St. Martin and Anguilla: dream beaches

By Luca, Sabrina and Federico

 

First part

It was April 21 of 2001 when we were leaving for Mauritius, and 365 days later, here we are again ready to take off to follow the route of the tropics. Reach the Caribbean island of Saint Martin and, ironically, we will be back May 6, exactly one year after the conclusion of our journey in the Indian Ocean.
The alarm, impietosa rings soon, very soon indeed and 3:50 am we are already standing. The plane will depart at 7:30 and we should be in Bologna for 5:00, but I think you will arrive later.
Sabrina and I are preparing, then wake up Frederick, who does stories, given the time, and now you take away and wanting to leave, even if his face, on which stand out the unusually red cheeks, was a strange appearance.
We make a quick breakfast and out the window is still dark, shortly after arriving and grandparents, as usual, will accompany us to the airport. Everything is ready, but the face of the little unconvincing Sabrina and her face seems pretty hot: we measure the fever and, unfortunately, has some online. He immediately cried probably for fear of being unable to leave, unaware of the fact that, in reality, we have no choice but to giving an antibiotic, boarding campers and officially give the green light to travel, though disappointed by the situation certainly not smooth.
We leave home at 5:13 and on the way we try to convince us that soon will pass, that at the bottom will only be one passenger illness, fatigue and fail to keep inmates all the doubts and fears that in the meantime we attack the mind.
Shortly after 6:00, under a thick rain, we arrive at the airport of Bologna Marconi, salute their grandparents and now we put ourselves in line at the counter for boarding luggage (one long line as it seems), then when have gone even 7:00, we approach the check-in: I have to remove clock, jacket and trousers belt but in the end we exceeded. The wait is short, and we immediately embark on the flight Az 360, an aircraft type MD-80, which never before have we got, which at 7:43, slightly late, flying away from Earth in the direction of Paris.
Climb above the clouds, that half an hour later thins out, leaving a glimpse of the snowy Alps, then deal with the vast French countryside, all the same, to the gates of the capital and the international airport Charles De Gaulle, which landed at 9: 13th
Descend and we put ourselves in search of the terminal from where the plane to Saint Martin. The find is the terminal "A" (port number 49). We then follow the signs, with Frederick that the first allegation of severe stomach pains, which required a stop in the bathroom, then soon after, along a corridor of the airport, began to cough combining the efforts of vomiting and the inevitable, next rejection, while a Japanese lady, accortasi plight, kindly give us a hand. Our little odyssey ends, shortly after, when, finally, we reach the door from where we board the flight Af 3668.
The conditions of the small, unfortunately, are not encouraging: it is tired and, probably, the session is also a fever (damn!). Fortunately, the wait is short and soon climb sull'Airbus A300 Air France at 11:17 a.m. to take share with destination Saint Martin.
We are in the central seats of the aircraft and this prevents us from seeing outside, but relatively important because each seat is equipped with a video with a variety of programs and games to deceive the time, and not just because the flight will last all oceanic 'approximately eight hours. Lunch and slips off the first quarter of the flight, and then Sabrina Federico succumb to the temptation to sleep, and is not a bad idea, so, occasionally, me too.
We run after the sun and recovered six hours of time when we start the long descent towards Saint Martin or Sint Maarten, as it were, according to a ruling in French or Dutch. Yes, because quest'isolotto Caribbean just 88 square kilometers (13 to 15 kilometers) is divided into two states, and is the smallest piece of land in the world to be! ... E 'curioso! ... Just as, according to legend, it is curious how you did the division of territory: two athletes in their respective countries disputing a race running from a fixed point and, running along the coast in opposite directions, ended up meet in another point, which unequivocally established the border, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed (the tournament was the French as fast as it had won about 60% of mail to be won). However, today, landing in a piece of Europe and overseas will be able to use for the first time, our money abroad, quell'euro that for some months in his pocket and bring that here, of course, is the attorney.
Outside the window, meantime, there are large Nuvoloni that several passengers observed a 'disconcerted, however we were informed, via the internet, not just the good weather and not surprised we hope only that the best time soon ... and with him also Federico!

Second part

Descend below the clouds, then the plane making a turn and catch a glimpse of the island, which landed shortly after, with the clock marking the 13:45 local, then you open the door and leave open-air addressing the metal ladder that leads us finally to the ground while blowing a little 'wind that nothing takes away the pleasant ambient temperature.
Beyond the customs, then, as usual, while we are waiting for luggage, call home to let people know of our arrival, then retrieved the bags, leave the airport in search of a representative of Viaggidea (tour operator). We find, indeed, and find us now to take the means that will lead us to a destination on the other side of the island (the French).
Less than an hour later we are at the reception of the Little Key Hotel, in the Cul de Sac, which will host us for the duration of our stay and we first made a good impression, even if it seems to us rather ... empty.
We deliver the keys to room 419, which now reach: it is beautiful and very wide, with a magnificent veranda space that leaves the look on the sea front (we had paid for a garden sight, but this is an improvement and there is no need to do this note) . System and our stuff in an attempt to put the suitcase on to a piece of furniture they plan to break the glass: a corner goes into a thousand pieces and Brigo not just to collect them all.
Wants more for us that we need to be kept in the sea and leave to make two steps, with the gloomy sky covered with clouds, and an annoying wind that blows constantly. E 'on the beach so that we meet two boys Treviso is a week that are here and the weather were always more or less, these. Tomorrow will return to Italy and our hope is that they also taken away the clouds ... for the time their words were not encouraging, and certainly it seems almost like a continuation of the trip to Lanzarote.
Go back to 17:30 pm Room: Federico sheet and has the high fever ... not seem to want to go one for the right! ... The time zone is beginning to reap the "victims" and, one at a time, sleeping there, so later we can scarcely find the strength to go to dinner, but then we come back in the room to continue what we left off: it was a day and endless, but we find those energies that allow us to reverse the fortunes of a holiday not started in the best possible way.

