The Yeager's: Anguilla 2012

Anguilla ( /æŋˈɡwɪlə/ ang-gwil-ə) is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin. The territory consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, approximately 26 km (16 mi) long by 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no permanent population. The island's capital is The Valley. The total land area of the territory is 91 km² (35 sq mi),^[3] with a population of approximately 13,500 (2006 estimate). - Wikipedia

We had an incredible vacation to Anguilla! I would say it was a trip of a lifetime (but I hope I get to go back someday, soon!) It is beautiful and a blessing to spend time with my family in this paradise.

Our trip started out slightly rocky...

LOST LUGGAGE: We arrived at the airport bright an early for our early morning flight on Continental. Arriving in plenty of time to get checked in for International Travel, this ticket desk was having issues. They couldn't get their printers to print luggage tags so the Continental agent had to manually make some. They didn't have any, so they asked the United Agent for some. I knew at this time that our luggage would not make it. I watched them write out our final destination AXA on the tags but knew in my heart they wouldn't get there. I even asked the agent again while boarding the plane and she assured me that they would arrive.

We land in Houston and I go to the ticket counter and ask the agent if she could tell if our luggage made it and would get on the flight to San Juan. She had no idea.

hours

We arrive in San Juan and we will be taking a charter plane called Cape Air to Anguilla. I ask the Cape Air agent about our luggage. They delay our flight for over an hour (causing us to get in much later) waiting and searching for our luggage. They cannot even locate it in the system. Mean while, I have the baggage claim tags that say United and random numbers (that are not in a computer system to locate). After multiple attempts to locate our luggage using the Continental Agents in San Juan we are given zero assistance because our bags are not at their final destination. We know good and well that there is one flight a day from Houston to San Juan and one flight leaving from San Juan to Anguilla. We are 100 % confident that our luggage will not be waiting for us in Anguilla and that Anguilla does not have a Continental agent, much less any agents other than custom officials to assist us once we are there. We have to board the plane to Anguilla and arrive late to the island. There is nothing open and our cab driver takes us to the store he conveniently owns where we purchase basic necessities such as tooth brushes and

diapers. His daughter gives me her own personal bottle of contact solution. We finally make it to the hotel have dinner, get the kids down and I get on the phone with Continental. For over three paying international calling rates I am transferred back and forth with 30 plus minute wait times to Continental and United. I am told its not Continental's problem our tags say United, we flew on Continental! I explain over and over again what happened. No one will even help. I am told to contact Cape Air in Anguilla, once again there is no agent! No one will help me find my bags, no one will look for them, no one will accept responsibility, there is no way of tracking 5 bags!

We wake up the next morning and after several calls (International Rates apply and 30 plus minute wait times) I finally get to Arthur who finally listens to me and gets to work searching for 5 bags sitting somewhere. Sure enough he finds them in the stationary (where bags with no place to go are sent) in Houston. He assures me he will get them on the one and only flight out to San Juan. I get a reference number! Finally! We travel around the Island in search of swimsuits, more necessities, floaties, etc. I spend way too much on new swimsuits for the kids (An adorable name brand smocked swimsuit would be less!) I spend most of the rest of the day following our luggage. I call the extremely nice and helpful Cape Air agents in San Juan to have them be on the look out. This very small Cape Air flight has weight restrictions. You and your baggage including carry on's are weighed prior to getting on. I am prepared to barter and have the agents go through our stuff to get some luggage here! This is again the only flight out. Finally around 6pm I am assured by the Cape Air agent (bless them!) that my luggage all 5 pieces are on the Cape Air flight. Despite a few custom issues at the airport Stuart successfully retrieves our luggage and by 8pm that night we have our belongings.

CAP JULUCA - Known as one of the World's Premier Resorts, a five star and quite pricey resort we were very disappointed. It probably was at one time the best resort but is now, well in need of a face lift. We later found out that the owners and the government are fighting about it, it is not doing well financially and is not being "maintained" because no one wants to put the money into it because they don't know what is going to happen to it. It is by no means bad, just not what you would expect for price. You are not getting what you are paying for. The beaches are the most beautiful I have ever seen but service and is lacking as well. Our villa was nice but not exactly conducive to our family with all single access to each room. While I enjoyed hearing the ocean (especially without our sound machines) the doors would open and slam shut. There were a few other issues and we just weren't happy. We decided to check out the newest property on the Island and literally fell in love at first sight. We went back to our villa at CJ, checked out and moved to a much much much nicer villa at the Vicaroy. We loved everything about the Vicaroy and it was well worth the move.

Our trip just took off from there. We spent days in the sun enjoying the white sandy beaches, picking up sea shells, swimming in the pools, watching sunsets, relaxing, and eating at some wonderful places. We hit the spa, took a day trip to Scilly Cay Island for Crayfish and Lobster, a day trip to St. Maartin for sightseeing and shopping. I love everything about this island! Anguilla has fabulous restaurants, friendly people, and is stunning! The kids were fabulous! Despite lost luggage and travel times they are amazing. We traveled nearly 18 hours to get home and I have to say, we are so blessed. They had a blast too! All good things have to come to an end but we hope to see Anguilla again very soon! Thank you Mimi and Pops for giving us this opportunity and creating memories that we will never forget.

We had golf carts to get us from the Villa to the main part of the hotel. Hannah was our "official" driver the whole trip! The kids loved the golf cart and Hannah loved driving it. One morning Hannah came upstairs where we were sleeping and told me Hudson was outside. I woke up confused. "Where outside? By the pool? How did he get outside" she said, "Outside by the golf cart" I jumped out of bed and ran downstairs to find Hudson outside by the golf cart key in his hand! Hannah says he went out there while she was still asleep. No telling how long he was out there! Mr. Independent decided he was going someone. All by himself. We had to put a bench in front of the door for the remainder of trip before we went to bed.

Anguilla is Brittish and as part of the Queen's Jubilee, Prince Harry is traveling (by Yacht) around to all the Brittish Islands. He happened to visit Anguilla while we were there. His yacht sailed right past us (while we were sleeping) and we didn't drive over to where it was anchored. We didn't hear much about his visit and didn't even turn on a TV while on vacation to watch the news. His visit was low key but non the less exciting to be within a few miles of royalty!