As I have mentioned, we like to roll solo, both on vacation and generally in real life. After our stressful experience seeing St Lucia by bus, we searched out another way.

Like with many island resorts, there were always a few fella`s hanging about the beach selling their wares and pushing their tours. The `boat` guy pegged us early on and tried to get us to join his island tour . . . which we laughed off explaining how disastrous that would be with our gang of children!  We bartered back and forth with him (as you do) for a few days and ended up booking a solo charter on the Saturday.

Just us, and a boat & driver.

Should be okay!

Meanwhile, our Tomtom contact was trying to connect with us and arrange our work session where we learn about charting the island.

She also wanted to get to know us (who wouldn’t)

Being good Canadians we politely asked her is she would like to join us on the boat trip. . .  Well, it was hubby`s idea.

Now, here`s the thing, we didn’t know this person, at all.  She had `found` me on facebook before we left and looked reasonably nice, but we didn’t know if she was kid friendly or prepared for an aquatic adventure with a young family.

I lay in bed the night before worrying about all the things that could go wrong with inviting an independent along on our family boat trip . . .  but did my best to ignore the fears and worries and focus on the positive.  I knew this was a Brazillian gal,  and from my experience the Brazilians are always easy to get along with, and eager to try new things.

The morning arrives, we hurry through breakfast (we always seem to be doing that) and pick up our picnic.  Fernanda  (our gal) finds the hubby and kids on the beach while I am off searching for her.  What I arrive to is a woman who has already won my 3yr olds heart and  has my 6yr old gazing adoringly at her.

In short, she totally worked with us, so much so I am considering inviting her to move in, although I think she has an awful lot going for her in Sao Paulo!

And our boat charter . . . a total dream. We cruised the entire western coast of St Lucia, from the tip to the Pitons. Stopped for shopping in Castries, a picnic lunch and snorkeling and then a few hours playing on our own private beach.  The kids napped when they needed to, ate as the liked and we got to see more of the amazing coastline than we could have imagined.

Driving through Soufrie our eldest even hopped out of the boat to play a quick game of ocean soccer with a few local boys.  We saw bat caves and barracuda, and enjoyed every minute. It was the very best way to see St Lucia  and we feel like we got a real taste of the island, instead of a tour.  It was well worth the money we spent (all $500 of it)!

Again, we were amazed at how rural and 3rd world St Lucia was. From housing to sanitation, it is an Island that is starting to invest in itself, but only just. We felt safe and secure, most of the time, but were told that while the crime rate is low now, with a new 15% VAT tax just coming into play, the crime rate was steadily increasing.  It definitely felt good to have a local at our back and a safe exit as we cruised the shorelines.

We came home full of sunshine and fun. Our amazing Tomtom guide Fernanda even stayed with us for a drink and a swim, with promises of seeing her in a week when we do our work day.

All my fears for the day were unfounded and we went to bed excited to see and learn more about this amazing island.