Day 20: Those Damn Bike Races

Before I talk more about me, let's get to what you've been losing sleep over: what happened to that bike race the day Kristin got a flat tire? Will there be more bike races? Today, friends, I bring (some) of the answers to these burning questions.  I decided today was a ~Treat yo self~ day- meaning I drive out to the beach in Sainte Anne to let myself soak in some luxurious rays all day.  However, I found myself stuck in the middle of dead stopped traffic.  (NOT what one should be subjected to on a ~treat yo self~ day).  Quickly, however, I realized the source of this inconvenience: a bicycle race.  Which bicycle race, I do not know.  Could be la Tour de Guadeloupe! We will probably never know.

Because I had turned my car off at that point, I managed to snap some pictures:

the Leader

the Pack

Slackers (kidding- they set quite the pace!)

Luckily, once I saw the bikes, circulation resumed fairly quickly and I (re) set on my way to Plage de la Caravelle-- aka the beach near the island's Club Med (aka tourist heaven. Finally a place I would fit in perfectly!)

The beach did not disappoint:

And I saw some ~nature~:

Iguana- at a safe distance

This particular piece of "natural beauty" scuttled disturbingly close to me.  Considering my eyes can be described as "bug like", I felt it best to stare the creature down and stand up menacingly to protect myself.  (In classic French people fashion, they did not flee, instead getting closer to take picutres.  To this I say: survival of the fittest.)

All in all, an ideal day and one of my first true "vacation" days here! Very much worth the wait.  I only have 5 days before my return voyage, but count on seeing some more of la Caravelle in the near future:)

Tomorrow, however, will hold at least one somewhat educational activity! Tomorrow evening is another exhibit opening at the local cultural center (last time I met my artist/ English professor friend so here's hoping I didn't use up all my luck at once!) and during the day, a guided tour of Pointe- a Pitre.  But details on this tour remain elusive, so consider it a "probable".  Two or three more cities merit a visit as well, so I can't lounge around all day, everyday.  (but you know, I can lounge part of the day, most days;)