I was prepping a post on Caribbean Inspired food from my recent trip and realized I had waaaay too many photos to fit in a single post! Since Kate is in the hospital today (having her baby- yay!!) I thought I’d post some peaceful island photos so she can look at them for a relaxation technique. That will make everything better, right?
(Photo Location: Meads Bay, Anguilla)
Just kidding. You know what really makes everything better? A spinal and some Oxycodone. She and I both have to have c-sections, so there’s not much relaxation breathing going on there. (Update: I just got a sneak peak via Kate’s husband on Facebook- the baby has arrived and he’s darling!! She’ll post an update for you all next week!)
(Photo Location: Island Harbor, Anguilla)
Back to tropical paradise. As food writers, Kate and I take on freelance work and one of my recent projects was an assignment for Sea Cuisine. They’ve sent bloggers all over the world to explore different cuisines and find out what makes them so inspiring (you can read my thoughts on that topic, here.) When we talked about assignment locations and Anguilla came up I immediately said, “sounds good!” And that was directly followed with, “Um, by the way, where the heck is Anguilla?”
(Photo Location: Straw Hat Restaurant, Anguilla)
The answer is right smack in the middle of the Caribbean sea. It sits just north of St. Maarten. It’s a teeny, tiny island. Only about 10 miles long and 3 miles wide. I’ll tell you more about the food tomorrow, but the scenery is out of this world. Hands down the most amazing beaches I’ve seen in my life. Every single restaurant we ate had a table with a view like this:
And the people? Incredibly kind, welcoming, and hospitable. The island is an overseas British territory, but the people have a rich cultural history. It’s truly a melting pot. If I were a crazy kidnapper (which I’m not) I would have taken this child home with me (which I did not.)
He lived with his grandmother behind a little shop they ran and we got accustomed to seeing him every day. He was the same age as one of my little boys and spoke in a thick Caribbean accent. Too cute for words.
These guys are friends of a local restaurant owner and gave us tons of advice about places to explore on the island.
One of my favorite parts about the eclectic island is the gorgeous architecture. It has old-world charm, but with Caribbean flair. There are churches with painted shutters everywhere.
My favorite was this one- everything was bright sea-blue, my favorite color. If I could get away with painting my house shutters this color, I would!
We spent a few days on St. Maarten as well, which has a completely different vibe than Anguilla.
(Photo Location: Grand Case, St. Maarten)
Although gorgeous, it’s also a cruise port and therefore constantly filled with tourists.
(Photo Location: Grand Case, St. Maarten)
However because of that, they do have tons of great restaurants and fun things to do.
Gorgeous sights everywhere
And the ocean is everywhere you turn.
But if I could choose, I’d stay on Anguilla for weeks. It’s literally like having your own desert island. But with gourmet food whenever you get hungry.
(Photo Location: Cap Julica, Anguilla)
Has anyone been there? Or, like me did you just enjoy it while watching season 15 of the Bachelor? This is very fitting for today because look who’s there? Our lovely Emily.
Aren’t we so glad she and Brad didn’t work out? So we can be on team Sean now? Or as a back-up, Team Jef? I’m actually kind of pulling for Jef because I think Sean would make the best next bachelor. Just please, please, no team Chris. Use your brain, Emily!
Okay. This post is now taking a weird turn. Thoughts on tropical islands, or the Bachelorette, welcome in the comment section. Let’s discuss.
Questions & Reviews
Wouldn’t it be fun if they had Roberto AND Sean be The Bachelors, and then there might have to be some competition for the really great girls! Congrats on the baby boy, Kate!
I am on team Jef! I have read comments on other blogs that he isn’t ready to be a dad but they don’t know the “Utah culture.” I married a Utah guy and couldn’t be happier–he’s a wonderful father and husband! Sean seems really nice, too, and he would be a great bachelor! But have you heard the Roberto rumors? So that spot might be filled!
I love the pictures, and it is definitely relaxing to me! I wish I were there.
This place looks GORGEOUS!! I want to go visit!!
BTW–Totally Team Jef! I love that guy! Sean would be my second pick, but I agree with you–I think he would make an awesome next Bachelor, so I’m gonna fly with that. Not a huge fan of Ari, and I REALLY don’t like Chris. Ick. GO JEF!
Congrats on the BABY! Can’t wait for pictures
I want to go to Anguilla – sigh – The pictures will just have to do, so thanks!
Team Jef all the way! (went to high school together, So of course I gotta side with him) Plus, he’s real and fun, and I kinda love his crazy hair 🙂 but Sean is a close second!
Oh man, Chris should have gone home WEEKS ago! Plus he’s a bobble-head. I feel like Jef is so sincere. He’s my fave.
