One of the big projects I’ve been working on this summer took me to the Caribbean island of St Lucia.
I had won a pitch to do an ITV Sport Life Story on Tottenham Hotspur and England striker, Jermain Defoe.
The documentary offered me a fantastic opportunity to get my teeth into a long form project, and about a player who has had an interesting life both on and off the pitch.
As it meant jetting out to the Caribbean, it was also a bit of a dreamy gig. But when I got the email from ITV confirming it had come through I experienced two very strong emotions.
The first was the buzz of winning a pitch. It’s almost like scoring a goal. A punch the air kinda moment. I was off to spend time in my favourite part of the world, doing what I love most – interviewing.
But then the panic set in. You see my mother’s side of the family are Jamaican. So the prospect of going all the way to the Caribbean and not visiting Jamaica felt so, so wrong.
However, within an hour of stepping out of St Lucia’s Hewanorra airport, those conflicting feelings left me.
Why? Well, St Lucia is so different to Jamaica. I immediately felt like I was getting something my mother’s island could not offer me. Therefore I was justified in taking a break from my second home.
The most striking thing was obvious, but important. It was the size. St Lucia felt very, very small and I liked that.
Arriving into Kingston, Jamaica, as a kid on family holidays was always a magical feeling. The hustle of the airport, buzz of the streets as you peered out from the car window, the music systems blaring out the latest reggae… St Lucia had none of that. It was quiet, calm, tranquil…
The drive from Castries to Soufriere (one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been) is simply stunning. You wind up, down and around a mountainous topography with incredible views emerging at every corner. Then when you think it can’t get much better the Pitons show up.
And if you fancy a lively night out to see some local culture you gotta hit an event called “The Jump Up”. It’s held every Friday night in Gros Islet.
I couldn’t finish without mentioning the language. St Lucian’s speak English, just like Jamaican’s, but they also have an equivalent patois called Creole. It’s French based and I found it impossible to understand. It’s one of the elements that makes St Lucia so distinctive and is symbolic of the fascinating history of the island.
TIPS OF PLACES TO STAY
Cap Maison (www.capmaison.com) just north of the country’s capital – Castries, is on another level. A boutique hotel that is home to one of the most chilled vibes I’ve ever experienced.
The Landings (www.thelandingsstlucia.com) is located on the popular Rodney Bay. Surrounded by yachts and with a stunning private beach, it’s no surprise the hotel is favourite spot for Premier League footballers to holiday.
Windjammer (www.windjammer-landing.com) has plenty of activities for families, friendly staff and a great beach.
In the south of St Lucia the Coconut Bay resort (www.coconutbayresort.co.uk) is a more affordable option. This place is on the lively side and perfect for those who like to throw themselves into the non-stop activities an all-inclusive serves up.