You're invited....A Slice of Paradise

Travel Blog, a set on Flickr.
Just a glimpse of where I've been....

The Anguilla Experience - Getting ready and where to say

So, it's time for vacation....in Anguilla.  So what do you need to go?  A passport, an airline ticket, sunscreen, and a great attitude.    To travel to Anguilla (AXA), you will take a flight into St. Maarten (SXM, Princess Julianna Airport).  From the U.S., there are nonstop flights from:  Atlanta (Delta), New York/JFK (Jetblue), Newark (Continental), and Miami (American).    Another travel option is to fly from the U.S to San Juan, and take a smaller plane directly into Anguilla (Wallblake Airport).  Most travelers fly to St. Maarten and then take a ferry to the island.  There are two ferry options:  public ferry from Marigot (the French side of SXM) or private charter from the airport.

Anguilla is definitely worth the journey.   Now, where to stay?  There are many hotel and villa rental options on the island.  I  have done both.    If you choose luxury hotels, Viceroy, Cuisinart, Mahaillouna, and Cap Juluca will offer every luxury you can imagine, but at a very expensive price.   All are located on the West side of the island and offer spectacular beach views.  Villa rentals are available all over the island, with varying price ranges and beach views.  I would strongly recommend considering villa rentals, because they are more private, offer more amenities, accomodate families and groups affordably, and allow you to cook, if you choose.   If you are interested in villa rentals, I would recommend contacting Tranquility Real Estate, Theo Smith proprietor.   You may contact Theo directly at www.tranquilityanguilla.com or acura_93@hotmail.com for more information.

Lastly, if traveling on a small budget, there are a few small guesthouses on the island, they are harder to find and typically shared by word of mouth.    So, now are you ready for your vacation to Anguilla?

The Anguilla Experience - Part I Beaches....

So I promised to tell more about The Anguilla Experience.   I will start with the most memorable part of Anguilla....da beaches.  There are 33 beaches on this small, beautiful slice of paradise.  All are beautiful....the most amazing, clear turquoise water I've seen, and sand so powdery soft to the touch.   Snorkeling is incredible.  The choices are many - snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, swimming, or just plain "liming" (chilling) with cocktail in hand, as my Caribbean friends would say.  Shoal Bay, located on the East End of the island, was ranked as one of the top 10 beaches in the world, and is my personal favorite.  Shoal Bay offers a stunning beach dotted lined with palm trees, umbrellas, brilliant white sand and a choice of beach bars, like Gwen's Reggae Grill, Uncle Ernie's, and Meadirman's.   Mead's Bay and  Rendevous Bay are also amazing beach locations on the West side of the island, dotted with luxurious hotels.  Here are just a few glimpses of the beauty that can be found on Anguilla's beaches...

Coming soon...Part Deux, a Taste of Anguilla's restaurants...anyone ready for a vacation?  All you need is a passport, plane ticket, plenty of sunscreen, and a fabulous attitude...Cheers.

My Favorite Destination Is.....

So, I have been traveling for about 17 years....Over 571,000 miles.  Ireland,  Athens, Rome, Capetown, Alaska, Hawaii, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Egypt, Kuwait, Dubai, Japan.  Let's not forget the Caribbean... Anguilla, Eleuthera, Montego Bay, Nassau, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St. Lucia....all amazing travel experiences that touched me in different ways.  I love to experience new cultures, meet new people, try new foods, take photographs, but most importantly to see how others live.  Not through the eyes of the media or the internet.

While I love some aspect of all of these locations, my most memorable vacation spot for me is a small island in the Caribbean, called Anguilla.  I first traveled to Anguilla in 2003, and it changed my life.  Forever.    I had only read about Anguilla on the internet, it was where the beautiful people and the rich and famous vacationed.  Beyonce.  Jay-Z.  Denzel Washington.  Bob Johnson.  Mariah Carey.  Michael Jordan.  The beaches looked so beautiful, I did the research and decided I must find a way to go to this place.    To get to Anguilla, you must fly to St. Maarten and take a 12 minute ferry ride.  There is a second option to fly to San Juan, and  then take a small commuter flight to Wallblake Airport in Anguilla. I have done both.  When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was the water, how beautiful, turquoise, and crystal clear it is.  The sunsets are unrivaled...white sand, so powdery soft.  Over 30 beaches, and just over 20 square miles.  It was everything I expected and so much more.  I can only share my experiences and my photos, which do not do this small island justice.  For me, Anguilla is like going home.   The beaches, the sunsets, the Rum punch, fresh seafood and BBQ on the beach, lazy Sundays listening to music on the beach but most importantly, the people are what make Anguilla so special.   I invite you to share a glimpse of Anguilla, through the lens of my camera....and when you're ready, you must experience the island for yourself.    More to come on Anguilla.  In the mean time, if you want a relaxed and unique vacation experience.... ANGUILLA is the spot to choose.