First lesson learned: As tempting as it is to run to the bathroom to pee and change (because it’s 40 degrees warmer than where your journey started) as soon as you arrive at a small island airport, be cognizant of the other two planes that just landed and the fact that only 4 border guards are processing customs. Then hold it and get in the customs line! Otherwise, you will find yourself at the BACK of the line, looking at the 500 people in front of you. It will take more than an hour to get through. It will take so long that your luggage will be the last luggage from your flight waiting to be picked up. So long that the second customs guard who you have to give something to on your way out will say, “We closed that plane ages ago!” It will take so long that you will get a private ride to your resort and will arrive long after the sun has set.
Second lesson learned: Driving in St. Lucia is on the left side of the road and free of most rules. If your driver wants to pass the truck in front of him, because its flatbed is full of guys STANDING for the ride, he will pull into the oncoming lane to do so. If a car approaches in that lane while your driver is still in it, the car speeding towards you will swerve onto its shoulder to give your driver space. Your driver will also drive in the oncoming lane if the surface of his own lane doesn’t look so hot. Oh, and apparently drinking and driving is A-okay in St. Lucia, as long as you offer to buy the cops a round.
(Our driver took this pic at a particularly scenic spot. While I was glad to stretch my legs for a moment, we'd been in transit for about 8 hours or so and I was desperate to get there already!)
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