Hello Caribbean - Puerto Rico/Anguilla Days 1 and 2

Let me start this entry by saying that Anguilla is much like Iceland in many ways and the absolute opposite in others.  They are both minimally populated islands per square mile.  The food on both is amazing.  The "attraction" is the land itself and not a bunch of man-made tourist stops.  The service is impeccable.  The stark, but good, differences are:  one island wears black clothing while the other wears white and colors.  The people are reserved in Iceland and very open in Anguilla, but both are desirable.  One had a cold outside temperature and incredible warm waters and the second had warm outside temperatures and cooler ocean waters (although still delightful, just not hot).  That is it!  Perhaps Anguilla was not as spotlessly clean as Iceland, but that was easily overlooked as one enjoyed the cultural differences.  We will be making this an annual destination for a good many years to come.

After the holidays, I was actually ready for some quiet time and so suggested a beach trip.  Normally I am not one to just hang out on the beach so this was a big step for me.  I searched for an island that would not have a ton of people or cruise ships and discovered Anguilla.  What a gem!  I searched and discovered that it would take some work, but we could get there and see if it was really all that it was said to be.  So, a week prior, we contacted Patsy's Seaside Villas and managed to find an opening for a weekend.  A few searches later and we discovered the flights would work and so decided to go for it.  Since this was a break, we didn't take many pictures either but we would like to share a few highlights with you.




We left Dallas on Friday evening and flew to Boston.  Yes, it does seem as though we were going the wrong way but we were catching a red eye to Puerto Rico.  When we arrived in Boston, we had a short time to grab a bite to eat and then leave for San Juan.  It was raining when we left and so here is our departure shot:






We arrived in San Juan at 4 in the morning and took a cab down to Old San Juan to drop our bags at the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel where would be staying at on the following Tuesday.  They stored them for us so that we could wander around the area for a few hours during our layover.  We walked out down among the cruise ship piers and settled into the Plaza de Immigrante to wait for daylight.  After a short wait, we wandered up the blue-bricked roads into the city and found some coffee and headed out for the day.  The colors of the houses are varied and we commented that it reminded us of New Orleans with the iron balconies.  We passed the Castillo San Cristobal but it was still too early for it to be open so we continued west along the ocean passing La Perla along the way.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

The day is absolutely beautiful and looking out onto the ocean is so soothing to the eyes and ears.  What an effect it has on the soul.  As we continued on our way, we came to the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery.  This is right up against the shoreline and has some of the most intriguing graves and tombstones.  The light is amazing at this early time and we enjoy the quiet and solitude that the place offers.

The next stop on our walk is the Castillo San Felipe del Morro.  It was built from 1579 to 1786 and was key to keeping the island safe as it had control over the harbor.  As we approach the walls, we noticed many little nooks which were areas used by the guards to watch over the island.  I walked down into one of the sentry boxes and peeked out through the small windows to see the view that was available to the guard on duty.  It is minimal at best.

We continue towards the fort and as the sun comes up, the place looks absolutely picturesque.  What fun.

A nice shot of the lighthouse:

Just before entering the fort we heard the squawks of birds overhead and looked up to see a flock of parrots landing on the lawn and the fort walls.  They are brilliant green and seem quite content to be out this morning.






We spent over an hour wandering around the fort and getting a glimpse into a life we have no full comprehension of.  To even begin to understand how it was back then is impossible for us today.  At least it is for me.  I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been and have nothing but admiration for the people that survived that time and guaranteed future generations the life they have today.  As we were wandering the fort, we came upon a staircase simply named "triangle staircase".  It led down to the Water Battery where the cannons were kept.

The walls of the fort are 18-25 feet thick, up to 60 feet tall in places, and rises 145 feet above the ocean.  It is a labyrinth of rooms, staircases, tunnels, and towers.

 Upon leaving the fort, we went cross country towards the harbor to walk along the Paseo del Morrow, a trail that follows La Muralla, the outside wall.  The only entry back into the city is at the Puerta de San Juan - a large red door built into the wall.  From there we follow the Paseo de le Princesa passing La Fortaleza (the Governors Mansion which is the blue building in the picture) and Raices (a beautiful fountain with a bronze sculpture).

The morning has ended quickly and so we hunt down a quick coffee and snack before we need to head back to the airport for our afternoon flight.  As we are walking back towards the hotel we find Cafe Cuatro Sombras, a cute little coffee shop serving authentic Puerto Rican coffee and delicious sandwiches.  We enjoy a couple of cold drinks and a chicken salad sandwich, head back to the hotel, pick up our bags, and grab a cab back to the airport.  Time to head to Saint Martin/Sint Marteen for the next segment of our trip.  It's been a nice day here in San Juan - plenty still to do on another trip here.



 Once at the airport, we have a short wait for our flight and so we settle in and people watch for awhile.  When we arrive in St. Martin, we are flying in right over the heads of people on the beach as they have a very short runway.  I have never experienced a landing quite like this one as once we are on the ground, the plane slows and then does a complete 180 degree turn right on the runway to taxi back to the terminal.  Very strange indeed.

w

We quickly pass through customs, exit the airport, and grab a taxi to the ferry on the other side of the island.  Once we arrive there, we purchase our tickets and go through another immigration check as we are now leaving the country.  In and out stamps for the passports all within an hour.

The ferry crosses to Anguilla in less than 1/2 an hour and we then have just a short 10 minute walk to our villa at Patsy's.  After some confusion with our arrival, we head to our room and breathe the fresh air, open all windows to let the ocean breeze in, check out the view from our balcony, and head down to the nearly private beach.  Let the relaxation begin.

While we are walking, the sun is starting to set and the magic of the beach takes over.  We walk to the point and back sinking our feet into the powdery white sand and listening to the soft lap of the ocean.

Upon our return, we find a great little restaurant next door to us and right on the beach.  It is called the Ferry Boat Inn and has villas as well.  The t-shirts are FBI and I chuckle over this for quite awhile.  We visit with many Brits staying at the Inn and discover that it is very common for people return here annually, many for over 20 years now.  After simply a few hours here, we already can understand why.  Christian, the bartender, serves us his own recipe of rum punch and it is absolutely divine.  The entire evening is amazing and we end by walking back up the beach to our place.  Yes!  Just what we wanted.