Isla Mujeres, Mexico – What a treat to return to Isla Mujeres, a sweet island off the coast of Cancún that we visited 12 years ago. That was an all-out intergenerational family vacation, with toddlers and grandparents. This visit was…
My Kind of Place
Isla Holbox, Mexico – For the record, it is pronounced hol-bosh (rhymes with gauche). Two hours north of Cancún, Isla Holbox once attracted only windsurfers and beach bums. But now its swanky swing bars, beachfront yoga and lobster pizza are…
Ocracoke Island
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”).…
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…
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…
Seaside Nature Park
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…