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Experience the World From Home: A Week Inspired By The Caribbean
Since schools remain closed and travel is almost non-existent for most of us even within local areas; we thought it would be fun to share some ideas for adventures in the home. We’re calling it the travel addicts guide to experience the world from home.
Whether you are a foodie, are looking for things to keep the kids busy, feeling up for binge watching, or passing the hours in quarentine reading, we hope you’ll find something fun here to pass the time and of course experience the world from home!
Duration: 6 days
Countries: Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago
Reading and Watching: For both adults and kids
Activities: Geared to families
Food: Easy to make, island inspired
In the United States all but 11 states have now issued stay at home directives. While we live in one of the states that hasn’t officially issued an order; the governor has basically closed everything anyway. So even if we wanted to, and we don’t, we wouldn’t be able to see anything anyways. Anyone else wake up on April Fool’s Day hoping someone would declare the pandemic a big hoax? Alas, that didn’t happen, it is not a hoax, and here we are.
Spring break starts this week for most kids in public school and what a different spring break it will be. One of the things I am coming to most appreciate while being at home is the bonds forming between and with our 3 kids. As an eternal optimist I am thankful for this precious time together. We wouldn’t have gotten this time together otherwise.
Experience the World at Home: Caribbean
In celebration of the Caribbean being a popular spring break destination we decided to experince the world from home and visit the island nations this week. Warm waters, sandy beaches, island music, cultures steeped in history, and incredible fresh food have always drawn me to the Caribbean.
The Caribbean is actually an archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea made up of 30 states and territories. Some of the islands are independent and have their own governments while others are territories of other countries. Some of these territories below to: France, Netherlands, United States and United Kingdom. Each island has its own culture, language and charm.
Tourism to the islands is popular and there is plenty of information online and in travel blogs about the best islands to visit. We have selected 6 of the 30 islands for our adventures this week. Some islands we’ve featured show up on recommended lists and others do not. Since we are experiencing the world from home; things I may normally consider haven’t played a factor here!
Join us this week while we experience the world from home and get a taste of these island nations, spend time doing activities inspired by the Caribbean, and get into some rhythms of the Caribbean for at home dance parties!
In the words of Bob Marley which is playing in our house right now….
“Let’s get together and feel alright”
Monday - Bahamas
Part of the British Commonwealth, the Bahamas are a collection of more than 700 islands in the Caribbean Sea located southeast of the Florida coast. The capital city is Nassau located on the island of New Providence. While visiting the Bahamas you can island hop between islands enjoying experiences on resort, family friendly, local cultured and deserted islands. We have yet to make it to the Bahamas, but it definitely ranks high on our list!
Read
An Evening in Guanima by Patricia Glinton
Bahamarama by Bob Morris
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett
Learn
Entertainment
Casino Royal – Bond James Bond
Into the Blue – a group of divers’ cross paths with a drug lord
Activities
Ar Matey – let’s dress up like pirates and search for treasure in the house. We play this game by challenging the kids to find 5 objects in the house starting with the letter….
Food
Tuesday - Cuba
The sights, sounds, and rhythms of Cuba can be felt all over the country from the capital in Havana through the more rural areas. After the change in leadership Cuba and USA relations have improved since 2015, however, travel is still heavily governed. Most visitors to the island nation come from Canada and Europe. Cuba has a fascinating culture, one of the highest literacy rates in the world, and is renowned for its Cuban cigars and old cars.
Read
Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene
Telex from Cuba by Rachel Kushner
Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas
Learn
Entertainment
The Old Man and The Sea – an aging fisherman tries to catch a marlin
Activities
Play a game of Dominos – a popular Cuban game
Food
Cuban Sandwiches – Awesome use of leftover pork shoulder
Wednesday - Dominican Republic
DR is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean. History, beaches, and destination weddings attract tourists from around the world. Baseball is one of the nation’s favorite sports and many players are drafted by the MLB. In fact the Dominican has the 2nd most players in the MLB behind the USA. The DR is also a producer of vanilla, cacao, and coffee beans and you can go on tours of the plantations while visiting.
Read
The Secret Footprints by Julia Alvarez
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz
Learn
Dominican Republic Interesting Facts
Entertainment
Jurassic Park – Filmed in the Dominican
Activities
Or better yet, if you can go outside play a game of catch or baseball in the yard
Food
Thursday - Jamaica
What comes to mind when you think of Jamaica? Close your eyes and let your mind wander. Can you smell the ocean breeze, feel the warm wind on your skin, or maybe hear the sound of reggae drumming in the background? We might be stuck indoors, but that’s no reason not to turn on some Bob Marley and jam while creating some Jamaican inspired crafts or cooking up a storm.
Read
Aiden and the Apple Tree by Johnathon Kelly
Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Y Dennis-Benn
The Pirate’s Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
Learn
25 Interesting Facts About Jamaica
Entertainment
Cocktail – A young man becomes a bartender in Jamaica
Cool Runnings – Jamaica we have a bobsled team
Smile Orange – 1976 comedy written, filmed and directed in Jamaica
Activities
Create a tie dyed shirt or a bandana belt
Food
Friday - Puerto Rico
While Puerto Rico is its own island country; it is also a territory of the USA. The island was battered by Hurricane Maria in 2017, but is now well on its way to recovery boasting record tourism in 2019 just 2 years later. As a US territory it is relatively easy to get to from the US and ripe for an amazing tropical getaway!
Read
Salsa by Lillian Colon-Vila
The Rum Diary by Hunter S Thompson
Learn
77 Interesting Facts About Puerto Rico
Entertainment
Pirates of the Caribbean on Disney Plus – adventures of the pirate Captain Jack Sparrow
The Rum Diary – a love story
Activities
Check out the night sky. Did you know Puerto Rico is home to one of the largest telescopes in the world? Celebrate this by looking in the night sky for the big dipper and the milky way. There are several apps you can download to help out.
Food
Mogongo is a personal favorite of mine!
Saturday - Trinidad and Tobago
About 20 years ago I met someone from Tobago. He had moved to Canada, but spoke so passionately about his home country that it has stuck in my mind. We have yet to visit the twin islands, but it is definitely on my list. I love warm places and my husband loves hiking and nature. Definitely think we can find a way to satisfy both loves in this beautiful country.
Read
The Secrets We Kept: Three Women of Trinidad by Krystal A Sital
Miguel Street by VS Naipaul
The Dragon Can’t Dance by Earl Lovelace
Learn
Trinidad and Tobago: the facts
Top 10 Interesting Facts About Trinidad and Tobago
Entertainment
Swiss Family Robinson – shipwrecked family lives on a deserted island. Watch on Disney Plus.
The Cutlass – A young woman is kidnapped and trapped in Trinidad’s wilderness
Activities
Food
Served with Curried Vegetables
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