This IS the life! We waved goodbye to the remarkable, velvet covered Piton peaks as we left the Soufriere area in the south of St. Lucia island. Heading north to Castries and Gros Islet (Rodney Bay) along a mountainous, curvy road through the countryside we were dazzled by the blue ocean lapping at the cragged rocks below us. I kept repeating, “I could live here! I could really live here!” That’s the first time I have ever said that about any country of the 100+ countries I’ve visited. Maybe it was being there with the love of my life. Maybe it was the extraordinary beauty.

We were conveniently picked up by a private Villa C’est la Vie driver and delivered to the front door where we were served chilled champagne and greeted by Clinton, one of the many accommodating staff.

The owners, Michael and Maria, a Scottish/Italian couple, went out of their way to receive us into our next villa home. I was blown away by the intimate, personal service and their attention to detail, from the hand-hewn furniture imported from all over the world to the meticulously groomed  gardens overflowing with jungle foliage.

In our clean, cozy, all-white tropical room we had the entire 5-bedroom villa to ourselves complete with cleaning ladies, security, chef, footman and a butler, Oshea. We were given a cellphone to directly contact him 24/7 during our stay.

Our daily activities and meals were designed by Nicole, from Premier Concierge, so we didn’t miss a beat or have to make any reservation ourselves. Nicole ensured we had a 5-star experience every day of our 5 night/6 day stay.

Our downtime consisted of lounging in the pool at C’est La Vie, floating and snorkelling facedown on the Zayaks and pointing out the large variety of fish to each other at the secluded beach cove. I can envision returning with my whole family and creating a family memory to cherish as well. I would worry, however, that we might never be able to leave if we should ever return to paradise.

We LOVED exploring the northern part of the island in Island Buggies and then on lazy horseback. We took cooling dips in the ocean while on horseback, later trekking down dirt trails was a close-up, slower paced way to enjoy the nature of St Lucia. We expanding our exploration by multi-hour buggy tour, taking in beaches and lookout points along the way. It was fun – with a capital F. Again, “I could live here!”

“Captain Mike’s” was our escort for both of our first-ever deep sea fishing adventure. They call it fishing and not catching for a reason and we came back “empty handed”! Viewing the western coastline of Saint Lucia from the sparkling waters was a rare treat. The sea to sky view of the Pitons was drop dead gorgeous. The excitement of catching something kept us alert and eager. The journey sparked our interest in deep sea fishing and we promptly booked another tour.

The owners of C’est La Vie arranged for other island hotel and resort owners to join us for social dinners and our schedule was dotted with delightful dinners and culinary highlights throughout the island. 

At East Winds Resort they toasted us with a private and romantic gazebo complete with flowers, candles and champagne on ice. They hosted us in their main dining room where an experienced pianist played love songs that felt like they were directed personally for us.

At The Cliff at Cap Restaurant the sound of waves washed over us as we sipped wines, skilfully selected to accompany our “Chef’s Table” 5-course meal. Kees described the meal as, “It’s like eating art”! Never before have we eaten in such luxury as we did in Saint Lucia. I will forever of living, eating and romancing in St. Lucia.

Stay tunes for my “To Do’s” in St Lucia!

Savannah