Originally written for LonelyPlanet.com but they took it down, so now you can read the whole thing here! On a recent trip to Costa Rica, on a hike in the remote forests of Volcán Tenorio National Park, the sky unexpectedly opened up,…
NEW Lonely Planet guidebooks to Costa Rica
After writing guidebooks for 20 years, it can be anticlimactic to receive the final products–sometimes as much as a year after completing the research and writing. There have been times that my author copies languished in the box for weeks,…
Belize vs Costa Rica
This was a fun one to write. My colleague and I go head to head, debating which is a better travel destination, Belize vs Costa Rica? At any time of year, Central America astounds with its gorgeous beaches, exciting hikes, ancient ruins…
Last Day in Anguilla
The Valley, Anguilla – It’s my last day in Anguilla so I made time to visit my local beach at Katouche Bay. Oh. My. Goodness. Look at my beach! And it was definitely mine because there was no one else…
Liquid Glow Night Kayak
Island Harbor, Anguilla – The bay at Island Harbor has a sandy bottom with lots of vegetation, which makes it a favorite territory for sea turtles, as well as stingrays and eagle rays. By day, you can see them coming…
Sunday Fun Day
Anguilla – Sunday is fun day in Anguilla, as lots of bars and restaurants have live music in the afternoon. Perfect for me, so I don’t miss my bedtime!. I made the rounds today… I went to 3 bars and…
Little Bay
The Valley, Anguilla – The littlest and prettiest cove on the island is Little Bay, a tiny crescent of sand surrounded by tawny limestone cliffs, intriguing sea caves and the beautiful Caribbean blue. Best of all, this spot is inaccessible…
Sugar Birds
North Hill, Anguilla – This morning, the resident bananaquits greeted me in my garden. Here, they are better known as sugar birds, because they love the sweet stuff. The other day at the beach bar, I saw them trying to…
Tranquility Wrapped in Blue
North Hill, Anguilla – Anguilla is a slim eel-shaped island that is just across the channel from St Martin. This is my last stop on this paradisical research trip, updating the Lonely Planet guide to the Caribbean Islands. If you…
Îlet Pinel
Îlet Pinel, St Martin – I postponed this trip twice, because it’s been very windy. But today is my last day in St Martin so it was now or never. I braved the choppiness and paddled over to gorgeous Îlet…