We are up and ready and out the door to meet our taxi at 7:22 am. Greg is here even though we arranged for pick up at 7:30 am. I ask him about the cost. He says $20.00 USD which is a good price as last night the resort told me fare would be $20-25 one way. I told Greg we intend to return on the 3:30 pm ferry. There's a lot of traffic heading to Marigot. Greg explains that kids are going to school. Others going to work. At times it's almost at a standstill. Bumper to bumper. My intent is to be on the first ferry to Anguilla which departs at 9:30 am. So I'm thinking 2 hours should be enough time to get from our resort to Marigot!
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| Our taxi to Marigot |
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| Lots of traffic on the way to Marigot |
We arrive in Marigot and I pay Greg. He says he'll be waiting for us when we get back. He gives me his card just in case so I can call him. At the terminal area we see the open window by the St. Bart's sign. I ask about Anguilla and the guy tells me that window won't be open until 9:00 am. There are some going to St. Bart's that appear to have costumes on. It was carnival with a parade yesterday in Marigot so this morning they're going back home. We have an hour to kill and I spot a bakery/cafe in the square here.
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| Returning to St. Bart's |
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| Window for the ferry to Anguilla not open yet |
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| Our taxi service with Greg |
L'Express. Breakfast.Has juices, coffee, bottles of water. Cases have all sorts of bread, pastries. We get 2 bottles of orange juice. Richard chooses a plain croissant. I see a pastry with powdered sugar and almonds. It looks good so I get that. Cost $9.00 USD. We take our tray outside to where there are tables where we can sit and eat. As soon as I bite into my pastry I realize my mistake. I thought this would be plain but there's a ton of chocolate and some type of custard filling that oozes out all over. So messy. Richard has to go back inside the cafe to get more napkins! I would have preferred it if there had been no filling. Oh well. Live and learn. Maybe if I could have read the French label in the case??
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| L'Express |
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| Muffins and other pastries |
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| Pastries |
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| Breads |
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Everything looks so good
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| Richard |
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| Me |
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| Breakfast |
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Tables outside where you can sit and eat
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| L'Express |
It's a few minutes before 9:00 am so we sit on a bench by the window. We can see Ft. Louis. Soon someone arrives and the window opens. Ferry from Marigot to Anguilla. We're second in line. I have all our documents out ready for the guy. I learned prior that no EHAS form is required as of now. Thank goodness as I was having a problem understanding how to fill it out for just a day trip. The guy looks at our passports, vaccination cards, negative covid test results. Gives us boarding passes and tells us we pay the $30.00 USD fee pp on the ferry. He directs us to a second window where we show our boarding passes and pay port departure tax of $5.00 USD pp. One last stop. Immigration window. We hand over our passports to be scanned and stamped. We had to show him our boarding passes and the receipt showing the port departure tax had been paid. Whew! Our boat is named Deluxe. We had to wait for the passengers to disembark that had arrived in Marigot from Anguilla. The boat leaves a little late-9:40 am instead of 9:30 am as scheduled. Interesting mix of passengers. Some are tourists like us. But we see a lady carrying a box containing the most beautiful cake. Mermaid theme. She says it's for a birthday. I'm hoping the weather will be ok. It's overcast and looks like it might rain here in Marigot.
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| We can see Ft. Louis |
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| Ft. Louis view |
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| Marina |
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| Passengers disembarking from the boat |
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| Our boarding passes Marigot to Anguilla |
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Receipt for port departure tax
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Our ferry boat Deluxe
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Passenger with birthday cake
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There are several areas for sitting. Downstairs if you want to be dry. Upper deck. Then where we are at the open back area where we're told we may get wet. Since I don't want to have to maneuver stairs we remain and we do get just a tiny bit wet but it feels good.
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| We sat directly across from this group on another bench |
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| Going to the upstairs area |
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| Leaving Marigot |
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Leaving Marigot
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| On our way to Anguilla |
It's a very short ferry ride. We arrive at Blowing Point ferry terminal, Anguilla at 10:05 am. Here it's hot and sunny! Welcome to Anguilla! We all leave the boat and we just follow all the others. I do ask a girl to take a picture of my husband and me by the Anguilla sign. We come up to a lady. We show her all our documents. She puts a orangey band on my wrist. This signifies that you are a day tripper. Immigration no problem. As we go outside the terminal building I see a counter with souvenirs for sale! Great. I buy 2 bottles of water, a coffee mug and a fridge magnet. Cost $27.00 USD. The lady will hold the items for me for when we return. I take the water with us. I had prearranged with a taxi service with Maurice (name I got from a TA post) to give us a tour of the island with beach time at Shoal Bay and some shopping in South Hill Village and then return us to the ferry for our 3:30 pm departures. Cost $95.00 USD. I'm looking for a sign with our name but I don't see anything. I'm starting to worry. Then I spot a guy but he's talking to a bunch of other people. He identifies himself as a cousin of Maurice's. Name Sirvoni. The others are looking for a taxi tour too. I tell Sirvoni we don't mind if they come with us as long as they're ok with my planned itinerary. He says the group is too large for his vehicle with us and he's going to call for another vehicle for them.
