SOLO
PARENT TRAVELS IN SUNNY
St. Lucia By Miriam Porter
PITONS ST. LUCIA
Whether you zip line through the rainforest, take a mud bath, or explore a volcano, St. Lucia sets the stage for family bonding. My son, Noah, and I are huddled together in the middle of a queen-sized bed under mesh mosquito netting. We stare at the massive black insect slowly crawling on the other side of the net, taunting us with beady eyes. At least I think it’s on the other side of the net. I really don’t want to cuddle with this creepy-crawly. Noah went to bug camp when he was younger, so I assumed he still loved bugs. I was wrong. Cute bugs in daylight become monsters after sunset, even in the tropical rainforests of gorgeous St. Lucia.
42 Ultimate Family Vacations | FALL 2019
St. Lucia, one of the last European colonies to affirm independence, has a long history with multiple cultures and influences including Caribbean, African, English, French and Dutch, making it a diverse island to explore. Equally as diverse as St. Lucia’s heritage are the island’s incredible landscapes. I began travelling with Noah once he could wheel his luggage through the airport at age five. Travelling as a single mom for years taught me to be prepared for the unexpected including hurricane and tornado warnings. But I don’t have a bug plan. Luckily, our exhaustion wins, and we eventually fall asleep, all three of us.