The time zone effect is felt, as well as from 3:00 am start to open their eyes, and a couple of hours later you wake up and also Sabrina Federico. Let us go forward in dormiveglia until 7:30, then we get up and out the window the sky is still full of big Nuvoloni gray and the wind blows incessantly.
Un po 'disheartened we have breakfast with Frederick that, thankfully, no longer has a fever and seems to be definitely better, at least this is good news!
At 9:00 there's the meeting with the task of Viaggidea (Bruno), but not present and we are forced to rent a car (dearest) to avoid spending the entire day in the hotel, so we leave, abundantly after 10:00, on board of our "new" white Daewoo Matiz (544 targato ZAG 971) to the discovery of Saint Martin.
Given the weather we go to the nearby town of Orleans (historically the first village built on the island), which periphery is the Ferme des Palillons, a greenhouse, in which many beautiful live butterflies from more diverse regions of the globe. A very interesting visit, but even this, dear. There is consolation, with the same ticket, we can return every day until the end of the trip, although we hope to not have to do, because it will mean that in the meantime, the sun will shine again and in that case there will be certainly something better to do.
Meanwhile, some sunshine is filtered through the clouds and no rain, so we go to Friar's Bay, a beach that is located to the north, near the French capital Marigot, and is also a beautiful beach where there were those damned clouds to prevent a light will turn more resolute all colors, but at least it is not cold and we stop for the whole afternoon with Frederick that finally we can have fun playing with the sand (not to swim, even if we count all soon you can have the opportunity), while the horizon s'intravede the nearby island of Anguilla, which will probably more than once during the holidays.
At 17:00 we leave the beach, of course with some 'regret for the sun that is not seen, but we are optimistic for the future and, momentarily, Thanks for the speedy recovery of Frederick, now more than ever pimpante.
We arrive at the hotel and the reception, we take information to make some excursions by catamaran (even these very expensive), confiding in a course marked improvement in the weather. There is also a message to Bruno, who has set an appointment for tomorrow even if, at this point, I believe that we shall not present when the day should be beautiful!
There we go in camera to take a shower, while our head continue to move large Nuvoloni ... who knows when the end!
Later, before dinner, we fell asleep again and have to raise to go to the restaurant is more a struggle than a pleasure, so just satisfied your appetite back to relax on our comfortable beds, but not before he had turned a last look to heaven, where, meanwhile, have appeared, timidly, some good luck star ... speriamo bene!

At 6:00 in the morning I open my eyes and ties in with our eyes towards the window: several light filters through a chink in the tent, so I get up and, even without contact lenses, I am going to look outside. There are still many clouds, but at the same time, appear several flashes of light serene, glimpsed through which the first rays of the sun. More raised go back to another po 'time between the sheets ... who knows! ... perhaps we have finally a good day.
At 7:30 we get up and go to breakfast, while a few white clouds, more like a big mountain of whipped cream, wander intensity blue sky and the rays of the sun, despite the time, already hot on the skin .. . now we are in the Caribbean!
In the bay in front of our hotel is located Ilet Pinel, a small island that we intend to visit. This is achieved by means of some boats that leave from Pier Cul de Sac, a service between the other free for guests of our Little Key, so we require tickets to reception and we leave, radiant, for our first real day at sea .
Before going to the landing, however, by car, we want to reach the nearby Anse Marcel, a beach, which according to the programs you had already seen yesterday, embedded within a large tourist complex gravitating around at the Meridien (a chain hotel excellent international).
Go up on a hill, we leave behind a check-point and descend to the bay, park the car, past a bar and you reach the beach, which is not bad, but not exceptional and we expect much more Ilet Pinel, then shoot some photos and go back on our steps back along the short stretch of road that takes us back to Cul de Sac.
Climb aboard a small boat and within minutes we arrive sull'isolotto, which at first glance it appears like a small paradise. A tongue of soft sand s'insinua gently in a sea of dreams and the contrast between the leaves us without words: land, sky and sea blend masterfully in an incomparable explosion of color. To complete the picture, then, a small grove of palm trees located behind the beach, where our system of running things before consuming an unforgettable bath in warm and crystal clear waters of the lagoon, with Federico bursting joy that all the pores .. . now we are truly on vacation!
The morning slips away like a dream tropical lunch and before I go in a snorkelling avanscoperta the tip of the island, where there is a large boulder coral teeming with fish of many colors. Taking a few photos and then go back to the beach to report back to the little success of exploration, promising to take him later.
We are in seventh heaven, and before lunch and then rest for a while 'time in the shade of palm trees, while there is a fisherman with his incredible load of lobsters to offer to tourists, but it is difficult to resist the primordial water, so accompany Federico to see the fish, and with us is also Sabrina: I am beautiful, that's not to say, and the enthusiasm of the small is the clearest proof.
Time flies and we return to the beach to make a final bath before reluctantly leaving the island. Unfortunately to 16:30 last ship sails and is soon seen that there are still nearly two hours of light, but we have no choice and in addition the sun disappeared behind the clouds (nothing to worry about for now, judging from the large clear space on the horizon).
Within minutes we are back to the hotel, with Frederick that never domo, insists they can go swimming in the pool. The satisfied, while I go to reception to meet, finally, Bruno and take some more information about Saint Martin and Anguilla, but I am disappointed because, in practice, already knew everything and, not satisfied, I will eat your fingers, rather I eat the person that I faced when he says that if it had come to the first appointment I would have saved a lot of money in the car hire! Then, a little 'disappointed, I'm going in the room and reach Sabrina and Federico for a shower before going to dinner.
The evening as usual is a bit 'empty, indeed, there's just nothing to do, but at least we do not lack sleep and mainly Federico almost no time to touch the pillow that is sleeping blessed, then we stretch we and on the bed, thinking the beautiful day just passed, in the short reach to the world of dreams.

