Caribbean (Plus) Corner

This fabled sea, covering more than a million square miles and 7,000 islands with diverse languages, cultures, and ecosystems, has become probably the planet's premier vacation playground. Here it's all about its regional issues and allures. And yes, the (Plus) means we're including the Bahamas and Bermuda along with the Caribbean coasts of Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guayana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Suriname, and Panama.

For other individual island forums, check out Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, Statia (St. Eustatius), St. Barth, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Maarten/Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Chilling on Tortola and Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands

Victor Block My husband Victor and I are travel writers. Which means when we get to a destination, we explore every aspect, constantly seeking out stories. Until we got to Tortola, capital of the British Virgin Islands, with a population around 15,000. That didn’t happen. And it was almost like — dare I say the word? — a vacation. But let’s back up a bit. We are a lot older than our last trip here 30 years ago when my husband had the temerity to actually hazard driving. To put the roads in…

Started by Tripatini

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Rum and much more in Barbados

Victor Block Most travelers know that most Caribbean islands are soaked in rum, but Barbados goes the rest one better because here, locals say, is where rum was discovered. In capital Bridgetown one early-17th-century day, the story goes, a tavern owner was searching for an empty shipping barrel when he inadvertently stumbled across one filled with a concoction worth selling -- a barrel of sugar cane fermented over time. Well, Mr. Rumball -- the tavern owner -- knew a good thing when he…

Started by Tripatini

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In the British Virgin Islands, Anegada and its Lobster Festival

Photos: Victor Block Most travelers have heard of the U.S. Virgin Islands; some of the British Virgin Islands. Those familiar with the BVI usually know Tortola, and maybe even Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. But it seems that few have ever heard of Anegada. Which is a shame because it has so much to recommend it.

Started by Tripatini

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7 cool things to see/do on Saba

Richie Diesterheft Never heard of it? You´re far from alone – last year just 5,700 flights – by one of the Caribbean´s lowest arrivals figures – landed on its third smallest island (just five square miles/13 sq. kilometers sitting on an dormant volcano Mount Scenery, with a population of just under 2,000). But those in the know realize that the self-styled "unspoiled queen," part of the Caribbean Netherlands (along with Bonaire and Sint Eustatius, aka Statia) and first settled in the 1640s,…

Started by David Paul Appell

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Comments

Allie McCoy August 7, 2010 at 6:16pm

Last night I tried the Coconut Shrimp recipe from Grenada that this Web Site is featuring. I did not follow the last step, because I am not of the reggae generation, but the recipe was delicious. Has anyone else tried it yet?
Tony King July 29, 2010 at 11:34pm

Not sure what procedure the Cypriots have but whatever they do seems to be working for them. Maybe you could check out Cyprus' requirements.
Anil July 29, 2010 at 11:27pm

People are scared of a "certain kind" of tourist-expats from taking roots so to speak. This is purely from people who want to retire and do not have a substantial wealth coming to them. I know of couple from Manchester who have been visiting the caribbean and are looking to retire some place, BVI, Barbados, St. Lucia are all on their radar.

So how does one ensure the "right" crowd are attracted to the islands. ?
Tony King July 29, 2010 at 10:49pm

Anegada could do with a new dock, but a MARINA...!! Wow.
David Lawrence July 29, 2010 at 9:25pm

100% against it. Hate to see Anegada change.
Patricia Borns July 29, 2010 at 7:32pm

In St. Thomas I met a BVI developer who said he's working on a marina development for Anegada. It was a casual conversation that may or may not be reliable. Has anyone else heard of upping the intensity of deveopment on Anegada? If so, what do others think of this direction?
Tony King July 29, 2010 at 6:33pm

Yes, Julie, and don't forget the sailing aspects of the BVI. The ideal sailing conditions attract a lot of sailors who are, by nature, pretty environmentally friendly and fit into your category of "special kind of traveler". I love that term.
Julie July 29, 2010 at 6:15pm

I agree with Tony. Sounds like BVI wants to continue to attract a certain type of traveler, one who likes smaller resorts and quiet, natural destinations.
Tony King July 29, 2010 at 6:04pm

I would venture to say that it's the right course for them since they have other important revenue sources.
Ed Wetschler July 29, 2010 at 5:35pm

eTurboNews reports that other tourist destinations may strive for mass tourism in these tough times, but the British Virgin Islands are determined to "stay the course," with small-scale, upscale, quality resorts. Is that the right course?