Aurora author Andrew King gave readers the travel bug last fall with his first book, A Visual Journey to Alaska.
In the process, King picked up a bug of his own — the writing bug — and is back this spring with another visual trip, this time to the sunny climes of the Caribbean.
A Visual Journey to the Caribbean, the second travel book by King, is now available through Amazon, charting his personal journey through the islands, along with stunning shots of landmarks and natural wonders, and travel tips as well.
“With my first book, everyone has been loving the pictures and the dialogue, and it has made people want to travel after the pandemic is over,” says King. “With A Journey to the Caribbean, I wanted to show something different that you don’t always see: new scenery, new places, bright colours.”
King first travelled to the Caribbean on a family cruise about six years ago. Sailing out of Florida, they visited the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saint-Martin, and the coast of Mexico.
“It was just amazing discovering these scenic areas, the greens in the trees, the real difference in the blue of the water,” says King. “I wanted to show the amazing places you’ll see, the different people you’ll meet, the food you’ll eat — it was like a whole new life experience.”
Among the favourite locales he has visited so far are the resorts, public art and majestic homes of Nassau, Bahamas and the Mayan ruins in Central America.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about travelling to the Caribbean is everybody wants to go to the beaches, but there is more than just beaches, you can explore the history of the area as well.”
King never dreamed he had book publishing in his future.
As a student at Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School, he struggled with the work, struggled with anxiety, and wanted to be anywhere else but in the classroom. Getting out and seeing the world has done nothing but broaden his horizons and helped him “get through the rough points.”
In addition to Alaska and the Caribbean, he has travelled through Italy, Malta, Greece, Australia, New Zealand and has cross-crossed the Atlantic.
Once the pandemic is over, he hopes to explore more of Europe — and he also hopes his books will encourage people to set their own travel goals once there is a return to some kind of normal.
“I just want people to feel better during this rough time we’re in right now and give people something to look forward to after,” he says. “I am really looking forward to getting back on a cruise ship and see the world. If everything can work out by next year, I am going to do much more of Europe.”
Will it inspire another travel book? Watch this space.
Brock Weir is a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative reporter at the Auroran
