Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a small country in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles island group. The official language is English but Vincentian Creole is also spoken very widely. This is a diverse populace combining individuals from multiple races and continents, and about 6% has roots in India. The terrain is volcanic and rocky, with sandy beaches. Overall the climate is tropical, with alternating dry and rainy seasons. Native animal species include the Lesser Antillean Whistling Frog, the Leatherback Turtle, and the Least Gecko. Mainstays of the economy include agriculture and tourism, with minor contributions from manufacturing and offshore finances. You can check out the excellent Princess Margaret Beach, or the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere at Saint Vincent Botanic Gardens right by Kingstown. If you want to get adventurous, take a trip to see lovely waterfalls like Wallilabou, Trinity, and Dark View Falls, or to the active La Soufriere Volcano.

Pumpkin and breadfruit are popular starchy staples. Typical vegetables include tomatoes, peppers, cabbages, and eggplant. Lamb, smoked ham, and especially fish are commonly eaten. Bequian Lamb Stew is a spicy, tomato-based bowl of intense flavor. Try callaloo soup, starring the fresh green callaloo (or spinach, if need be) along with coconut, ginger, hot pepper, and other flavors. You can get vegetarian or organic Caribbean food, possibly cooked by a Rastafarian. Try breadfruit cheese pies and anything else you can make with the starchy fruit at the annual Breadfruit Festival in August, which is complete with music and dancing.