The Black Girl’s Guide To Travel: A Girlfriends’ Getaway To Saint Vincent

Something occurs once you make a journey with shut associates and deliberately step away from what often calls for your consideration. When you escape to the Caribbean, it may be much more memorable. Becoming immersed within the islands’ rhythm collectively reminds you why these girls matter. For me, Zahra and Dez, Sandals Saint Vincent in Buccament Bay gave us precisely what we would have liked. The resort, tucked between two hills, provided a peaceable retreat, with inspiring views that always had us stopping mid-conversation. Every second we spent there appeared like a celebration of sisterhood and island life.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has felt like a second dwelling since my first go to eight years in the past—on Valentine’s Day. Over time, I’ve fashioned deep friendships right here, and this journey honored these connections. While Sandals motels are identified for romantic escapes for {couples}, this time was about celebrating the bond between associates.

Mornings of Reflection and Afternoons of Exploration

The steadiness between journey and tranquility formed our days. One afternoon, we paddled glass-bottom kayaks towards Fort Duvernette. The volcanic plug rose dramatically from the ocean on Saint Vincent’s windward facet. Through the clear water, we watched seabirds dive and delicate sea orchids sway. The fort as soon as protected Calliaqua Bay, the place ships loaded with sugar departed for England throughout colonial occasions. We had been simply there for the majestic views.

The climb was steep. We laughed as we made our approach up, our voices echoing off the partitions. We stopped each few steps to catch our breath, pretending we weren’t winded. At the highest, we stood collectively searching at lush hills spilling into countless blue sea. In that second, with the wind whipping round us, we may exhale.

Another morning, two of us awakened at 4:30 a.m. to go on a dawn ATV journey with Coastal Adrenaline Tours. By 6, we had been tearing alongside winding trails because the solar climbed over the Atlantic and birds took flight round us. We rode via Sheep Pen, a peninsula with panoramic views of the Grenadines, previous Brighton Bay’s black sand, and thru villages the place different early risers waved to us from their yards. The tour ended at a ranch, the place we had been greeted with chilly towels, bottled water and a correct Vincy breakfast—a reward that made the early wake-up price it.

Food, Friends, and Flavor

Food was a spotlight of our keep. With 12 eating places at Sandals Saint Vincent, we had greater than sufficient choices, however two shortly grew to become our favorites. At Buccan, the open-hearth eatery, we dined family-style on dishes celebrating Saint Vincent’s heritage: slow-roasted hen, curry goat, grilled fish, cassava bread, mango chutney and extra. The desk overflowed with flavors that felt like dwelling. The curry goat jogged my memory of my grandmother’s Sunday cooking. For a second, I used to be 10 years outdated once more, sneaking additional items earlier than dinner was served.

Butch’s Island Chop House provided one thing completely different—grain-fed steaks and recent seafood in a setting that felt luxe but relaxed. Sides and sauces, every fastidiously chosen, elevated each meal.

One night after dinner, I adopted the sound of drums echoing within the distance and located myself at a Big Drum celebration. It was a vibrant expression of Saint Vincent’s Garifuna heritage. Rhythm, tune and motion honored the island’s African and Indigenous roots. Women moved in colourful skirts, their steps regular and highly effective, as resort visitors gathered to sing and clap in time. It jogged my memory that tradition isn’t one thing to look at from afar, it’s one thing you expertise within the second.

Unwinding in Luxury