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Anguilla Beach Lovers, Issue #077 January 12, 2014 |
Combing Anguilla's Beaches for the BestAnguilla Beach Lovers brings you the latest additions to one family's experiences of the "best of all things Anguillian."If you like this e-zine, please do a friend and me a big favor and "pay it forward." If a friend did forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting... Issue #077, January 12, 2014We're in it now. Winter that is! While the weather was raging last week up in the Northeast and across the States and Canada, Anguilla was bustling, too. The beaches, bays and airport have been packed with Anguilla-lovers, yachts and private jets. Without a doubt, "high season" has arrived. From Christmas...
... to New Year's Eve at da'Vida, 2013 just flew by.
With family and friends visiting over the holidays, we connected with Tranquility Wrapped in Blue beach-by-beach. Let's take a look back on the spectacular stretches of sand we've walked this winter... First up, there's Shoal Bay East, naturally.
And then there's Rendezvous Bay...
Don't forget Sandy Island...
There's no overlooking Meads Bay, either. In fact, on this beach we stopped and took a couple of hours for a fantastic late afternoon lunch with our friend Dillon, the owner of Ocean Echo. From the seafood chowder, to the Rasta Pasta, toes in the sand and with well-timed, friendly service, all was simply sublime!
What else is new in Anguilla? Geo-CachingSomething pretty neat for the adventure-bound shared by reader, Tim Adams who wrote to me a while back... I thought you'd enjoy this. Reading your blog years ago and following your lead to the Iguana Cave and carefully hiding a geocache nearby it, there have been 23 logged visits to the cave. The stories are fun to read. I get an email each time somebody finds the cache, often the same day it is found. Sometimes people travel from St Martin just to find it. There are several others in Anguilla that I have hidden, and they are also found and logged often. It's a fun activity for families, I know the Bogars (owners of Veya Resturant) have found the caches with their kids. With an iPhone and probably any smartphone, the geocaching app will lead you towards any cache in the world you want to find... it's really pretty cool. A few years back I rented a car in St Martin and found every cache in one day... well over 20 on every corner of the island. It was a fantastic way to explore. You can't go very far these days where there isn't a cache hidden somewhere nearby! More on the "cache" at Anguilla's Iguana Cave. Thanks for the tip, Tim! Do YOU geo-cache? :-)
Caribbean Surfing
This winter we had the chance to surf a couple of new spots around the Caribbean, including a secret wave in St. Martin (right next door to Anguilla) and a few famous spots in Tortola, BVI on a recent trip. There certainly are gems to be had in this part of the world! More on secret St. Martin surf spots. CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa's New Executive Chef, Jasper SchneiderThis season, CuisinArt welcomed new Executive Chef, Jasper Schneider. Boy, is he changing things up! All of the menus at CuisinArt's signature restaurants have been re-vamped in the most creative (and delicious!) ways. Two of our new favorites at CuisinArt's family of restaurants? Italia's new ultra-creamy burrata appetizer and just about everything on the new menu at Tokyo Bay. The sushi now exceeds world standards (it's no surprise considering Chef Jasper opened the latest popular Sushi Samba in Coral Gables, FL.). Here's a little peek at what you can expect...
More on the NEW Tokyo Bay here. Updates on all other restaurants coming soon. Carimar's Winter Specials
Affordable and right on the beach, there's just no beating Carimar Beach Club. They are currently running a winter special valid from January 4-24, 2014.
