26th November, 2017 Day 13 Route to Fort de Martinique

We enjoy our days at Sea and the weather has gradually improved and the days are bright sun under clear blue skies.

Arrival in For de France occurs as we enter the area through a large rock area which protects the port from the raging seas of the storms and in rare cases the Hurricanes.   Our visit to this relatively small Caribbean island and port arises through the total destruction in several island as a consequence of the strong Hurricane, which has occurred several weeks ago.

We had been to St Kitts and it is hard to realise that island has been devastated.

Nonetheless, as frequent visitors to the Caribbean on mostly Princess ships such as diamond, Ruby and Sapphire, we have become familiar with the mood and lifestyle.   We are not beach people, but we love the beauty and the colours of the turquoise waters.

  The laid back life styles and friendly people. Although we sense a growing fondness for commercialism, rather than the lucky go easy life that we have become familiar with in Jamaica and other island of what we know as the West Indies ( as per cricket fame). 

This morning we walk from the ship which is berthed .  The islands is volcanic in nature, and Martinique is a mountainous stunner, crowned by the still smouldering Mont Pelee, the volcano that wiped out the former capital St Pierre in 1902.  It is a well developed cosmopolitan and sophisticated island that boasts stunning beaches, , superb hiking through difficult terrain, and top notch culinary experiences with a range of restaurant choices.  There is also a rich cultural life on show with a diverse range of experiences on offer. 

Jeanette and I steer clear of the difficult tours to mountainous areas with hiking activities.  So we decide to walk into town and take a walking tour including the recommended route from the information staff who boarded our ship.

What is immediately noticeable is the scale of the redevelopment effort being undertaken to enhance the tourist response and enjoyment.  Already completed are superb renovations to the park and foreshore area, La Savane, and the creation of a spectacular waterfront promenade.  But the other side of this is the stalled hotel development at Point Savane, which will eventually include a 100 room 5 star hotel.  The adjacent apartment complex is already being heavily marketed at some high process, the hotel will take longer, with work having stalled.  But a new Hotel has opened alongside on Port Savane rue Liberte.  

Near the Mall is the former Hotel de Ville, the majors office in a gorgeous and ornate Italianate building.  On every menu at the myriad of restaurants is fish, " Fish is King" in this part of the Caribbean..  The red snapper, kingfish (which Ken tries and loves) or Langouste ( clawless Caribbean Lobster) and in some respects this is a culinary heaven.

WE visit several ket scenic feature including Cathedral Saint-Louis de Fort -de- France is an icon which towers over the adjoining areas.   It is just a few blocks from the Cruuse terminal.

Then we see the Schoelcher Library, which is a beautiful structure.  .   We walk to La Savane which is Fort -de- Frances Version of New York's Central Park.  It is a beautiful park area.  We also visit Fort Saint Louis, which was used to defen the city from attach from the Dutch and the English in 1700's.

We visit the spice Market but are disappointed.  

Rue Victor-Hugo is the main shopping street andf We are sure you could get anything you wanted.  

There are many beaches in close proximity.  We return after a light lunch of fish and salad..

This has been an enjoyable and somewhat unexpected visit. to a pretty island city.