The Caribbean has always been one of my favorite travel destinations.

Unlike some who go for the sundrenched beaches and blender drinks, I prefer to hole in the wall beach bars, conversations with quirky locals and expats named Captain Bob, Captain Ted, etc. All wearing  enough jewelry to stock a display case at Deboers .

I had traveled to St Maarten years ago on a contract position I decided to return on a whim last year. I got a great deal on a last minute ticket and within a couple days of booking I was at the airport in Philipsburg. I was on a bit of a budget so I did not really care where I stayed so I called a friend I had made last time I worked on Island and she recommended a  very frugal $50 a night motel called  Putusa.

While I was on Island I had a chance to catch up with old friends and met some new ones as well.  The second day of the holiday I took the Ferry from Marigoit to Anguilla, where I met up with family and friends that flew in for a Jimmy Buffett concert.   Anguilla is a quiet Island with a large number of goats everywhere.  In the cab on the way to the Villa that my friends had rented, it looked as if the goats had taken over the island and all the people were in hiding.

This misconception was cleared up quickly on our first night out on the island, we went beach bar hopping. After 10 beach bars many rum and cokes, and bottles of   Presidente beer we decided to call it a night.

The next day we went for lunch at the Prickly Pear which is a restaurant on its own island, run by Eudoxie ‘Gorgeous’ Wallace. Eudoxie can only be described as “a character”. . The menu consisted of lobster and Caribbean crayfish that was caught about 3 hours prior and killer Rum punch.

Throughout the trip I was able to catch up with old friends and meet a number of new ones.

Absorbing the culture, the people and the history of a destination is in my opinion is the best way to travel.

If anyone has any questions about St Maarten feel free to reply to my blog entry.