I thought I was the only one who noticed that weird bobble head thing! Glad I’m not the only one 🙂
Do you remember that Chris totally made a bobble head figure of him and one of Emily and gave them to her on the first night they met?? Lol! How fitting, right?
My husband and I went to St Maarten 3 yrs ago and we dream of going back all the time. We want to take our kids when they get a bit older. Maybe we will hit Anguilla next time around.
I think she should choose Arie, with Bachelor Sean up next season!
I remember the egg, but do not remember which guy had it! Someone please remind me who it was!! I have to vote for Sean too, what a good looking guy! Congrats on the new baby Kate!
Sally, Egg-guy was Travis and he’s long gone.
Congratulations to Kate! And awesome pictures. Do you have a filter on your lens to make the blues come out like that or was the light really just that amazing?
My husband and I went to Anguilla last summer, and we loved every bit of it! I noticed one of the local guys that were friends of the restaurant owner was one of the beach buys at the Frangipani when we were there, and he was awesome! Glad you had a fabulous time down there!
I loved your post, Sara! I am totally team Sean, but I like the idea of him being the next bachelor… that would be wonderful! Now I want Emily to pick Jef! Arie is alright, but I don’t like him as much as the other two boys. I’m 99.9% sure that Sean, Jef, and Arie will be the final three. Emily is very smart and knows what she wants, and she’s already done some hesitating with Chris so I’m sure he’ll be the next to go!
I am so jealous you got to escape to Anguilla! I would do just about anything to go somewhere tropical right about now. And congrats Kate for having a healthy baby boy! Hopefully we get to see pictures sometime next week!
I went to Anguilla right after college. It was definitely the experience of a lifetime! (and St Maarten was pretty awesome too!)
lightbulb! so that is what i’ve been doing wrong during childbirth…i need relaxing photos of foodie tropical islands while surrounded by an OBB dessert buffet. I may be able to get through this next one 🙂
I just have to intervene – Sean is not the ‘egg guy’. That was Travis. What’s not to love about Sean!
Oh I know. I for one was just making a dramatic statement about egg-man, haha
Congratulations Kate! Sara, beautiful pictures! I want to go somewhere tropical now!
I totally want Emily to pick Jef! I think he’s fantastic, quirks and all. Sean would be a great pick as well, but unfortunately, they never pick guys like Sean. 🙁 There’s something about Arie I don’t like (can’t really pin it down though) and Chris is way too whiney! I’m excited to see hometowns! There’s always a little bit of drama!
I’m so glad we can talk about this, as this is my first season watching the Bachelorette.
I’m rooting for Sean, then Arie, then Jef-one-f. Chris is bat-crazy, and Jef-one-f seems so much younger and not the best match. But I had not considered the possibility that those rejected become the next Bachelor, so I might have to reconsider.
I love Sean and Emily together! Jef can be back up but Chris has gots to go. 🙂 Arie is hella cute but not sure they’re the best match.
I was pondering the exactly same Bachelorette/next Bachelor scenario last night as I caught up on Hulu.
What about Arie?!
Why does no one like Ari?? I like him! Egg boy has got to go!
No way! I think it’s Arie by a long shot!
TEAM SEAN!!!! I’d never thought of him being the next bachelor, I’d totally go for it! That would be awesome. There is something about Arie that makes me uncomfortable! hah
Also, I’m so jealous of your trip to Anguilla. I’m planning a honeymoon… I wonder if it would be a good honeymooning location??
It would be an amaaaazing honeymoon location.
Thank you for the photos and sharing your experience. It is a place that I have always wanted to go and I keep telling my husband so hopefully one day when the kids are a tad bitter older and not in the diaper and chase around stage. I have not watched the Bachelorette this season. I know a hand slap. Maybe I need to download the episodes and get caught up. Congratulations to Kate!
Definitely put it on your bucket list Tish!
Ugh Chris is way too high maintenance. Sean and Jef are both awesome, but why would she ever get rid of a guy that took such great care of an egg?
Oh my gosh, THE EGG.
I’m Team Sean Also (he reminds me of my blonde hubby). I’d love to watch an entire season of Bachelor Sean! So, I’m also ok with Back up Jef winning her heart. He seems sincere, although a little quirky. But maybe she needs that!
Team Sean! (Please, please, please not Arie, Emily!)
I’m cheering for Jef because he’s from Salt Lake City like me, and Sean because LOOK AT HIM HOW CAN YOU NOT?! But then there’s Ari who’s just so completely smitten with her…
Beautiful photos, thank you for sharing 🙂
So glad you are not on team Chris! You make a good point about Sean being great for the next season of the bachelor, but will she pick Jef? Those marionettes were a little creepy!
Yeah, see I have problems with the fact that it took puppets for him to be able to express himself. Then again, you know the producers made him do it! Lol.