The in-the-know blogger of all things Anguilla, Nori Evoy (her Facebook page Anguilla Beaches has over 30,000 followers), graciously offered to join me out for a night on the town to explore Anguilla. After jetting into Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Martin, I hopped on the Funtime Charter Boats and Sea Shuttle Service for the quick 20 minute jaunt out to Anguilla. Nori picked me up at my hotel in Anguilla that evening and, after exchanging excited hellos, we headed to Barrel Stay, a swanky on-the-beach restaurant offering a mix of gourmet fish and meat options. I sampled the tasty tuna tartar special and she tried the shrimp special, all the while learning about Nori, who grew up in Montreal but has been living in Anguilla full-time for the past four years. After our tasty appetizers, we headed to Roy's Bayside Grill, a rustic beachside restaurant full of character, where neither of us could resist ordering the fish and chips (it's a house specialty) which were light and flaky and didn't disappoint. Roy's son-in law, Patrick, who runs the restaurant alongside his wife Claire, swung by the table to say hello. We talked about my love of rum, with Patrick suggesting that I try the Kraken Black Spiced Rum that they offer (it was amazing!). It's fairly typically for the owners of restaurants in Anguilla to mingle with customers and I couldn't help but love the personal touch and local feel it gave the place.
We next headed to the nightlife in Sandy Ground. The Pumphouse and Elvis' Beach Bar are Nori's two go-to places for nightlife (and conveniently located diagonally across from one another) so we checked them both out. Lively, with a mix of locals and tourists, we drank beachside at Elvis', and danced to the live band at The Pumphouse, all the while sipping their signature Pumphouse rum punch. "Good choice" Nori told me approvingly after I placed my drink order.
Everywhere we went throughout the night, people know and love Nori. And she loves them. "People here are warm and welcoming and genuine. They don't do things out of self-interest; they mean what they do. There is a sense of community here." I asked her if she knows almost everyone on the island (there are approximately 13,000 people living on-island) and she tells me that she does. "It's hard to meet someone you don't know who lives here. And what's great about that is that I always feel safe wherever I go; it gives me a sense of security."
It was evident from hanging out with Nori that she feels very connected to Anguilla ("my favorite part about Anguilla is that it feels like home"), is bright and passionate, and wants to preserve Anguilla ("some perceived eye sores that are being taken down are part of the charm and character of Anguilla"). She lives with her three dogs and family in Anguilla and loves to surf at the beautiful beaches. She is also a favorite fixture at the local spots, visiting with her customers and looking for new insider tips and recommendations for visitors, for everything from restaurants to lodging to investing in real estate. Her blog is a homegrown operation with passion and heart behind it, full of personal stories and antidotes.
The night is coming to an end. Naturally, I ask Nori for a tip on what I should do the next day. "Go to Meads Bay, have lunch and spend the day at the beach." I tell her that sounds like a perfect day. Having had a great time liming (yes, I feel oh so cool using the local lingo), we hug goodbye and I head home, having felt like a true local for the night.