Returning to Paradise – Anguilla Post Irma
Returning to Paradise
I will preface this post by stating I was only on island very briefly. I am sharing my limited observations. I normally take a lot of pictures, but will not be sharing pictures of Irma damage.
1) All of the Anguillians I encountered were welcoming, smiling, and just amazing.
2) Take the time to enjoy the journey, it was emotional for me.
3) Adjust your expectations – The island is different, as it should be. See it, experience it, and love the island (and its people) for what it is now.
4) piggybacking on #3, there is limited power on island (particularly on the West End), wifi, AC, and TV on island. I would encourage you to willingly unplug from your devices and enjoy Anguilla. If you must be connected then perhaps now may not be the best time to visit. Just being honest.
5) I stayed at Paradise Cove. Big thanks to the staff for welcoming me. They had AC, hot water and wifi – powered by a generator. Please note generators are not operated 24/7, you can expect it will be turned off at midnight and turned back on early morning.
6)Beaches – still amazingly beautiful. I visited Rendezvous, the Cove, and Sandy Ground. Water was calm. No debris that I could detect. No seaweed. There is however significant sand erosion at Rendezvous. The good news is that this will fix itself over time.
7) The island is lush and very green. Did not see as many flowers, but they are starting to return. I love flamboyants, most of these trees were bare. I saw only one that was still in full bloom.
8) Tasty’s – open. Got hugs, great conversation, and the best johnny cakes from Dale Carty.
9) Elvis Fleming -hugs and a big smile. He and his family are doing well. Brett and Blu also appeared to be doing well.
10) Will Fleming – more hugs and smiles. Great to get an update on Great House, and to see that the Flemings are making progress with the rebuild.
10.5) Ferry Boat Inn – restaurant is open. View was beautiful. It was great to see Christian’s smile again. He said they are still working on refurbishing some of the rooms. Ti Punch and wings are my favorite.
11)Tony Smith (Calypso) – very glad to learn that Tony and his family were doing well.
12) Driving at night – urge caution when driving at night as it is very dark. Still some power lines (and road signs) down.
13) Be prepared to pay cash. Credit card machines are not operational in many places of business.
14) Most important – give something back to the people of this beautiful island. Whether it be hugs, smiles, prayers, encouragement, generous tipping, a ride, a listening ear, or something more tangible (money, food, water, gifts for children). They will remember your acts of kindness.
15) Piggybacking on 14, there are still many in need of help. Food, water, repairs to homes, and income. There are many reputable organizations/persons on island assisting with relief. Please continue to give what you can.
16) mosquitoes love me:) They seemed to be very active at dusk. If you are visiting now, would encourage you to travel with your choice of insect repellent.
17) Rebuilding is happening – progress is evident. One business and home at a time. Some faster than others. Everyone’s pace is different. There seems to be a lack of much needed building supplies and lumber on island.
18) If you have not already booked, book a trip to Anguilla. Your first trip back will likely be the most memorable ever.
One Love.
Destination Spotlight: Paradise Found…..Anguilla
It’s been a very long time since I took the time to write a post. It’s 2014. New Year. Suitcases packed and I’ve been on the road again to the Caribbean. Anguilla, a small magical island in the Eastern Caribbean, has stolen my heart. The island is tranquility wrapped in blue, and every time I travel to Anguilla, the place feeds my soul. What makes it so special to me?
So many things, I cannot put into words. All I can say is Anguilla is a magical place where you can just relax and “be” rather than a place where you have to “do” something to have an amazing vacation. If you go, you will meet meet new friends and you will not return home the same. Here’s the recap:
Where is Anguilla: Caribbean, Latitude 28 degrees, Longitude 63 degrees
What Anguilla Is: Chic, Hot, Very Private, Ultra Exclusive, Paradise
What Anguilla is Not: No duty-free shopping, no chain hotels, no casinos, no cruise ships, no fast food chains
Size: 16 miles long, 3 miles wide (tiny)
Beaches: 33 totally fabulous beaches
How to Get There:
Option 1: Fly to St. Maarten (SXM). Nonstops from Atlanta, New York, Newark and Miami (American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Jetblue, and United). Take a 12 minute public ferry from Marigot or private charter boats from Princess Juliana Airport.
Option 2: Fly directly to Anguilla (AXA) Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport via Cape Air, Liat, or private jet. Limited flights via San Juan and St. Thomas.
High Season: December 15 thru Mid-April.
Hotels: Viceroy Anguilla, Cuisinart, and Cap Juluca are top luxury resorts. Lots of private villa options.
Golf Course: Cuisinart Golf Resort and Spa
Nightlife: Elvis Beach Bar, Pumphouse, The Dune Preserve, Johnno’s, and Dad’s are all top spots for dancing and reggae bands on Friday and Saturday nights.