The alarm sounds, and soon enough, in fact, are the 7:00 am when I get up to look out the window: there is the sun and thus triggered the operation Anguilla.
The island of Anguilla, which compared to our current position is located eight kilometers to the north, is the northernmost of the islands Sottovento and measure approximately 5 to 26 kilometers, reaching a total area slightly larger than that of Saint Martin. Presents a profile and flat morphology differs from that of its mountainous dirimpettaia and with a handful of islands form an independent state within the Commonwealth, as in a few minutes to reach another land navigation, but, above all, a 'other nation, which speaks a different language (English) and you use another currency (the dollar).
Let's have breakfast and depart shortly after at the edge of our Matiz assigned port of Marigot. We arrive in about twenty minutes, parked the car and we put ourselves on the pier awaiting the craft that will take us to Anguilla. We should not expect much because, shortly afterwards, then sail arriving almost immediately, addressing the short crossed that allows us to land, less than half an hour later, at Blowing Point, the harbor beyond the narrow but bustling stretch which separates the two islands.
Carry out certain formalities at the customs and are working to hire a taxi so as to reach Shoal Bay East, notoriously known as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean region.
The roads are Anguilla semi, the rest no longer reside on the island of eight thousand inhabitants, and yet Etienne, our taxi driver, proceed (on the left side of the road) very calm and prudence, not more than ever the fifty kilometers per hour, the I almost feel like we replace half of the driving course for us in the West is not easy to adapt to these rhythms of life, perhaps more healthy but they are incompatible with our inborn frenzy in every home.
Along the way Etienne tries to give us some information of a general nature and history on the island, but we can understand only part of his speeches, then, finally, we come close to Shoal Bay East. Descend from the taxi, we set the date for the return journey and we move, walk to the beach that suddenly para before our eyes ... We are stunned and literally speechless: it is difficult to describe such beauty and possibly even photos will be able to do so. A long strip of white sand reflects the sun's rays and the light that emerges is blinding, and the sea, the colors almost unreal, it looks like a huge swimming pool in which we look forward to dive.
We placed on a few meters from the water, behind some palm trees, in what might be termed, in no uncertain terms, a true tropical paradise, then, of course, we run to enjoy the reflections of the crystalline sea, trying unusual sensations and indescribable.
Regenerate mind and body, then go back on the beach to mount the curtain to get a little 'shadow, and then, with Richard, I go for a walk along the bagnasciuga, but the return to go back to immerse ourselves in that water irresistible, all dedicated 'Exploration of the coral bench in front of us: we can see beautiful fish and our enthusiasm goes through the roof!
Let's go back to the shore and c'imbrattiamo cream because the sun really burns the skin, then have lunch, before our eyes with a sublime view. We withhold for a while 'in the shade, but will not resist long and, for a change, soon, we are again basking in the turquoise-clear sea and then back to dry in the sun and soon after we return in water, and so for the whole day, until they dismantle the tent and give us a final (yet another) bathroom, before leaving, of course, reluctantly Shoal Bay.
The time has flown, it is now almost 16:30, and we go the appointment with the driver, who was waiting for us and brings us back to Blowing Point in just over twenty minutes. We have with him a small argument when, with regret, we have to pay twice what we thought the taxi, but was written clearly on the ticket (one way) and had not noticed.
Shortly after 17:30 Sailing and half later we are, again, in Saint Martin. Return to the Little Key, and we stop at the reception to check on the internet, the weather in the coming days. They seem good and so try to book an excursion by catamaran on Friday (there is always the minimum number of participants), then we go into a room to prepare for dinner.
Around 20:00 we go to the restaurant: nine in all, we are customers, but maybe the cook is drunk and the waiter does not give him some help, as time passes, with Frederick that falls from the sleep and almost falling asleep on the table, until, after two hours, there we go into the room without having eaten the cake ... a small accident on the journey that takes nothing away from the beautiful day just passed, one of those with "G" capitalized, which never forget!

Still looks a wonderful day: at 7:30 we get up and go to breakfast, then we move along the ribbon of asphalt that runs in the direction of Marigot.
A few kilometers before the turn to the inside of the visit to the village of Colombiere, so we follow a short stretch of road that will adventure in an enchanting pastoral countryside and at the same time, tropical. We lose about twenty minutes but it was worth it, then we continue to follow the coastal road, past the capital and continue until almost at the far western tip of the island, where Baie Rouge.
Park your car and go all'insenatura characterized by a soft sand and bounded on the east side, from a high cliff of reddish rock (hence probably the name). An apparent vaguely Mediterranean landscape, even if the sea, but above all the heavens, with the classic white clouds, are unmistakably Caribbean.
On the beach adjacent to the cliff there are some bars that also rent umbrellas and sunbeds, as we move towards the most central, semi-desert, occupying a beautiful stretch of beach. Just give us a bath, and play among the waves, which are higher here than usual, then mount the curtain to protect us from the sun, while Frederick is raging to and fro on the water.
Later I go to explore, with mask and fins on the rocky promontory that is our right: it is dramatic, as it is pierced by a natural grotto, but the bottom is high, fish are sparse and almost nonexistent corals. Then I'll be back at the base and together with lunch before our eyes, again, a beautiful landscape, characterized, in the distance, the flat shape of the island of Anguilla.
The afternoon pleasantly spent loads of bathrooms, while the sun burns more and more on the skin. Fortunately, every now and then, spend some providential clouds to cool and give us one of these, the most significant of the other, at some point, leave to land even a few drops, then goes away again yielding space to the sun slowly, while , has become close to the horizon line.
By late afternoon the temperature is pleasant and we remain on the beach until 18:00, then return to the Little Key, while the light of sunset ignites the clouds and the landscape takes on shades of color that only the tropics can be seen: the phenomenon lasts few minutes, and soon the shadows of the evening take the upper hand, but they are intense minutes, they leave their mark, and arouse emotions extraordinary.
Happy how things are going to arrive where we announce that the planned trip by catamaran for tomorrow was canceled, but will be Sunday ... little evil will certainly another great place to spend the day, while an advance and let go in the room to prepare for dinner, dinner, hopefully less than that of yesterday evening.
As soon as we sit at the table comes the waiter apologized and that gives us an explanation: there was the chef in the kitchen and did all the vice, a rather 'slow ... This evening, however, the team is complete, so we are fast and they recover fully offering dinner with the flakes, then we make four passes on the right opposite the pier and later, tired but happy, we withdraw into our "apartments" .

