If you have been to Anguilla and relaxed on one of its many peaceful beaches, it is difficult to imagine the thought of a large-scale military operation invading the island, yet that is what happened on March 19, 1969. Yesterday marked the 47th anniversary of the British invasion of the island, “Operation Sheepskin,” intended to put down the rebellion that had brewed over the previous two years. But this invasion was not met with physical violence or bloodshed. The invaders’ failure to understand the Anguillans, and their dispute with St. Kitts, led to what has been known as a public relations disaster, dubbed “The Bay of Piglets.” As described by…
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In preparation for each trip, I like to do some research on the history of the area, and sprinkle in some other books related to island life. This year’s trip is to Andros Island, Bahamas, so I picked up a copy of Samuel Charters’ book, “The Day is So Long and the Wages So Small.” Samuel Charters was a highly-regarded music historian, known for capturing some of the great performers of blues and jazz when the music was still unknown to many Americans. He began making recordings for Folkways Records in the 1950’s, including some of legendary performers like Lightnin’ Hopkins, and wrote the influential history of blues music, “The…
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After traveling around the Caribbean for a few years, we are regularly asked about what is the best resort, best beach, best restaurant, etc. We have a long way to go in our travels through the islands, but these places have impressed us over the years. Enjoy this list of “our best” of the Caribbean, from the best rum punch, to the best beach, and more. Best Music: Dune Preserve, Anguilla Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve should be on every music lover’s bucket list. You can see Bankie himself, along with a number of other performers throughout the week, including Bankie’s son, Omari. And the view overlooking Rendezvous Bay toward…
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Today we’re serving up an authentic Anguillan breakfast, complete with whole fried fish and johnnycakes. This dish was served to us at Anacaona Boutique Hotel, located on Meads Bay in Anguilla, one of the best hotel bargains on the island. On Thursday nights, Anacaona serves up an Anguillan buffet along with a performance of the Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre, a show of stories and songs portraying the history of the island. For more from our 2010 trip to Anguilla, read our trip report here!
