Comfortable, private cottage Fabulous view Authentic village setting For couples/solo travelers looking for simple, safe, low-cost accommodation in a great location 2 minute walk to beach 12 minute walk to village center (1 km) Fully equipped kitchen (no oven) Ensuite bathroom, hot shower High speed internet Dual voltage plugs, no adaptors needed NO AC Mosquito net Door/window screens, fans Security door Parking on site Washing machine Private garden area Outdoor shower Long stay discounts The space Wake up to the sound of ocean waves in Ti Kay Alèze, a breezy, comfortable small house ("ti kay") with a stunning view, ideally located on the outskirts of a charming, thriving, traditional fishing village. The balcony overlooks the ocean. You will be a stone's throw from the swimming beach, and within easy walking distance (1 km) to the center of Laborie. Don, your host (Neti is co-host), is a professional diver, and experienced water sports instructor. When not diving, he is available to answer any questions and show you around. If you want to rent a kayak, or want diving recommendations, talk to him before or after you arrive. Ti Kay Alèze is a separate cottage located on the same property as Don's larger house. The balcony side of the house has a fabulous view of the Caribbean Ocean, including spectacular sunrises, gorgeous sunset colors, and a view of St. Vincent in the distance. The swimming beach at Rudy John Beach Park is just down the driveway, across the road, and down another driveway, or via some stairs through the Papel Art Center (where there is a good restaurant, a massage studio, and a small crafts store). True to its' name, which means "small relaxed house," the house is compact. However, it does have a roomy kitchen, fully equipped with pots and pans, utensils, cutlery, plates, bowls, cups, glasses, toaster, electric kettle, coffee maker, microwave, upright fridge, and plenty of counter space, including a counter peninsula. There is a four-burner propane cook-top. We provide cooking oil, salt, pepper, and spices, as well as enough coffee, tea, evaporated milk, and bottled water for your first couple of days. The private bathroom is ensuite, with an on-demand hot water shower. There is a washing machine for your use just outside the entry door, and a washing line in the garden area. Most homes in St. Lucia do not have running hot water in the kitchen sink, and Ti Kay Alèze is no exception. If you want to heat water for doing dishes, you can use the electric kettle. The shower in the bathroom does have hot water on demand, whereas the outdoor shower has cold water only, very refreshing after a sea bath. Ti Kay Alèze has a comfortable full-size bed with a mosquito net, two chests of drawers, a table and two chairs on the balcony, a small table and two chairs inside, plus a stool for seating at the kitchen counter, a ceiling fan, a standing fan, and a television with remote (it has no cable, but it has an HDMI port, and streaming YouTube). The switches for the lights are located near the bed, and there are both US style outlets (110v), and UK style outlets (220v), so you will not need an adapter. You will most likely spend a lot of time on the balcony, enjoying the expansive view. Eating dinner on the balcony by the light of the moon, seeing the lights of Laborie reflected in the water across the bay, with the expanse of the ocean spread before you, and with the Caribbean night-time chorus of insect noises and the sound of ocean waves below... that is something we hope you will enjoy very much. Mosquitos are part of life in St. Lucia, but we do our best to minimize their effect on daily life. There are mosquito screens on all the windows and doors. There is a sliding glass door to the balcony, which has both a screen and a security door, so you can safely leave the door open at night for the breeze. Your private garden area comes complete with a picnic table and hammock (it needs to be put away at night in case of rain). A large mango tree provides welcome shade, as well as fruit when in season (summer). The large deck to the side of the house is for the shared use of guests and landlord, however we will do our very best to respect your privacy. Guest access You will have access to your private garden area, which has a picnic table as well as a hammock; and to your private balcony, which has a table and two chairs. Your will have the use of a barbecue (ask Don), washing machine, laundry line, hammock, and outdoor shower. The washing machine is right outside the cottage and is for your exclusive use. You may park in the driveway. The large patio to the side of the house is for the shared use of guests and landlord, however we will do our very best to respect your privacy. The patio has lounging chairs as well as a table and chairs. You are welcome to use the space for yoga, socializing, sunbathing, etc. Other things to note For total independence we recommend guests have a car rental . We can recommend several local companies that will deliver the car to the house, and pick it up when you are done, so you don't need to get one at the airport your very first day. Some companies (Drive-a-Matic for example) allow pick-up in Laborie and drop-off in the north or vice versa. Transfers from the Hewanorra (UVF) airport can be organized at a cost of USD$20. The more adventurous can use the local bus system, but is NOT available from the airport. The driveway is steep, but there are steps. There are additional steps to get to the house. Please note that there is no AC. There is a constant breeze from the sea, a ceiling fan, and a standing fan. There are screens and a mosquito net. We do have another two bedroom rental available that has AC in one of the bedrooms; please inquire if interested. St. Lucian villages tend to be noisy, with dogs barking and roosters crowing. At times, there will be neighbors or people at the beach playing amplified music. Most of the time we find it is very peaceful. Check-out time is at noon, but can almost always be flexible with prior arrangement. Be sure to give us plenty of notice if you are planning to arrive early (before 4pm) or leave late. We will do our best to work with you, depending on work schedule. It is a good idea to stop at an ATM in Vieux Fort on the way to Laborie, as there is no ATM in Laborie. You can also stop at the grocery store on the way from the airport, unless you arrive on a Sunday (Massy closes at 1pm on Sundays). WE PROVIDE for your arrival: Some large (liter) bottles of drinking water. Filter coffee, Instant coffee, and a variety of tea bags, a jar of sugar, and a can of condensed milk. Oil, salt, pepper and spices for cooking. A couple of Pitons, our local beer (let us know if you prefer juice, or 0% alcohol beer). Some local bread and butter. If you would like a breakfast basket with eggs, jam, cheese, fruit, and juice we can provide that for an additional charge of US$12/EC$30. We need at least a day’s notice to shop. The Massy grocery store accepts US dollars in bills smaller than $100, at the same exchange rate as the bank ($2.67EC/$1US). If you use US dollars in the village, the exchange rate might be lower ($2.5EC/$1US). You can change money at the Bank of St. Lucia: the closest branches are in Vieux Fort and Choiseul. There are ATMs in Vieux Fort and Soufriere. If arriving by ferry or to SLU airport in Castries, you will have to arrange transport by bus and/or taxi. We can help you find a taxi at a competitive rate, but it will still be in the neighborhood of US$100. The bus from Castries to Vieux Fort costs about US$4, and then there is another bus from Vieux Fort to Laborie, please ask us for more specific directions if you are planning to arrive by bus. Don has a double seater kayak available for rent (for experienced kayakers only, use at your own risk). If interested, you will need to ask him about it before or after you arrive. The kayak can be stored at the beach near the playing field in the village. The cost is $100US a week or $20US a day. The closest dive shop is in Soufriere. There is a very small studio apartment underneath the guest house that is occasionally rented out. Any guest staying there will not be coming upstairs to the shared patio, unless invited. We welcome musicians; no worries about practicing and disturbing anyone.