Mariette Williams
You might recognize my byline from recent Travel Weekly articles, but my connection to the Caribbean is a lifelong pursuit. And I'm thrilled to share my experiences and my passion with you as I step into the role of contributing editor for the Caribbean.
If we rewind a few decades, we'd find a 3-year-old girl holding her very first passport. At the time, she couldn't have imagined in her wildest dreams where that little book would take her: From the Caribbean to the Canadian west coast and eventually to Florida, a state I've called home for the past two decades.
There is a Thomas Wolfe quote that begins, "You can't go back home to your family, back home to your childhood ..." But as someone who was born in the Caribbean, I've spent the last few decades "going home" by hopping islands, "masquerading" at Carnival parades, snorkeling turquoise reefs and soaking in sulfuric mud baths.
My heart will always belong to these islands. The region is more than just the postcard-perfect beaches or luxury resorts. For me, it's also about the local connections and the people who define the culture.
At first glance, the region may seem homogeneous to the uninitiated. But anyone who has spent time here can attest that beyond the resort gates, each island has its own distinct microculture with unique language, cuisine, and local traditions. Just a five-minute boat ride apart in the Bahamas, Harbour Island's pastel charms and pink sands stand in stark contrast to Eleuthera's wild pineapple fields and rugged, limestone coves. Traveling through the British Virgin Islands, the low-lying coral plains of Anegada feel worlds away from the prehistoric granite boulders that line the beaches of Virgin Gorda. Each island and cay within this vibrant mosaic offers its own distinct identity.
When Wolfe said we can never go home again, he meant that the places we once called home change, and so do we. The Caribbean is a dynamic destination; each time I return, I discover new layers, experiences and memories to bring back with me.
My job now is to invite you along for the ride.