A new GPS-guided audio tour is offering drivers a deeply local way to experience St. Croix. “Driving in the Left Lane: Stories from Sunny St. Croix Island,” created by singer, songwriter, and performer Gyasi Clarke, transforms a cross-island drive into an immersive audiobook that blends history, personal storytelling, and original music.
The tour guides drivers on a scenic 36-kilometer journey from the Christiansted Bypass Overlook to the Frederiksted Beach. Over 45 minutes to an hour, Clarke’s narration, triggered automatically by GPS at 74 major points, reveals the layers of St. Croix’s past and present. Listeners will learn about pivotal events like the 1878 “Fireburn” rebellion, visit historic forts, and get tips on local favorites like Armstrong’s Ice Cream, which has been serving the community for over a century.
The tour’s title is a deliberate conversation starter that sets the tone for an authentic, unrushed exploration. “Driving in the Left Lane is a metaphor for how we live on St. Croix. We move at our own pace and of course, practically speaking, we really do drive on the left,” Clarke said.
The project began over three years ago when Clarke’s mother, who runs a cultural experience business on the island, passed along the idea. With a background in IT but no prior experience with audio tours, Clarke embraced the challenge. He dove into historical research, wrote the entire script, and recorded the narration over four long days in his home studio. “The most demanding part was the relentless testing. I lost count of how many times I drove from Christiansted to Frederiksted,” Clarke said.
Clarke designed the tour for anyone with curiosity about St. Croix. For tourists, it offers the freedom to explore independently while gaining a local’s insight. For Crucians, it provides a chance to rediscover their home. “Even if you’ve driven these roads your whole life, you might hear stories you’ve never known,” Clarke said.
The tour is intentionally packed with layers, from history of the island’s seven flags to playful local slang. Clarke even includes personal touches, like pointing out the baseball field where he hit his first home run. Another unique touch is the integration of his original music, ‘Positive is How I live’, serving as a soundtrack to the journey.
“Driving in the Left Lane” is available on the VoiceMap app. The tour starts at the Christiansted Bypass Overlook and is best started two hours before sunset, allowing time to explore stops and end with a famous Frederiksted sunset. For more information, click here.
