We made the overnight crossing to Anguilla on Wednesday night, the 16th of March. For the past three days we’ve been unwinding and relaxing (along with a little work). On Thursday morning we dropped anchor in Road Bay, the main harbour for clearing in on Anguilla. After a two hour nap, we dinghied in to the town dinghy dock and cleared customs and immigration, a quick and painless process. It cost us all of $23.00 to clear into Anguilla. Afterwards, we had lunch at Elvis’ Beach Bar and Grill. We then returned to the boat for the evening. I don’t know if it is the fact that we’re moving closer and closer to the equator or if it is just that spring is nearly upon us, but the mid-day sun is getting hotter. We took a dip into the turquoise waters just behind the boat to cool off. Later, we watched the latest James Bond flick, Sceptre.

This pooch was having a hard time burying his coconut in the sand at Elvis’ Beach Bar.

Our view from Elvis’ Beach Bar

Cindy along the road behind the beach at Road Bay. There is a salt pond to the left which was operative for around 400 years (up until the 1960s).

A refreshing dip off the back of Beatitude

Diving into the beautiful water from Beatitude’s deck

Chillin’ on the trampolines

A turtle visitor in the water near Beatitude

Sunset Day 1

On Friday, we took Dalí into lunch again, this time dining at the Dolce Vita, a very nice Italian restaurant right on the beach. The panini were very good. The setting was fantastic. When we returned to Beatitude, we jumped into the water once again to cool off. Then, I dug out all my financial records from 2015 in order to do my income taxes. I’ve used Turbo Tax for the last ten years or more and I am using it this year as well. As much as I had been dreading doing my taxes, the whole process was fairly painless. My taxes were a little more complicated this year seeing how I was an employee up until April and an independent contractor afterwards. But, it all went well and my greatest fears were not realized — owing a lot of extra taxes from my eight months as a locums physician. The bottom line came in much lower than I had feared. Thank God! To celebrate, we enjoyed a rum runner and watched the excellent Tom Hanks movie, Bridge of Spies. It was great. I’d highly recommend it.

Our view from Dolce Vita

Virtually every restaurant in the islands comes with the requisite hens, roosters, and chicks

Walking back from the Dive Shop

Looking down the beach toward the dinghy dock to which Dalí is tied.

Cindy on Sandy Ground Beach (Road Bay)

Sunset Day 2

Today, Saturday, the 19th, I went scuba diving in the morning. We dove a reef on the first dive and a wreck on the second. At some point, video will be forthcoming. Cindy drove the dinghy in to drop me off, returned to the boat, and returned to pick me up. This was her first time handling Dalí on her own. I’m proud of her! The diving was great and I look forward to diving again while here. Upon returning to Beatitude, we hurriedly changed and dinghied in to pick up our rental car. We rented it for a couple of days, one reason for which was to drive into church on Sunday. We went for a drive and got a little lost on the island, finally ending up at Rendezvous Bay on the south side of the island. We had burgers on the beach at Coconuts Beach Bar and Grill. Everywhere you turn on this island is a gorgeous white sand beach and turquoise waters. After hanging out at Coconuts, we drove the length of the island to the eat end, passing through the capital, The Valley, along the way. We found an Anglican Church to attend tomorrow morning. Finally, we returned to Road Bay and revisited Elvis’ for snacks and drinks and wifi.

Gives a new meaning to watching for kids playing in the road

Saturday in Anguilla — and all the kids are out playing in the water off the dinghy dock

Cindy, taking Dalí back to Beatitude after dropping me off for diving

Barry on the dive boat leaving the bay (pointing toward Beatitude and Cindy, who is taking the picture.)

Our view from Coconut’s Beach Bar and Grill

From Coconuts, looking out into Rendezvous Bay

Looking down onto Road Bay Anchorage (Beatitude is the 4th from the left)