Even today it is a beautiful day and, once again, we get up with the intention of going to Anguilla. After refresh properly reach Marigot, where it rained recently and the roads are still wet, so we, sitting on the pier, until the craft, while Federico enjoys watching some kids fishing from his dock overlooking the point mooring.
Go up on the 9:30 ferry and half an hour later we are at Blowing Point. Emerge from the customs office and take a taxi to the nearby Rendezvous Bay, known to history as a local point of landing of French troops who in 1796 invaded the island.
The beach is beautiful, all the sand and a soft, washed by a tremendous sea, however, does not reach the stratospheric levels of Shoal Bay. Having said this we are not certainly complain, but ... anything!
The sun is hot, blowing a moderate breeze and plant the first curtain of water running in a relax. We let a long stroke from that incomparable warm and fluid, then go back on the beach that, in practice, is our kingdom, since for several hundred meters on the right and left, not seen other bathers.
We find some beautiful shells, then, along with Federico, build a castle, which finished out the "tragedy". I ask simply if she wants to photograph the construction of sand, but he refuses and for some reason, began to do the "crazy" and refuses to be any alternative proposal. Ends up earning a sound spanking and only resumed after lunch, but when the sun disappears behind some clouds spiteful, while in the distance, the sea, a storm breaks out.
In early afternoon the sky was again clear and the sun shine again unchallenged: his very presence you want, but when it is hoped that, occasionally, a Nuvolino both the cover sheet. We seek refuge immediately in water and take a long bath, with the little that, meanwhile, is back radiant and in good shape.
It 'now time to go, while in Saint Martin, in front of us, are locked in another time. Reorganized all our things and at 17:00 o'clock, as agreed in the morning, we have the appointment with our taxi driver who takes us back a few minutes to Blowing Point.
We arrive just as is starting with a 'delay, the ferry of 17:00, but we can not get on board and we should expect that of 17:30. Pending ask and get, as I remember, dall'addetta to customs controls Anguilla stamps on passports, as the normal practice, it seems, not so require.
18:00 Marigot us again and shortly after, along the road to Cul de Sac, another storm breaks out, this time on our head, luckily covered by a roof, one of our providential Matiz.
We arrive at, and while Sabrina and Richard go on camera, I detected at the internet to weather conditions on Sunday, due to the catamaran excursion, and should not be bad.
Later, at dinner, strangely not the usual ten customers come seems to be some sort of outing, and there is a swarming with people, which gives us almost annoying, given the pace at which we were accustomed. This is, however, to let us spend the evening: Richard seems to have finally digested the time zone and we stop at the table more than usual, then walk right on the pier and go into the room to spend some 'time on the veranda, where you have a 'incomparable view of the sea, thus concluding another day, without a doubt, positive.

Today we remain at Saint Martin because it is Saturday and then, according to tradition, market day. Thus, while a beautiful sun shines, we reach Marigot to spend some 'time to browse among the stalls, although Richard is not too enthusiastic. We seek, then, going to make it happy, first of all, to Fort St. Louis, the ancient fortress built by the French to protect the port, located on a hill at the eastern town and reached first by means of a steep road, then, in the last stretch with a short staircase.
The defense is not very much, in fact, is little more than a ruin, littered by a handful of old guns devoured by rust, but the scene is observed that the city and the bay below is respectable, so what that photo shoot, while you enjoy a little run between the ancient stones, then descend, reaching the coastal road on which the market develops.
Walk for a while 'among the banks, most of overflowing shirts and souvenirs rather mundane and, unfortunately, the most characteristic, with spices, fruit and fish, is quite limited. It is therefore not the most classic and genuine Caribbean market, but the island is what we can offer and take note. We do, of course, buy some, then try an office of exchange to convert a po 'di euro in dollars, so you can still go to Anguilla in the coming days, and, when it is noon, we leave Marigot looking for a beach to spend the rest of the day.
Let us follow the road that runs along the coast to the western part of the island and come to Basse Terre, a hilly area, full of luxury villas immersed in the green, which slopes gently to the sea.
Our goal is Baie Aux Prunes, which arrive through the streets, partly unpaved, which is forward in the small region. We leave the car in the shade of palm trees and reach the place by means of a short trail that cuts some private property.
The beach is beautiful, but a step below those seen to date, and is very sheltered, too, so that, barely there blows a gentle breeze, so the heat is almost unbearable. Despite everything that has a feature to stay c'induce is facing west and therefore have the opportunity to watch a sunset on the sea.
Lunch in the shade of the tent, then, for all the time, doing up and down the beach to the sea to look cool ... and the afternoon slips away quiet.
We put ourselves, in vain, looking for a coconut, while time passes and the sun is moving ever closer to the horizon line. Meanwhile, other tourists arrive to watch the show around 18:00 and we are much more numerous than in the central hours of the day.
Within minutes the light of changing hues, the red clouds and the sea begins to reflect the last warm rays of the sun, then, as if by magic, turn on all the colors of the sunset, the most classic of Caribbean sunsets, which we enjoy fin not when the darkness takes over.
With darkness and when we return to arrive at the reception we have an unpleasant surprise: unfortunately we are out of season and was canceled for lack of membership, recreational tomorrow catamaran. At this point there is only one choice: groped to book for next Wednesday, the same trip with another boat, smaller and therefore with a minimum number of participants below ... try this, but now without much conviction.
With a little 'anger (just sopita) go in the room and later dine: the supposed "corporate group holidays" has appeared just as suddenly, it disappeared and not even know we give a logical explanation. We returned to the usual ten o'clock and dinner customers in the most absolute silence, with the clinking of dishes and cutlery to the background by ... The evenings are really not very exciting and luckily there is lacking sleep, so soon in this room went to sleep and recharge the batteries in, dare we say, another beautiful day.