What I enjoyed most about Anguilla:
Beaches (Rendevous Bay is my personal favorite)
Sunsets (Mead’s Bay is spectacular)
Food (Fantastic roadside BBQ, Delicious grilled Seafood, and french bakeries)
Fruity drinks (The BBC – Bailey’s Banana Colada and Rum Punch are my favorites)
Spas (Viceroy Anguilla is my favorite)
Music – Sunday afternoons at Gwen’s Reggae Grill with the Scratch Band on Shoal Bay East
Eateries: The Sunshine Shack (Rendevous Bay), Blanchard’s on the Beach (Mead’s Bay), Elvis Beach Bar (Sandy Ground), and Geraud’s
Helpful Tips:
- Rental car is a must (taxis are outrageously expensive)
- Driving is on the left
- Roaming with US cellphones is expensive, texting and internet are more affordable options to stay in touch.
- Most bars and restaurants now offer free Wifi, service can be spotty (:
- Anguilla has a 20% government tax on hotel and restaurant charges
- Anguilla has an additional 15% service charge added to restaurant bills, service charge = gratuity
- Carry sufficient cash to cover ferry rides ($15 per person each way) , departure taxes ($22 per person), and gratuities
- Be prepared with all over the counter medications, sunscreen, and toiletries you may need, these items tend to be very pricey
- Water is a very precious commodity on Anguilla, you are encouraged to limit showers and water usage
The secret to Anguilla: Hidden paradise….ultimate place to relax and rejuvenate.
I highly recommend Anguilla for an unforgettable vacation. Just GO!
Miami: Second Time Around
Happy New Year to all…..It’s been too long, but I’m back. I started this year with a desire to escape the Artic Blast. Atlanta is traditionally in the 30’s and 40’s during winter months, this year is colder than most. Single digits. So I ended up in Miami for a short escape. I visited over 10 years ago. While Miami is fun, it has never been one of my favorite destinations. I decided to give it another try in 2014.
Travel time: 1 hour, 27 minutes (nonstop from Atlanta)
Arrival airport: Miami International Airport
Hotel: The Clinton (South Beach)
Reason for travel: Beach escape
Temperatures: High 60 degrees
What I liked: People watching, nightlife, variety of things to do, The Clinton (great location and price), cultural diversity
What I didn’t:
- Hotels are pricey
- Boutique South Beach hotels are more affordable option, but often are aged
- Taxis to/from MIA airport are expensive (~$40 and up one-way)
- South Beach restaurants offer pretty much the same menus
- Seafood options limited (this was a big surprise!)
- Miami Airport facilities are old and restaurants are really unclean
Would I recommend Miami? Yes. For a girl’s or guys trip. Spring break. Quick weekend getaways. For those who enjoy drinking and partying.
Will I go back? Sure, but not during winter season:)
Destination Spotlight: Discovering the DR…Punta Cana
PUNTA CANA
Where is it? 18 degrees 34’4″ N, 68 degrees 21’48” W (approx 800 miles south of Florida, between Cuba and Puerto Rico)
How to Get There: Nonstop flights offered from Atlanta, New York, Miami, Minneapolis, and Newark. Carriers include: Airtran, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue. Average flight time 3-4 hours.
What it is: Subtropical, Hot, All-Inclusives, Mega Resorts, Mass Tourists (Europeans, Canadians tend to outnumber Americans), Mediocre dining (mostly buffet style), Limited nightlife options (outside of resorts), Topless Beaches, Beautiful women, Spanish Speaking, Championship Golf courses, Fishing charters
What it is not: Luxury resorts (Top notch resorts are not same standard of service as Europe or the U.S.), Exclusive beaches (packed with tourists and straw huts), Luxury shopping, No duty-free shopping, Top notch dining, American hotel chains (Hard Rock Hotel is only)
Ideal for: Families, Spring Breakers, Destination Weddings, and Honeymooners
Best Time to Go: Yearround (June thru Nov is wet season)
Top Resorts: Paradisus, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Excellence (Adults Only), Riu, Secrets, Sivory, Zoetry, Melia, Gran Bahia Principe (where I stayed), Iberostar, Club Med, Dreams
Things I Like Most:
Value Vacation – All-inclusive resorts offer value vacation (all meals, drinks, gratuities included)
Sunsets
Spa services (very affordable)
Availability/Abundance of food and beverages 24/7
Service (resort staff went above and beyond)
Things I did not like:
Mass vacation concept (beaches crowded, dining and entertainment complexes crowded, Spring break atmosphere)
Lack of activities outside of the resort
Resorts are mega-sized, in most cases long distances to get from resort to beach area
Difficulty in getting beach chairs and towels at certain times of the day
Difficulty in communicating with resort staff, very few spoke English
Must secure dining reservations at top tier restaurants well in advance
Airport is small, crowded, and has no air conditioning
Helpful Travel Advice:
1. Prearrange transportation to/from the airport (cabs can be expensive).
2. Carry cash for $10USD Tourist Card fee (per person for both adults & children) paid upon arrival.
3. Brush up on basic Spanish phrases (you will need them).
4. Drink only bottled water! (Do not brush teeth with tap water)
5. Eat carefully (I tended to only eat cooked foods, no salads or uncooked veggies).
6.Carry plenty of sunscreen (sun is intense and most resorts have limited palm trees and shade).
7. Secure dining reservations at top tier restaurants upon check in.
8. Allow 3 hours for airport check-in when leaving the island.
The secret of the DR: Vacation on any budget. The place to relax.
