8 hrs, 12.8 kms
Day Totals: 23 .8 kms

It's not too long before I reach Canaries, the halfway point of today's hike. Afterwards the road climbs even higher up the mountains. I spot a little side trail which I decide to follow. It takes me to a cleared away area on a steep slopes. It looks like a lot of backbreaking work to try to farm these hard to get to jungle slopes.

Finally the peaks of the Pitons appear. I've made it. I find a spot to take my official St Lucia photo... me, my guitar... and the Pitons in the background.

Down in Soufriere, I still have some time, so after getting something to eat, I follow a trail along the coast that should get me all the way to the base of the Pitons. But it starts getting dark before I get there and decide to turn back. On my way back into town. A tall, angry looking fellow approaches saying he wants to talk to me. I quickly assess the situation and decide, no, I don't want to talk to this guy. He calls me a f--g racist, but doesn't pursue further.

This is one of several encounters that have made me a bit ill at ease here in St Lucia. I tend to head up to my guesthouse earlier than I'd like because I'd rather not be around these rather shifty fellows after dark. But overall, I would say it's been a very welcoming feeling, and the many positive encounters more than make up for the negative ones...