E 'already gone a week since we started, seven days without a doubt positive, after a nightmarish start, with Frederick sick and bad weather it be a master, but it is all adjusted very quickly, in addition to any more rosy forecast, and even today we are all in shape, ready for another beautiful sunny day.
Was the morning of movement at sea, but it was not possible and we have it, promptly, we changed itinerary: go back to Anguilla, where the beaches, it seems, are more beautiful and, more specifically, going to Sandy Island , a tiny islet off the north coast.
We arrive at the port of Marigot where the ferry of 9:00, slightly delayed, is still moored on the quayside overlooking the point of shipment, but there are up and, against our will, we have to wait for the next, of 9:30. We then put on hold sitting next to backpacks, and our eyes clearly a 'sleep: we have now digested the time zone and is no longer so easy to get up at 7:00 am.
Point, half an hour later, we face the deep and the short-crossed with the sea that is pretty rough, so, thinking well, maybe it was fortunate that they have canceled the trip on the catamaran.
Shortly after 10:00 we are at Anguilla and, as usual, at the customs require a taxi so as to achieve, Sandy Ground, the place from which to start the boat to the island that we have set as a goal.
The taxi driver (Etienne) is the same as four days ago, and then led us in the paradise that is called Shoal Bay, by driving with extreme caution and calm. In the same way today with us at Sandy groud, but in the end it is nice because when we arrived, I went to inquire about the possibility of being able to sail with the boat, but you can not do it, because, apparently, this part only once a week, on Tuesday, so we have to change the new program, but will return.
With a small adjustment to the price we have to Mead's Bay, in the western part of the island. The beach of white sand is beautiful, it is lapped by a sea enchanting, almost as to Shoal Bay and just blows a troublesome wind, lifting the tiny grains of sand, some indispettisce 'Sabrina. But it is hard not to melt before so surprising, so just a bath to bring the serenity and the morale through the roof.
After lunch I go, with Frederick, for a walk along the beach until its eastern boundary, where there is a small rocky headland and along the route as we notice a strange scene ridiculous: Anguilla is an exclusive tourist (almost unapproachable economically) so its facilities are attended usually by guests of a certain level and one of them, a lady to be precise, it is lying on the bed with the next bucket of ice, from which, with a glass, takes water to wash his feet, apparently bogged ... poor, for some awful reason you had to come to this dusty and inhospitable place? ... To us, to tell the truth, it seems anything and when we return from Sabrina, all together, let us back in that water reflections critical stallini.
The beach is semi-deserted and peace reigns unchallenged, with the wetting closest to us at least three hundred meters away, so we enjoy the extraordinary Mead's Bay until 17:00, when we go to the appointment with Etienne to return to Blowing Point.
We put ourselves in agreement with our taxi driver friend for next Tuesday when, weather permitting, will return to Anguilla to go to Sandy Island, then go up on the ferry on time of 17:30 minutes after that dock at the port of Marigot. Even a half hour, the road this time, and we are at Little Key, where we are finally confirming Wednesday that will make the much-desired trip by catamaran.
Happy to go in the room to prepare for dinner that has been seen and done some late peckish begins to rise. Who continues to fall, however, is the number of visitors to the restaurant because tonight, it seems, we only need seven to be served, so, not to feel too lonely, we sit next to four others, which are Italia! (Modena) ... and there were never noticed.
Sharing dinner chat (number), expressed, unanimously, on a positive journey that unites us, then we arrive at our room to continue the care of sleep that we are following now, successfully, for a week now.

The pace that we have taken is, to say the least, enviable: a day in Anguilla, a day in Saint Martin, Anguilla to yesterday, today, of course, in Saint Martin. For this reason we get up with a little 'more calm and still at 9:00 we were ready to go.
For the first time we go south, past Orleans and continue along the coast until you reach the island in the Dutch part of Oyster Pond, a curious inlet used as a natural harbor.
Just past the border we descend to the sea and reach Dawn Beach. The beach, white sand, is facing a former village in ruins hours and probably destroyed by a hurricane, even judging by the many palms that are rising all around. Facing the sea has a nice color, certainly the best seen so far in Saint Martin, and in the distance s'intravede the mountainous silhouette of the island of St. Barthelemy, another little piece of France in the Caribbean Sea, just a horrible Palazzone, sciaguratamente built on narrow strip of land that divides the sea from Oyster Pond, significantly deforms the landscape.
Dawn Beach is located in an area normally beaten by the wind but today, fortunately, a pleasant breeze blows and we placed in the shade of a palm tree before you run a refresh of the waves. In front of us there is a 'barrier reef, just wearing the mask and fins and go in exploration: not bad ... Taking a few photos and go back to Frederick to accompany him in turn. There is fun and fine, so I think this will remain in place for the whole day.
Shortly after noon we stop and have lunch in the shade until it decreases the intensity of the sun, then move the "base camp" near water, in the most beautiful beach and we enjoy a unique bathroom: it seems to be in a pool, even if there is a strong current that will create some problems of stability, but at the same time, there massaging his sides with his incessant flow and offers a fun diversion after all.
Spend the whole afternoon relaxing, until the sun disappears over the mountains near us are behind you, then, calmly, to return.
When we present at the reception to pick up the keys, as often happens, tell us a little problem: nothing insurmountable, and even on the trip, only the restaurant remains closed on May Day (Workers Day) and will give us a voucher for food in a room outside the complex ... we are to laugh because we would have never imagined that this could happen. We leave the reception and, walking between the bungalows of the hotel, we meet the Lords of Modena, so tell all and they are surprised we do we have a laugh and a small discussion on the rhythms of Caribbean life, then we go in room.
Comes a call from Bruno (Viaggidea) I better explain the issue of the restaurant, because we have understood or explained evil because, according to official version, given the small number of guests, the restaurant will not be closed the first of May, but from May and, ultimately, we will have to eat out for four nights. Nothing wrong, but perhaps it will be an opportunity to spend time in a different way because this evening we go to dinner and almost immediately return to lie on our beds, thinking yes to beautiful day, but, ultimately, a po 'animation does not go amiss.

