Guadeloupe - Blue Green Flavours Culture

2 Pages·2007·0.62 MB·English

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(Bélem) via Guyane.Finally various internal flights and
from various ports in Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. Electricity
services by boat ensure numerous transfers to the rest
Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy,the northern islands,
of the dependencies. Voltage is the same as that in mainland France,which
are only accessible by plane from Pointe-à-Pitre.
is 220 volts.
Information Between these two islands,several connections by air
and sea are offered from Grand Case l’Esperance airport
• Air Antilles Express:www.airantilles.com Telephones
in the French area and the Princess Juliana airport of
• Air Canada:www.aircanada.com
Sint Maarten on the Dutch side.Several ports in Saint- In Guadeloupe,the land-line numbers start with 0590,
• Air Caraïbes:www.aircaraibes.com
Martin connect the port of Gustavia to Saint- and the mobile numbers start with 0690.Between
• Air France:www.airfrance.fr
Barthélemy. Guadeloupe and France there is no dialling code,the
• American Airline:www.aa.com
In fact,in less than an hour’s crossing or flight,all the direct number is enough.When phoning from abroad,
• Corsair:www.corsair.fr
islands in the archipelago invite you on a discovery it is necessary to dial 00 590 590 or 00 590 690 (for a
• Delta Airlines:www.delta.com
trip. mobile) followed by the last 6 digits of your corres-
Where to you stay? Entry Requirements pondent.Finally,to call abroad from Guadeloupe:dial
Luxury hotels,rustic bungalows on the beach,residen- The territory of Guadeloupe Is a French Overseas 00,followed by the country code of your correspondent
cies,bed and breakfast houses,small charming hotels Department.As a result,it is possible to enter under and the rest of the phone number.
or villas to let and all sorts of hostels exist in the same conditions as for mainland France.European
The multiple assets of the Guadeloupe Islands:
Guadeloupe.To suit all desires… and all budgets. and French citizens will only need to present their iden-
What to wear? tity card,passport or French residence permit.Travellers • IItt’’ss ssaaffee!!The Guadeloupe Islands represent a French
from other parts of the world must hold a valid pass- overseas department belonging to the European Union.
There are two seasons in Guadeloupe.The dry season,
port and a visa.For further information,please contact Health and public safety are the same as in mainland
from December to May,and the the warmer and wetter
your nearest French Embassy.No special vaccination is France,and this applies to the norms in force and the
rainy season,from July to October.The average tempe-
required to enter Guadeloupe.There are excellent currency (euro).
rature is 27°C,at times reaching peaks of 32°C and at
health structures,as well as a University Hospital Centre
night possibly dropping to 20°C.Even if summer clothes •IItt’’ss eeaassyy!! The Guadeloupe Islands benefit from an
which will provide all the necessary treatment if the
are essential,warmer clothing is recommended for extremely good road network and well-developed
case arises.
those who intend to stay in the higher regions of Basse- inter-island connections,they are therefore ideal for
Terre in the month of February.Finally,people who Animals all those wishing to stay «à la carte» and invite you
love sports should not forget to bring their hiking shoes To bring an animal into the territory,they should be to island hop.
in order to discover Guadeloupe off its beaten tracks. accompanied by an updated vaccination certificate. •IItt’’ss vvaarriieedd!!The Guadeloupe Islands represent a
real multi-faceted archipelago.A wide choice is offe-
Travelling around? Currency
red in activities as well as lodgings.It is also easy to
You can rent cars and scooters everywhere,which is an The official currency is the euro and all main French spend your holiday on several different islands in the
excellent way to discover the Islands of Guadeloupe. banks are represented in Guadeloupe.Credit cards are archipelago,thanks to the regular connections by sea GUADELOUPE ISLANDS
The road network is the best in the Caribbean.Taxis are accepted in most shops but foreign cheques are and air.
