01/04/2023 - Martinique

Today we are going on a discovery tour of Martinique. The island belongs to the Lesser Antilles and is a French overseas department, characterized by rugged scenic beauty. We land in the largest town on the island, Fort-de-France. From the port, it doesn't look very Caribbean here, so we quickly drive out of the city, heading northwest. Our first stop was in the old capital of the island - Saint Pierre. In 1902, the former capital suffered a severe blow of fate. It was completely destroyed by a volcanic eruption. The history and stories of the people surrounding the eruption are depicted in the city's geological museum. After this interesting exhibition but still depressing history, we needed a rum. Not far from the city is the Depaz rum distillery. We found a spacious area with a beautiful chateau, a small museum, a shop where you can buy and taste various things, and a restaurant where we enjoyed a traditional Creole 3-course meal. After being well-fed, we drove through the green island to the Jardin de Balata Botanical Garden. We spent about an hour in this dreamlike facility with lush green and blooming plants, fluttering hummingbirds, and expansive views, replenishing our energy for life on the ship.