GEMS OF ANGUILLA

Small, authentic, intimate, boutique hotels – an affordable way to enjoy what Caribbean islands have to offer. To any who have asked about my favorite Caribbean Island, I have answered without hesitation – ANGUILLA! My husband and I “discovered” Anguilla in 1989 and visited many times connecting with old and new friends over the years.

Only 16 miles long by 3.5 miles wide, Anguilla offers 33 of the of the prettiest, sugar-fine, white sand beaches in the Caribbean. While taxi’s are available, a rental car is a better choice to allow the freedom of exploring the island. Located a short ferry ride to French St Martin, a day trip from Anguilla adds to its charm.

HISTORIC BOAT BUILDING: Spawned from economic necessity, in the early 1900s locals learned and quickly mastered the craft of ship building and sailing. Anguilla then acquired a reputation throughout the Caribbean for producing excellent works of marine craftmanship, with the transportation of goods from island to island carried out in schooners and small ships crafted by hand in Anguilla.

As economic conditions became increasingly severe, the men of Anguilla took to the sea in search of employment on neighboring islands. At the end of crop season, they would return home to their families in Anguilla, racing each other to see which boat would return first into the harbor at Road Bay or Forest Bay. As families lined the beach fronts, cheering the men as they raced into the harbor, boat racing as a spectator sport was born.

I was very fortunate to watch one of the May 30th Annual Regattas from the Fisheries Boat with Sir Emile Gumbs, past Chief Minister of Anguilla.

GEMS OF ANGUILLA: A variety of hotels and resorts can be experienced in Anguilla, but my favorites tend to be the smaller properties owned and/or managed by Anguillans, who in my opinion, are the friendliest people in the Caribbean!

Carimar Beach Club
Blue Waters Beach Apartments
Frangipani Beach Resort
Shoal Bay Villas
Ferryboat Inn
Arawak Beach Inn

DINING, A “FOODIES” PARADISE: Too many to list but a few of my favorites. Blanchards – Hibernia – Cap Juluca’s Pimms – Straw Hat Restaurant – Tasty’s –
Scilly Cay, Serenity – Mangos – Trattoria Tramonto

I am personally familiar with all Islands and Resorts I suggest in my newsletters. “Been There – Got the Tee-shirt!” ~ Molly

by Molly Sumption, Caribbean Honeymoon / Sandals Expert, Seattle & Portland / subscribe to RSS feed