I was offered a house sit and free car for the week of Aug. 1-8 so here I am back less than a month from my last trip. What a treat. I had arranged to take the Link Ferry again from the Dutch side and confirmed it a few times. When I arrived at the airport after flawless flights on Dutch Antilles Express, I waited 30 min. for my ride. After a taxi man called someone showed up. When we got to the ferry it was gone. Capt. Franklin’s son was inside and could not explain why they left without me. He said it would be 45 min for the next ferry. Then he said maybe 2 hours. He seemed confused which created much anxiety for me. I asked if I should go to Marigot and he said yes. Just then the Shauna Ferry came and dropped off about 10 people and agreed to take me back. I paid them 35 USD and off we went. The ride was rough and the boat is enclosed with some windows. Sea spray was the norm so the captain let me sit on his seat and he stood and steered. I felt a bit ill upon arrival but was ok. Customs and Immigration was swift. My friend Lisanne met me and drove me to my house sit at Mead’s Bay. I changed and by 12 30 we were at Smokeys. We grabbed a nice table and ordered lunch. I always seem to get roti (15 USD) and Ting. Loved it. Lisanne ordered a burger and crazy good looking tempura style onion rings. I met Tina from Trip Advisor next door and we chatted a bit. Later some more girls joined our party. The music was enjoyable but very loud. There was a terribly shy male puppy running around. 3 of us fed and watered him. I am fearful of his destiny. He is too timid and not well liked by the staff at Smokeys. I ended the afternoon with a lovely swim.
Dinner was with Mandy and Craig at Straw Hat. I met Mandy online on Trip Advisor. Straw Hat was great. It is located on Mead’s Bay at the Frangipani Hotel. Peter, the owner is a super host and his staff amazing. I started a Ti Punch watching sunset. It was 8 USD and wonderful. Mandy and Craig came at 7 and we had a lovely table.andy has to share her menu choices. I had the Spring rolls (16 USD) and enjoyed them. I didn’t love them madly but they were tasty. I chose crayfish for my entree (48 USD). They served 3 split crayfish with lovely plantains and rice and peas and delicious grilled veggies. It was a great choice. I LOVED the crayfish. Mandy and Craig had dessert. She shared her banana bread pudding. I had a few bites. It was a traditional West Indian style slice. Craig seemed to enjoy his creme brulee.
I headed to Dune after as Maggie the PR rep promised there was a show. I got there at 10 and met pitch black. No show no Dune. I went “home” and read a great mystery falling asleep. At 1 AM a rooster woke me up. Egads..
Today is a new day. I woke at 6 and headed called Gerauds, the French Bakery, to see what time they open. The women said the oven was broken (this happened last Aug. too) and they were closed. I drove to Island Harbour and Le Bon Pain and ordered a tuna baquette for lunch and two almond croissants. The place was packed with local men ordered bags of food. Whilst waiting I met two lovely white and black kittens. Fortunately I had bought a big bag of cat food to feed the Meads Bay cats and gave these two loveys a nice breakfast. One loved to be cuddled and I almost took him home. I took my treats and drove to Shoal Bay East for a swim and ate a lovely breakfast. Now I am home working a bit. It’s Carnival and the island is still sleeping after Battle of the Bands last night. I have done Carnival in Sint Maarten, St. Kitts, Bonaire and Antigua so that’s enough for me. I am here mostly to cover the sail boat races. Regretfully I will not be posting photos until Aug. 9 so please come visit again.
Tags: Anguilla Carnival, Anguilla Regatta, Dune Preserve, Le Bon Pain, Roti, Smokeys, Straw Hat in Anguilla
