Inside Sailtrek, SOC: Verena Lawaetz, Balenbouche Estate

Season 2, Episode 281,   Sep 12, 2021, 09:16 AM

We welcome back Verena Lawaetz from Balenbouche Estates. We find out what this past year has been like in St. Luci, what is happening now and what the future will bring. A pretty candid conversation about the Pandemic and how it is affecting people throughout the Caribbean.

"The History of Balenbouche Estate begins with the first indigenous Amerindians, who came from Central America and lived on the island for hundreds of years before the Europeans arrived. Then, from the late 1700’s to the 1930’s Balenbouche was established as a sugar plantation by the French and British. In 1979 St Lucia became independent. Since 1964, the former st lucia plantation has been owned and managed by the Lawaetz family, who gradually converted the property into an eco-friendly Guesthouse, organic farm and retreat center.
Many Caribbean Plantations have a pre-colonial history which is often forgotten. Long before Africans and Europeans, indigenous people settled at Balenbouche.
Almost 2000 years ago the Igneri (commonly known as Arawak) came to St Lucia in large dug out canoes. They were followed by the more nomadic and war-faring Kalinago (Carib) Indians around 1000 AD. When the Europeans arrived, Amerindians suffered a typical fate. In the 1660’s, the remaining native inhabitants on St Lucia surrendered to the French, leaving behind only traces of their presence, such as beautiful pottery, stone tools, carved rock basins and petroglyphs along the Balenbouche river. Some Amerindian traditions, such as cassava making and boat building, have left a mark on St. Lucian culture." Source https://www.balenbouche.com/history/

For more Information on Balenbouche:
https://www.balenbouche.com/

To view the show Secrets of the Caribbean:

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/secretsofthecaribbean

https://www.yachtinginternationalradio.com/

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