volcano. After several million years of hard work the original volcano was transformed into a series of mountains, at times connected to one another, at times standing alone, each one unique in its carved beauty. The volcanoes will raise their thunderous voice again during the “intermediate series” (between 3.5 and 1.7 million years) and during the “recent series” (between 700,000 and 25,000 years) but will produce only flattish, shield-shaped volcanoes like the Trou-aux-Cerfs. THEMOUNTAINSBEARWITNESS At a bend of the road appears Le Pouce (Thumb) that holds out its proverbial sign of encouragement to those who want to climb its generous slopes. Its summit stands at 812 metres. Its neighbour, Pieter Both, was named after the Dutch admiral who was shipwrecked near Turtle Bay in 1615. In fact, it is Shyantak, the milk seller who sits there. He had seen the fairies dancing in the moonlight one evening, when he was delayed in his round and fell asleep. He had made a promise to the fairies not to disclose the encounter otherwise he would be turned to stone. He, however, broke his promise and now, with his head in the clouds, he can reflect on the importance of keeping one’s word. Another belief was that the British would leave the country when the head would roll but it still sits firmly, half a century after their departure. From Le Morne Brabant: Île aux Bénitiers in the center of the lagoon, the Tourelle de Tamarin (in the background, on the left), the mountain range (on the right) including the Piton Canot and the Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, the highest top of the island (828 metres). Depuis le Morne Brabant : l’île aux Bénitiers au centre du lagon, la Tourelle de Tamarin (au fond, à gauche), la chaîne de montagne (à droite) comprenant le Piton Canot et le Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, le plus haut sommet de l’île (828 mètres).
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