Short Japanese traveler guide to Martinique(may be useful to other smart people who aren’t Japanese!)

Dear Kodo-san

Following our discussion about Martinique, please find some information as I promised you. I don't know how Jean will manage the workshop and, at least equally important, the "social events". I guess he will do a superb job to convince everybody his homeland is located near to Paradise! But if you don't attend all the conferences and thus you've some free time (or if you think Jean is not organizing enough trips to the distilleries!), the best is to rent a car and to look at the island. I attach to this email a map with some locations I can advice you to visit. These spots are very nice and merit a visit. Of course, I know only a very few of Martinique and there are certainly other nice parts to see. A great point would be to meet people and to feel the "spirit" of the Caribbean islands. For that purpose, you really need the help of Jean. For general information, go to http://www.martinique.org/. Another important question to be addressed is Rum!! As I told you, you will be impressed first because it's very good (try "rhum (rum) agricole", which is not aged, as a cocktail (the most popular is Ti-Punch) -at any time of the day!- , or aged rums as brandy or cognac -after a lunch or a diner, with some cigars-). I give you here some Internet addresses with explanations and even cocktail recipes (the lighter cocktails with an high percentage of juices and some ice cubes are really appreciated by ladies! Please try it in Japan). You will be also impressed by the prices that are very cheap. Maybe, it's easier to buy a bag-in-box (3-5 liters) for any transportation to Japan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhum_Agricole http://www.cocktailatlas.com/Rhum_Agricole/Rhum_Agricole.htm http://cocktailtimes.com/rum/tipunch.shtml http://www.cocktailatlas.com/Rhum_Agricole/Rhum_Clement_Cocktails.htm http://cocktails.about.com/od/rumrecipes/ So enjoy, and don't drive too much drunk (there could be some blood control by the police !!). Don't forget swimming cloth, sun glasses and also creams against the sun and maybe against mosquito (mostly during night). If you rent a car, don't forget we drive on the opposite, as compared to Japan, side of the roads. Also, don’t worry about currency: it’s simply euro. If necessary, you may find help from the French people attending the workshop, who will be glad to translate from French to English.

Best wishesJLC

LE 360 8, rue Josèph Compère 97200 Fort de France LE MILK 20, Boulevard Allègre - 97200 Fort de FranceTel : 06 96 27 93 19 LE CLUB 20, Boulevard Allègre - 97200 Fort de France LE MAXIMUS Californie - Imm. les Coteaux - 97232 Le Lamentin Tél. : 05 96 50 16 37 LE TERMINAL 104, rue Ernest Deproge - 97200 Fort de France Tél. : 05 96 63 03 48 MAYFLOWER 28, rue Ernest Deproge - 97200 Fort de France Tél. : 05 96 70 54 45 LE NEGRESCO Pointe Simon97200 Fort-de-FranceTél. 05 96 70 53 59 LITTLE HAVANA 8. rue Joseph CompèreTél. 05 96 70 19 31

MANHATTAN 18. Rue François Arago97200 Fort-de-FranceTel. : 0596 60 46 69 LE TERMINAL 104. Rue Ernest Desproges97200 Fort-de-FranceTel. : 0596 63 03 48 LA CROISIERE 104. Rue Ernest Desproges97200 Fort-de-France H CLUB nouveau Route du Morne Vert97224 DUCOSTél. : 05 96 77 11 66 BATELIERE PLAZZA Casino97233 SCHOELCHER TROPIKANA CAFE Les Mangles – Acajou97232 LAMENTINTel. : 0596 73 29 77

Some bars and clubs in or nearby Fort de France(sometime bands are playing local Caribbean music: ask advices to Jean or

check schedules of the events at http://sortir.zouker.com/)

You will dance the “zouk” or the “ragga” (local reggae, called reggaeton in other Caribbean islands) and of course … drink cocktails. You can listen: Zouk at:www.mixfmmartinique.com/index.php/hit-zouk-retrowww.centraltv.fr/martinique-radio/radio-zouk-fm-martiniquewww.zoukstation.com/index2.phpRagga, reggaeton, salsa… at:mq.kalottlyrikal.net/=RAGGAwww.radio-solatino.com/latina104.blogspot.fr/www.frescaradio.com/Or the very popular bands/singers:Kassav www.dailymotion.com/kassav (the very famous zouk-la-se-sel-medikaman-nou-ni)

www.dailymotion.com/video/x17cqtd_zouk-kassav-mawonaj-tour-2013-atrium-martinique_musicMalavoi www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWMHsUuP4GkCompagnie Créole

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGU_vPssFKMwww.youtube.com/watch?v=j-48Xg2cKyg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfxt1SGWAI8 Especially for Japanese citizen: there exist some karaoke machines in a few of these bars!

Hotel/Conference

Plage (beach) des Salines Certainly the most beautiful beach of Martinique: like a swimming pool, white sand, palm trees…

Grande Anse d’ArletNice village and beach between rocks. Take a mask/tuba and watch the fishesat the rocks at the right border of the beach. If you are lucky, you will see turtles in see near the pontoon. Good restaurants at the beach to eat fresh fishes.

Distillery NeissonFor me, the best rum “agricole” (thismeans not aged, thus very “fruity”). Maybe, Jean will not agree! Ask for Zepaul Carré (“squared shoulder”, as the shape of the bottle).

Saint PierreThe former capital of Martinique destroyedIn 1905 by the eruption of Montage Peléevolcano. The city is not very beautiful, but there exists a typical atmosphere, maybe somereminiscence of this sad event. Enjoy typical meals at the market close the shore. You can also visit the Depaz distillery: very nice park and view over the sea and the mountains.

Presque’île (peninsula) de la CaravelleNice walk (a few km) from Château Dubuc (a former castle) down to the shore. You will cross (nice track) the mangrove and reach some wild beaches.

Fort de FranceIt should be visited. The cathedral is quite unique (make with iron poles). The market (fruits, vegetables, spices…) merits a visit.

Montagne PeléeWalking around Montagne Pelée is a nice experience (wild forest, etc.) and reaching the summit is a “very” good physical exercise. Unfortunately, the top is often hidden by clouds.