an alternative way to get around.Just make sure that frequently refused.However,you will find several auto-
they are equipped with a regulation meter. In matic cash machines all over the islands. •IItt’’ss ffoorr eevveerryyoonnee!!The Guadeloupe Islands have Tourist Board
something to suit all tastes (beaches,farniente,activi-
Guadeloupe,the only transports in the towns are the
Post-offices and La Banque Postale ties…) and are meant for singles,couples,families,
private cars which cut across the towns from one side
The Post-office in Guadeloupe is the same as in France. the elderly…
to the other.Typical even in the atmosphere you will find
Here you will find the same services with certain rates
inside,the buses stop on passengers requests.Not •IItt’’ss bbeetttteerr!! The Guadeloupe Islands simply offer a
much of a timetable (from 5.00 am to 7.00 pm approxi- relative to the territory.Don’t forget to buy your stamps. lot more than many other destinations:they are closer
mately),few defined stops and no regulation fares. and better served than many others,sunny all year
Time difference
The 7 islands of the archipelago are all served by regu- round,and offer a surprising natural,gastronomic and
lar means of transport.Marie-Galante,Les Saintes and The Islands of Guadeloupe share the same time zone cultural richness.You will undoubtedly feel this when
la Désirade which are all close to each other,have as New-York and Montréal,which is GMT - 5 in winter you discover them,and you will only have one thing on
regular air links but also regular ferry links leaving and GMT - 6 in summer. your mind:to come back again soon!
CCoommiittéé dduu TToouurriissmmee ddeess ÎÎlleess ddee GGuuaaddeelloouuppee
((GGuuaaddeelloouuppee IIssllaannddss TToouurriisstt BBooaarrdd))
Head Office - 5, square de la Banque - BP 555 - 97 166 Pointe-à-Pitre Cedex (Guadeloupe)
Tél.: + 590 (0)5 90 82 09 30 - Fax: + 590 (0)5 90 83 89 22 - [email protected]
European Branch - 23-25, rue du Champ de l’Alouette - 75 013 Paris (France)
Tél. : [phone] - Fax : [phone] - [email protected]
GUADELOUPE ISLANDS
Tourist Board
www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com
An aquatic dream
Nature at large
T he Guadeloupe archipelago is soothed by the trade winds maran searching for banks of white sand, riding the waves on a E ndowed with one of the best preserved primeval forest in the bivouacking and discovery. Walking along a vast range of foot-
and blessed with sunshine all year round. Lapped by the surf board, soaring between the sky and the sea on a kite-surf… whole Caribbean area, the Islands of Guadeloupe are the paths in the National Park, you will frequently come across the
Atlantic Ocean and caressed by the Caribbean Sea, it offers Keen fishermen will be able to test themselves on the huge fish favourite playground for nature and leisure sports. And vestiges of Creole gardens, invaded by vegetation, charged with
a wide range of nautical activities that you will hardly exhaust. of the Caribbean sea, whereas whale lovers will be able to go more so, since the insularity and the presence of humanity has poetry, marking the place of an ancient plantation house.
Stretching out on the sand, your feet in the water, riding the big and meet these creatures face to face. The fishing ports scattered protected it from the presence of dangerous animals. Today, the tropical species are exhibited in superb botanic and
blue waves on a sea-scooter, diving to discover corals and spon- around the Islands of Guadeloupe will give you the opportunity Walking, canyoning, mountain-biking, hiking or trekking, are floral parks where you can lay out your picnic cloth and savour
ges, watching your boat sail flowing with the wind under an to discover the immense variety of fish that can be found in the all on offer in a protected and safe manner ensuring a truly eco- the time passing by. Red gingers, athuriums, frangipanis, orchids,
unblemished sky, dropping anchor in the most beautiful bays in waters of the Guadeloupe Islands. Relaxation, exhilaration, free- touristic approach to the tropical environment: arborescent ferns, pink torches, almond and hibiscus trees compete with each other
the world, learning all there is to know about the “Grand-Cul-de- dom, wellbeing… Everything is allowed in the water, and it feels epiphyte leaves, heliconias, and orchids in abundance form the for beauty. A good way of initiating yourself with the sweetness
sac marin” natural reserve by kayak, taking a day trip on a cata- so good !! backdrop, as well as the humming of the waterfalls in the forest and refinement of Guadeloupe gardens! Children of all ages will
or the crystalline lapping of a river. enjoy discovering the flora of Guadeloupe by walking through
The “Soufriere”, highest point in the volcanic chain of the eastern the parks and gardens, or riding a pony or a horse.
