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…
Petites Cayes
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…
Paradise Peak
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…
One Island, Two Countries
Goodbye to St Kitts & Nevis (two islands, one country). Hello (Bonjour) to St Martin & Sint Maarten (one island, two countries). I am covering both sides, but staying in France That said, I have been spending some time in…
Driving Tour through St Kitts History
Basseterre, St Kitts – I made up a driving tour through St Kitts history. The tour skirts the northern perimeter of island, taking in the most interesting historical sights. The first stop is the ruins of the Wingfield Estate, a…
Highlights from St Kitts
Basseterre, St Kitts – This is the view from my apartment in St Kitts. So begins a three-week tour around some of the Leeward islands, updating the Lonely Planet guide to the Caribbean. Without twins, sadly. But I’m not going…
7 Best Hikes in Costa Rica
Want to discover the best hikes in Costa Rica? From popular jaunts through the coastal rainforest to arduous climbs to mountain peaks, Costa Rica has vibrant and varied landscapes that offer endless opportunities for hiking. Indeed, sometimes there’s no other way to…
16 Best Things to Do in Costa Rica
Come to Costa Rica to discover magnificent landscapes, endless outdoor activities and creatures great and small. This smallish Central American country offers a world of adventure, from water sports to mountain hikes, from rainforest wildlife watching to cloud-forest birding. And when you’re…