Overview

Caribbean Crosswinds: The Virgin Islands - Stories, Flavors, and Coastal Traditions from the U.S. & B.V.I. Caribbean Crosswinds is a richly woven exploration of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, blending travel narrative, cultural history, and culinary tradition into a compelling portrait of one of the Caribbean's most vibrant regions. Through vivid storytelling and engaging encounters, the book follows Pete and Charlie aboard Seadreamer I as they journey across St. Thomas, St. John, Virgin Gorda, Norman Island, and beyond-meeting the people whose lives, recipes, and memories shape island identity. Each chapter highlights a different island, offering insight into its character, heritage, and connection to the sea. Readers experience bustling markets at dawn, quiet coves framed by volcanic rock, open-air kitchens scented with charcoal and citrus, and coastal villages where stories are carried in both food and folklore. From wood-grilled snapper and johnnycakes to goat water, fungi, and handcrafted pastries, the culinary traditions of the Virgin Islands reveal the resilience, resourcefulness, and creativity of generations. The narrative goes beyond travel impressions to explore the deeper forces that define Caribbean life: the legacy of migration, the endurance of community, and the cultural memory preserved in recipes, festivals, music, and craft. Conversations with fishermen mending nets, cooks tending family recipes, artisans shaping driftwood and clay, and elders recounting oral history give readers a grounded understanding of the region's past and present. Themes of ecological stewardship and coastal preservation run throughout the book, acknowledging the fragile beauty of reefs, mangroves, and beaches, along with the community-led efforts to protect them. Hurricanes, shifting tides, and changing climates are portrayed not as abstractions but as lived realities that islanders meet with strength and collective spirit. Written with warmth, respect, and detail, Caribbean Crosswinds offers readers an immersive view of island life and a deeper appreciation for the cultures that define the Virgin Islands. Perfect for travelers, food lovers, cultural readers, and anyone drawn to the sea, this book celebrates the people, places, and flavors that make the Caribbean unforgettable.

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