Caribbean region also offers many opportunities for walking,
Cultural Heritage
Land of flavours
I n the Guadeloupe Islands, the magic of interbreeding and the rare fruit: mangoes, pineapples, guavas and passionfruits of course, T he tribulations of its history and interbreeding have shaped As for the Creole architecture, which is subject to climate
immense variety of spices have generated a true culinary but also sour sop, sugar apples, malakas, kenips, or sapodillas! an astonishing culture from Guadeloupe, worth discove- constraints, it can be seen on the singularities of a house open to
genius. To learn all about bonifieur coffe, cocoa or vanilla, For a typical and delicious flavour experience, it is recommended ring step by step. The Islands of Guadeloupe first of all live the outside, the roofs made of beautiful wooden framework,
you musk walk along the leeward Coast and take time to indulge that you stop in Capesterre-Belle-Eau and buy a few cassavas, for music. The elders will speak of “quadrilles” with their balls and the balconies with finely carved balustrades and the internal
your love of food by stopping at historical museums, locations delicious hot manioc pancakes filled with coconut jam. Finally, to orchestras where they danced in a circle to the music of the clari- courtyards adorned with flowers in terracotta pots. The town
and sites dedicate to them. You can also discover other local cultu- get to know the art of tasting ti-punch, “planteur” or old rum, net, the violin, the accordion and the ti-bwa. They will also talk halls of Pointe-à-Pitre and Basse-Terre (two “Cities of Art and
res such as cane sugar and bananas, by visiting the sugar factories hotel bars offer an exhaustive selection, as well as the restaurants about beguine, and the great names which still make the popu- History”) organise guided tours round the ancient districts.
of Gardel in Grande-Terre or Grande-Anse in Marie-Galante, and which generally carry the majority of Guadeloupean drinks. lation dance (“La rue Zabym”, “Adieu Foulards, adieu Madras”, The Guadeloupe craft industry is original and rich in natural
by stopping at the Banana House in Capesterre-Belle-Eau and Choosing a restaurant in the Islands of Guadeloupe, is no small task, “Ami Roro”, etc.). materials (calabashes, coconuts, bamboo, latanier and palm
Trois-Rivières. As far as the rest is concerned, you will need to ask since there is something for everyone: from sandwich vans to the The “gwo-ka” is undergoing strong revival, especially among leaves, sand, seeds, etc.) and makes perfect gifts. As do the great
the Guadeloupean people directly: the market stallholders will great Creole grills or fish…A vast choice which means you can the young who are discovering a vast part of their heritage titles of authors of Guadeloupe, from Saint-John Perse to Gisèle
take pleasure in explaining the difference between malangas, change the menu every night! One last piece of advice, do not through this drum made of dried goat skin pulled over a piece of Pineau, as well as Maryse Condé or Ernest Pépin.
couscouches, irish potato, cassava, and initiate you into the subtle- leave until you have tried a fish platter, a curry goat “Colombo” wooden shell. You can hear it on the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre If you have a chance to get to see the carnival in the Islands of
ties of Creole spices: curcuma, saffron, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg or a conch fricassee! and Basse-terre and in the léwoz, regular gatherings of musi- Guadeloupe, you will experience one of the greatest moments of
and bay leaves. You will also find a seasonal choice of exotic and cians and dancers of Gwo-Ka. cultural life within a few days.