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| Arriving Blowing Point Ferry Terminal/Anguilla |
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| Arriving Anguilla |
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| Leaving the ferry and following the line of people |
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We're here!
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| First stop-show documents and receive wrist band |
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| Day tripper wrist band |
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| Coffee mug and fridge magnet I bought |
ANGUILLA. British West Indies. Driving is on the left. Known for its beautiful beaches. My requested itinerary is that I want to see Rendezvous Bay, Maunday's Bay, Shoal Bay West, Cap Jaluca, Mead's Bay, some shopping in South Hill Village, and beach time at Shoal Bay East. Anything else he wants to show us is fine. I say I want at least 1 hour of beach time before catching the 3:30 pm ferry back to Marigot. The van we have is large and comfortable as it's just us and Sirvoni. We will stop and walk around several resorts that have beautiful beaches and grounds/landscaping.
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| Map of Anguilla |
He starts by taking us to the West End. One of the 14 districts of Anguilla. Home to some of the most famous, lavish, luxurious resorts and villas. High end eateries. West End Bay. Shoal Bay West. Salt ponds. Sheriva Villas.
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West End
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Ad for the Four Seasons
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Shoal Bay West beach
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| Shoal Bay West beach |
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| Sheriva |
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| Sheriva |
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| Sheriva |
Cap Juluca/Maunday's Bay. This resort-one of the top rated in the Caribbean-is quite large and we drive through it seeing the different kinds of accommodations you can get here. Moorish architecture. There's even another salt pond by the property. Located in the West End area. Ocean Echo Restaurant.
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Cap Jaluca
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| Beach at Cap Jaluca-Maunday's Bay |
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| Salt pond |
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| Salt pond |
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Maunday's Bay-beach at Cap Jaluca
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| Cap Jaluca |
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| Ocean Echo Restaurant |
Mead's Bay. Silky smooth sand. Aquamarine waters. Waters can get rough during winter season (December-January) but are usually mild during the summer. Frangipani Resort The Beach House. Jacala Restaurant. Tranquility Beach. Nathan's Cove. Blanchard's Beach Shack. Leon's. Sarita's Pizza.
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| This is another gorgeous resort at Mead's Bay |
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| Mead's Bay-beach at Frangipani Resort |
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| Swimming pool at Frangipani |
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| Swimming pool at Frangipani |
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Frangipani-beach-Mead's Bay
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Swimming pool at Frangipani
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| Frangipani-beach at Mead's Bay |
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| Mead's Bay beach |
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| Mead's Bay beach |
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| Jacala Restaurant |
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| Mead's Bay beach |
Anguilla Great House. Rendezvous Bay. Gingerbread looking cottages. Basic accommodations but a beautiful beach. Older hotel.
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| Driving to Anguilla Great House |
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| Anguilla Great House |
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| Anguilla Great House |
Rendezvous Bay. Great beach for walking. Soft, white sand. On the Caribbean side of Anguilla. Perfect turquoise water. Calm surf.
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| Rendezvous Bay-beach |
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| Rendezvous Bay-beach |
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Rendezvous Bay-beach
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Sunshine Shack. Rendezvous Bay. Unique decor. License plates from all over.
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Sunshine Shack-Rendezvous Bay
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| Sunshine Shack-Rendezvous Bay beach |
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Sunshine Shack
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| Sunshine Shack |
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| Beach at the Sunshine Shack-Rendezvous Bay |
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| Sunshine Shack |
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| Sunshine Shack |
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| Sunshine Shack |
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| Sunshine Shack |
South Hill Village. One of the 14 districts of Anguilla. Irie Life store closed. Anguilla Sands and Salts store open. I'm told most stores will be closed due to holiday! What! I guess we came to SXM and Anguilla the wrong time! All these holidays occurring during our trip. But at this store we end up buying spices made with Anguilla salt. Bath salts made with Anguilla salt. Jewelry. My earrings have sand from Rendezvous Bay and my necklace pendant has sand from Shoal Bay East. In all I spend $169.68 USD. Credit card used.
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Disappointed that Irie Life was closed
 | Anguilla Sands & Salts store open
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| Spices with Anguilla salt |
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| Spices with Anguilla salt |
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| Earrings-sand from Shoal Bay East and pendant-sand from Rendezvous Bay |
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| Bath salts, coconut face scrub with Anguilla salt & sand, spices with Anguilla salt |
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| Helped me with my purchases |
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| Anguilla Sands & Salts |
Sandy Ground. One of the 14 districts of Anguilla. Main port. Fishing village. Our driver/guide Sirvoni tells us he used to go fishing here as a kid.
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| Sandy Ground |
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| Sandy Ground |
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| Sandy Ground |
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| Sandy Ground |
Long Bay. Orealia Kelly Primary School. Falcon Nest. Harbor Ridge. Bay View Homes. The Forest. Zemi Beach House.
