While planning my own destination wedding, including the week of activities surrounding the big day itself, my now-wife and I were spoiled for choice in Saint Lucia. It was relatively easy to fill an itinerary with hiking, snorkelling, and just plain viewing the pitons, not to mention a street party BBQ and other culinary delights, alongside boating and relaxing.
One of the activities which popped up early in our planning was the volcanic mud springs near to Soufriere, but these quickly became something I strongly opposed for our own adventures.
Let me explain why I opposed the experience
My previous experience with thermal springs has been exemplary. The last time I enjoyed the geothermal skin cleanse of a volcanic mud bath was on a family reunion to Costa Rica during Christmas of 2015.
It was a memorable experience and roundly positive. The only negative outcome was the death of my swimsuit; while we all smelled of sulphur for a few days afterward, my poor swim shorts became something like a malfunctioned part of King Midas's wardrobe... every piece of laundry they touched took on that same dull sulphur smell!
What's wrong with the Soufriere spring?
But more significant than our personal aromas on our wedding day, I just couldn't shake the concept of tourism gone wrong when it came to the Soufriere version.
To this day I have a hard time believing that the local people of Saint Lucia visit this spring.
I feel as though each photograph of the experience is cleverly framed to showcase the smiles of tourists. This in itself is not a problem. However I feel that these same photos exclude the fact that the spring is basically a sluice channeling the smelly mud to a collecting pool under a bridge.
Like a place a troll would visit.
I'm always happy to be wrong, which is why I'm now asking the community what the collective impression might be and if there's anyone who has actually enjoyed it themselves.
Have you been? Is the sulphur spring at Soufriere worth a visit?