t there to see me). In the afternoons we took afternoon tea at the beachside restaurant, and were then served delicious four-course dinners in the evening. All this could be very bad for the waistline if it were not counteracted by the energetic climb up the hillside to your room, and the early morning yoga classes on the beach.

One afternoon we just had to try the jungle biking. This took place at Anse Mamim, the "Robinson Crusoe" bay next to Anse Chastanet which you can only reach by boat or on foot. Having not set bottom on a bike for more years than I care to remember, I approached this with some trepidation. I didn’t need to worry, however, as excellent tuition was given and the trails were graded according to difficulty. The secret was to dismount from your bike when the track got too hair-raising or steep! It was great fun, although my calves ached for a good few days afterwards.

There is also a delightful spa at Anse Chastanet, and excellent scuba diving facilities at both hotels we stayed at. Either hotel would make a terrific wedding venue.

We came away with lasting memories of this lovely island. Now, when I hear the name "St Lucia" I will think not just of a blue brochure proclaiming it "simply beautiful", I will remember a real place full of mountains, lush vegetation, unspoilt beaches and friendly people. And the bananas I buy in Sainsbury’s will take on a whole new meaning now I have seen where they are grown!

LMB 8/06/03