This trip was all about beaches.
Shoal Bay West
My first day, after unpacking at Ambia B and B, I landed at Shoal Bay East to have a lovely ginger coconut pina colada made by Myra at Ku. I was DREAMING of this after some internet buddies advised me to try this lovely tropical concoction. Myra was a lovely lady and she is a drink wizard. I drank this lovely beverage sharing the bar with Steve and Laurie from Maine. I then darted into the sea and basked in the tropical blue. Shoal Bay East was very quiet. I have never seen Shoal Bay East high season but low season it’s a delight. Snorkeling must be great. I enjoyed my afternoon.
Ku
Lori, Steve and Myra at Ku with Ginger Coconut Coladas
Elvis's Beach Bar
I changed and headed to Elvis’s. My daughter and I enjoyed Elvis’s last year so I had to return. Elvis greeted me with a smile and blended a strong delicious rum punch. He is truly the drink master. Without asking he replenished my empty glass with another. I could barely see straight. These are STRONG. Co owner, Brett was in the house. He takes great pride in his restaurant and handles the business side of things well. The crowd was fun and being alone was not an issue. I made many friends that night. I had a lovely fish sandwich made with fresh local snapper. It was spicy and tasty. I highly recommend eating at Elvis’s.
Day 2 was a stunning sunny hot morning. Magda, the Ambia manager brought fresh pastries from Gerauds. The cheese danish was to die for. We shared one and I made a lovely cheese sandwich with home grown basil. I then headed to Shoal Bay West. This beach was unspoiled not a soul in sight. The hotels look empty and the beach completely barren. I made the first footprints of the day. My next stop was Barnes Bay and Mangoes Restaurant. The beach looks amazing for snorkeling. Again, the entire area was devoid of people…it was serene and restful just gazing out to sea. Next I went to Anguilla Great House. I had my favorite beverage, Ting soda. If you are unfamiliar with this treat, try it next time you are in the Eastern Caribbean. It is in a pretty green bottle and is grapefruit soda. I jumped in the sea and splashed and drifted. I had previously purchased a Vincentian mango and ate it in the sea. It was great.
Anguilla Great House
Photo Courtesy of Mark Harrold
My next beach find was at Long Bay near Olivers. The wind was whipping an easy 22 mph but I swam carefully looking out for Hammy the Hammerhead which was spotted the previous week at nearby Meade’s Bay. No Hammy but a great tranquil beach.
Photo Courtesy of Mark Harrold
I had a nice late lunch at Cafe Veya. Neal is the owner and a super guy. He has created a restful island oasis and makes a nice light lunch. I read my book eating a lovely panini.
Cafe Veya
This was Thur. night and it was the ever famous night at Pumphouse where the Musical Brothers play. I started at Elvis’s and met a friendly and lively group of party goers. There was a DJ pumping endless Michael Jackson music in tribute. I walked between Elvis’s and Pumphouse a few times ending at Pumphouse. I got home 1:30 AM after having a few too many rum punches. Both establishments make them great.
Photo Courtesy of Mark Harrold
Friday I drove to Island Harbour to take in the sights stopping along the way at a Crocus Bay to admire Davida, a new restaurant. The grounds are impeccable and the setting romantic. I wish to go back for a meal sometime. Along the way I stopped at the coconut truck to get a fresh coconut. Google coconut water sometime. This refreshing beverage is chock full of electrolytes. It’s a daily ritual for Caribbean folks to take in some coco water and jelly each day. Next I stopped at Little Bay but did not climb down the rope. My next stop was Limestone Bay. What a GORGEOUS beach. Again, not a soul in sight. I headed to Le Bon Pain but they were out of treats. Next I stopped at Gwens to swim and snooze in the hammock. Lunch was a fish sandwich. Sadly the fish was not too tasty, perhaps old?
My last night was spent at Sandy Ground. Being low season it appeared that Elvis’s was the place to meet and mingle. I had my first rum punch of the day and listened to more Michael Jackson. I met some new faces including bartender Mimi. What a fun gal. I strolled the beach and sat listening to the water calmly lapping on the shore.
Photo Courtesy Of Mark Harrold
Elvis had ordered fresh crayfish from Island Harbour. They arrived 10 PM and he cooked them up right away. It was my first taste of this local treat. I really enjoyed this small sweet crustacean. By this time I knew I had to leave as I had a 9 AM ferry on Sat. My attempts to change my flight were futile and I was resigned to leave. Back at the bar, Satisfaction Band was playing and I have their CD so know how great they are but I was going to have a rough day on the boat and two planes had I stayed. I left and went for a late night swim at Meade’s Bay. Then I headed back to my B and B and sat gazing into the night. The bats were dipping into the pool one by one. I heard peepers serenading me. Ruby the doggie kept me company. It was a lovely last night in Anguilla. Whenever I leave an island, sadness creeps in and a few tears fall knowing I must leave such a lovely place. I am a Pisces and have been on islands my whole life. Anguilla is a fairly new experience and has welcomed me warmly. I smile knowing I will be back…gotta avoid PAD, Post Anguilla Depression…right?
