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Rudolph and the "Ol' Wife" in Anguilla

by Eric
(La Grange, Illinois, USA)

10th Anniversary Shoal Bay Anguilla 2008

10th Anniversary Shoal Bay Anguilla 2008

Visiting Anguilla with my parents in the 1980s (Malliouhana was just being built!), I developed some wonderful childhood memories...

Flying over from St. Maarten in a 7-seat Cessna flown by Maurice Connor. Shifting where we sat to better equilibrate weight...

Staying in Maurice's Easy Corner Cottages. Chasing goats into the shed with the groundkeeper, and racing our collection of “soldier crabs”.

But, the best memory was fishing with a local named Rudolph who taught me (as a young Illinoisan) how to walk safely on the volcanic rock at Captain’s Bay so that he could take me fishing at his favorite spot.

After busting up a fresh pair of flip-flops, and spending a fun few hours with him, I did indeed catch an “Ol' Wife” Queen Triggerfish.

His helpfulness did not stop there. As an aspiring chef, he recommended we take the fish to Lucy’s Restaurant to have Lucy clean and cook us all up a proper Anguillan feast.

Wow!... was that meal great fun, with some of the loveliest folks we’ve ever met.

Rudolph aspired to make it to “the States” and cook at the finest restaurants in New York City. I wished him well and still dream of the day he returns to Anguilla to open up his own first-class restaurant.

Fast forward almost 20 years to 1998 when my wife and I honeymooned at Cap Juluca. My first trip back (and my wife Becky’s first trip overall) to Anguilla. Although Anguilla had changed in many ways, the friendliness and pride in Anguilla that the locals demonstrated ensured that Anguilla would figure into our future travel plans much more frequently.

For our 10th Anniversary in 2008 we treated ourselves to a more D-I-Y trip to Anguilla. With Ku as our “home base” we were better able to experience daily baguette runs to Le Bon Pain, impromptu lunches at Hungry’s, and delicious and fun Friday nights “downtown” for BBQ and music.

The beaches, the snorkeling, the sunsets with a Ti Punch, and the abundance of stars had not changed one iota over the passage of time.

After that trip, we were able to convince my parents and sister to accompany us (now with our 2 children) back to Anguilla last year for a Family Vacation.

We were able to secure a villa that accommodated us all, rented 2 cars, and shared all of our old experiences and created new ones.

Now, my children (Samantha 8, and Nathaniel 5) can enjoy this paradise the same way that I have for almost 30 years!

We all can’t wait to get back to Anguilla.

Only 37 days away as I write this, with almost 2 feet of snow on the ground in suburban Chicago, while listening to the internet stream of KLASS FM 92.9 from Anguilla!

Nori's Comments: Read Mom's charming story of the same trip (without the Honeymoon, ha ha).

Comments for Rudolph and the "Ol' Wife" in Anguilla

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Feb 26, 2011
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can I come too?
by: Sean

Sounds like a lovely family vacation spot..

Feb 25, 2011
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BEAUTIFUL
by: Anonymous

sounds like a true family place

Feb 25, 2011
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a trip????
by: Anonymous

Sounds like a place to take the kids one day

Feb 24, 2011
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fabulous
by: kimmie

sounds like it would be a beautiful place to go looks amazing great story

Feb 24, 2011
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Great Family Vacation
by: Jenny A

Sounds like a wonderful family vacation, Hope you get to visit this great place again and make new family memories to share.

Feb 23, 2011
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Family fun
by: Camy

I give them five stars for such a heartwarming story. Family is the most important part of our lives. It makes me wish I could have this experience with my family.

Feb 23, 2011
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Cool Story Bro
by: Anonymous

That sounds like a lot of fun! I hope to one day visit the Anguilla Beach. Especially the parts with the volcanoes. That sounds awesome!:Dunds like a lot

Feb 23, 2011
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Eric's wonderful vacation spot
by: Anonymous

Sounds like a wonderful place to visit! Eric and his family look so happy and having a great time in Anguilla! A very sweet story to.

Feb 23, 2011
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WOW
by: Dawn M.

Sounds like an amazing place thanks for sharing your wonderful memories !! It is definitely a place I would love to visit with my family !!

Feb 23, 2011
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family :)
by: Laura N.

I love hearing about special places to go with family, where many memories can be made. Thanks for sharing!I'll keep this in mind for future vacation spots.

Feb 23, 2011
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Is this my destination?
by: Briana P.

I've never been any place tropical, but this is on my list of initial destinations! And I'm so glad that "Ol' Wife" turned out to be a FISH. :)

Feb 22, 2011
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Sweet
by: Kathy

What a lovely story and tradition to share with your family.

Feb 22, 2011
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Great memories and more to be made!
by: olesja

Can't wait to get back to Anguilla to experience all the great things about. Wonderful story, Eric!

Feb 22, 2011
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What Vacation Dreams Are Made Of!!!
by: Mike-Orland Park


What heartfelt memories! To enjoy a paradise
as a child and be able to return with your
parents and your wife and children and enjoy it so much you will be there again in the near future and I am sure more times in the years to come has to be a wonderful feeling.

Feb 22, 2011
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Amazing Anguilla
by: Sherece Smith

Makes me feel like I've been there. Amazing place, amazing people. Truly tranquility wrapped in blue.

Feb 22, 2011
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Makes me want to visit!!!
by: Anonymous

Sounds like a wonderful place to visit with family as a couple any time of the year!

Feb 22, 2011
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Fishing with Rudolph!
by: Usha

Wow, you have described your memories so beautifully. Here's to many more wonderful visits to Anguilla with your family!

