CARIBBEAN KISSES

Caribbean beaches are kind of like kisses from your lover; they are all wonderful, but some are breathtaking!

Years ago (pre-Internet), doing “beach” research was very slow and difficult.  One had to rely heavily upon a good Travel Agent.  The Internet, however, has changed everything.  Now you can spend a few hours doing your own research online.  You can see pictures.  You can read reviews.  You can watch videos.  But even these tools can fail.  Online reviews are not completely reliable.  Pictures can be cropped and / or enhanced.  Sometimes you have to look for that which the masses of tourists cannot see.  Sometimes you have to follow your instincts.    Sometimes, like that perfect kiss, it takes “feeling”. 

I have been spending some time Googling “beaches” on the islands which we visit on our upcoming cruise.   Up ‘til now I had not been having much success.  I was not “feeling” it.  And then, late this afternoon, I might just have found that perfect kiss.  Soft, unhurried, beautiful, and away from the hoards of cruise ship passengers.

“Where?”, you ask.  On Antigua.  “Valley Church Beach”.  I’ve got a good feeling about this one.   

Reason Number 1:  According to online information, it is typically not recommended by the taxi drivers.  This is good… very good.  Places recommended by taxi drivers are often packed with tourists.  I suspect that taxi drivers get kick-backs from the businesses to bring tourists to their locations.  The result: Recommended beaches will be crowded.  This means that getting beach chairs and an umbrella may be impossible.  Also, big crowds can mean lots of vendors trying to sell you stuff.  This can be a hassle.  “Valley Church Beach” is conveniently located adjacent to the “recommended” Jolly Beach Resort, which should mean that we will get all of the benefits of a beautiful beach harbor without the hassles.  This puts it in the “Win” column.

Number 2: It is about a twenty minute taxi ride from the ship.  Actually this is perfect for a couple of reasons.  It is far enough away that you have time to disconnect from the ship… you can get out of your “ship head” and into your “Ahhhhh… beach… head”.  But it is not so far away that you waste a bunch of time getting to and from.  You should not underestimate how important this can be.  Additionally, it provides an opportunity to “see” the Island.   One more, not to be overlooked benefit, is that it shouldn’t be unreasonably expensive to get there and back. 

This reminds me of another thing… Never mind.  I will put up separate post about “Island Transportation”.

Number 3: It has a beach bar / café.  The important word is “a”, as in one (1).  This is good.  I have access to drinks, perhaps a little bit of food, rest rooms, and maybe a shower to rinse off the salt water.  I don’t need anything more than that.  This is bad because lots of demand and little supply can mean higher prices.  However, my experience has found this not to be a major issue.  I would much rather have to deal with an over priced burger, than to have to put up with a dozen noisy beach bars, loud music, stray volley balls and / or Frisbees.

Indeed, “Valley Church Beach” may very well be a place that we need to visit… a perfect beach kiss.  We shall see.