Home Sweet Home Away From Home Pt 4

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On this third annual month-long respite in Anguilla, I pondered what has made this gorgeous island country so enchanting to me. Truth is there are beautiful beaches, abundant sun, delectable cuisine, and good vibes in many places all over the world. And many of them are a lot easier on your pockets.

I figured I would at least attempt to offer my Golden Life tribe a taste of what makes Anguilla so special. In fact, that’s what Parts 1, 2, and 3 have attempted to do. I’ve concluded that there is simply a je ne sais quoi about this place that can only be experienced. But while you’re here, I’d love to share with you some of my new finds and tidbits that I encountered on my most recent visit in January.

When in Anguilla…

I discovered Johnnos, a beloved beachfront restaurant among the locals accidentally. We had a reservation to visit one of Anguilla’s beautiful off-shore islands, Sandy Island (similar to Scilly Cay island we visited last time), and somehow they forgot to tell us they had a private party for the day. Fortunately, Johnnos, which is located right at the dock for the ferries to the island welcomed us with open arms. (Pro tip: When visiting a destination, go to the spots the locals enjoy. In my experience, you can’t go wrong with that. When in Rome…)

I was excited to learn that whole snapper is one of their specialties, and it comes right out of the sea, caught by a local fisherman. Can’t get any fresher than that! To top it off, they are a go-to place for live music on Sunday afternoons. My type of vibe!

Aurora has my heart

In my previous blog posts about Anguilla, I only briefly mentioned the Aurora property, but it’s been a go-to spot every visit. In my opinion, it is one of the top three most beautiful resorts on the island, and I would recommend a stay there if you have the coins to match. 

Even if you aren’t a guest, you are allowed to enjoy the property’s  abundant amenities such as the spa (which mom and I visited the first year) and the beachfront restaurant and bar, which has fantastic views. It is also cool to visit at night when they host live entertainment.

It’s also important to mention that the Aurora is home to the only golf course on the island, so if you’re a golfer, this is definitely your place to be!

Photo courtesy of Anguilla-Beaches.com

Zemi Take Me Away

I fell in love with Zemi at first sight. For starters, this beautiful boutique resort is located on my favorite beach on the island, Shoal Bay. It also has one of the most beautiful spas I’ve ever seen, and coming from a spa girl, that says a lot! Zemi’s vibe is all about the zen, and they nail that in every crook and cranny of the property.

This time, we enjoyed craft cocktails at their seaside bar and experienced live music and tasty bites at the The Bohio Bar & Sushi Lounge. I highly recommend this experience. And if you’re a spa bum or a boutique hotel lover like me, Zemi is your spot. It also happens to be a Hilton for you Hilton Honors members out there.

For All Seasons

I can’t remember ever visiting a Four Seasons that I didn’t like, and this one certainly did not disappoint. The Four Seasons Anguilla happens to be the only chain resort on the island. During last year’s visit, I indulged in the Spa, which was like its own resort. The views from the relaxing lounge and patio are breathtaking and of course, the massage was one of the best I’ve ever had. I recommend a full day here. You can’t go wrong at any of the restaurants.

This year, my family and friends visited on a Saturday night to check out one of Anguilla’s favorite homegrown bands Omalie 360. Absolutely amazing! Omalie, the band’s lead singer, even invited me up to sing along with him. It was a night to remember!

Omalie, the lead singer of Omalie 360. Be sure to check them out while in Anguilla, they were awesome!

You had me at aloe

I’ve been to many Caribbean islands and cities in Mexico where beach entrepreneurs occasionally sell their massage services. However, the Anguillan beach entrepreneurs made an offer that we just could not refuse – fresh aloe massages. Yes, they come prepared with fresh aloe leaves that they cut and pull fresh aloe juice from to serve as the ointment for your foot and leg massage. Yes please! I can not tell you how soft and refreshing my legs and feet felt after that treatment.

My mom and our friend on the Straw Hat terrace on NFL Sunday
This massage felt like what I would imagine heaven feels like.
We made fast friends with Straw Hat Manager Doris.

I’m not sure where else they offer their services, but we experienced this piece of heaven on the beach in front of Straw Hat at the Frangipani Resort. By the way, if you are a sports fan this is your spot! In addition to having a fabulous beach, the restaurant area has multiple screens sharing live sports from the US and all over the world for your viewing pleasure. As we visited during NFL playoff season, this became our Cheers every Sunday.

If you’re still not convinced that Anguilla is a place for you to visit, just know that I’m happy to continue to do the research for you (smile). Clearly, this little island has a lot to offer, and I’m looking forward to seeing what gems I will find during my next visit. You’ll certainly be the first to know!

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

The Present Matters

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In 2022 Mom and I started what has now become an annual tradition of spending the month of January on a beautiful little island country named Anguilla. To say that it is completely restorative and refreshing would be accurate, and also an understatement. This time away has become necessary for my overall well-being.

It is during these retreats I have been the most reflective and in turn, inspired. On this trip, I have thought a lot about what it means to be present. To me, it means being fully attuned and connected to the moment of now. 

