To make up for the lack pictures and general laziness in days past I'll flood this day's entry with photographs. I decided to walk up to the top of the highest point in the Îles des Saintes, an old watchtower called &£8220;La tour modèle&£8221;. Although it is paved road, the climb of just over 1000 feet felt like a much longer and steeper ascent because I, foolishly, did it in the heat of noon. I had secretly hoped that a tourist driving up the road would offer me a ride but it turns out that the road is now closed to all but foot traffic so I wasn't offerred any respite and only met 4 other people on the hike, two couples on their way down who gave me some encouragement when I asked if I was almost there...
I had a good walk and took lots of pictures, including the ones of the bright caterpillar which I secretly hoped was some unknown species but it turns out to be a very common one.
Cliffs on the windward side of les Iles des Saintes (2016-05-10 11:18:18 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/500s] ISO 100)Iles des Saintes windward cliff
The second largest island in the Iles des Saintes group, this one doesn't attract as many visitors as the main island (2016-05-10 11:41:16 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/400s] ISO 100)Terre de Basse
Frangipani/Plumeria (2016-05-10 11:42:36 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/320s] ISO 100)Frangipani/Plumeria
Seen from atop Le Chameau, the anchorage looks smaller than it really is (2016-05-10 11:42:48 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/160s] ISO 100)Looking down on Pain de Sucre
Clear blue waters in the pain de sucre anchorage (2016-05-10 11:43:29 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/125s] ISO 100)Pain de Sucre anchorage
Zanshin on a mooring behind Pain de Sucre (2016-05-10 11:44:19 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/80s] ISO 100)Zanshin from above
Looking south from Le Chameau, the island of Dominica can faintly be seen on the left horizon (2016-05-10 11:44:42 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/160s] ISO 100)Looking south
The bright colors caught my eye and I thought I'd discovered some exotic and rare, but it turns out to be a common caterpillar that turns into a very boring looking moth (2016-05-10 12:19:33 NIKON D7100 [f/8.0, 1/80s] ISO 100)Plumeria caterpillar
Seen from atop Le Chameau, the fort seems small, but it is in actuality quite large and impressive (2016-05-10 11:55:28 NIKON D7100 [f/6.3, 1/640s] ISO 100)Fort Napoleon from above
I'm sure that this airport is an exciting one to fly into, just like the one at St. Barths (2016-05-10 11:56:35 NIKON D7100 [f/5.0, 1/250s] ISO 100)Terre de Haut and airport
The view down from Le Chameau onto Terre-de-Haut is impressive (2016-05-10 11:58:54 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/250s] ISO 100)Terre de Haut from above
The only entrance into the fortified watchtower is through this narrow door in the thick walls (2016-05-10 12:00:39 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/200s] ISO 100)Le Chameau watchtower
Dear visitors, thanks for leaving this site clean. (2016-05-10 12:02:52 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/250s] ISO 100)Le Chameau signage
Clear signage at le Chameau with a list of prohibited activities, only hiking is allowed. (2016-05-10 12:03:46 NIKON D7100 [f/8.0, 1/400s] ISO 100)Le Chameau park sign
Colors in the rainforest are rare, so this tree is aptly named when it flowers. (2016-05-10 12:04:27 NIKON D7100 [f/5.3, 1/320s] ISO 100)Flamboyant Tree
The ocean has sculpted these rock shapes on les Iles des Saintes (2016-05-10 12:12:43 NIKON D7100 [f/6.3, 1/640s] ISO 100)Rock formations
The walls of the watchtower at Le Chameau are being encroached upon by the local flora (2016-05-10 11:51:37 NIKON D7100 [f/5.0, 1/125s] ISO 100)Le Chameau walls
The bright colors caught my eye and I thought I'd discovered some exotic and rare, but it turns out to be a common caterpillar that turns into a very boring looking moth (2016-05-10 12:20:23 NIKON D7100 [f/6.3, 1/160s] ISO 100)Plumeria caterpillar
The bright colors caught my eye and I thought I'd discovered some exotic and rare, but it turns out to be a common caterpillar that turns into a very boring looking moth (2016-05-10 12:20:24 NIKON D7100 [f/6.3, 1/160s] ISO 100)Plumeria caterpillar
Panoramic view towards Dominica from the top of Le Chameau in les Iles des Saintes of Guadeloupe (2016-05-10 11:39:33 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/500s] ISO 100)Distant Dominica panorama
Guadeloupe panorama from Le Chameau (2016-05-10 11:44:02 NIKON D7100 [f/5.6, 1/2000s] ISO 100)Guadeloupe panorama from Le Chameau
Terre de Haut panoramic picture seen from the top of Le Chameau (2016-05-10 11:57:36 NIKON D7100 [f/11.0, 1/640s] ISO 100)Terre de haut panorama
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