Before I forget though - here are thoughts (and maybe future reminders if we go back) for the trip...
Anguilla
Landed in SXM, took 15 min speedboat to Anguilla (not bad but Calypso is not very organized - glad i had a copy of our reservation confirmation). They're ridiculous about tips too..it's like suitcase sabatoge. Still I think after a day of travel it's worth it to go this faster way out.
our b&b picked us up at dock. I had a (BIG) bit of a sticker shock seeing the bill at the end here but the place was amazing and absolutely do not regret the stay.
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| view of Saint Martin in the background from the house- |
we're a little nerve racked heading to dinner cause it's a British island so we're driving our rental car on the opposite side. Note to self - if you must learn to drive this way it is best to do it in Anguilla where locals know to give wide berth to tourists and the proverbial red letter "R" on the license plate.
And so our 4 days of tourist-ing Anguilla begins
...long story short -
Best food -
1)Garvey's on Rendevous Bay (BBQ ribs and snapper and chicken yum) Wonderfully nice man - go early cause he'll run out of ribs. Also note: he's not there every day.
2)Falcon's Nest on Scilly Cay (pronounced "key") - Fish bits alllll the way!!! This is where the fishermen come in....they were pulling in bag loads of lobster straight out of the ocean.
Sandbar at Sandyground was yum too.
All places are local, no frills places and we loved.
Best Beaches - Shoal Bay, Rendevous Bay.
Meads bay is nice but VERY touristy. Not our style. Stopped by Straw Hat for a drink though! Blanchards also had good "upper level" food.
Also got to Calvin under the tree on Crocus bay and paid $15 pp for him to take us snorkelling around to Little Bay - the water there is beautiful
Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten
We ferried over to Marigot from Anguilla - do not reserve a speed boat - it isn't necessary. Just take the ferry (less expensive and one leaves every hour) around $150 for two people to get out with exit fees etc.
We had a taxi take us to the Grand Case (pronounced "cause") airport to rent a car. We stayed at Le Petit - a wonderful place for 3 nights and right on Grand Case beach.
After taking a tour around St. Martin French side and Dutch side, I'm so glad I chose correctly with staying in Grand Case (French Side). Plus the food was wonderful on restaurant row. I am now officially a fan of French food. You can't go wrong. We saw this sunset at Ocean82
Still though...our favorite was again a little local place a bit past restaurant row to Le Ti Coin creole - go see Carl - he'll make you a good meal!
Also enjoyed Paradise View near Orient Bay for crepes (and the view).
The planes landing at SXM from Sunset Bar in Maho Bay was pretty cool BUT absolutely do not go when there are cruise ships docked. We went back to see more planes land before heading out ourselves and it was nuts out there!
Around the airport looked like tourist madness, Orient Bay and Dawn Beach were nice but again much too touristy for our tastes. Tried to stop by Dinghy Dock on Oyster bay, it wasn't open but the area had potential for a good stay? maybe? The Westin/Dawn beach was just "hotel resort tourist spot anywhere". I'm over no substance!!!
We avoided Phillipsburg altogether. All around these areas the time-share people were very aggravating. Do not stop for them. After the 4th or 5th time I had to cut them off. It was just getting ridiculous.
St. Barth's
Took the (9 seater?) St. Barth's commuter out of Grand Case to another "dangerous landing" airport - French West Indie - St. Barthelemy, for a day trip. It was a little scary..especially with how windy it was. Aside from that - this island is hilly.... and I mean like, I thought our car was going to tip over, hilly.
I didn't care to fight for a parking spot in Gustavia, I was overwhelmed and all i saw was Prada and Gucci-like stores....if I wanted that I'd just drive 10 minutes south here in Dallas AND I could find a parking spot easy.
We stopped in Lorient to get our bearings, then swung by Grand Cul de Sac to have lunch at a place called O'corail?
I'd imagine if we had chosen to stay in St. Barth's this beach would've been a good choice.
We headed down to Grande Saline Beach, as I had read it was the #5 beach in the world - an not so easy uphill walk and (as researched) no facilities. It was full of seaweed and the surf was strong -we chose to go back to Grand Cul de Sac and laid out there for a bit, had a few bottles of Carib before heading back to the airport.
Jamie regrets not getting a picture of the planes landing here - i don't see us heading back to St. Barth though so I'm afraid he's missed his chance.
Overall, each island had it's character, but of these three we visited, Anguilla was our favorite.
The worst part of all three was the bugs. 18 bug wipes and two cans of spray still weren't enough to hold them totally at bay for us. So if at all prone to bug bites fair warning. oy. The tipping too gets ridiculous - getting around on your own with a rental car is best. American Dollars are accepted on all islands. Leaving SXM airport is madness too...they'd just shoved everyone in a large room and bused people to their plane. No order here....Really though you already know travel days are a lost cause...don't let this ruin an amazing trip.
I've caught up on the Pennyroyal Green series. I also caught up on Outlander last night...it was very disturbing. Like seriously disturbing....
Now I've got to stop being lazy and catch up on work...
