You Must Visit These Caribbean Islands January 8, 2010
Posted by Emily in : Islands, Saba, Thoughts , trackbackThis is the year my parents and David’s parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
They got married on the SAME DAY. SAME YEAR. SAME TEMPLE. (Just a few hours apart.)
This is an absolute coincidence, of course. They met after David and I were engaged.
With these big events coming up later this year, both of our families have started to talk about how to celebrate.
My sister-in-law threw out the idea of going on a Caribbean Cruise (Which actually sounds exciting now. When you live in the Caribbean, taking a cruise there doesn’t sound that fun because you already live there.) and started to mention cruise lines since she has taken a couple of cruises.
David and I immediately started to talk about destinations because, well, we’re sort of like locals in that respect.
As honorary Caribbeans, (a title I bestowed upon ourselves after living there for 2 1/2 years and birthing our first baby down there) we explained the ins and outs and whereabouts of the islands. Where to go, what to avoid, and what is a MUST SEE.
You might also be an honorary Caribbean if:
- You can say the number “three” with the correct accent
- You know what and when “Old Night” is
- You can spout out by heart the exact dates of hurricane season
- You can name the islands in the Dutch West Indies, French West Indies, and independent islands without googling them
- You know what it means when you’re told, “The boat didn’t come in”
- You know which language is official, and which one is predominent for each island
- You know which islands are bathing suit optional (so you can avoid them or join the party)
- You know how much your life can be turned upside down if the winds are too strong
- You know the dates of “peak” season and “off season”
- You know what it means to “make eight”
(Any further suggestions from honorary or actual residents of the Caribbean are certainly welcome in the comment section.)
David and I miss the Caribbean SO MUCH. I especially miss it over the holiday season. I love seeing fireworks from neighboring islands on New Year’s eve and enjoying the perfect Caribbean weather this time of year.
So . . . it is my duty as an “honorary Caribbean” to tell you about the two islands you must see. (Please note: the images in this post are from travel websites, they are not my own images.)
First, if you have money to burn, you MUST, MUST, MUST go to Saint Barths.
Did I say MUST? I mean HAVE TO or you will regret it for the rest of your life!
See, I obviously regret that we didn’t make it over to Saint Barths (which I could see from my kitchen window) while we lived on Saba. But, since we were medical students when we lived there, it is very safe to say that we didn’t have any extra money to burn.
We’ll be going back because Saint Barths is calling my name! Not like today, or tomorrow, or even next week, but when we’re old and super wrinkly and have finally paid off medical school, we’ll be there with bells on. And since I’ll be so old by that time, I probably won’t care how much sun I get and who sees my jiggling old lady legs.
Next, you MUST, MUST, MUST go to Anguilla.
Not optional. It is a MUST. If you miss this beauty, then it’s like your visit to the Caribbean is null and void and you should ask for you money back.
Obviously, Saba and Sint Maarten are “MUST SEE” as well, but I won’t take time to mention them here because it’s like a no brainer. My entire blog from Jan ‘07 to April ‘08 is about these two islands.
Book your Caribbean vacation now!
Comments»
…and I thought my FIL teaching Seminary to my mother in highschool was a coincidence. WOW!!
I have to agree with you, however St. Kitts is also a must see. Loved all the history, and the beauty there.
Oh and by the way, I can say Three like a native.
Ill take a ticket now please!!
OK, so I know everything except what it means to “make eight” and what and when “Old Night” is. HELP! Google has failed me.
“Making Eight” is a term used instead of saying, “I just turned eight.” Also, Old Night is the equivalent of “New Years Eve” to us!
I must be an honorary Carribbean. I was on Joan & Raymond Hassell’s deck on Old Night 2005. I had just arrived on island a few days earlier…
St. John, U.S.V.I…………….don’t need a passport, no airport – ferry access only, beautiful island!!!!
I know hurricane season from living in Louisiana which (sadly) isn’t nearly as exciting as knowing it from living in the Carribbean. And now I so badly want to go…