Even before the 7:00 sounds the alarm, we must be seen to Marigot by 8:30 ready to go up sull'imbarcazione who will lead us to Anguilla, where, at 9:00, we expect to accompany a Etienne Sandy groud and there, God willing, sail on to Sandy Island.
After breakfast we depart, but when we stop to do the usual routine of spending, Federico says, or at least seems to have somewhat of a bad ear. We terrorized behind and return to the front, so as to bring at least one backpack painkiller, then, conscious of the time lost, we run on the way to Marigot. Our race, however, is quickly slowed by a large truck that we can not overcome and bring before us for the entire journey.
Now it is impossible to take the ferry and, in fact, when we arrive at the port of this, regardless of our late, is slowly taking off. Resigned the following year we have to wait, so we come to Anguilla around 9:30, while Frederick says of feeling good and we raised it in search of our taxi driver. We find and, with the help of our imperfect English, we try to give a brief explanation, but there's time we go up on the taxi and depart, sent to Sandy Ground.
The situation is rather unusual, because we were able to quickly put an inhabitant of the Caribbean, and now almost Etienne is at risk of fines, but at least it served, and arrive at their destination when the boat has yet to take off.
It seems we are the only passengers, and then, after setting a price and time of return, climb aboard a small motorboat in the company of a man and a woman, or the managers of the local that is on ' island.
Are sufficient for around ten minutes by boat and when we are now nearing the goal I see on the horizon, the flat shape of the island, which should be a grove of palm trees, but there is not. Wonder where the girl is finished and I replied that if the last hurricane was taken away ... sin!
Just a few minutes and land on Sandy Island, a paradise that, this time, has the appearance of piles of white sand in the middle of the ocean, lapped by turquoise waters of incomparable beauty. In a very short time if they complete the lap and appears to be inside a sticker on the most classic of the islands from shipwrecks (which would have been perfect if there were even palm trees).
We are spoiled for choice, and we arranged with the sheets on the shore overlooking the tiny lagoon enclosed by coral reefs, while arriving and passing through a couple of catamarans with customers on board the space (which would certainly not open just for us).
The recall of quell'idilliaco of water is irresistible, and our response is not to wait before I am going to do snorkelig, and then Sabrina Federico. The bottom is very beautiful and we are really excited.
Around midday the room the girl is to ask ourselves whether we want to have lunch: the answer that eat our sandwiches in order to spend as much time as possible in this beautiful beach. Meanwhile, in the distance, a large Nuvolone leave its load of rain and leaves.
Time flies and long stay in water, so it is warm and pleasant, just an hour to go we are completely wet, and we change the costumes without the use of towels, because we were just us.
Starting at 15:00 leaving a piece of heart at Sandy Island, and when, shortly after, get your feet on the ground in the Sandy Ground, wait a few minutes and arrives Etienne, who, sinceratosi the success of the day, we then back to Blowing Point.
Go up on the ferry of 16:30 and salute the extraordinary island of Anguilla, which does not come back for the rest of the journey, then when landing at Marigot, just turn the road to the Little Key, where we stop to leave backpacks first going to Philipsbourg, the capital of the Netherlands, with which roads are being carried out the carnival, which is celebrated here in conjunction with the birthday of the queen.
Witnessing a 'parade of, vaguely reminiscent of the carnivals of Brazil mold, then we need to escape by car to repair because a storm breaks out and when it stops raining we go see the rest of the event, which, after all, has proved be a beautiful and original experience.
Almost 19:00 when we return, with the dark, in the hotel and I will stop at the reception to check the weather, which seems to be good until the end of the trip, then go for the last time for dinner in the restaurant of the Little Key and then, tired after the intense but unforgettable day, we will withdraw, to rest the limbs, with eyes still in the sweet vision of Sandy Island.

It should finally be the day of the much-desired trip by catamaran and we get up early to avoid the risk of losing it.
We are in perfect time and, after breakfast, we go by car to the nearby Anse Marcel where, at 9:00, should start the Scoobidoo (this is the name of the ship) to Prickly Pear, a small group of islands north of Anguilla.
We did not understand exactly where to start, but we're ahead of schedule and we look for in the most obvious: the marina. We lose a little 'time and did not find, then ask information at the reception of the nearby hotel. In fact it was not the right place and give us directions to the Meridien hotel pool, next to what should be the meeting place. In short we arrive and find a small kiosk paved with photographs and advertisements on several trips, but there is none, then, for the sake, cast your gaze towards the beach ... and I see the Scoobidoo who are taking the deep!
I start to run and, once arrived where beats the wave, a scream as I have breath in my throat, waving his arms, maybe someone will take me to crazy but I do not want to leave the boat to leave without us! Surplus, step by step, right into the water, and my cries are increasingly roche and the silhouette of the catamaran is increasingly remote, as well as the hopes of being able to stop it, then appears behind me a lady holding a transmitter. I understand now that can do something, so I explain that according to information in our possession we had to leave at 9:00 and there are still ten minutes. She warns him Scoobidoo radio and this, thankfully, reverses the route, then it appears like a mirage, a small inflatable boat that carries us on board.
The crew there is still amused by what happened, but we try to give a justification, in fact the real start was so determined to 8:30 but did not coincide with what we had been communicated to the reception of the Little Key. Show understanding and offer us a drink (a real boon for my poor throat), then we join the other passengers and finally take the deep ... but how much effort!
Still does not seem real to be on that boat that I saw inexorably away, but now we relax in the sun on the network that lies ahead, while below us flowing water as the blue ink, as if by magic, everything becomes more beautiful.
After rounding the western tip of Anguilla, we raise the sails and we continue in the direction of the islands that have appeared on the horizon, sailing on a calm sea as we had never seen so far, then, around 11:00 we enter into the lagoon Prickly Pear: a hymn to beauty, an explosion of blue-green in contrast with the deep blue of the sky and the blinding white beach.
The catamaran will stop a few dozen meters from the shore and we are equipped to go snorkelling in the surrounding reef is beautiful, teeming with fish of many colors that swim among beautiful coral conformations. We are long on that show, then swim to reach the beach, where we find our stuff in the meantime that have been transshipped.
It dried in the sun and then eat a good lunch in the shade of a small room, then go back on the beach and for more than an hour we literally enjoy the place.
To 14:30 and come back on board shortly Sailing, as indeed are the other boats, leaving, again, Prickly Pear in his innate loneliness and wonderful. Sail without haste and with the sole strength of the wind, while in Saint-Martin a raging storm, so now coming to "our" island, we follow a route that passes a little 'more off and landing at Anse Marcel avoiding the rain.
It 'was a memorable day and only now that it's over we are aware of what we would have lost if we had not managed to turn back the Scoobidoo.
Within minutes we arrive at the Little Key, and we prepare for dinner, not eat in the restaurant, but to close Cottonier, a room which is located on the main road to Cul de Sac.
It 'was a good dinner, apart from the price of water (four euros and fifty for a bottle!) And with us there were, of course, the lords of Modena, who salute before returning to the room, because tomorrow will return to Italy, leaving us, except the new arrivals, unique clients (migrants) of the restaurant.