Mom taking a moment to soak in all the beautiful scenery in Anguilla, even on a cloudy day.

The time away, which consists of longer periods spent disconnected from technology, always allows me to savor the “right now” moments in my life. In fact, we can call this blog post a Part 2 to Right Now, a post I wrote two years ago almost to the day. As I reflect on the contribution that our devices have had on our growing inability to appreciate the present, I can’t help but consider how we got here.

For a moment it seemed that the global shutdown helped us in that it forced us to interact more with our loved ones at home. However, one of the many ways that it did more harm than good is that it reinforced and exacerbated our deep dependence on technology.  

We have become so tethered to technology that many of us have forgotten how to be with each other. We use our devices as a crutch during silent moments. Our conversations are often interrupted by the sudden pings of not just our phones, but our smartwatches, which keep us constantly “connected.” Sadly, however, we’ve never been more disconnected. Our fixation with our gadgets has in many ways made introverted people more introverted and even caused extroverts to become introverted. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing introversion. But when it happens at the expense of our abilities as humans to communicate with each other and appreciate what is happening right in front of us “offline,” Houston, we have a problem.

How did we get here?

One click…

One like…

One text…

One post…

One binge…

One emoji…

One reel…

At a time.

So how do we coexist with and benefit from technology while also remaining present to and focused on the beautiful moments in front of us? It probably looks different for each person, but I’ll start with a few of my own new habits.

  1. Setting boundaries around my technology. This includes keeping my phone on silent, only answering or responding during designated times throughout the day, and not letting every little ping interrupt me from what I’m focused on in the moment. It might even include at some point purposely leaving my phone behind at times. *Insert Gasp here.*
  2. Asking myself, “What is the present moment inviting me to notice or be aware of?” Searching for the beauty in each moment we get here on Earth helps me to value each minute I have. I’ve found most times, I don’t have to look very far for the beauty around me. It’s often in the people I’ve been overlooking when my face is buried in one of my devices.
  3. Changing scenery every so often. Going away to places like Anguilla is awesome, but not practical for everyday living. I’ve found that even just working from a new place in my house from time to time gives me a newfound perspective. And with a newfound perspective comes another opportunity to see hidden gems around me.

I always thought wasting time was about doing something pointless or unnecessary. Now I see the worst type of time wasted is experiencing each precious day on Earth that we’ll never get back again and not being fully present to the beauty of the things and the people around us.

We’ve seen movies and TV shows that point to the threat of technology completely taking over our lives. And yet, we seem to be completely unbothered by the fact that fiction is slowly but surely becoming our truth. 

So how do we fix it? I’m not here to judge or attempt to provide an answer because truth is, I’ve certainly been complicit in technology’s takeover. It’s a rhetorical question, but one I hope encourages all of us to ponder the individual roles we have in reclaiming our gift of the present. Because it is, in fact, a gift; and it matters to our humanity.

My Real Trinidadian Vacation

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There’s nothing quite as powerful for a mindset shift as a change in scenery. 

This week I’m returning from vacation to a place that I visited for the first time earlier this year. I don’t normally visit the same place twice in one year, especially one that is out of the country. However, the first time I visited the beautiful island country of Trinidad, I spent the majority of my time working.

The purpose of my trip this time was a true vacation. Normally my vacations consist of ample time to explore and experience everything a destination has to offer. However, the hustle and bustle of my everyday life had me essentially limping onto the plane, desperate for some relief from all the demands of my life.

The words person that I am, I decided to look up the definition of the word vacation. 

It comes from the Latin word vacātiō, which means “exemption from service, respite from work,” and traces back to vacāre, “to be empty, be free, have leisure.”

I felt all of that on this trip.

While I intended to see a lot more of the county on this visit, it turns out, that’s not really what I needed. I needed to rest. I needed to reset. I needed to restore. I needed to be still. 

And still, I was.

I loved leisurely starting my day each morning with yoga and ginger tea.

I think many of us have come to believe that we always have to be doing something, even on our vacations. Some of us can’t even begin to understand the concept of having leisure. But recently, my pastor Keith Battle inspired me with his series entitled “Margin” to take a deeper look into why I was so drained and exhausted going into my vacation in the first place. 

I lacked margin – what he calls the space between our resources (skills, wisdom, finances, time, etc), which are limited, and our responsibilities (commitments and obligations for work, family, ministry, etc.), which sometimes seem to be never ending. For most of us, that space is non-existent, and even worse, for some of us, our responsibilities exceed our resources. This lack of space between our resources and our responsibilities is exactly what has the majority of us in a constant state of exhaustion.

Going into this vacation with a newfound mindset that gave me the grace and freedom to do nothing, I came back refreshed, renewed, and restored in ways that I haven’t felt from a vacation in a long time. If you’re anything like me, you’re likely in need of a do-nothing vacation too. I know, you may be saying to yourself, I can rest at home. The reality is that most of us don’t. We need that change of scenery (and climate for me) to put us on the road to recovery.

A return visit to Maracas Bay beach was very necessary.
The view from the Maracas Bay Lookout never gets old.

While I did rest a lot, I want you to know that I didn’t come back to my golden life tribe empty-handed. In addition to the Trinidadian treats I shared in the musing from my first visit, “A Trip Fit for a Queen,” I have a few more recommendations for any of you planning to visit.

I couldn’t resist capturing a photo opp under this beautiful tree in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Take a stroll or have a picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens. If you are a nature lover, or you just enjoy peaceful, serene environments, this is a must for you. With a mini zoo on the property, filled with lively, colorful birds, it offers an abundance of flora and fauna that is sure to delight your senses. This Garden, which happens to be one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, also offers areas where you can sit and enjoy a bite to eat with a friend or enjoy some “me” time. There are also fascinating views of the President’s House, as well as beautiful rolling hills that can serve as a mini hiking experience.

Grab local fare from Queen’s Park Savannah. In addition to boasting the world’s largest roundabout, and offering views of some of Trinidad’s magnificent seven buildings, including castles, this beautiful park hosts food trucks that sell some of Trinidad’s best cuisine in the evenings. They serve everything from shark and bake, a local favorite, to some North American favorites like fried chicken wings and tacos. The Queen’s Park area also hosts numerous festivals, including the Pan African Festival, which I visited back in July and August.

Take in the breathtaking view of the city at the famous lookout points. One of the most charming attributes of Trinidad is the natural beauty that you can take in from several lookouts around the capital city of Port of Spain. The Maracas Bay lookout was definitely deserving of another visit, and this time I was also able to take in the daytime and nighttime views of the Lady Young Road Lookout. While you’re there, shop some of the local vendors and sit down and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat from Tastee Tobago. This cute little restaurant has great food representing Tobago, Trinidad’s sister country, and offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and Queen’s Park Savannah.

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

My Cuban Adventure Part II: Off the Beaten Path

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I first visited the beautiful island country of Cuba six years ago. If you know anything about the relations between Cuba and the USA, a lot has changed since 2017. But I was grateful to have had the opportunity to visit again and experience one thing that hasn’t changed – its magic. (Click here to read Part I “Review: My Cuban Adventure”). 

As the title of this post suggests, thanks to my good friend Juanita “BZB” Britton’s Off the Beaten Path Tours, I was able to see much more of this magical island than I did the first time. And while the main tourist attractions are still worthwhile experiences, learning more about the rich African culture made this visit to Cuba even more special.

Me and my good friend Juanita who curated this amazing experience.

There’s no place like home

Before I get into the new adventures I experienced, let me first share a little about our home for six days. Since my favorite travel buddy and I cruised the first time, we didn’t have the hotel experience. I had heard that many of them were a bit outdated and not up to American standards so I was glad we cruised the first time. This time we stayed at the less than a year-old Grand Aston La Habana Hotel, which was absolutely beautiful. Not only did it have the most gorgeous artwork displayed around the property, the rooms and common areas had the most lovely decor. Additionally, the infinity pool overlooking the Havana Bay was delightful and I saw the most amazing sunrises every morning from our room. 

A few things to note about the hotel though…other than breakfast (which is included), you’re better off going somewhere else for food. They advertise room service, but they didn’t have many of the items on the menu, which is already limited. Every one of us who had massages thoroughly enjoyed our services, but it is not a full-service spa with amenities. You’re in and you’re out. 

Off the beaten path

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m the ultimate beach bum, but I do love me a little culture as well (smile). This time, I was really excited to see “the other side of Cuba” beyond the traditional tourist sites. We got to experience what Juanita, our tour curator called “indigenous cultural tourism.” 

A beautiful view of the valley on the way to Matanzas

Our first step off the beaten path was to visit an artist village and learn more about the rich Yoruba (ethnic group originating in West Africa) traditions steeped in the culture. We visited homes, walked the streets lined with mural-adorned walls, and enjoyed music and dance performances by the beautiful people who welcomed us to learn more about their heritage and experience their way of life.

I just had to snap this photo of my gorgeous mama against this dope backdrop. Isn’t she lovely?!

One of my favorite parts of the day was exploring the street art of Havana’s Callejon de Hamel, created by talented muralist and artist Salvador Gonzalez. He helped to transform what was formerly a crime-ridden slum into a charming two-block alley-way filled with stunning Afro-Cuban art that pays homage to the Yoruba Santeria culture and religion. On Sundays, the day we visited, you can enjoy charming, energetic dancers who accompany the sounds of their native rumba music. We wore white in honor of the Santeria culture and religion that is practiced in Cuba.

On another day, we took a day trip to Matanzas, an African community 56 miles east of Havana. It is known for its Afro-Cuban folklore and is the birthplace of the music and dance traditions danzón and rumba. We visited a site that held artifacts from the descendants of the Dahomey kingdom in West Africa. So dope!

The food, the music, the art, oh my!

Since I offered a pretty comprehensive overview in Part I I won’t go into extensive detail here. But I must say, as far as food is concerned, it was the paladares for the win again! As a refresher, paladares are small, family-run restaurants, usually in converted homes. We found time to visit our beloved paladar next door, Casa Mia, twice for their delicious tostones (and the fine Cuban waiters…ssshh don’t tell anybody lol)! I also thoroughly enjoyed my experience at El Chiquirrin Restaurant in Matanzas, as not only the food was good, we were serenaded by their wonderful house band!

The music and art was pretty much abundant wherever we went, but there was one particular place we went that captured it all. That was the Cuban Art Factory (Fabrica de Arte Cubano). Set in a former cooking oil factory, this cultural arts center has a little bit of something for everyone from visual and culinary art to an energetic rumba class and fashion show. We got to experience it all! I definitely recommend a visit.

A few more things to know before you go…

  • As of the time of this blog post, US citizens need a valid passport (must not expire within 6 months of travel), a Cuban Tourist Card or Visa, travel insurance, and a signed affidavit indicating you are traveling under one of the 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba. (We went in support of the Cuban people, justified by bringing art supplies, feminine hygiene products, and other goodies that we donated to the communities we visited.)
  • For US travelers, cash is king. Do not expect your credit or debit cards attached to any American bank to work there. The locals love (and prefer) your US dollars so there really isn’t a need to exchange them for Cuban pesos. 
  • Be sure to bring toilet tissue with you, as not every restroom (especially in the remote parts) is created equal.
  • The hotels in Cuba are like many other countries in the world that do not believe in washcloths. So if you’re used to bathing with them, bring them!
  • The sun is especially oppressive there so be sure to bring and wear lots of sunblock and something to cover your head if you’re going to be outside for long periods of time.
  • Wifi is sparse so prepare to unplug unless you have an international mobile plan that includes Cuba. We were really only able to access wifi in the hotel.
  • Check out the show at the Nacional Hotel, it was great! But skip dinner there. Try out one of the nearby paladares instead. You’ll thank me later!
  • Don’t skip the classic car rides. It was so nice, we went back and did it twice!
This rest stop on the way to Matanzas had the best pina coladas EVER!
I’m smiling because it was delicious!
This rest stop had the nicest, cleanest toilet…with no TP! lol
This all female band on the Hotel Nacional patio was dope!
To be so fancy, the Hotel Nacional restaurant was a huge disappointment.
They put on a good show though!
I loved the vibrancy of the colors in the costumes and the performers.
This paladar had good food, particularly the appetizers and dessert.
We didn’t get much salad while there so I’m glad I took a picture of this one lol.
Not only was this dessert pretty, it tasted good too.
There’s nothing quite like the classic car rides.

Home Sweet Home Away from Home Part 3

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It took me a year but I made it back home! Home sweet home away from home that is, and for me, that is Anguilla. Last year, I did something that I’d never done before. I visited a place I’d never been to and immersed myself in the culture for an entire month. I enjoyed it so much, I vowed to return and promised there would be a part three that would share even more goodies about this quaint, beautiful island country. 

In Part One and Part Two, I shared all about the culture, the people, the unique places to visit, and some helpful tidbits on what to know before you go. Well, guess what, there’s more where that came from! On my return visit this January, I reveled in some of my favorite spots and found some new ones that I’m excited to share with my Golden Life tribe. 

Before I share more, here are the Cliff Notes on my impression of Anguilla. If you are a beach bum, who loves relaxing on a beach, enjoying good food, experiencing live music, and taking delight in meeting new people, Anguilla should be on your travel list! But please make sure you have your coins together before you go.

The beaches

I mistakenly mentioned in my first blog that I hadn’t yet made it to half of Anguilla’s 33 beaches. I’d actually been to more than I thought! Sunshine Shack at Rendevous Bay and Madeariman at Shoal Bay Beach are still my favorites, but I did have some new experiences that I’d recommend as well. 

Be sure to spend a day at Scilly Cay, a private island off the coast of Island Harbour. It is a quick (less than 10 minutes) ride away from the Harbour. In true Anguilla style, you schedule your boat by standing on the dock and waving to get the boat captain’s attention. Within 10 minutes your ferry (a generous term for a very small boat) comes to escort you to the island where you can enjoy a day of relaxing on the beach, enjoying a limited, but delicious selection of Anguillan fare and cocktails, play corn hole toss and other beach games, and be serenaded by an acoustic guitarist and vocalist named Terry. He actually reminded me of my dad in spirit, though he looked more like Harry Belafonte physically lol.

I heard the seafood on the island was amazing but the chicken did not disappoint!
 This coconut rum punch was so bomb.
This little island is great for families

It’s important to note that Scilly Cay is not open every day of the week. At the time of my visit they were open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. It’s best to check their social media to confirm days and hours.

I also enjoyed my beach time at Cap Jaluca on Maunday’s Bay beach. Though it’s important to note that it will cost you. If you are not staying at this 5-star luxury hotel, you either have to pay for a $50-day pass to visit or spend that amount per person at the beach shack. This is not hard to do with a couple of cocktails and an appetizer. It is a gorgeous beach with amazing views, but honestly, that’s not hard to find on this island.

This shrimp poke bowl was everything.

The restaurants

You know the foodie in me could not wait to get back to some of my Anguillan favorites like Sharky’s, Ember, and Dolce Vita. But lo and behold, I found some new ones that offered a new, and equally enjoyable experience.

Veya was so nice, we had to experience it twice on this visit. This is a new restaurant that opened since our last visit. Everything that I tasted on this menu from the salads and lamb chops to the sauteed snapper and even lemon ricotta flatbread was absolutely delicious. I also loved the live music that was offered during dinner by local artist, Omari Banks. Additionally, they have a downstairs lounge area that offers you a front-row seat to the live entertainment.

Not sure how we missed this well-known Anguillan restaurant on our last visit, but we made sure to visit Tasty’s this time. And boy did it live up to its name! Be sure to get the Johnny cakes, a Caribbean staple they do well, and the grilled lobster. I normally don’t go for a whole lot of extra trimmings on my lobster, like peppers, but it was superb! 

Didn’t capture a photo of the Johnny cakes but the lobster fritters were delicious as well.

Another new establishment that popped up since our last visit was Savi Beach Club. So beautiful! It was intended to have a similar vibe to the infamous Nikki Beach Club. It doesn’t quite hit the mark on yet, but I truly enjoyed my experience. The sushi was delicious and the dinner vibe was dope. We didn’t get to experience the day vibe because the weather wouldn’t let us be great on the day we planned to go, but I do plan to go back! 

(Fun tidbit, the Real Housewives of New York were filming there on the night we visited. They were the reason for us not getting to experience live music there that night.) They were at the table to the far left of us.

Last but certainly not least, the dinner experience at Blanchard’s is worth noting. Last year, we could only make it to the beach shack, but the restaurant is a whole other experience. Literally, everything we tasted from the Caesar salad and the Spanish dates to the red curry mussels and spiced pork ribs was amazing! A return visit is in order.

The nightlife 

On this visit, we scheduled restaurant reservations around when we knew there would be live music. So even some of the restaurants we’d been to before like Sharky’s and Dolce Vita felt like a different experience once the live music was added. By the way, I wouldn’t recommend Dolce Vita on a Friday night, unless you’re a fan of loud karaoke nights. I’ll just leave it at that.

If you’re a live music lover like my family is, be sure to check out Anguilla’s hometown favorite Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve. Think who Bob Marley was to Jamaica. That’s who Bankie Banx is for Anguilla. He performs there most weekend nights and features special guests, like his son Omari Banks, who we saw at Veya. Like many Anguilla establishments, it’s right on the beach and it’s a whole vibe. 

So enjoyed hearing and meeting local artist Omari Banks.
Bankie Banx show was so great we stayed for two sets and got to meet him afterward.

If you’re interested in planning your restaurant visits around live music like we did, I recommend following the Anguilla Tourist Board. They offer a weekly schedule of live entertainment.

As you can see, for a small island, Anguilla has a lot to offer. As it is my home sweet home away from home, expect more new finds from future visits. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @goldenlifeventures for more. 

Home Sweet Home Away from Home Part 2

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Mom enjoying herself on the ferry until the waters got choppy and it became a rollercoaster.

I’m baaaack! It was quite an eventful Winter. You’ll hear more about my travels to Colombia and a three-city tour on the West Coast later, but for now, I owe you the rest of my review on Anguilla. In case you missed Part One, be sure to check that out HERE first before reading on!

In the last blog, I wrote about the top three things I loved. While there’s more where that came from, I do want to share some things to know about Anguilla before you go. And let me be clear, you should definitely go!

Getting there

Historically, Anguilla hasn’t been easy to get to from the States. Prior to January 2022, most commercial airlines did not fly directly into Anguilla. You had to fly into Saint Martin and take a ferry. For most, you will have a stop in Miami, because there aren’t a lot of direct flights into Saint Martin. Fortunately, now American Airlines has direct flights into Anguilla. 

Flying during a pandemic also means that you have to adhere to ever-changing covid requirements and restrictions. This can be cumbersome if you’re traveling to two different countries. Our travel to Saint Martin at the time required vaccination or a negative covid test with one set of paperwork (even though we were just stopping through). Our arrival in Anguilla required a whole different set of paperwork and another covid test upon arrival. Needless to say, it was a bit overwhelming, but in the end, worth it.

Getting around the island

I’m typically not someone who likes to drive on vacation, especially considering I don’t even like driving at home (don’t judge me). However, I truly enjoyed the driving experience in Anguilla, goats and all! Yes, goats roll deep in Anguilla so you have to share the road with them, and chickens occasionally too.

Another thing that will take some getting used to is “left is right, and right is wrong.” Yep, they drive on the left side of the road here. That motto I learned as I was getting my temporary three-month license helped keep me on the “right” side of the road though.

As mentioned in part one, the island is pretty small, so nothing is really far away. It’s also fairly easy to learn your way around, despite not all the roads having street signs. The great news is Google Maps works really well here and in the event you lose your way, someone is always ready and willing to assist you. 

And you’ll likely need assistance at some point. I mentioned in Part One that the Sunshine Shack was a little hard to find. That’s because the roads that lead there weren’t necessarily roads that we’re used to by American standards. It was more like dirt pathways with very little signage and unfortunately, that was one of the few times Google Maps failed us.

If you aren’t willing to brave the Anguilla roads, taxis are also an option. But if you plan on visiting all the places we did and you’re staying longer than a week, a rental car is the most economical option, despite the crazy gas prices. I recommend Romcan Car Rental. And if you’d like to get around with a group and don’t want to have to worry about drinking and driving I recommend Olympus Chauffeur Services. Tell Marc at Romcan and Glennis at Olympus I sent you!

Money matters

You can spend your US dollars in Anguilla, but make sure you bring a lot of them…Anguilla is not cheap! There are some things that you can get a deal on in Anguilla, like lobster and chicken, because they’re in abundance there. However, Anguilla imports most of its merchandise so you end up paying for it. 

While a fair share of the island is underdeveloped, it is definitely an island geared toward luxury travelers. Many of the resorts and hotels are considered luxury and come with 5-star prices to match. That’s why I recommend that if you are traveling with a group, villa rentals are the best route to go. 

Also important to note, if you are an American Express lover, you’ll want to bring another form of payment. Most of the establishments outside of the luxury properties don’t take Amex. It’s just too expensive for independent business owners, including grocery stores.

Beyond the restaurants and beach shacks

Speaking of grocery stores, you’ll definitely want to visit one, especially if you’re staying for a week or longer. The largest grocery store chain there is called Best Buy, which has stores on both the east and west ends of the island. They were ok, until we found a smaller market closer to our house, Syd and Pete’s, and a larger (and nicer) store J.W. Proctor closer to the end of our stay. They both surprisingly had better prices and a larger selection of some of the items we needed. While many of the items here were still more expensive than what we might find back home, it still saved us money to cook some mornings and nights at home.

Me and my sous chef 🙂
One of my delicious homemade meals 😛

Bring insect repellent

As the weather is pretty consistent in the 80s all year round, the mosquitos here are relentless all year round. For someone like me who clearly has blood that mosquitoes like, it was not a fun experience unless I was doused in repellent. One night I thought I was outsmarting them by covering my entire body (except my head) in sheets and long pants and sleeves. I woke up to a mosquito bite on my cheek. Disrespectful. I recommend bringing or buying insect repellent as soon as you arrive to avoid becoming a giant mosquito buffet.

Anguilla’s Gems

Remember in part one when I said I was already planning how I could get back to Anguilla before I left? That’s because I fell in love with so many of the country’s unique establishments, beyond the beach shacks, of course.

  • Village Bakehouse

This delightful little French bakery had the best croissants, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries. I also loved the quaint outdoor seating and friendly service. There’s also a small wine shop next door that had some of my favorite Rose.

  • Anguilla Salts and Sands

The name says it all. This boutique shop specializes in honoring and preserving Anguilla’s rich salt-mining history as well as the sand from its beautiful beaches. Their delicious natural flavored salt and jewelry and accessories made from real Anguillan sand make awesome souvenirs. They also have a cute patio in the back that shifts into a small lounge for Margherita Thursdays. 

  • Lit Lounge

If you are looking for nightlife on the island, Lit Lounge is the place to be. This two-story outdoor bar and lounge on the beach is perfect for anyone wanting to enjoy a good cocktail and listen to some popular R&B, hip hop, and reggae. After 11 pm it turns into more of an outdoor club, living up to its name. Also, all ages are welcome!

  • Zemi Beach House

I absolutely loved this boutique resort on the east side of the island on my favorite beach, Shoal Bay. It was the vibe for me. Mom and I enjoyed lunch at the property and took a tour of the spa, which I will definitely visit on my return visit to Anguilla.

  • Other Noteworthy Resorts and Hotels

I recommend that if you opt to stay in a villa you patronize Anguilla’s beautiful resorts for at least a drink, if not a meal or a spa visit. Cap Jaluca, Aurora, and the Four Seasons all offered a unique experience of the island.

Aurora’s Sorana Spa was amazing!
Beachfront lunch at Aurora

As you can see, there’s a lot to love about Anguilla. And I’m sure I didn’t even experience half of what the beautiful island country has to offer. That’s why I’m planning a return visit as I write this. When I do return to my sweet home away from home, know that part three of this blog series is sure to follow.

Home Sweet Home Away From Home

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

Have you ever been to a place far away from home that felt like…well, home? And I don’t mean anything like home, but a place that brings you the same comfort and familiarity of home even though you’ve never been there before. That’s how I felt after spending just a few days in Anguilla. After three weeks, I was already planning how I could get back there before I left.

Before I get fully into the Anguillan experience, let me share why I believe those folks in the eastern hemisphere are really onto something with their “holidays.” We Americans take a 5-6 day vacation, thinking we’re really doing something. Meanwhile, our counterparts in places like Europe and Australia are taking three to four weeks at a time for their holidays. Don’t get me wrong, I still understand the value of a quick getaway. But now I’m kicking myself for not discovering sooner the value of weeks away to explore a new destination.

The biggest value I experienced was being able to decompress the first few days of my trip without feeling the need to go anywhere or do anything but get myself settled. I’ve found that even taking a week to experience a new destination, I often feel worn out upon my return, needing a vacation from my vacation. I end up trying to do and see as much as I can rather than resting, which is often what my body needs most.   

Because I was there for nearly a month, I’ll need two blog posts to really give my review of this small island country the justice it deserves. Since I couldn’t wait to share my experience with you, I’ll start with the top three things I loved.

The culture/people

With just about 16,000 residents across the entire 16-mile long by 3-mile wide island, it feels more like a town than a country. I believe that this is one of the things that makes Anguilla so charming. Everyone seems to know everyone else and even if they don’t, you’re still treated like family. (A caveat, I did have the benefit of staying at the home of a family friend. She introduced us to some of her family and friends before departing back to the US.)

Considering tourism is their number one industry, like many Caribbean countries, the locals seem to be really invested in ensuring that you have the best experience possible. And boy did we.

The beaches

Even though it’s a small island, Anguilla boasts more than 30 beaches. Each of them is charming and special in their own right and all open to the public. I didn’t even get to half of them because I quickly found a few favorites. That just means that another trip is in the near future. (insert wink and a smile)

Maundays Bay Beach

One of the other things that make Anguilla so unique and special is that each beach has its own beach “shacks.” Don’t let the name throw you off. They are more like cute little independent restaurants and bars that are located directly on the beach. They also offer beach chairs and umbrellas for beach bums like me.

My absolute favorite was Sunshine Shack on Rendezvous Bay. It was the vibe for me. It was a little hard to find (more on that later in Part II), but as soon as we stepped foot on the sand, I was captivated by the reggae music streaming through the speakers, the beautiful bluish-green waves crashing against the powdery white sand, and the sweet smell of barbecue. Garvey the owner, who managed to do double time on the smoker and the bar, immediately made us feel like family with his warm smile, infectious spirit, and welcoming hospitality. After visiting the second and third times, we became fast friends. 

Sunshine Shack Owner Garvey showing his Anguillan hospitality 🙂

Some of my favorite experiences on the island were at Leon’s. This delightful beach shack is part of the lovely Malliouhana Resort on Mead’s Bay Beach. Yes, because of the food, which you’ll learn more about in a moment, and also because of the live music. It is an absolute party on Sunday nights! A local band named Vere performed there one afternoon, and they were so dope we followed them back there later in the week. It’s a whole vibe.

I also really enjoyed Madeariman, which is located on Shoal Bay Beach, arguably the best and largest of Anguilla’s 33 beaches. Let me be clear, all of the beaches are beautiful. However, this by far had the clearest blue-green water and the most powdery white sand. I found this one to be more chill and relaxing than the other beaches. We visited Madeariman three times and each time, I had some of the best meals on the island. Speaking of food…

The cuisine

Where do I even begin? If you’re a foodie, you’ll be in heaven. There was not a meal that I ate on this island that I did not enjoy. Surprisingly though, the best food that I had was mostly at the beach shacks. The grilled lobster, chicken and ribs, and snapper, which is the entire menu at Sunshine Shack, was delicious. My favorite beach shack food was Blanchard’s, which had the best chicken sandwich I’ve ever had. Additionally, the wings and barbecue shrimp at Leon’s were superb! And I can’t leave out my first lobster pizza and lobster salad experience at Madeariman’s, yumm!

My favorite dining experience was at a quaint, local favorite called Sharky’s. We almost missed it because it was on a long list of restaurants that we hadn’t gotten to by our last couple of days on the island. But boy I am so glad we went! Someone built the restaurant out of their home and it felt like every bit of a comforting home-cooked meal. They had me at the salad with the homemade basil and lemon vinaigrette. If you visit, I recommend the lobster cake (my god) and the lobster risotto pictured below. By the way, because lobster is in abundance seemingly in Anguilla, most restaurants have several lobster dishes and by American standards, it is pretty inexpensive. So needless to say, I had a lot of lobster. When in Rome.

I also recommend Ember, a wood fire grill restaurant; Dolce Vida, an Italian restaurant on the beach; Straw Hat, which is on the Frangipani Beach resort; and Julians, a French fine-dining restaurant at Quintessence Hotel. 

Stay tuned for more of my experience in Anguilla. But in the meantime, enjoy some of these snapshots that try to capture all of the amazingness this lovely island has to offer.

Review: Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe Punta Cana

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

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The last week of September I visited the beautiful 5 star Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe in the Punta Cana region of the Dominican Republic (affectionately known as the DR) as part of my participation in a company retreat. So I guess you could call this a work trip but it certainly didn’t feel like it! Despite visiting during hurricane season, we were fortunate to have had perfect weather the entire 5 days we were there…just missing Hurricane Matthew, which sadly wrought havoc on the DR and even more so neighboring Haiti. My prayers and well wishes go out to all of those affected by this horrendous storm. If you are going to travel to Punta Cana or anywhere in the Caribbean for that matter, just note hurricane season is from June through November so you are always at risk of getting tricky weather during that time.

Nearly 2,000 of my partners from across the globe converged upon this expansive resort, which boasts 1600 rooms, 11 restaurants, and a luxury spa, which was my absolute favorite part of the resort. The resort also sits on a 1.2 mile long beach, one of the best in Punta Cana, which is on the top 10 list of the best beaches in the world. In addition to the water being the most beautiful shades of blue and green on Earth and the soft, white powdery sand feeling like a massage between your toes, the coral reef keeps the ocean calm and the sun keeps it warm, which makes for just about the perfect beach experience there is…well at least for a beach bum like me.

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The accommodations were one of my favorite parts about this resort. Even the standard rooms, which they call superior, are spacious and have Jacuzzi adorned balconies with views of the golf course. I opted for the Junior Suite Deluxe Premium Level Oceanfront View and I’m so glad I did! If you’re wondering if premium status makes that big of a difference, the answer is a resounding YES! Where it made the most difference for me was the restaurants, which I’ll talk about in just a moment, but you also have the best ocean views (see photo below), free access to the hydrotherapy area of the spa (simply amazing) and 10% off spa services, private check-in and check-out and exclusive use of the premium level lounge, and complimentary Wi-Fi. [Something to note, we received complimentary Wi-Fi as part of our group amenities but if I had been traveling on an individual trip, this would be something I would definitely want included.]

Jacuzzi on the balcony
Junior Suite
Beautiful pool & ocean view from the balcony

Now onto my favorite thing to talk about from my travel adventures…food. I have to say, it was hit or miss for me. But, this is also where the premium status came through for me. I was not impressed with the main dining options. I’m not going to down buffets because all are not created equal, not even on this property. The only buffet option that was consistently good for me was La Brisa, which was on the secluded adults-only section of the property. I get it though; it’s pretty hard to stay true to “gourmet” when you’ve got 3,000 humans to feed on one property. But if that’s what you’re expecting, in my opinion, you’re not going to get that in the main dining buffet halls. When you have premium status, you have first dibs to the reservations for the specialty restaurants, which go really fast, so you want to make sure you schedule your reservations when you first arrive, especially if the resort is near or at capacity. If you have premium level, you get to schedule those reservations with your concierge upon arrival. Winning! [Side note, I think this was a function of coming in as part of a big group, but they didn’t do a good job of explaining all of the benefits of what you get for being at premium status. Make sure you review the web site and your package carefully so you don’t miss out on any sweet amenities.]

I really enjoyed the Spanish restaurant La Fuente, which makes sense because Barceló is a Spanish owned company. Even the house red wine there was superior to many of the wines we experienced at other bars and restaurants on the property. Sadly I did not get a chance to visit the French restaurant La Comedie, which is exclusive to premium level guests, but I heard from my partners it was delicious and the service was excellent. The Sante Fe Steakhouse was decent and I enjoyed my ribeye but where I found the most disappointment was in the seafood restaurant El Coral. I really wanted to love it because it is my favorite type of food but it was very inconsistent and I found myself warning my partners when they went there more about what they should NOT get than about what they should get. Stay away from the lobster bisque and clam chowder, oh and the lobster ravioli, oh and that shrimp dish, I found myself saying. I will say the crab legs were good…once we got our hands on them. They could not replenish them fast enough because they were on the seafood and salad bar and clearly everyone else thought it was the best thing in the restaurant as well. I also heard reports that the salmon was good. The grilled lobster was decent and once I had them make my own shrimp dish on the grill, it was delicious. But come on, if they qualify themselves as a gourmet restaurant, I shouldn’t have to tell them how to make a delicious dish. Yes I’m a foodie and I can be a little hard at times on restaurants but I’m just saying…

I will end on a positive note. Once I visited the spa on my fourth day there (how did that happen?), I did not want to leave so that’s where I spent the majority of the remainder of my stay. The massage itself, the relaxation room, the hydrotherapy rooms and pools…all 5 star! I would recommend spending a day there. The only critique I have is they should have a bar and a restaurant in the spa so you don’t ever have to leave!

Some great naps were had here by the spa’s infinity pool
My mother beginning her spa experience
This is the relaxation room of life!
Ahhh..refreshing!

I would have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Barceló Bávaro Palace and I would recommend it to my clients, especially those who are looking to do group functions like family reunions, company retreats and larger weddings. I know it’s hard to please everyone when you have a resort that accommodates more than 3,000 men, women and children, but in my opinion Barceló made one of the best attempts I’ve seen for a large scale all-inclusive property.

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Tip: Make sure you wake up early enough one morning to catch the sunrise…it was glorious!