ST LUCIA

 

    I was at a party one night in December 1979 and I met Karel, who made an enticing offer: he had to fly to the Caribbean island of St Lucia, to look at a resort that the owner intended to put up for sale through his Rare Earth company of unusual real estate properties.  He invited me to join him to take pictures, so he could show them to prospective buyers; all expenses paid, no strings attached.  Obviously I could not refuse such an adventure and off we went; we made stops in Miami, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico, then landed in this magical island, with the two Pitons, Gros and Petit, looking over her.  The roads were abysmal, covered with potholes, but we had a great driver, a dread locked Rastafarian named Walter, and Nick’s hospitality at Anse Chastanet was unbeatable.  I also gained a new life-long friend, Karel.