Anguilla! It is truly ‘one of a kind.’ It is my island home.
I love Anguilla and I enjoy exploring what Anguilla has to offer. Iam never bored in Anguilla. MyAnguillaExperience.com provides a great outlet for me to share what I love about Anguilla and to describe why I am never bored in Anguilla
Crocus Bay Anguilla at Davida’s restaurant
I first wrote about why I love Anguilla on my blog say-yes-to-today.blogspot.com about 18 months ago. The idea for the topic came about because my friend suggested that I write about why many Anguillians cannot swim and many times do not visit our beaches frequently while visitors come from so far away to enjoy our beaches and to swim and dive in our azure blue waters.
So why is that? I guess it boils down to the fact that most of us do not appreciate what is right in front us. I have lived in North America and in the United Kingdom and yes there are things in these countries which I like and certainly things I dislike but honestly, there is nowhere like home.
Where else would a rooster be crowing in the middle of the night when dawn is still hours away? Where else can I sit on the porch and enjoy the wonders and beauty of the stars which are not obstructed in any way at all by sky scrapers or pollution. Where else do I have the right and the privilege to enjoy 33 beautiful beaches any day, anytime, anywhere and where else would I have the choice of a five-star restaurant or a local road side bistro all within ten minutes drive?
I very fondly remember my childhood growing up in Anguilla. I don’t ever remember being bored. My cousins, my neighbours, my friends…someone was always around. I remember going through the bush looking for popes and berries with my cousins, ‘long’ drives to East End from North Side on the back of a pick-up to climb trees and pick mangoes on our land there, flying kites, riding my bike, playing marbles, playing catching and dolly house and of course the picnics on the beach (I dreaded washing my hair though and still do!).
As an adult, Anguilla is still this wonderful place where I am never bored. So outside of the myriad of activities which I engage in during my volunteer and professional life, my favourite Anguillian experiences in recent times are
Coconut Tree, Anguilla
1) Watching my husband pick coconuts from our coconut trees and then watching him chop them open with the machete so we can enjoy some coconut water and jelly. Yummy and delicious. Our dog Vision likes coconut too so we always share with him.
2) Hanging out with my family and friends. Many times when you hang out in Anguilla food is involved so whether it is a movie night, games night, picnic, fish fry, barbecue or breakfast or dinner at a top class restaurant, we always have a great time.
Group Shot at Flavours Restaurant, Anguilla
Birthday Fish Fry, Anguilla
3) Hikes and excursions with the Anguilla National Trust – Anguilla and its neighbouring cays are amazingly beautiful and thanks to Farah and her team I have enjoyed some terrific, exciting and sometimes sobering experiences!
Hiking with the Anguilla National Trust, Anguilla
4) Sunsets and Sunrises on the beach – I enjoy long walks on the beach and sitting on the sand and watching the sea relaxes me. There is also nothing better than a good water fight while swimming. Sharing these experiences with loved ones or friends doubles the pleasure. While on the beach, try kayaking from Davida’s to Little Bay. It is a fun and beautiful experience. Recently, I also discovered the wonder of snorkeling and scuba diving and I look forward to exploring underwater Anguilla some more in the near future.
Sunset, Anguilla
5) The Church Experience – I love church and Anguilla has a large number of churches per square mile. My home church is Ebenezer Methodist Church located in the Valley. It is the oldest Church in Anguilla and was established in 1830. I also enjoy Central Baptist Church in Rey Hill which is my hubby’s home church. There are many other churches on Anguilla and you can’t miss the churches as you drive through the island so attend a service if you can.
6) Talking, laughing and dancing under the stars – I particularly enjoy slow dancing on the wharf in Sandy Ground or on the beach to reggae tunes coming from Elvis Beach Bar. The good thing about Anguilla is that the stars are visible from everywhere and if you want to seduce or be seduced in a romantic setting, try any of our 33 beautiful beaches.
Wharf, Sandy Ground, Anguilla
So that’s my list – these days I am pretty low-key but if you are looking for more activity, I know there are terrific local acts and parties in and around the island amongst many other things. My point is we all just need to get out more and to appreciate what we do have. Take the word ‘bored’ out of your vocabulary and share with the world why you love Anguilla. Good things do come in small packages and although we are only 35 square miles, there is so much potential and possibilities for fun, adventure and romance on our island home. Ensure you are never bored in Anguilla :).
So what are your favourite childhood memories growing up in Anguilla and what Anguillian experiences do you enjoy most today? Post a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!
