Anguilla
Anguilla - not to be confused with the fish or the wrestling maneuver - is a small Caribbean island that is officially a British Overseas Territory. It is home to just over 15,000 people, all of whom probably own a pair of shorts.
The island is renowned for its beaches, which are so pristine that they could be used to sell sand to the Sahara. The sand is so white that it’s been known to blind unsuspecting tourists, who quickly learn that it’s safer to look out to sea than to look down at their feet.
The locals speak a charmingly fluid blend of English and Caribbean patois, which can be roughly translated as “Hey mon, pass me a rum punch and some fried plantains, you know what I’m sayin’?”
Anguilla is also known for its cuisine. The national dish is a hearty goat stew, which is believed to have been first introduced by the island’s slave population. The island also boasts an impressive array of seafood, including snapper, mahi-mahi and lobster - all of which are served with a side of rice and peas, which is the Caribbean equivalent of fish and chips.
Despite its small size, Anguilla has produced a number of notable figures over the years. These include sprinter Zharnel Hughes, who once ran so fast that he left his shadow behind, and singer Bankie Banx, whose catchy reggae tunes have been known to cause spontaneous outbreaks of joy.
In conclusion, Anguilla may be small, but it’s mighty in its beauty, culture, and cuisine. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to kick off your shoes, sink your toes into the sand, and let out a hearty “Island time, mon!”