Black Dog, Blue Sea is a memoir that intertwines travel, relationships, and the challenges of living with depression and Asperger Syndrome. Twenty years after leaving home, Dan feels the urge to reconnect with his emotionally distant father. To do so, he plans a three-month budget journey circumnavigating the Caribbean Sea, an adventure far from a typical holiday for his 72-year-old father, Peter.
Despite the modest conditions—long bus rides, hostels, and street food—Peter is eager to join. However, Dan soon discovers the depth of his father's clinical depression, making their journey more complex than anticipated. As they travel nearly 10,000 km along the Caribbean coastline, Dan begins to uncover his father's poignant life story amidst the backdrop of beaches, jungles, and vibrant local culture. Just as the trip starts to strengthen their bond, an unexpected disaster forces Dan to confront his own mental and emotional struggles.
About the author
Danforth (Dan) Slater grew up in the UK and developed a passion for travel after a challenging trip to India in 1998. His subsequent travels included the Middle East, Central America, and South America. Dan began his writing career with travel stories for the Australian Times, and has consistently been published in the likes of Escape, Get Lost and Australian Geographic. He published his first book, This is Not a Holiday, after moving to Cape Town.
Dan and his fiancée, now wife, Gerda, relocated to Australia, where he continued to write, producing March of the Warmdüschers. His latest book, Black Dog, Blue Sea, recounts a journey with his father around the Caribbean. Now settled in Sydney, Dan enjoys traveling, hiking, and making short films. He has visited 114 countries and is planning a move to New Zealand.