Feb 21, 2011
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Eric's Story
by: Anonymous

Wish I was there. What a moving, evocative story. Will put Anguilla on my list of places I must visit

Feb 21, 2011
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Eric in Illionos
by: Anonymous

Sounds Lovely!!

Feb 21, 2011
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"Ol Wife" - what a hoot!
by: Terri

THanks for sharing your story and photos. We are counting down the days as well when we will return. We are celebrating our fifth anniversary this Spring and would love for our family to join us someday! Thanks for the inspiration and keep on enjoying Anguilla!

Feb 21, 2011
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Click Your Heels 3 Times and BE THERE!
by: Catherine

Delicious reminiscing! How nice to pass on a lovely family tradition to their kids!
We try different islands; guess Anguilla will be next!

Feb 21, 2011
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Anguilla not just for lovers
by: Anonymous

Your story shows that Anguilla is fun for all!

Feb 21, 2011
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Best ad ever!
by: Anonymous

The Anguillian Tourist Board should use your story and pictures. Everything you described was wonderful. And the pictures make me smile!

Feb 21, 2011
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From the heart
by: Sue

I can feel the love you have for the place. You're lucky to have found your paradise!

Feb 21, 2011
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Anguilla looks amazing
by: Mark

Your story was so great, and your family looks so happy. Not sure why anyone else entered the contest, hands down the best of the bunch. Anguilla looks beautiful and the people sound super cool, can't wait to see this year's pictures and hear more of your family's adventures. Have fun and good luck in the contest!

Feb 21, 2011
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THE BEST
by: Chris H.

Dude, are you kidding me, the best story (and pictures) by far. If you don't win, it's ridiculous. Chi-town voters...come out to support Eric!

Feb 21, 2011
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Nice story
by: Anonymous

Sounds absolutely beautiful there.

Feb 21, 2011
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Makes me want to visit
by: Keith O'Brien

Eric's account of his Anguilla vacations makes me want to visit, too. If i'm lucky, maybe I will, someday. Thanks, Eric, for intoducing me to your favorite island.

Feb 21, 2011
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From the heart
by: Laura

A vote for "Rudolph and the Ol' Wife" as the best as Eric's is obviously "from the heart." Not a generic excerpt, this is his personal story in Anguilla. No doubt, the best of the bunch for someone who is a true "family man." Enjoy your trip.

Feb 21, 2011
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Best story, best photos
by: Dawn

Far and away the best story in the bunch. The tipping point is definitely the pictures....the best looking family on the nicest beaches in the world....awesome!

Feb 21, 2011
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Radio Stream
by: Anonymous

Can't make it to Anguilla but thanks for the heads up on the great radio station. Almost feels like I am there.

Feb 21, 2011
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Anguilla
by: Bob

A great story about a great island; we, too, have stayed on Anguilla the first time at Cap Julaca and next week at GEMS Villa. Thanks for the story and the pictures.
Bob

Feb 21, 2011
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Eric's Story
by: Ellen

Loved the story! We are going to Anguilla next week and this made me even more excited about our trip. We went to Angullla over 15 years ago and I also was struck by the warmth and hospitality of the people. I wish Eric & his family a glorious trip.
Ellen

Feb 21, 2011
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Happiness
by: Anonymous

The best part of the story is the pics. Everyone looks so happy.

Feb 20, 2011
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Love the story
by: Anonymous

A lifetime of wonderful memories!

Feb 20, 2011
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Got room for one more?
by: Beth - La Grange

This looks like a great place! Enjoy ...

Feb 20, 2011
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Sounds like fun
by: Diane

I'd love to go there sometime!

Feb 20, 2011
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I want to go now
by: Nancy

A vacation destination for a lifetime!

Feb 20, 2011
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Best fish story!
by: Mary

I bet that Ol'Wife was the best tasting fish ever! Great story!

Feb 20, 2011
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Anguilla=happiness
by: Anonymous

Your story and pictures make me smile. Anguilla obviously makes everyone happy.

Feb 20, 2011
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Ku, here we come!
by: Mark

Leaving for Anguilla in a couple of weeks, staying at Ku on the most beautiful beach in the world. Thanks for writing the story. Can't wait to be there!

Feb 20, 2011
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Great memories and more to be made!
by: Bev from NJ

Your family is very lucky to have such wonderful memories in such a beautiful place.

Feb 20, 2011
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Best title!!!
by: Anonymous

What a catchy title. Made me want to find out what the story was all about. Great memories!

Feb 20, 2011
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makes me ant to be there
by: Anonymous

Great memories--and plans to make more!

Feb 20, 2011
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Wonderful Story
by:

What I love about this story is the multi-generational aspect. Also, bringing you children back to a memorable vacation spot of your own youth is a testament to how great Anguilla is. Can't wait for my trip next month.

Feb 20, 2011
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What a great story!
by: Adam from Philly

Makes me want to visit Anguilla.

Feb 20, 2011
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What a nice story
by: Anonymous

Great memories. Enjoy your trip

Feb 19, 2011
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AXA bound
by: Steve

Leaving next week, and this story gets me psyched! My whole family is going, so this hits home. Thanks Eric!

Feb 19, 2011
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I want to go!
by:

Everything sounds great. I wish I was there right now!

Feb 19, 2011
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Great story!
by: Mitch

I blew out a flip-flop on those rocks too!

Feb 18, 2011
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Best advertisement for Anguilla
by: Shannon M.

What joyful, happy-sounding trips; and, look at the happiness on their faces...I want to go to Anguilla and have that much fun!

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