The Caribbean has given me so much since I first started visiting which is why I am now keen to give something back, at this their time of need, through the Saint Vincent and Grenadines appeal.
Each of the Caribbean islands is unique but they are all bound by the shared experiences of slavery, poverty and Nature’s wrath.
One love
I have witnessed how they have rallied to each others’ causes when hurricanes have hit, and now that the La Soufriere volcano has taken out its anger on the islands.
Glen Beache, CEO of The Saint Vincent and Grenadines Tourism Authority, reported that the scientists predict the crisis could last for another few months.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the one entity, which is not uncommon in the Caribbean.
Twin islands
It is the best way to go for island collectors – Antigua and Barbuda, with Antigua, home of the great Sir Viv Richards carrying more swagger than its calmer twin island
We caught up too with St Kitts and Nevis where they make a virtue of the two-mile stretch of water that separates the islands.
Their annual swim between the islands was alas cancelled last month but all the more time then to practise for next year.
Goat and the GOAT
I’ve already savoured the pleasures of Trinidad & Tobago when this GOAT went local and went kidding about.
Island sharing
While these twin islands are a Caribbean island thing so too is island sharing.
Hailing from a divided United Kingdom and having spent 13 years in an Ireland of two parts I have always been obsessed with a split island.
The island of Hispaniola houses Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and as they say in the Caribbean, there’s no division, just one love.
And so the Dom Rep was the first to answer Haiti’s call after the earthquake of 2010.
Living with Nature
Of course our Caribbean friends have all learned to live with Nature.
And in St Lucia their volcano is the centrepiece of the island and a wonder to admire as well as respect.
Which is why you as a visitor too will be able to drive through.
And take of the soil of the land, the mudbaths and wash it off in the waterfalls
And if you’ve got the stomach for it here’s a muddy mess from across the world in The water of life, Petra, and the sands of time
With my pal from that unforgettable G Adventures trip St Lucian Jerry ‘The Big Rapper’.
Thanks to all who organised the Caribbean Virtual Meet the Media event and of course every island is a friend and we’ll be sure to cover you all.
MEET YOU IN THE CARIBBEAN