Today not risk losing any ferry or catamaran, and we take a trinket from the sheets a little 'more than usual and, anyway, shortly after the 9:00 am sitting on board the Matiz our direct south.
We stop at the post of Orleans to purchase the stamps needed for the few cards we have decided to send ... and so far nothing strange, but apparently only because, in reality, is a story that has continued now for almost a week.
Those tiny, but vital, pieces of gummed paper, in fact, they are not, as usually happens, at any souvenir shop, but only precisely at a post office open at times absurd, never on Sundays and usually characterized by long tails, like the rest of today, but now we are at the end of the trip and we can not escape the torment, with the result of sending smoke into forty minutes of valuable time. In the end, a little 'disappointed, but with the stamps in hand, we return to the streets and reach Philipsbourg, the capital of the Dutch part of Saint Martin.
Walk along the streets of the city center, which are not anything special if you exclude any particular architecture that recalls the mother country, in addition to a vast range of shops-trap for tourists disembarked from the many cruise ships passing through. One of these stores has a ridiculous name: "Little Switzerland" and we feel completely out of place!
Now let accaldati also Philipsbourg facing traffic chaos, characterized by long queues due solely to disarming tranquility with which the local drive, then continue along the south coast of the island and come close to the airport, to Maho Beach.
The beach is not too good, is famous for its place in the immediate vicinity of the landing runway, so aircraft arriving almost literally the first to lay the wheel on the ribbon of asphalt. We take a few striking images, then, around 13:00, we start looking for a place more beautiful and less noisy place to spend the rest of the day.
We return from the French side of Saint Martin and reach Baie Longue, a bell'arenile beaten by some of too wave and characterized by La Samanna, one of the most exclusive hotel on the island.
Mount the curtain and, before lunch, giving us a refreshing bath, then in the afternoon, while Sabrina is not too good and perhaps a little accuses' the blow suffered by the heat in the morning, I go with Richard for a walk up to 'eastern end of the bay, where we find a portion of the sea calm and very attractive, so that does not resist the temptation and we dived into the water.
At our return Sabrina is slightly better, so we spend the time to laze pleasantly while the little drawing game with a sprig on bagnasciuga until the sun goes down on the horizon turning the magic colors of the sunset, then we collect all our things and take the road's where we come, with the dark, around 19:00.
We are preparing to leave and go to dinner, so, in return, we can not help but notice the look of almost spectral Little Key, virtually empty and the lights, soft, reduced to a minimum: it does not impress us, but soon reach the world of dreams and we forget.

We stand up, as usual, with the rays of the sun room invaded by filtering through the curtains squint is still a beautiful day and it seems far away, now, that first day with all those Nuvoloni to spoil the party, but then, from then, we have always "danced" on land and at sea, leaving out little or nothing, as it is right that, as the holiday draws to a close.
There is little to see and, after breakfast, we start to reach the last resort that probably deserves our attention. So we go to Oriental Bay, the most tourist facilities on the island, which is perhaps precisely for this reason does not satisfy us, with all those umbrellas and bar that stuck to one another to disfigure the landscape, which otherwise would have been quite thing.
But our goal is to another, because we want to achieve Green Cays, a desert island which lies a few hundred meters away from the shore, so we agree with a person of color for this transfer and, shortly afterwards, shows a large jet making a sign to go up. Un po 'perplexed, but above all believe in this way, the wet from head to toe, let the line, so clumsy in the attempt to do so, and I slip bath seriously, with the backpack on your shoulder that, fortunately, is relatively impermeable to save the contents.
Even in a minute we are, safely, on the island, with certainty, at this point, he had tried all means of water possible and, apart from perhaps the submarine.
The place at first glance does not seem exceptional (the rest, after all we have seen so ...), and we give the set back for 13:00. The beach is in fact a tiny tongue of moist sand in which we make the system before half bath water is too low and relatively rugged backdrop melmoso.
Spend time doing some nice Pagura prisoners, who at the end of the game, again free if they come back, staggering, among them rocks, and then go away, first alone then with Frederick, to make an exploratory tour of the island and come back with some large shells that we certainly take as souvenirs, have lunch and finally arrived just after our man to retrieve: a new race on the water and, in short, we find ourselves Baie Oriental.
We have no intention to stay in this beach, so there we go, and after a brief pause to make some purchases at a flea market along the road, we reach for the second time, Down Beach. The place was like us and decide to spend the rest of the day, even if today ALISEO blows strong and the sea is very angry, so much so that Frederick is not asking either for swimming, but plays all the time with the sand, while we enjoy the warm rays of the sun.
Around 17:00, with calm, take the road of the Little Key, with the magnificent colors prior to sunset to frame and characterize the landscape, which moves us still, despite drawing to an end of breathing air holiday, then in the evening, we return to dine at Cottonier, where we are offered a very good dish of spaghetti, which, like good Italians, we show to accept, finally, for a change, let's go back in the room to relax on our beds in short sleep takes its upwind and silence reigns supreme.

