Elvis Sighting in Anguilla

Most of the time The Universe gives you exactly what you ask for.  Anguilla was the perfect recovery island from the intensity of the previous ten days.  A lost world, forgotten by the cruise ships and resort developers, Anguilla is about as laid back as you could imagine.  Now we know why Jimmy Buffet raves about the place!  The idyllic Road Bay anchorage was just peaceful enough to lower our collective blood pressure, while still partying appropriately for a proper Caribbean holiday.  The 10,000 full time residents have no local economy except tourism, and there’s not much of that. In fact, we’re hard pressed to believe there are even 500 residents on this arid island.   

The vibe at Elvis' is exactly what nearly all people Caribbean-bound seek...Sand between your toes, the sea lapping nearby, music, sun and stars, and of course good, cool, refreshing drinks. The bar at Elvis' is actually a wooden boat! Benches sit around the classic boat, right in the soft sand of Sandy Ground. Brett is the American half of the team, Elvis is the local dude!

We met Keith at the top of the hill after hiking the highly recommended unmarked goat trail, and he promptly informed us that “Obama was coming” this week. 

Obama is coming!

While cruising past Crocus Bay on our way to St. Maarten, we saw hundreds of beach chairs and four people! And to top it all off, the two sweet ladies in Customs and Immigration (yes, they have TWO ladies who spend about one hour a day each checking people in and out) didn’t even charge us a dime! 

We enjoyed Elvis’s bar, Nat’s BBQ crayfish and lobster, and a whole slew of Canadians.  Bill and Jackie toured us around in their car, and joined us for the delightful sail to St. Maarten.  Diane and Scott moved on to Dominica after enjoying the evening’s festivities on Kai Kanani.  We await their promised report from Dominica.

On to Saint Maarten!

Kevin really liked this sign - "never seen one in the US!"

Kai Kanani peacefully resting on anchor after the arduous journey.

Beaches, beaches everywhere – 33 beaches say the locals!

Headed up the famed goat trail to the top of the hill – didn’t see any goats on the trail, though we did see them on most of the menus!

View of the harbor from the top of the hill.

Kai Kanani II?  Craig had serious boat envy when this incredible 120+' schooner dropped anchor in Road Bay.

Bill and Jackie from Vancouver Island, BC

Diane and Scott from Toronto

Partying hard, Diane had a REALLY good time on Kai Kanani!

Palm Grove, Nat's Place.  I asked for a smoothie as advertised; "The electricity isn't here yet, Theon is bringing the generator soon".

From www.Anguilla-beaches.com:  Palm Grove One of our first discoveries back in 2002 when we started vacationing in Anguilla, Palm Grove is a favorite. A wooden shack on the beach, serving fresh-caught grilled crayfish and hot Johnny cakes, the food and location is hard to beat. The owner, Nat and his son, Theon, make great company, too. My Dad always looks forward to long chats with Nat over a rum punch.

Crayfish are miniature lobsters, exactly the same in every way. Locals claim they are a different species, however.

Savannah Bay. We were entertained by three incredible kite surfers for the hour it took Nat to prepare our lunch. 

Dirt road to Palm Grove – no utility poles notes Electrician Kevin.  Everywhere we go Kevin’s been commenting on the lack of quality and safety standards in the islands.  It’s a miracle people don’t get electrocuted every day!

Farmer Duke from Jamaica.  We found the only farm in Anguilla and had a minor feast of fresh tomatoes, green papaya (Craig is planning to make Som Tom) and peppers. Yummy!

Farmer Duke's offering of the day.

It's not exactly Monsanto's Big Ag!

On our way to St. Maarten we sailed by Crocus Bay, the five star part of Anguilla.  This hotel is apparently abandoned. But the palm tree cell tower really caught our attention!

Crocus Bay.  Four people, hundreds of beach chairs.