SAINT LUCIA

SAINT LUCIA

Our wedding came and went like the gust of winds throughout our ceremony. We had the most incredible time dancing, celebrating, and laughing with family and friends. As our killer band played us a melody by Billy Joel and our guests created a circle around us, we felt an overwhelming sense of love and joy. We never wanted our day to end, but our celebrations were not near over. We packed up our car, picked up our Bella, and headed back to Chicago only to catch a 5:30 AM flight to ST. LUCIA!!!

St. Lucia is a dream destination. Everything is green and luscious. The ocean was crystal clear and the people were ecstatic that we were there. They treated us like family. We heard everyone’s story; learned about their family and discovered what part of the island they called home.

On our first morning in St. Lucia, we had a wonderful breakfast spread in bed served by our wonderful butler, Sherman. We were on strict diets (consisting of protein shakes and veggies, lots and lots of veggies) leading up to the wedding so we were more than ready to dive into a full plate of banana and chocolate chip pancakes with a side of bacon. The view from our cottage was spectacular. We were so lucky to have a private pool and terrace overlooking the bright, blue Caribbean waters nuzzled between the two Pitons, which some refer to as the 8th Wonders of the World.

Our cottage was an interior designer’s dream so you can imagine Grace’s genuine excitement upon arrival. The room was all white with dark, wide-plank wood floors. A large canopy bed with mosquito netting and crisp white sheets greeted us right as we entered. A full bar with a fridge completely stocked with Piton beer and the local rum, Chairman’s Reserve. We snacked on fresh fruit and plantain chips while sipping on a coconut the size of Grace’s head.

We have fallen in love with Sugar Beach Resort…

If you know Cameron, you know he is a sucker for Strawberry Daiquiris and Miami Vices. If you know Grace, you know she is a sucker for sushi. Good thing there was plenty of both to go around. But enough about food and drink, let’s take you on a virtual tour. Sugar Beach had one of the most beautiful properties. Full of rolling hills, palm trees, and colorful flowers. Incredible views of both Pitons. A stunning descent to a private beach with a secluded bay in the Caribbean with fantastic snorkeling. We lounged in the hammock, chilled by the pool, soaked up the sun, and drank many Strawberry Daiquiris.

Tuesday night we chartered a catamaran to watch the sunset. We saw the Pitons while drinking Piton beer. A rainbow popped up from one tip of the Petit Piton to the top of the Gros Piton. We ate sautéed watermelon and creole chicken wings (St. Lucia was in the midst of celebrating Creole Month). We danced to “Time of My Life” while the rest of the boaters looked on (side note, Cameron had never seen Dirty Dancing, so naturally, the resort had a copy so Sherman brought it to us and we watched it that evening). We popped some champagne as the sunset only to see the moon rise above the Pitons. This truly was the time of our lives.

Cameron was like a giddy kid when he discovered the resort had Froot Loops and certainly took advantage because Grace would not allow this any other time. Even Grace could not resist. Wednesday afternoon we indulged into the Sugar Beach Rainforest Spa. We had a fantastic couples massage. A private lunch featuring fresh mahi-mahi cooked in a banana leaf with a bottle of champagne in a treehouse. Then we had time to relax in a hot spring bath in the middle of the jungle.

Later that evening we adventured out of Sugar Beach. Our trusted driver, Peter D., took us up the mountain to watch the sunset and dine at Ladera’s restaurant, Dasheene. What an epic view, through the jungle, to the water. Ladera is a unique resort because their rooms have a completely open wall to the elements. We sipped on Mai Tais and treated ourselves with Creole Lobster to finish the night off with a bang.

The next day we went to explore Soufrière. Soufrière is a quaint town just 20 minutes North of Sugar Beach. It was founded by the French and the original capital of St. Lucia. The term “Soufrière” means “sulfur in the air” because it is actually one giant volcano that lets off a potent sulfur smell. We met another honeymooning couple, Tony and Crystal, who was a joy to spend the morning with. We continued exploring the jungle by going to the botanical gardens, multiple waterfalls, and a volcanic mud bath. Our skin was silky smooth.

We returned from exploring Soufrière to what would turn out to be our favorite night yet. Part of our honeymoon package included a private dinner on the beach. We went down to the beach bar for another incredible sunset, and yes, a strawberry daiquiri :). We noticed the resort going to great lengths to set something up on the beach. and we kept thinking “no way is that for us.” Sure enough, we were led down a Tiki-torch path to a candle-lit table under a romantic cabana with string lights and personalized menus. This meal, just feet from the ocean, ended up being one of the best dinners possible all thanks to the Chef at Sugar Beach and our incredible server, Vernessa.

But first, here is our pre-dinner photoshoot…

The food was incredible! Our curated, 5-course meal was to die for. We started with a fresh tuna carpaccio and a roasted jumbo gamberoni. Next course consisted of a pan-seared mahi-mahi on an asparagus risotto and a rack of lambs in a green pepper sauce. Last but not least, a dark chocolate passion fruit mousse cake that melted in your mouth. We were blessed with the service from Vernessa, who showed genuine interest in our story and making sure this would be a night to remember. We laughed and reminisced on our wedding just days ago. Just before dessert, we sat around a private fire pit on the beach as the waves crashed down on the shore. Truly, this was a night to remember.

Hard to believe we could even eat the next morning…

The next and final full day on the island, we chartered a boat to take us up to Castries, the capital of St. Lucia. We had two fantastic guides, Shawn, the captain, and Titus, to show us around their home. We explored the bustling streets of Castries, went to the Church on the square, ventured through the fish and produce market. Watched the locals set up for the Creole festival that was happening in a few days.

We left Castries and boated down to Marigot Bay for lunch. Marigot Bay is famous for being Oprah’s and George Forman’s home-away-from-home. We enjoyed fresh mahi-mahi (Creole-style, of course) with a couple visitors from the local crabs.

After lunch, we boated down to Anse Chastanet, where Grace’s parents spent their St. Lucian vacation, for snorkeling and relaxing. We headed back to Sugar Beach, Piton beer in hand, to get ready for what would be another epic and sweet meal.

Time for some chocolate! We called our guy, Peter D., and had him drive us up to Boucan by Hotel Chocolat. A 250-year old cacao plantation with a secluded restaurant in the jungle and only contains 14 guest rooms. A meal worthy of a Michelin Star, every course including cacao beans in some shape or form.

Here is a breakdown of our fabulous last meal…Started off with freshly baked bread and three out of this world dipping sauces: a chocolate balsamic sauce, a cacao mixed peanut sauce, and a sweet pesto chocolate sauce. For appetizers, we ordered sea scallops marinated with a cacao citrus sauce and a pulled pork dipped in a cacao glaze that was shaped like a Piton. For dinner, we ordered a seared yellowfin tuna with a cacao nib crust, a roast garlic-cacao butter sauce, and sweet potato-carrot mash. We also ordered the fresh caught, mahi-mahi fish paired with dasheen, scallions and roast pineapple topped with a fresh coconut milk-cacao butter sauce. A bottle of the Marques de Riscal Rioja to wash it all down. For dessert, we went volcanic and ordered the Rabot Chocolate Lava with a molten chocolate interior, all sourced from their estate cacao beans, served with cacao nib-infused ivory-toned ice cream. We had to go on a long stroll after this to walk off part of this epic meal.

Bon lonwit, Piton…

St. Lucia was a dream, until it was our reality. St. Lucia will always hold a special place in our hearts and will be part of our wedding story forever. We cannot wait to come back, renew our vows, and visit old friends at a place full of fond memories, genuine people, majestic vistas, and epic food.