E 'on the morning of the last day that pass entirely in Saint Martin, so, now satisfied with the outcome rather than the positive vacancy, we decide to go to a place on the island that we had particularly liked. We went the first day of real sunshine, that same sun that since then there has been abandoned, and we were ecstatic: it Ilet Pinel, that little strip of land located at the center of the bay which is located opposite the Little Key, and just beyond the glass of our window.
About Us pier for the boats when there are still the boatmen company and we are only two other tourists, then, around 10:00 taking the deep and in a few minutes landings on the island.
Sistema our stuff in the shade of palm trees and run immediately to make a long, relaxing bath, then we stop the sun to dry and before lunch, all together, go snorkeling, so healthy, ideally, the cute and colorful fishes of Saint Martin.
We are immersed in our tropical dream for some time, between games and crystal clear water baths, but time passes and relentless in men who do not tell you the time to go, so, sorry but at the same time happy, go up, at 16:30, available on the boat and, in short, we are the Little Key.
It 'too early to conclude the day, then we stop at the edge of the pool and give the opportunity to do that Federico bathroom that required, with insistence, already for some time, but it is abnormal and an afternoon at 17:30, well before Usually, we collect in the room for a shower and to begin with, unfortunately, to reorganize the suitcases.
Slipped away, quietly, even the last and the last evening meal in Cottonier then, this time a good reason, we go to sleep, in fact, tomorrow, we expected a long and exhausting day of return to Italy.

Let us wake up early enough so you can spend a few hours of pleasant seaside life, before facing the long journey home, and even before the 9:00 we are on the edges of the pool, lying on beds, to forfeit the last warm rays of the Caribbean sun.
I make a bath in the small company, then I go to deliver the car and settle up with the back and go down again in water, but time flies and without it there can be accountable are 11:00 am, so let them settle in the room and rearrange the latest things.
Meanwhile, on the phone, comes good news: the sample is Juventus of Italy for the twenty-sixth time! Exult and pulling out of the bag to put bianconero hat with pride, the head of Frederick, which will take him, perhaps, for the duration of the trip.
We make a snack, sit at a table on the veranda, in front of our eyes, even for once, the magnificent panorama of the bay with, in the middle, the Ilet Pinel, then leave the room and reach, suitcases in hand, the reception.
Arrives immediately, even in advance, the van that will accompany us to the airport, then climb aboard and salute the Little Key, which will inevitably leave behind. Crossing the island, passing through Marigot and half an hour later, around 13:00, we are ready for Juliana Airport to check-in.
Embark luggage and we put ourselves in line to pass through the metal detector, a long line at the end of which, to get green light, I almost have to strip, and most have asked me to completely empty the bag to identify the best content, that did not appear clear to the x-rays. Luckily Sabrina and Richard do not have the same problems and, after some vicissitudes, finally reach the waiting room where we will have to remain for almost two hours.
Shortly after 15:00 we board the flight Af 3661 and about an hour later, at 16:15, the Air France Airbus A300 takes off at a time in Europe.
Will be needed, of course, the same eight hours long journey to travel and fortunately today, as then, every seat of the plane is equipped with TV and video games: excellent tools to deceive the time. Meanwhile dinner, while the plane flies decided to meet at sunset, so we can see through the porthole, the darkness take over: Synchronizing the clocks on the time zone of destination and in the blink of an eye the midnight mark.

Fly at an altitude of 11,200 meters, and our speed is just under 1000 kilometers per hour, we approximately 6700 kilometers and a handful of hours a night devoured, so while flying over the English Channel, are the first of lights' alba and below us there is a vast expanse of clouds. The weather is bad in Paris and landed at 6:26, looking at land to no more than two hundred meters high. No rain, but the temperature is only seven degrees and there are the chills thinking in Saint Martin.
Landings and we put ourselves in search of the terminal from which the aircraft will depart for Bologna. We did not hurry, because the take-off is between four hours long and the biggest problem is how to pass the time, especially if you, like us, upset by the time zone.
Reach the terminal "D" completed the formalities of shipment, and there we sat waiting in the waiting room. Next to us there is a nasty ceffo Arab and returns us immediately to mind the September 11, but, fortunately, it sailed on board for Malpensa, while we, after a long leave, go up on the flight Az 365 an Md-80 Alitalia, apparently, not too new.
Detached from the ground at 11:00, with almost half an hour late, and few minutes later we are on top of an immense "ocean of whipped cream, then in the Alps near the clouds begin to dissolve and in sight of the sun shines Bologna .
Felsinea landed at the airport at 12:29 p.m. and return to support the foot on Italian soil, and then withdraw, safely, and leave your luggage from the arrivals gate in the distance, noting that the grandparents, as usual, we have come to take . Frederick runs the meeting and affectionately embraces them, then, all together, c'incamminiamo toward the exit.
On the way back on the motorways, chat telling the most varied and outdoor adventures throughout our satisfaction at the success of the holiday, while the ribbon of asphalt runs beneath the wheels of the camper and in less than an hour we are in front of the house: the 14:11.
It 'been a wonderful journey that began not so wonderfully well finished but we were expecting so much from Saint Martin and Anguilla, but they have surprised us more than any rosy forecast (especially eels), and usually when things are in these terms can only lead to an extraordinary and unforgettable holiday, certainly at the top of a hypothetical top-ten, that maybe one day we take care to draw.