9 WAYS TO EXPLORE THE CARIBBEAN SUSTAINABLY In 2005, I went on my first Caribbean vacation. I chose Saint Lucia, and like a typical first-timer, I stayed at an all-inclusive resort. Over the course of three weeks, I was awestruck by the color of the Caribbean Sea, the beautiful beaches, and the natural splendor of this region. But I realized that what moved me the most were the cultural reminders of my childhood in West Africa: the plantain dishes and chicken stews, the tropical gardens filled with hibiscus and palms, the drumming and soca beats, and the warmth of the locals. Three years later, I packed my bags, left my corporate legal career behind, and hit the road with dreams of becoming a travel writer and photographer in the Caribbean. With over 20 islands and hundreds of beaches a short flight away from North America, it’s easier than ever to go for a Caribbean escape. Even today, in the midst of a global pandemic, the Caribbean Islands are among the safest a...