The Valley, an Expanding Capital
Since tourism began, the Valley (500 pop.) evolved from a small village to a small city, with banks, shops and commercial centers. Young women use dresses, bought at the Parisian style boutiques of St. Martin, according to the prevailing mode. Though people drive British style, on the left side, you’ll find many American cars. 

In the road to Crocus Bay is the National Museum (opened from Monday to Friday, entrance fee) founded jointly by the Anguilla National Trust and the Anguilla Archaeological & Historical Society. Here, you can see the history of the island until the revolution, there are also lots of Amerindians tools. There is also a national history section. The Anguilla National Trust performs a decisive role in the preservation of the island’s fauna and flora.

The Archaeological & Historical Society (Phone 497-5297) launches (every Tuesday at 10:00 h.) a visit around the most ancient buildings of the city.
If you go south to Sandy Ground you’ll find Wallblake House, a colonial style mansion from 1787, therefore, the oldest in the island. Stone blocks from East End and the island of Scrub were brought to build it. The mortar used was prepared mixing coral, shells and molasses. Actually a catholic priest from St Gerard’s lives there, a little church is next to the house.

Following the same route is Old House, built around 1800 and residence of the successive magistrates named by the British crown. This wooden, two story building has being restored and painted in green; inside there is an art gallery and a restaurant of Caribbean food dishes, as well as bread cooked in an original brick stove.

A Salt Legacy
Anguilla was known for years, thanks to the salt coming from the many mines around. At the end of this white sand harbor, looking like a horseshoe, is Pumphouse Bar, an old salt factory, and that currently hosts a small museum exhibiting history of the salt tradition of the island. Nearby is Johnno’s, a beach bar considered one of the best in the Caribbean; on weekends offers music concerts

Here you can take a ferry that, in less than five minutes, will leave you at the island of Sandy, a deserted island, with the exception of a bar on the beach, at 3 km. from the coast. Not so long ago, palm trees covered it, but hurricane Luis destroyed them. There are also coral reefs around and in the Prickly Pear’s keys, were divers can explore an incredible submarine canyon.

Beautiful Beaches
Anguilla beaches attract many visitors each year. If you go to the west coast you’ll find many lonely white sandy beaches. At 5 km. from Sandy Bay is Meads Bay, very popular and usually visited by millionaires and movie stars. Southeast is the peaceful beach of Shoal Bay West and Rendezvous, with huge waves, ideal for windsurfing, and with a fabulous view of St. Martin.

5 km. north of The Valley is Shoal Bay East, ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Here you can practice windsurfing, diving or relax laying on the smooth white sand. Nearby is Fountain Cavern, used by the Amerindians for their religious rituals in honor of their god Johacu. Inside the cavern there is a water spring; next to it, recently, were discovered some petroglifos wonderfully preserved, next to a stalactite more than 2000 year old, carved like a human head (Johacu’s head). Meanwhile, the cavern is closed to public, though the administration intends to turn it into the first national park of the island, including a museum.

Navigation, the National Passion
Harbour Island, 8 km. north, is a small fishermen village with ships, painted with joyful colors, lining up in the sand beach. Fishing has always been a flourishing activity in Anguilla. Native fishermen capture lots of lobsters to be exported to St. Martin, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. After a day of work in the sea, boats return loaded with fish, which are, many times, sold on the same beach. Ironically, many of them, Seventh’s day Adventists, have never tasted the delicious lobster because their religion forbids eating seafood.

At present all boats have motors, but in the past they counted only with wind power. At that time, fishermen challenged each other to see who was the first arriving back home, which explains the passion of this island for boats race, not even exceeded by cricket. In August, during the carnival week, everybody goes to watch and bet for the boats taking part in the regatta races that take place in front of the coasts of Sandy Ground, Meads Bay, Blowing Point and Rendezvous.

We love Britain
The rivalry between St. Kitts and Anguilla started after the British Government decided, in 1825 to merge both islands, and Nevis into one colony. The people of Anguilla felt insulted by the St. Kitts government, which, almost never, helped them during the long droughts. Anguilla begged London the direct ruling from Britain over their island. However, in 1967 Britain decided the definitive merge of the three islands, creating the Associated State of St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla. This was the cause of an up rise with shouts of “we don’t want the state, we want Britain”. During the revolt, thirteen St. Kitts policemen assigned in Anguilla, were captured and sent on a boat floating adrift, whilst eighteen Anguilla natives planned an attack against St. Kitts, which ended in failure. Until then, Anguilla was a poor and underdeveloped country, with high unemployment and lacking electricity and drinking water. St. Kitts Administration continued with their selfish attitude, and Britain never considered Anguilla’s claims. That’s why their own Administration was launched. Finally, in March 1969, 400 British parachuters, soldiers and policemen invaded Anguilla, where they were received with open arms; Anguilla was British again. Today, the revolution is still present in the memory of the islanders, being celebrated each year.