This tug-of-war inspired one British historian to give Saint Lucia the nickname “Helen of the West Indies” comparing her to Helen of Troy as she too mobilized an entire navy.
The signature meal you should have in Saint Lucia is green figs and salt fish, the island's national dish. Locals boil unripe bananas and then add salt-cured boiled or flaked cod. It's a hearty dish made with various herbs and spices.
Along with the other Windward Islands, St. Lucia became a federated state associated with the United Kingdom in 1967. Although it achieved independence in 1979, St. Lucia remains a member of the British Commonwealth.
The mains water supply in St.Lucia is chlorinated and considered safe to drink, but may taste a little strange if you are not used to the chlorine. Ice served in drinks is usually made from tap water and is also considered safe to drink.
Local (seasonal) fruits include: Mangoes, Guavas, Wax apples, Love apples, a few different types of “plums” passion fruit, sugar apple, soursop, starfruit (Karambola), tamarind, avocados and acerola (cherries (high in Vitamin C, locals call them barbadian cherries).