Martinique, far more than only sand...

• When did you travel?
In April 99, but I had already traveled to Martinique in 93 to attend a wedding. This destination is truly wonderful for honeymooners.

• How long was it?
One week. Honestly, I would have stayed for two weeks or even more. Anyway, I will go back there for sure. The ideal trip is maybe one week visiting and one week resting in a hotel by the sea.

• How did you get around?
Partly by bus for group excursions. We rented a car with two of my friends and then we could visit the island when and how we wished.

• Someone you meet
The guide in the bus. She was telling us the history of her island in such a colorful way! When we stopped in St Pierre, she really made us live again the eruption of the Mount Pelée.

• Your best memory of the trip
The visit at the Lagrange Habitation. When you turn off the road, you pass along ponds where they grow crawfish (exquisitely prepared at the Céron Habitation), you drive along a sinuous and chaotic path to numerous ruins of buildings and slaves' cabins now covered with plants and trees. At last you discover this superb house, restored as a luxury hotel, so charming! Every element is so simple and so tasty. About twenty suites in three buildings, each of them with a different atmosphere. The restaurant is one of the most refined.

• Your worst memory
To rent a car is all right. But if you don't drive manual, it could be weird! Even if the roads are well-kept, bends and slopes are countless and as on any other island, the inhabitants know them so well that they always drive at top speed. When we recall this episode with my friends, we keep on laughing...

• Landscape memories?
The St-Pierre's bay. It loomed up before us after the 500th curve. The town rests peacefully. We could imagine how teeming the former capital was before the Mount Pelée got angry in 1902.

• Fives senses = fives sensations
Sight = the red of the flamboyants, those magnificent royal poinciana trees.
Hearing = the reggae, from sunrise to sunset, and also a gibberish dialect spoken by the Jamaicans.
Smell = the ti-punch, a real ritual of the daily life in Martinique.
Taste = the stuffed crab. Earth or sea crab, who cares!
Touch = the moist heat. As soon as you feel it, you know that you are in the South and it feels good.

• Your advice
Rent a car and drive aimlessly for ever delightful discoveries and encounters. No risk for you to get lost: you're on an island and people from Martinique are so kind. And don't forget to bring your camera.

• The souvenir you brought home
A floorcloth, much better than a mop. You need to know that my husband is French and will only use this device. I also brought back a bottle of old rum.

• Help guides
The Gallimard guide, fully illustrated for historical and cultural information about the island. And the very good guide published by the Tourist Office to get the addresses of small hotels and traditional restaurants.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

MARTINIQUE TOURIST OFFICE IN CANADA
2159, Mackay - Montreal -QC H3G, 2J2
Tel: (514) 844 8566 - Fax: (514) 844 8901
E-mail: tourist.martiniquemontreal@qc.aira.com
Website: http://www.martinique.org/