Ocracoke, North Carolina – There’s no bridge to Ocracoke Island – only the ferry services from Hatteras and from the mainland. The relative isolation has protected this idyllic place from overdevelopment and from influxes of outsiders (known locally as “dingbatters”).…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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, 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…
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – Keeping cool with my horse Viva at Seaside Nature Park. This “nature park” is almost entirely in view of a power plant, which is a bit strange. But otherwise it’s a lovely setting and my guide…
Anse Marcel, St Martin – Who doesn’t love a (nearly) deserted beach? I reached the beautiful Baie de Petites Cayes by hiking along the Sentier des Froussards from Anse Marcel. The destination was spectacular but the hike was also really…
Marigot, St Martin – Paradise Peak! (Or Pic Paradis, as they say in St Martin.) At 424m (1392 ft) it wasn’t as grueling as my last hike, and the views were pretty sweet. The hike starts at Loterie Farm, where…