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Government shutdowns, DACA, North Korean nukes, #metoo, the Russia Investigation... Current TV news headlines make an escape to the Caribbean more essential than ever these days. For me, if said escape takes me to Martinique, all the better.

A World Surf League (WSL) Qualification Series event, Martinique Surf Pro has attracted a who’s who of top competitive surfers from around the world to the small and charming seaside village of Basse-Pointe for each of the past four years.

Haiti, just like everywhere else, is not all one thing. What's bad is bad there. What's good... well... some of it is like this...

In Cuba, surfing is not legal. The words spread across the first frame of the trailer are shocking; confounding. How could a sport that so embodies and promotes so many positive things – brotherhood, healthy living, empowering women, fitness, respect for nature – be illegal?

There was something about this bench shaded by its windswept companion on the southeastern coast of St. Croix that spoke to us. Be present in this month's moment of Zen video.

Alberto is one of many local St. Croix residents we had the chance to talk to about the state of our home island in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Here's more of what they had to say...

Unless you are one, know one, or are just all about all things ital, you probably don't think much about the Caribbean farmer.

Leap in. Float around. Stare up at the brilliant blue sky. Or dive in search of shrimp. Owl's Hole is the coolest pool you'll ever swim in.

You can taste the essence of Jamaica in every drop of Appleton Rum, the island's air, soil, and water all coming together to make something special.