Issue 136 (November/December 2015)

Dominica: morning has broken

Dominica was devastated by Tropical Storm Erika last August. But the beauty of the Nature Island, and the spirit of her people, survived the ordeal, writes Paul Crask, and every morning still brings fresh wonder

Arrive

By Caribbean Beat

Port Antonio, Jamaica

Most charming of Jamaica’s north coast towns, Port Antonio once owed its fortunes to the banana trade — and nowadays is a laid-back escape from crowded all-inclusive resorts

Arrive

By Caribbean Beat

Secret islands: the “undiscovered” Caribbean

There are seven thousand islands in the Caribbean, and though none of them is truly “undiscovered,” some come pretty close

Engage

By Nazma Muller

Castor oil, please

Nasty-tasting castor oil was once the bane of Caribbean childhoods. But now an innovative line of beauty products from Haiti is putting castor beans to a different use — and helping make Haiti’s hills green again, Nazma Muller reports

Engage

By Zahra Gordon

Ark of hope

The Children’s Ark charity channels the energy and know-how of T&T’s movers and shakers to help give at-risk youth the opportunities they deserve. Zahra Gordon learns more

Engage

By James Ferguson

The artist of Carriacou

When Canute Caliste died ten years ago, he was Carriacou’s most celebrated artist. His “naive” paintings record everyday life in his island, says James Ferguson, with a touch of the magical

Engage

By Caribbean Beat

Red for joy: the poinsettia at Christmas

In their native Mexico and around the world, brilliant red poinsettias say Christmas is here

Embark

By Franka Philip

Life is sweet

T&T produces some of the world’s best honey, but many people consider it a luxury product. Franka Philip finds out how honey advocates are working to change that

Embark

By Caribbean Beat

Caribbean Datebook (November/December 2015)

Your guide to Caribbean events in November and December, from film festivals in Cuba and the Bahamas to Suriname’s Owru Yari send-off

Embark

By Various Contributors

Word of mouth (November/December 2015)

The fourth Ghetto Biennale opens in Haiti, Trinidad Carnival prep moves into high gear, and a family tradition puts wanderlust into Christmas

Immerse

By Allison Thompson

Ewan Atkinson: boy next door

The fictional Neighbourhood invented by Barbadian artist Ewan Atkinson is like a childhood fantasy complicated by grown-up concerns, Allison Thompson writes

Embark

By Alia Michele Orane

’Tis the season

Christmas shopping? Our style columnist suggests four Trinidadian designers to fill your list

Embark

By Caribbean Beat

Ian Randle: “I have always loved the idea of travel”

Jamaican publisher Ian Randle on the rarity of travel for pleasure, his favourite bookshop in the Caribbean, and the pointlessness of dressing up for the plane

Embark

By Erline Andrews

The Cuba strategy

Cuba is already the Caribbean’s second biggest tourism destination, by visitor numbers. As the US government relaxes its decades-old restrictions on travel to Cuba, what happens to tourism in the rest of the region? How are other islands preparing? Erline Andrews finds out

Embark

By Kellie Magnus

Put me in the picture

Do young Caribbean readers see themselves in their story- and schoolbooks? There’s long been a shortage of books published specifically for Caribbean children, but a new generation of writers is changing that. Kellie Magnus explains why this development is so important, and suggests where Caribbean parents can find the best literature for their youngsters

Embark

By Shivanee Ramlochan

Caribbean Bookshelf (November/December 2015)

This month’s reading picks

Embark

By Nigel Campbell

Caribbean Playlist (November/December 2015)

This month’s listening picks

Immerse

By Joshua Surtees

Baroness Valerie Amos: Wakenaam to Westminster

Born on a tiny island in Guyana’s Essequibo River, Baroness Valerie Amos has journeyed to the world’s corridors of power. As Joshua Surtees discovers, her Caribbean heritage has journeyed with her

Immerse

By Simon Lee

Songs of the drum: Caribbean music

Brukdown, kaseko, bouyon, tumba — Caribbean music contains dozens of genres you probably haven’t heard of. Simon Lee explains what they have in common

Immerse

By Judy Raymond

Gerard Besson: “I’m such a set of loose ends”

Trinidadian historian and publisher Jerry Besson on his eccentric relatives and colourful career — as told to Judy Raymond

Arrive

By Caribbean Beat

Florida: state of sunshine

Florida may be Caribbean Airlines’ most popular international destination — no surprise, considering its reputation for nightlife, amusement parks, and shopping. But there’s much more to the Sunshine State — from the Space Coast to the Everglades to a thriving art scene

Issue 136 (November/December 2015)

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