Labadie

I recently had the opportunity to visit Labadie, on the north coast of Haiti. To reach Labadie we drove about a half hour north of Cap-Haitien, where we boarded the water taxis for the final leg of the journey. You see, Labadie can only be reached via boat. Once you arrive in Labadie you truly feel as though you are on a “secluded island”. The green mountains rise out of the “Caribbean blue” sea; small beaches dot the coast line.

Water Taxis arrive at the pier in Labadie, fishing boats in the fore ground

Labadie differed in many ways from other areas of Haiti I visited. This small coastal town has a population of about 5000 people. However Labadie has many amenities I associate with large cities; a central source of both electricity and non-potable water are available. All the children I encountered appeared well fed and in school. There is an elementary school in Labadie, but the children must go into Cap-Haitien for high school. The people of Labadie find employment on the water or in the tourist industry. I’m pretty sure I saw the watermen bring in the lobster Sunday morning that I dined on Sunday evening! Labadie is a far cry from the tent cities of Port au Prince.