Destination Spotlight: Decoding the Secret of Anguilla
Where is Anguilla: Caribbean, Latitude 28 degrees, Longitude 63 degrees
What Anguilla Is: Chic, Hot, Very Private, Ultra Exclusive, Paradise
What Anguilla is Not: No duty-free shopping, no chain hotels, no casinos, no cruise ships, no fast food chains
Size: 16 miles long, 3 miles wide (tiny)
Beaches: 33 totally fabulous beaches
How to Get There:
Option 1: Fly to St. Maarten (SXM). Nonstops from Atlanta, New York, Newark and Miami (American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Jetblue, and United). Take a 12 minute public ferry from Marigot or private charter boats from Princess Juliana Airport.
Option 2: Fly directly to Anguilla (AXA) Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport via Cape Air, Liat, or private jet. Limited flights via San Juan and St. Thomas.
High Season: December 15 thru Mid-April.
Hotels: Viceroy Anguilla, Cuisinart, and Cap Juluca are top luxury resorts. Lots of private villa options.
Golf Course: Cuisinart Golf Resort and Spa
Nightlife: Elvis Beach Bar, Pumphouse, Johnno’s are all top spots for dancing and reggae bands on Friday and Saturday nights.
What I enjoyed most about Anguilla:
Beaches (Rendevous Bay is my personal favorite)
Sunsets (Mead’s Bay is spectacular)
Food (Fantastic roadside BBQ, Delicious Seafood, and french bakeries)
Spas (Viceroy Anguilla is my favorite)
Music – Sunday afternoons at Gwen’s Reggae Grill with the Scratch Band on Shoal Bay East
Helpful Tips:
- Rental car is a must (taxis are outrageously expensive)
- Driving is on the left
- Roaming with US cellphones is expensive, texting and internet are more affordable options to stay in touch.
- Anguilla has a 20% government tax on hotel and restaurant charges
- Anguilla has an additional 15% service charge added to restaurant bills, service charge = gratuity
- Carry sufficient cash to cover ferry rides ($15 per person each way) , departure taxes ($20 per person), and gratuities
- Be prepared with all over the counter medications, sunscreen, and toiletries you may need, these items tend to be very pricey
- Water is a very precious commodity on Anguilla, you are encouraged to limit showers and water usage
The secret to Anguilla: Hidden paradise….ultimate place to relax and rejuvenate.
Destination Spotlight: A Taste of New Orleans
Destination: New Orleans
Was it your first time: No
How long were you there: 2 days (December 2011).
Why did you go? Weekend getaway.
How did you get there? Nonstop flight from Atlanta.
What travel tips would you offer? Don’t eat prior to your trip:) Get plenty of sleep prior to arrival, you will not sleep much in New Orleans. Bring very comfortable walking shoes. Cabs rides between the airport and Bourbon St/French Quarter tend to be pricey, bring cash with you.
Hotel: Drury Inn and Suites New Orleans.
What did you do? Eat. Drink. Eat. Drink. Lots of sightseeing on Bourbon Street and the French Quarter.
This was especially great: To die for seafood at Deenie’s (restaurant) off Bourbon Street. The BBQ shrimp in a spicy butter sauce served with fresh french bread was so darn good. Gumbo from the Red Fish Grill. Mouth-watering beignets at Cafe du Monde (bistro, French Quarter). Sweet potato pie from Lorraine’s. Oysters from Felix’s. Drury Inn and Suites was in a great location, very affordable, clean, and courteous staff.
This wasn’t: Traveled during December, prior to Christmas. Bourbon Street was quiet.
Favorites: Seafood. Oysters. Gumbo. Beignets. Pralines. Bread pudding.
Would you go back? If so, what would you do differently? Of course! Longer stay.
Any surprises? Due to the time of year, Bourbon Street was unexpectedly quiet.
What was your Kodak moment? So many of these on Bourbon Street….too many to name.
Plane-watching in St. Maarten…the coolest.
Calling all aviation geeks…..I will start by sharing one of my favorite things to do. Plane-watching. It does not matter where or when, plane watching is so much fun. As I mentioned, I worked for an airline for over 17 years, and there is nothing I enjoy more than watching a takeoff or landing. It’s even more thrilling watching up close and personal. I’ve actually had the opportunity to fly a 757 in a flight simulator, sat in a real cockpit (while aircraft parked), walked the ramp, and watched a crew paint a 777 from start to finish. But one of the best places to catch runway action is in St. Maarten, at the world famous Princess Juliana Airport.
The place to be or be seen is the world famous Sunset Bar and Grill at Maho Beach in St. Maarten. It’s an aviation geek’s dream, no other airport rivals this spot. Crowds gather daily from all over the world, with cameras and cellphones in tow, ready for that great shot. My personal favorite is the arrival of KLM’s 747 from Amsterdam. You can catch a range of very large (747s) to very small (turboprops and private planes) planes on a daily basis. The real thrill seekers get very close to the runway, hold on to the fence during takeoff, and catch the jet blast, which can be very dangerous. The sand blast is powerful, the engines are noisy, but it’s about as cool as you can get. All I can say, is JUST DO IT!
the travelpreneur 