Beachview one-bedroom $3,116.50 Tequila Sunrise Villa & A Very Worthy Cause
In 2007, 2 year old Liam Witt was tragically diagnosed with neuroblastoma. His mom and dad quickly learned of the limited options for treatment due to the fact that pediatric cancer was so under-funded. Shocked by this truth, they established the not-for-profit, Cookies For Kids' Cancer. It all started with 96,000 cookies that they (with 250 volunteers) baked in one weekend, raising over $400,000 for research. Since then, the fund has grown substantially. In fact, they have had such a huge impact that, because of funds provided to a researcher, there is now chemo therapy available that would have cured her son. They have partnered with companies like Glad, King Arthur Flour, and OXO. Adults and kids bake and sell cookies, Gretchen gives talks around the US and they hold large fundraising events. One such event will be held this February in NYC. Top chefs will be cooking for people who buy a table at the event, Chefs For Kids. Prizes will be auctioned at the event. One of the prizes will be a stay here in Anguilla at Tequila Sunrise Villa where Gretchen, Larry and their daughter Ella came after the tragic passing of Liam in 2011. Included in the prize will be dinner at Straw Hat, Barrel Stay, Dolce Vita, Picante, Veya and Blanchards, lunch at Scilly Cay, car rental from Richardson car rental, transport on Anguilla Air Services, and a large certificate to ZaZAA Boutique. Here's hoping the prize raises thousands of dollars in funding for this exceptional cause! The Anguilla Card
It has been go-go-go here with The Anguilla Card! Anacaona Boutique Hotel, ZaZAA Boutique, Calypso Charters, Anguilla Tennis Academy, Dungeon Gym & Fitness Centre and Limin' Boutique have joined as new Partners. Sheriva is holding a very special members-only offer. And, we are holding a mini win-a-dinner-for-2-at-AXA Seafood House contest. (If you're a Card Holder, check your latest exclusive newsletter for details.) Much more to come in this new year from The Anguilla Card :-) What Else Is New?
That's all for this first month of the year. Here's wishing you the very, very best for all of the 2014 :-)
See you next month! P.S. What better way to start the year than with a few warm thoughts on Anguilla? The following was written by Philippe Pageau–Goyette, a close friend of Janine Edwards. He owns Sandcastle Villa... Why I love Anguilla 4 years now I have lived in Anguilla. Here is why I live in Anguilla. Because Anguilla has some of the best beaches in the world, 33 in all!! Because the weather averages 85 degrees with a gentle breeze Because the food served on the island is spectacular and the island is blessed with almost 100 restaurants Because there is virtually no racism Because the super rich and celebrities vacation here and can be totally left alone Because Jet Skis are not allowed Because drivers honk constantly at each other to say "hello" Because I often am all alone on a white sandy beach, at peace Because Anguillians are very entrepreneurial despite their tiny economy Because my jeep never gets above second gear Because no one cares what you drive, wear or live Because the fishing is great Because there is no casino and no all-inclusive resort Because it rains for a few minutes every morning to water my garden Because of Prickly Pear and Sandy Island, two deserted islands with small beach restaurants Because they don't repair the roads as a way to stop speeding Because Anguillians build their own homes over years and take pride in it Because Anguillians respect their land Because Anguillians respect their elders Because I pick my own coconuts Because the sunsets, sunrises and rainbows are some of the most beautiful my eyes have ever seen Because you can hang at Elvis Beach Bar and dance under the stars on the beach Because you don't really have to wear a seatbelt Because of the stunning red and orange Flamboyant trees Because Anguillians religiously say "good morning" and "good afternoon" to anyone, all the time Because instead of shaking hands, most men will “bump” fists followed by “respect” or “one love” Because total strangers will "bump" me if they cross me on the street Because everyone is at church on Sunday Because "bullying" is almost non-existent Because there is a great selection of wine and cheeses Because a bottle of Kettle One is $15 Because it is a British Dependency and as such is protected by a sound legal system Because of the wild array of birds Because there are three 5-star resorts on the island Because paparazzi are not allowed Because mechanics come to my house to work on the cars Because of roadside BBQ Chicken and Ribs and Johnny Cakes Because Anguillians are proud of their history, from boat building, salt trading, luxury tourism and their revolution Because I often get stopped by total stranger and ask if I need a ride while I am on my power walk Because I give rides to perfect strangers all the time Because I can conduct business from Anguilla without being disturbed by too many externalities Because if there is an act of violence, the ENTIRE society gets together to rid itself of the poison Because if I need anything repaired at the Villa, someone shows up immediately, not the usual "we will be there between 9-5” Because retailers have at least one of everything I need Because most of the restaurants are "on" the beach and I can have lunch with my wife while kids play in the water Because Anguillians know how to deal with tourists as it is their livelihood Because Anguillians take cycling very seriously even though some of the roads are rough Because playing Dominos is the national sport Because boat building and racing start at a young age and continues to adulthood Because I am NEVER bored Because all the moms on the island treat my kids like their own sons Because Doctors do house visits on request Because Anguillians have an incredible smile when you are lucky to get one Because there is a Greig Norman golf course Because I can't help myself from dancing when Boss Man's Band plays The local music is real, live and passionate Because Life is good all the time, and all the time, life is good. Anguilla Beaches Home Page |
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