French Antilles – Guadeloupe Islands: Have You Ever Bathed in the Caribbean Sea with Horses? #3/4

27/05/2015

French Antilles

French Antilles – Guadeloupe Islands: Discovering Basse – Terre #3

French Antilles. Basse – Terre is extremely different from Grande – Terre. As soon as we crosses the bridge that joins the two wings of an imaginary butterfly, which is the heart of Guadeloupe Islands, we experimented the famous tropical drizzle: that makes this island so green and luxuriant , a wonder for the eyes and the senses.

After spending the night in the second of the four hotels in which we stayed, hotel Fort Royal (really beautiful, we practically slept on the beach, in a little but very modern bungalow!) we dedicated our time in Basse – Terre to discover its environment.

French Antilles  –  Guadeloupe Islands: Walking Suspended Among Giant Leaves and Swimming with Horses

First stop Guadeloupe National Park: we drove on the Route de la Traversée, a wonderful road crossing the luxuriant forest of  Basse – Terre counting more than 3.000 different species of trees! We had an amazing walk to reach the Cascade aux Ecrevisses, waterfalls surrounded by greenery and lianas, it was amazing!  We visited the Guadeloupe Zoo, Parc des Mamelles, where we could watch closely some native species of the island, but more important… we walked on trees, at a heigh of 3 meters from the ground, what an adventure!

After seeing the Habitation Côte-Sous-Le-Vent, we had lunch at the Jardin Botanique. You must see this place! Not only because food is great (and little birds try to steal some sugar from your cocktail, so  cute!) but also because there’re so many flowers and plants, it will make your head spin (you can even stroke goats and feed  parrots on your shoulder!)

And what about exploring the surroundings on the back of a horse? For me it’s been the first time and I must admit…  I didn’t want to get down! We took the horses at Ranch des 2 Ilets in Deshaies (I got a Criollo horse!), there we ride among vegetation. Finally we got to the beach. Clothes off, saddles off… I’ve tried the incredible  sensation to ride bareback and… to bathe with my horse! It’s been a stunning experience. Soon I’ll show you the amazing videos we shot.

Before leaving, after this intense experience, we deserved a stop at Tendacayou Home & Spa, a SPA on trees with a background noise of streams and tweeting.  I’ve tried the fish treatment: it was  wooowww!!!

Finally I’d like to suggest you restaurant La Touna in Bouillante, fish is incredible (and you can finish your meal with an eccellent gourmet coffee!).

Here all the pics ;)

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Cocktail Dress… or Beach Dress? Grande-Terre – Guadeloupe Islands #2/4

26/05/2015

Cocktail dress

Cocktail Dress… or Beach Dress? Grande – Terre and Dinner on the Beach!

Cocktail dress. Our second day on the Guadeloupe Islands was completely dedicated to the discovery of Grand Terre and its most stunning landscapes:

Pointe des Châteaux in Saint François: absolutely worth a visit because it’ll make you feel extremely small facing the majesty of the ocean;

Portes d’Enfer: between two big cliffs, it’s one of the symbols of the Guadeloupe Islands;

Pointe de la Grande Vigie: in this spot of Grand Terre you can defy the incredible height of the coast.

Once on Grande – Terre it’s impossible not to take a walk through the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre, the biggest town of the Guadeloupe Islands. The colorful market must not to be missed: spices, tropical fruits, fish and much more in a triumph of colors and fragrances (I bought vanilla beans, rum, cocoa paste, coffee… all of eccellent quality!). We also had the chance (and it’s been an honor) to have a preview of the Mémorial ACTe (that will be open to the public from July), a museum, but even more than that (I’ll call it a memorial center of knowledge and life) dedicated to slavery and slave trade all around the world, but in particular their role in the history of Guadeloupe and the Caribbean Islands. Here you can find permanent and temporary exhibitions, convention centers, a panoramic garden, spaces for events, restaurants, libraries and media centers in an imposing structure placed in a strategic location. Beyond any doubt, it will become the symbol of Guadeloupe and I suggest you to go and see it after its opening.

Lunch at Port Louis “Le Poisson d’Or” with a side of mustard and banana sauce, or at  the Yacht Club in Pointe-à-Pitre or maybe at the Auberge de la Vielle Tour (one of the best hotels on the island,we stayed there before going back to Italy).

Finally a refreshing dip on  one of the many beaches of Grande – Terre, such as Anse du Souffleur Beach in Port Louis, that faces the Caribbean Sea and then… we’re ready to have dinner on the beach ;)

Cocktail Dress… or Beach Dress? Beachwear all day long

But now, let’s talk about fashion… For a lighter and smarter suitcase, do you think  it would be possible to wear the same dress from morning till night? I’d say yes, and that’s what happens in Guadeloupe! A long pastel-colored dress by Accessorize Beachwear (Find it HERE), some blue sky colored accessories: some bracelets  (Find them HERE) and a necklace (Find it HERE). A pair of sneakers and a backpack for daytime and a clutch with fringes for the night (Find it HERE). What about shoes? No shoes, of course, if you’re having dinner on the beach!  I don’t wanna leave this place!!

See you tomorrow for a whole new adventure!

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