You might not think I’m going to write about dessert, but, in fact, I am. I spent last week cruising the Caribbean on a mother-daughter trip. We both agreed Terre-de-Haut, Les Saintes, Guadeloupe, was one of our favorite stops. We loved the vibe of the town, its Parisian feel and the charm and buzz of the streets.
A large mural greeted travelers in many different languages, and included a basket full of pie-like pastries. As we wandered the tiny streets, I spotted several locals setting up trays and baskets selling the pastries from the mural. Clearly, these were a local specialty and I had to have some. I’ve learned from traveling over the years to always indulge in local treats — and this worked out well, as my mom and I both share a sweet tooth.
As Terre-de-Haut is French, they accept the euro. Many of the other islands we visited accepted the U.S. dollar, so we didn’t have euros on us at the moment. We’d planned to use credit cards, but I knew the local artisans wouldn’t take my American Express. Then I heard another traveler saying every nearby ATM was out of order. We also had the warning of the ship’s destination manager in our head, alerting us the island’s stores typically closed for lunch from noon-ish until 3 p.m. We had to act fast.
We caught the next tender to the ship, exchanged $20 onboard, caught the next tender back to shore and set off in the direction of the first house we’d seen selling the treats. There, we purchased a pack of guava, but my mom wanted to try the coconut version as well. Off in the other direction, we tracked them down.
Afterward, back in our stateroom as we indulged in half of each flavor, I was keen to learn more, so I Googled the delicacy. I had tried to ask the purveyors, but, as I’m not fluent in French, the language barrier interfered. According to my research, a local Terre-de-Haut girl fell in love with a sailor. He was called away, but with the promise of his return by a certain date. In anticipation, the girl prepared the aforementioned pastries. The sailor was delayed a few days and returned to find his love had taken her own life from the torment. Since, women on the island have made the dessert, known as tourment d’amour or love’s torment, for their sailors as a charm to bring them home safely.
It made our trek to purchase some all the more worthwhile knowing the lore of the pastry and that it is truly authentic to the town. Coconut is the traditional flavor, but, today, you can also find guava, banana and anise versions.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations
Mar 27, 2024Outdoor Family Adventures on Offer with Four Seasons
Four Seasons Resorts offer outdoor experiences perfect for family travelers this spring. Check out some of what awaits your traveling brood:
Sponsored Content
Make the Most of Hamad International Airport When Transferring
Making travel plans can be exciting; did you know planning on how to spend time at the airport the right way can enrich the overall trip experience? As a transfer hub, traveling through Doha's Hamad International Airport is a unique experience, as waiting never feels like waiting at one of the best airports in the world.
Destinations / North America
Mar 27, 20243 Family-Friendly Hotels in Baltimore
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is surrounded by activities and attractions to keep families busy for several days, and for those who travel to get there, a trio of nearby hotels welcome children with amenities such as swimming pools, kid-sized bathrobes and bunk beds.
Destinations / North America
Mar 26, 2024Spring Festivals in New Orleans
Spring has sprung in New Orleans, Louisiana, for family travelers! Bring your crew to the Big Easy this season for a variety of family-friendly festivals, events and attractions.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
Destinations / North America
Mar 26, 2024Spring Adventures in New River Gorge
New River Gorge, America’s newest national park at less than 4 years old, was formed by one of America’s oldest rivers. New River surges through deep canyons, surrounded by a rugged landscape of forests and rock cliffs. Family travelers to this 70,000-acre park will find outdoor sports and adventures for the whole family.
ShareThis