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| Orealia Kelly Primary School |
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| Zemi Beach House |
Shoal Bay East for beach time. We arrive here at 1:23 pm. We will stay here until 2:40ish pm. Pay for umbrella and chairs $!0.00 USD. This is for the entire day but we are only here for a short time. There's a restaurant right where we are. Madeariman Bar & Restaurant. It is extremely hot. We reapply sunscreen. Richard decides he's just going to relax on the lounger. I want to venture into the water. It looks a bit rough. There's a group of 4 young adults in the water right where I am. I start talking to one girl. They're from NYC. She graduated from Syracuse University. Only one of them knows how to swim! I guess I'm in good company. I'm leary about going too far out as it's rougher than I would be comfortable with. The girl I was talking to gets knocked over by the waves! I decide to retreat and end up sitting just where the waves lap at my feet. I feel safe here. During the time I'm sitting here that girl gets knocked over two times more! It's a very pretty beach with this pure white sand and the fantastic color of the water but to be considered one of the best beaches in the world?? I'm not sure I agree with that. We have almost 1 1/2 hours here and that's plenty. Of course I have sand in my butt! I'm told used to have outdoor shower but not working. I use the bathroom and try to get rid of some of the sand as best as I can. The cameras took a few weird looking pictures and maybe it was because it was so blindingly bright with that strong sun beating down?? Most pictures show the true view of the beach and surroundings.
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| Shoal Bay East |
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| Shoal Bay East |
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| Shoal Bay East |
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| Safely sitting |
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| Richard prefers the lounger |
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| The girl standing is the one that got knocked over by the waves so many times! |
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Richard
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| Madeariman Bar & Restaurant-Shoal Bay East |
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| Beautiful day |
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| Lovely beach |
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| Sand is like silk |
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| Busy |
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| Shoal Bay East |
It's time to start heading back to the
Blowing Point ferry terminal. We gather up our things. Before going to meet Sirvoni I spot the same guy who rented us our umbrella and chairs. He has T shirts and such for sale. I buy a T-shirt with the names of Anguilla's beaches printed on it for $20.00 USD. We get to the ferry terminal by 3:16 pm. I admit I was a bit nervous as I don't want to miss this 3:30 ferry. The next one isn't until 5:15 pm. I give Sirvoni the $95.00 USD which is for the tour as arranged with Maurice and then a $20.00 tip for him We've had a lovely day. We approach a table where we have to show our passports. Then I hand over $60.00 USD for the both of us for the ferry. Going back we pay here, not on the ferry. We receive boarding passes and are directed to the window next to the table. Here we have to pay port departure service fee of $8.00 USD pp and a security fee of $3.00 USD pp. There's a waiting area for us but I need to reclaim my souvenirs that I bought this morning. It takes me a while to spot the table where I bought my souvenirs upon arrival this morning. The lady has them ready and wrapped. I go back to the waiting area, sit and wait. The ferry is late departing. It's 3:46 pm. This boat is the Lady Maria. Seating is inside. Uneventful trip back to Marigot.
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T shirt I bought
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Sirvoni
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Sirvoni and our spacious, comfy van
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| Blowing Point Ferry Terminal |
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Anguilla port departure fee and security fee
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Boarding passes
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| Our boat from Anguilla back to Marigot is Lady Maria |
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| Boarding the ferry to return to Marigot |
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| Leaving Anguilla |
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| Goodbye Anguilla! |
Marigot. We arrive at 4:20 pm and I'm thinking maybe Greg won't be here when I spot him! I yell his name and he's got a big smile for us. Unfortunately traffic back to our resort is slow moving. Cost of the one way back $20.00 USD. I wanted to give him a $10.00 USD tip but I didn't have change and he didn't have change for my $20.00 USD. I ended up giving him $8.00 USD tip to cover the taxi service both ways.
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| Arriving Marigot |
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| In Marigot at 4:20 pm |
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| Arriving Marigot |
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| Back in Marigot! |
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| Driving from Marigot back to GCBC |
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| Traffic! |
Greg is nice enough to drop us off right in front of our unit #59. He's such a nice guy. I can recommend his taxi service. First order of business. Wash off the Anguilla sand I brought back with me! My lip has become sore and swollen even with sunscreen. Richard says we should have brought zinc oxide. I forgot to pack blistex which I've used in the past for sore, swollen lips. I decide to drive over to the pharmacy that is by the Super U. I explain to the pharmacist and he gets me a tube of cream to use. Cost $9.75 USD. When we return to GCBC I put some on my lips and I can feel the relief already. Spend a little time outside admiring the view, the beach.........
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Pharmacy next to Super U
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It really helped
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| What I bought at the pharmacy for my lips |
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| Our loungers! |
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| Nice yacht |
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| Our beach |
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| Our beach |
Dinner. I was planning to go to Talk of the Town-a LOLO. But we have all that leftover food from last night's dinner. We decide to heat it up and just stay in. Not understanding the dial for the oven I put it too high. I'm thinking Fahrenheit but the stove is made for Celsius! Good thing Richard put some water in with the food. It looks burnt but it's not. It actually tastes pretty good. So pepsi and left overs it is. In hindsight I wish we had gone out to dinner and had the left overs tomorrow for lunch! We are in bed by 10:00 pm. Tired but happy we pulled off this day trip to Anguilla.
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| Dinner |
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| Dinner |
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| Dinner |
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