Carnival Time in St. Lucia??!!

From the Chicago Tribune on Jan. 6, they have this headline: "Celebrate Carnival in the Caribbean" with these highlights: "Carnival is about over-the-top, shed-your-inhibitions fun. Like Mardi Gras, it's traditionally a last chance for excess before the solemn season of Lent for Catholics. The annual bash is practically synonymous with Rio de Janeiro. But it's also a big deal in the Caribbean, which, despite popular belief, isn't one homogeneous destination. Each Caribbean island has its own history, cuisine, culture — and its own take on Carnival. On some islands, the event is tied to Catholic traditions. On others, it commemorates slave emancipation or the harvest."

Here are more details on: "St. Lucia: July 13-18. Known for its towering Piton mountains, breathtaking beaches and a world-class jazz festival, St. Lucia used to hold its Carnival before Lent. The country changed the festival date in 1999 to eliminate competition with Carnival titan Trinidad & Tobago and to attract more tourists to its lush playground in the summer. St. Lucian Carnival is a more intimate affair that remains on the smaller side, with roughly eight bands participating in the festivities. It culminates with the 3-mile-long Parade of the Bands through the capital city of Castries."

Here is an added insider tip from this story: "You'll hear the locals talk about 'liming'. Simply put, to lime is to party or to hang out. It refers to the art of doing nothing while sharing food, drink and laughter with friends. And no matter what season you visit, the fishing village of Gros Islet hosts a lively street party Friday nights, full of barbecue, drinks and dancing."

As detailed in my full live/blog linked below, we were very fortunate to hit a nice and wide variety of Carnival experiences in Bonaire, Dominica and St. Barts. That was one of our top highlights for being in the Caribbean at this sunny time of the year. Below are a few of pictures as "proof" and evidence!! We have not been in St. Lucia, but look forward to visiting there in the future.

Full story at:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/sc-where-to-celebrate-carnival-caribbean-travel-0110-20161230-story.html

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 46,852 views for these postings.

Here are two of my pictures from the Carnival parade on Sunday afternoon in Bonaire. It was suppose to start at 2 pm. BUT, as our destination speaker Cory Sandler noted, he had the "cover" by saying it would be a "Caribbean Time"!!! starting schedule. That actually meant a timing that started closer to around 3:30-4 pm. Both Cory and I had to move forward up that routing in order to get some pictures as things in the parade/festival moved very, very slow. It was such total fun to be here to sample these festivities. We really got a feel for some of the "real people" who live here and how they like to enjoy, celebrate, etc.:

Here is my wife in Bonaire getting her picture captured with the "KING" of this segment of their Carnival parade group. Are people having fun? The facial expressions summarize the enjoyment perfectly!:

Here are two photo samples from Dominica's wonderful Carnival parade and celebration during our February 15 visit. One of the super big pluses was having it done and twisting in and around their old, historic area of their downtown. So much unique history to bring back there from the "old days" feel that was apart of this island's past.:

Here is one item of photo proof for the loud, loud drum action as the parade/procession was starting with the "straw statute" to go to the beach on St. Barts. It was great fun and a super experience to capture samples from these different Carnival examples at three different Caribbean islands. Each location was varied and very special in their own ways.: