vacation – Snapping The Globe

Charming Cabo

Cancun? Yes. Cozumel? Yes. Puerto Vallarta? Yes.

Los Cabos? No.

When the opportunity presented itself to spend a little time in Los Cabos, my first, I decided that it would be nice see the differences between these Mexican cities.

During our long drive to the hotel, I noticed that the scenery was certainly different. Dry and arid, the landscape offered little in the way of buildings or any other sights until we passed through the town of San Jose del Cabo, filled with colorful homes and businesses.

Crossing the bridge over the estuary, we began to spy larger properties lining the coast and more greenery. Our hotel, the J.W. Marriott, was one of the nicest I have ever stayed in. The rooms were beautiful and the grounds, impeccable. During our first afternoon, we spent time hanging in the countless pools that cascaded down the hillside, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. As we swam and waded near the pool bar, we enjoyed our drinks, the music and the occasional crash of the giant waves below.

A little dismayed that we were not walking distance to shopping or restaurants, we were able to secure a short Uber ride into nearby San Jose del Cabo, the town we had passed through on our way to the hotel. Dropped off in the center, near the town square, we marveled at the well-lit streets filled with galleries, shops, restaurants and colonial architecture. It truly was one of the most charming Mexican towns I had ever been to!

Colorful flags fluttered overhead as we approached Plaza Mijares. Here the town’s residents gathered on the Saturday night to visit near the gazebo and listen to music being performed on the stage. It was a lively affair, but the thing that caught my attention was Mission San Jose del Cabo Anuiti, the Catholic church keeping watch over the festivities from its perch on the high steps. With its origins dating back to 1730, the church is dedicated to St. Joseph and is the center of the community.

After a few quick photos with the San Jose del Cabo sign in front of the church, we decided to take a quick look inside. The church was bright and airy, narrow with high ceilings, but sadly in need of some repair. Not wanting to interrupt the parishioners in prayer, we stood at the rear and snapped a couple of quick photos.

Since we were in search of our dinner we continued on, occasionally ducking into the one of the countless galleries and courtyards filled with sculpture and cute shops stocked with intricately crafted souvenirs. Venturing away from the busier food joints, we finally found a quaint eatery filled with locals. I always say, “eat where the locals eat” and I can assert that we were not disappointed! After some amazing tacos, we decided to call it a night and head back to our home away from home.

The next morning, I awoke early and decided to spend a bit of time exploring the grounds of our wondrous hotel. Courtyards boasted sculpture and indigenous flowers and plants. The walkways were lined with color, the blossoms still wet with the morning’s dew. As I made my way back down to the lowest level, where we had spent time the day before, I skirted the chairs and umbrellas which awaited the sun-seeking guests and headed down the wooden staircase to the beach. Enjoying the warm sands between my toes, I made my way southward. The roar of the crashing waves that we heard the day before, was more intimidating in person and I noted that there were no beach chairs here. I wondered if that was due to Covid or just as a deterrent by the hotel to keep people off of the beach and out of the powerful current.

I pondered this as I continued my stroll skirting the rocks and tide pools. Why would someone travel all this way to stay at a beach resort where they could not use the beach? The ocean was beautiful to look out upon and the hotel’s cascading infinity pools were spectacular and refreshing, but couldn’t you enjoy an amazing pool elsewhere? Like, say Vegas? As a beach lover, I was a little perplexed and as I gazed up and down the beach, I rarely saw a soul.

Finishing my waterfront walk, I headed back up the hillside to the hotel grounds. It was getting close to the time to pack up and prepare to make my way back to the airport for my flight.

As I spoke to a fellow passenger on my flight, I was asked how I had enjoyed my trip to Los Cabos. Would I go back for a longer stay?

While I had enjoyed my visit, my answer was a convoluted one. Personally, I would love to go back to see more of San Jose del Cabo and maybe stay in one of the hotels in the nearby hotel zone…if and only if…I learned that the beaches were usable. My hotel was beautiful but left me wanting more. I think that those desiring privacy and luxury would love the J.W. Marriott, but I don’t think it would be my choice for more than a couple of nights.

How did Los Cabos compare to other Mexican cities that I visited in the past? It was a lovely place that I think that I would return to one day, however, the turquoise waters of Cancun and Cozumel are more of a draw for the things I enjoy.

With over two million visitors per year, Los Cabos is attractive to many and worth a look whether it be a short stay or long. I think the strength of the attraction is what someone is searching for…be it privacy, partying, sightseeing, golf or deep-sea fishing…definitely its allure is in the eye of the beholder.

I guess I was eyeing something not necessarily better, just a little bit different.

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J.W. Marriott

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sjdjw-jw-marriott-los-cabos-beach-resort-and-spa/
Address: Fraccion Hotelera Fh5-C1, Subdelegacion de la Play, San Jose del Cabo, 23403, Mexico

Mission San Jose del Cabo Anuiti

http://www.oldcabo.com/san-jose-del-cabo-anuiti/
Address: Miguel Hidalgo S/N, Gallery District, Centro, 23400 San Jose del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
Hours: Monday thru Saturday, 0900-2000, Sunday, 0900-1700
Admission: free

Next? Naxos!

With so many Greek islands to choose from, how do you decide which to visit?

Although my family and I knew that we wanted to visit Santorini, we had no clue where to go after that.

A friend, who had recently visited three islands, suggested her itinerary of two nights in each Santorini, Mykonos and Paros. We contemplated these but hearing her stories about the expense of Mykonos, we decided that we wanted something a little more laid back and less costly.

Having spotted another friend’s posts on Facebook, I sent her a message inquiring about her recent vacation on the island of Naxos. Her response was overwhelmingly positive and after sending me a list of restaurants, hotels and things to do, we decided that this would be our destination.

Naxos, the largest of the islands of the Cyclades, lies north of Santorini and was once the seat of the Ducat of the Aegean and has been continuously inhabited since the 4th milennium BC. The most fertile of the Greek Islands, Naxos is a major producer of olive oil, potatoes, spoon sweets, the island’s famous liqueur, Kitron, wine and cheeses. It is famous for its wide variety of cultural events, traditional fairs. The island also offers colorful mountain villages, traditional windmills, breathtaking hiking and biking trails and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Greece.

The ferry from Santorini to Naxos, was a quick hour and ten minutes and before we knew it, we were pulling up to a quaint ferry port backed by a town built into the hillside, topped with an imposing Venetian castle.

It was a quick walk to our hotel and after checking in, we decided to spend the afternoon at Saint George’s Beach, just around the corner.

A popular beach which lays southwest of Naxos Town, Saint George’s Beach is named after the small chapel of Saint George which lies at its northern end. We found the waters to be extremely calm and relatively clear, though darker in nature, and the sands were soft, yet more of a dingy gray than any beach we had ever visited.

Making our way down the beach past the many restaurants that line the area, we finally decided on a place with a large number of vacant umbrellas and sun-beds for rent. Here, we relaxed for the remainder of the day, enjoying cold beers, snacks and great music.

As sunset approached, we headed into town to one of the bars facing the harbor to watch the amazing evening spectacle, so different and yet, so similar to those we had eyed each evening while in Santorini.

Finally, as the day came to a close, with the sun dipping beyond the horizon, we headed to one of the many restaurants rimming the harbor. The aroma of fresh, grilled seafood filled the air as we discussed our plans for the next day, which would start with us venturing through the narrow alleys and stairways up to the castle. We were then going to rent a car and see what lies beyond the main town.

Caves, beaches, churches, mountains, windmills, villages…

Naxos…a new place to explore!!! I couldn’t wait!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Saint George’s Beach

https://www.naxos.net/beaches/saint-george/
Address: Naxos, Greece
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free

Santorini South, Part Two

The day was perfect.

Blue skies and amazing views were everywhere.

Heading further south on the well-maintained roads of Santorini, we continued on our journey to see what the scenic island would offer up to us.

After gazing out over Caldera Beach, we headed to the prehistoric town of Akrotiri. An ancient Minoan Bronze Age settlement, it was destroyed by a severe earthquakes and eventually a volcanic eruption at the last quarter of the 17th century B.C. Much like Pompeii in Italy, volcanic materials covered the town, protecting them for the town’s resurgence in later years. Since I had never been to Pompeii (something high on my bucket list), I was excited to see this well-preserved archaeological site and understand what I might see when I finally made my way to the Italian ruins.

The settlement, however, is protected by a bioclimatic roof and very different from pictures I had seen of Pompeii. After paying our entrance fee, we made our way around well-marked site, navigable by walkways suspended above the archaeological remains.

There were many important buildings that were mostly intact, including multi-storied houses, a few containing well-preserved frescoes, pottery and precious stone and bronze objects. Most of the important pieces that have been recovered, however, are now on display in the Museum of Prehistoric Thera.

After our visit was complete, we had planned to have lunch nearby and make our way to the adjacent Red Beach. So many cars and pedestrians were entering the parking area, however, we decided to alter our plans. Driving out past the modern-day village of Akrotiri, with its picturesque alleys, blue domed churches and traditional houses, we found a lovely restaurant, The Good Heart, located along the highway, to have a quick bite. Greeted warmly, we ate our lunch and bought some delicious snacks at their adjacent store.

Once our lunch and shopping was complete, we continued down to the end of the highway, stopping a couple of times to admire the continually beckoning caldera.

Our destination was the Akrotiri Lighthouse and we soon arrived, luckily securing a parking spot in the small lot. The well-known lighthouse is considered one of the best and most beautiful lighthouses in the Greek Isles.

A whitewashed structure, the lighthouse stands high on the cliff above the sea. Manufactured by a French company is 1892, it was one of the first lighthouses in the country and stands on a popular spot for tourists to enjoy the views and for locals to spend their evenings enjoying the cool breezes and spectacular sunsets.

Finally, heading back from the way we had just come, we decided that we had conquered most of the the southern sites of Santorini, but now needed to enjoy a bit of beach time. Heading down a small, rocky road toward the southern coast, we soon arrived at the Akro Beach Club.

Taking the steep stairs down the side of the cliff, we found ourselves at one of the three picturesque beaches that line the coast. Red, White and Black Beaches occupy methodical positions that can be reached by car in two of the instances (Red and Black) and by water taxi. Though we later learned that the water taxi would have been a cool alternative for us to see all three beaches, we were anxious to grab some beach chairs, beer and soak up some sun.

The beach was black, as its name suggests and a bit rocky. Thankfully, we had brought water shoes, making it much less difficult to make it down to the water’s edge. The water, however, was a bit cold for me!

The ambiance was amazing and we stayed much longer than we had anticipated, enjoying the sound of the waves, passing boats and warm weather. The beach was uncrowded and passengers from the water taxi came and went. More importantly, the beer was cold and refreshing!

As the day drew to a close, we finally made our way up the steep road…

To another beautiful sunset.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.com

Akrotiri

http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp?obj_id=2410
Address: Thera 847 00, Greece
Hours: November 1-March 31, 0800-1500, Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday. April 15-October 31, 0800-2000, daily.
Admission: Full, €12, Reduded, €6. Special package 4-day ticket is for Archaelogical Sites and Museum in Thera Ancient Thera, Akrotiri, Archaeological Museum, Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Collection of Icons and Ecclesiastical Artefacts at Pyrgos. Free admission days, March 6, April 18, May 18, last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days), National Holidays, October 28, every first Sunday from November 1 to March 31.
Getting There: By rental car, parking is available in adjacent lot, €4 or in Red Beach parking lot, €2. KTEL Santorini bus service to Akrotiri from Fira. Check out bus schedules at https://www.ktel-santorini.gr/index.php/en/.

Akrotiri Lighthouse

Address: Thera 847 00, Greece
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free

Black Beach

Address: Thera 847 00, Greece

Akro Beach Bar

https://www.akrosantorini.com/
Address: Akrotiri 847 00, Greece
Hours: 1000-2200, daily
Admission: free.
Beach chair/umbrella pairs, $30 first row, $20 second row, $15 last row. Menu item prices vary. Food/drink service located on beach and in restaurant. Locked safety boxes available at beach chairs.

Akrotiri Water Taxi

Journeys to all three beaches, 10€ from Akrotiri, near Red Beach.

El Coz

The Ritz Carlton it’s not…

But, then again, I probably won’t ever stay at the Ritz Carlton. Nothing personal… they have lovely properties. They are just very expensive!

My husband likes higher-end hotels. Me? As long as it’s clean, safe and in a good location, that’s good enough for me. After all, I’m never in my room except to sleep! My money is better spent on enjoying the location.

As my son and I decided to venture out to Cozumel at the last minute, we had minimal time to make hotel arrangements. Finding a few properties that were all-inclusive and at great rates, was a bonus! Trouble was, I didn’t quite remember how Cozumel was laid out. With the clock ticking, we had to make a decision. Having narrowed our list down to five properties, we began to compare them…number of bars and restaurants, location of the room type, available wi-fi (and if for a charge), beach size, number of pools, etc.

Eventually, we decided on the El Cozumeleño for its ocean front room, balcony and free wi-fi…and more importantly, the price.

After our arrival into Cozumel, we hired one of the shared buses to take us to our hotel in the north zone. As we traveled to this end of the island, one of the things I noticed was that other hotels and a couple of restaurants were nearby, but nothing else. This did not present a problem with meals as we were staying at an all-inclusive property, however, there was not going to be a quick walk into town and it did not appear that there was any kind of bus system.

Our first impression of the hotel was that it was neat, clean and well presented. The lobby areas had plenty of seating and a large check-in desk.

The hotel staff was extremely pleasant and our room was ready at check-in. Our room was far from luxurious and a little dated, but extremely clean and one of the largest I have stayed in, with a balcony, sitting area with a pull-out couch and bathroom divided into two parts, toilet and shower and sink/vanity area.

During check-in, I was informed that the restaurant behind the lobby bar, La Veranda, required reservations (which we had just missed making), but there was one other restaurant, El Cocal, the buffet, which was located outside between the two pools as well as the availability of room service and a snack bar adjacent to the poolside bar. We decided to try El Cocal, that evening and made reservations for La Veranda for the next.

Over the course of our trip, we never did get to try room service, however, we much preferred La Veranda for dinner. Breakfast at this locale was very good, however, the service was slow, so for the other two mornings, we dined at the buffet and also had lunch there and at the snack bar near the poolside bar. Overall, our opinion is that breakfast and lunch should be taken at the buffet unless time is not of the essence. Dinner should definitely be taken at La Veranda.

A full list of activities (ping pong tournament, exercise classes, etc) for each day was located at the towel exchange and snorkel equipment (free for 1 hour of use each day or for a daily charge) and golf clubs were available for the on-site mini-golf…an entire 18 holes, which we played a few times…a very challenging course! There was also a large-scale chess set located near the pool.

The pools were spacious and clean and a there was plenty of seating, however, the beach chairs that were not under the few thatched umbrellas were of a strange shape and collected rainwater. A nice row of hammocks lay between the main pool and the beach and two jacuzzis were situated near the pools. The beach area was a bit rocky and it would be best to wear water shoes to enter and exit the water. We did attempt to snorkel, however, although there were quite a few fish, the remaining reef was not in good shape.

Three bars were located on the premises, one in the lobby, one in the pool as a swim-up bar and one adjacent to the pool and the buffet. The servers were always very friendly and eager to recommend new, delicious drinks.

Overall, the resort was good, though in desperate need of evening entertainment and activities. Our main complaints, however, were concerning the location, wi-fi and the hotels elevators.

For those who prefer to always remain on the resort, its seclusion may be a plus, however, I enjoy having the ability to take public transportation to other areas of the city that we are staying in for shopping and sightseeing. Yes, there were cabs, however, one-way cab fare to town, was about $10 and there was always a discrepancy between being quoted in pesos and dollars. If we were quoted 100 pesos and you checked the daily conversion rate in U.S. dollars, that would have been about $6.00. If you asked what the rate was in dollars, you would be told $10.00.

Another issue was the on-site car rental. They realize that they have a captive audience. Deciding to rent a car so that we could check out the island and some of the attractions, I was a shocked to hear that the car rental price was about $74.00 (after taxes for automatic transmission and about $10 less for manual transmission). After checking out prices on line, I found that rental rates from the airport were about half that price. Had I given this some forethought, it would have been about the same price to rent the car at the airport and keep it for the three days, as we also paid $17 each way to and from the airport. With that option, we could have had a little more freedom.

Wi-fi was one of the the deciding factors for us. Remembering our resort in Punta Cana and the high daily rate they charged for slow service, we decided that we did not want to be cut off from our family and friends. What we learned, however, was that while wi-fi was advertised as complimentary, it was only available in the lobby and it was extremely slow. We could text and look up information on the internet, however, we could not upload pictures to Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.

The other major problem with this hotel was that while we were there, a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico was causing massive amounts of rain. This was not the resort’s fault. El Cozumeleño’s fault is that the elevators faced the outside and were subject to the elements. Many times we found the elevators inoperable and were directed to the service elevator, which sometimes was also not working. Being on the eighth floor, it was not always an option to be running up and down the stairs of which parts were open to the outside and were extremely wet.

A friend recently asked me for recommendations for all-inclusive hotels on Cozumel. Would I recommend El Cozumeleño? Overall, we had a nice time and for the price, it was a good deal as well as safe and clean. Personally though, I think maybe I would try something a little different on a future trip, possibly on a different part of the island. But, if you like seclusion and to be cut off from the world…this is your place! If not, rent a car at the airport.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

El Cozumeleño

http://www.elcozumeleno.com/default.cfm
Address: Playa Santa Pilar KM 4.5 Zona Hotelera Norte, 77600 San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico
Shared ride service from the airport: $17.00 US (for two persons)
Cab service from the hotel to the airport: $17.00

Did You See George’s House?

George Clooney. Actor. Filmmaker. Two-time Sexiest Man Alive (according to People Magazine). Husband to Amal Alamuddin Clooney. Owner of a villa at Lake Como.

Funny how people zero in on certain aspects of other’s lives. We know a few things about many celebrities, but why does everyone happen to know that George Clooney owns a house on Lake Como? Does the average person know where Johnny Depp’s homes are located? How about Brad Pitt’s? However, when you say that you’ve been to Lake Como, everyone asks if you’ve seen George’s house.

Lake Como, a tourist destination, is well known for the many villas and palaces built on its shores. An attraction for aristocrats and the wealthy since Roman times, many famous people, such as Madonna, Gianni Versace, Sylvester Stallone and Richard Branson, have or have had homes overlooking the pristine lake.

Located about an hour outside of Milan, by train, Lake Como is a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of Italy’s fashion capital. Taking the train from Milan is quite easy, but first, you must decide which part of the lake you want to visit. All parts of the lake can be accessed from Como via ferry, but if you wish to visit Varenna and Bellagio, you may also take the train from Milan directly to Varenna and then a ferry to Bellagio.

Personally, I like to start in Como and take the ferry to other parts of the lake, especially if it is a beautiful day. The scenery is breathtaking and the ride usually smooth. Start by taking the train from Milano Nord Cadorna station and head to Como Nord Lago. Once you have reached the Como Nord Lago station, it is a short picturesque walk along the lake front to the ferry terminal, Navigazioni Lago di Como. After purchasing tickets, wait for the appropriate ferry at the designated dock.

If you know which town you would like to visit, you may purchase a one-way fare or return ticket. If you would like to check out a few towns along the way, it is possible to purchase a one-day pass which allows you on-off access to the ferry throughout the day with return to the original port.

While waiting for the ferry, you can take in the sights along the waterfront.

The first time I visited Lake Como, my destination was Bellagio, about a one-hour trip on the fast ferry and a two-hour trip on the slower boat. A beautiful town, it was perfect for walking around, visiting the many shops, lunch and taking a multitude of photos.

Most recently, traveling with a group, our destination was Torno, Italy, about 5 kilometers northeast of Como. Our ferry had open deck access which allowed us to stand or sit in the front or back of the vessel. Using my telephoto lens, I was able to capture the beauty of the many towns spread out along the lake’s shores as well as up close when we stopped at other towns to pick up additional passengers.

Arriving in Torno, we were captivated by the small-town beauty spread out before us. Colorful boats lined the very small harbour and the Romanesque church of St. Tecia, with its large Gothic rose window stood majestically before us.

A couple of small restaurants, Bar Italia and Ristorante Vapore preside along the harbour and offer both indoor and outdoor seating. Deciding on the Ristorante Vapore, we were not disappointed in their menu offering a wide variety of salads, pasta dishes and seafood as well as extensive wine offerings. Sitting outside and enjoying our delectable fare, we were enthralled with the spectacular views and the ever changing light as the sun danced around the clouds.

After our exquisite lunch, we each set out to explore the immediate area, including the church and the small alleys and pathways radiating from the waterfront.

With the arrival of our ferry, we were soon on our way back to Como and our train to Milan.

Should you wish to spend time in the town of Como, some suggestions include the Cathedral of Como, Basilica di Sant’Abbondio, Piazza Cavour, Teatro Sociale and the Funicular Como-Brunate. The latter, a charming train, offers striking panoramic views of the Lake, Como’s historic center and the Alps in a seven minute journey to Brunate, a town located 700 meters above sea level and the starting point of numerous nature walks.

A visit to Lake Como is a must when visiting the Milan area. With much to explore around the lake, spending a few days may be more suited to your liking with many options to suit different budgets and requirements.

And be sure, when you get back, someone WILL ask you if you saw George’s house!

For more pictures check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Lake Como

Train information: http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en Train tickets cost approximately €10 roundtrip for Second class and €15 for First class from Milano Nord Cadorna to Como Nord Lago.
Ferry information: http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/c_illago.html
Como Brunate Funicular: http://www.funicolarecomo.it.

A Day in Anguilla

There are many islands in the Caribbean, but none with beaches as pristine and white as Anguilla!

Anguilla, a British territory, lies to the north of St. Maarten and consists of the main island of Anguilla and much smaller unpopulated islands and cays. Only 16 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point, it is widely known for its beautiful beaches, sailboat racing and outstanding dining experiences.

Easy to reach by ferry while visiting St. Maarten, you cruise into the Blowing Hole Ferry terminal after a quick 20 minute ride. Hoping to make the 0945 ferry, we arrived at the Marigot terminal, found a parking spot (an almost impossible feat!) purchased tickets, cleared immigration and actually made the 0900 ferry instead.

Planning to rent a car once we had reached the island, we were approached by one of the stewards on the boat who offered a car for $55, taxes and fees included. Since I had already checked out the list of car rental agencies and their prices before we had departed, I knew that this was a fair price. We were able to fill out the paperwork on board the boat, saving time once we arrived. After clearing immigration, we met the steward after exiting the building and was escorted to the car which was running and ready for us a few feet away.

Not quite knowing what the island entailed, we took a quick look at our map and quickly tried to decide which part of the island to explore. Heading to the west, we decided to bypass Rendezvous Bay since it was so close to the ferry terminal and instead drove to Shoal Bay West. Spying a beach covered in seaweed and rough seas, we decided that this was not the place for us. Crossing over to the north side, we tried Mead’s Bay which was calm, clear and beautiful. Everyone being quite hungry, however, decided that we should return to this location after exploring a bit more and finding something to eat.

Continuing eastward, we headed down to the area of Sandy Ground since it appeared to have more hotels and eateries. Driving down the inclined road, there is a beautiful view of Road Bay and the pink-hued salt pond on the right. When we arrived, however, it seemed that things were just being set up on the beach. The bay was full of moored boats and it didn’t seem like a place we wanted to hang out for a while.

During our journey east, we continued our search for lunch in the island’s capital, The Valley. There appeared to be a street fair and some lolos (barbecue stands) being set up in the town area, but nothing more than a Subway, which everyone decided was against the rules (you can’t eat American fast food on vacation in another country, unless it is an emergency!). By this time, the boys were wanting Jamaican patties, so we drove around a bit more looking for a place selling the delectable pies. Unfortunately, the bakery which would have sold them, was closed, strange, being that it was a Saturday. After a bit more driving, we finally decided upon a food truck for our lunch. Food was a bit mediocre, but it got the job done.

During lunch, after reading up a bit in the tourist magazine I picked up on the ferry, I discovered that Shoal Bay East was a beach that was highly recommended. We were not extremely far from this location so we decided to give it a try.

Upon our arrival, we noticed a few taxis dropping lots of tourists off and a couple of parking lots available. We paid five dollars to park and made our way down the road in the direction of the beach. A middle-aged islander sidled up to us and offered to set us up with chairs and umbrellas. We agreed on two chairs and an umbrella for $10, since the boys never sit still. The chair pads and umbrellas were a bit worn but, did the trick.

Taking a look around, I had to admit, this was truly one of the most beautiful beaches I had ever seen. Clear, turquoise and calm water extended out before us and our feet sunk into the soft, white sand. Very few resorts or restaurants were on this long stretch of beach and it was not extremely crowded.

We decided that since we had driven most of the island already and seen what there was to offer, this was where we would spend the afternoon before heading back to the ferry for our return journey.

A relaxing and beautiful day, we hung out, swam, snorkeled and took a walk on the mile-long beach down to the eastern end, where it concludes at the point. At this end, we discovered an extensive protected marine park, which offered up an amazing snorkeling spot.

There were a couple of restaurant’s offering food and some souvenirs…Eric and the boys found some great t-shirts and I got a cool hat!

Finally, we decided to end our day and head back toward the ferry terminal to make the second-to-last ferry (we didn’t want to risk the last one) stopping along the way to grab some drinks and topping off our gas tank.

Overall, we enjoyed our day in Anguilla, however, the burning question remains…would I go back and stay on Anguilla on a future vacation?

Happy to get another stamp in my passport, it was an enjoyable and different way to spend a day on our trip. Originally, I had run the idea by my husband to go straight to Anguilla when we arrived in St. Maarten, stay there for 2 or 3 nights and then return to St. Maarten for the remainder of our vacation. After visiting, however, we realized that the island is very quiet and probably more suited for honeymooning couples rather than a family with teen aged boys seeking continual entertainment. There are apparently some top restaurants located on the island, a plus for foodies, but not for us who enjoy a good meal, but would sometimes just rather have a pizza or a Jamaican patty. During my investigation of the island, I did find that there are some great nightlife spots in Sandy Ground, with bands and dancing on certain nights. Overall, I think that if my husband and I would return, maybe we could enjoy a couple of nights on the island, however, I think a day via ferry was perfect for us at this time.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Anguilla

http://www.anguilla-vacation.com/
http://ivisitanguilla.com/
Ferry Fares (each way): Adults, $20, Children (under 12), $10
Departure Taxes and Security Fee from Anguilla for Day Trippers, Adults, $8
Departure Taxes and Security Fee from Anguilla for Tourists, Adults $23, Children (under 12) $3
Ferry To Anguilla Schedule (from Marigot)
- 8:15AM
- 9:00AM
- 9:45AM
- 10:30AM
- 11:15AM
- 12:00PM
- 12:45PM
- 1:30PM
- 2:15PM
- 3:00PM
- 3:45PM
- 4:30PM
- 5:15PM
- 6:00PM
- 7:00PM (last ferry)
Ferry To St. Martin Schedule (to Marigot)
- 7:30AM
- 8:15AM
- 9:00AM
- 9:45AM
- 10:30AM
- 11:15AM
- 12:00PM
- 12:45PM
- 1:30PM
- 2:15PM
- 3:00PM
- 3:45PM
- 4:30PM
- 5:15PM
- 5:40PM
- 6:15PM (last ferry)
Note: There are charters available to Anguilla from other parts of St. Maarten, both Dutch and French sides.