WhereToStay.com, the internet’s oldest Caribbean accommodation guide, recently launched a fan-based promotion encouraging more activity on 3 social networks. Users who “Like” Caribbean Villas and Hotels on Facebook, “Add” WhereToStay.com to their Google+ circle or “Subscribe” to their channel on YouTube will be entered in the “Villa Stay Giveaway”. Joining each of these 3 social networks gives you 3 chances to win a 5-night stay at Meads Bay Beach Villas in Anguilla.

“We know people are spending a bunch of time on social networks. We’re just hoping, while they’re there, they will find us. And we’re giving them an incentive to do just that!” said WhereToStay.com’s Marketing Manager, Andrew Macafee.

The winner will be announced on April 25th 2012. Visit WhereToStay.com’s Facebook page for official rules.

About WhereToStay.com
WhereToStay.com was the first website to allow travelers the ability to post reviews. In 1995, long before most other travel sites were around, W2S saw the power of letting travelers share their experiences with each other. What started as a review site has transformed over the last 15 years into a comprehensive Caribbean guide. WhereToStay.com’s island experts focus most of their time on villa and hotel rentals, but have first-hand knowledge of the islands they represent. That information is translated onto the website through tabs directing users “Where to Stay,” “What to Do” and “Where to Eat”. The site also offers interactive maps, videos, pictures and of course travelers’ reviews. It’s a one-stop-shop with everything you need to know before you go on a Caribbean vacation!

About Meads Bay Beach Villas
Meads Bay Beach Villas are situated directly on picturesque Meads Bay, Anguilla – one of the top-rated beaches in the Caribbean. This villa operates like a boutique hotel with personalized service, within a private setting. The luxurious 2-bedroom home has beautifully appointed interiors, 2 ensuite baths plus a ½ bath, its own pool and daily maid service. Amenities also include beach chairs, beach towels, beach umbrellas, high-speed wireless internet access and flat-screen TV’s.

For more information on Meads Bay Beach Villas, go to http://www.meadsbaybeachvillas.com/

I’ve written about this artist before, one of the legends of the Caribbean, but this video pretty much sums up what he and his energy is all about. Bankie Banx, from the island of Anguilla, has been singing his brand of folk reggae around the Caribbean and the world for more than 30 years.

Why am I writing about Banx again? I’ve received quite a few emails lately about island music and what songs would make a great Caribbean vacation playlist. Of coarse I’m going to say Buffett, Chesney, Mishka, Marley, Zac Brown, Boat Drunks…there’s a bunch. But if you want some real island sound you need to look at Bankie Banx. He’s been doing it for so long and has been doing it so right. Tons of articles have been written and countless minutes have been recorded of him and his band performing. What can I do to spread the word, I don’t know. All I know is he’s on my island mix and I want to share it with you.

Here’s a great video of Bankie Banx describing his music and why he does what he does.

Bankie puts on one of the biggest music festivals in the Caribbean. Moonsplash which happens has his beach bar, The Dunes Preserve takes place Thursday March 8, until Sunday March 11, 2012. This four day music festival draws some big names not just in reggae but from all genres. Here’s is some more information on Moonsplash.

If you don’t have Banx on your island/chill/reggae playlist yet here you go.

Still In Paradise – Bankie Banx

If you’ve had the chance to catch Bankie’s act at his bar on Anguilla I’d love to hear you’re story.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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This birds-eye view webcam is located at the Viceroy Anguilla, a luxury beachfront resort that stretches through both Barnes and Meads Bays. This Caribbean resort offers vacationers two white sand beaches, a glimmering pool, an array of water sports, a spa and fitness center all adding to Viceroy’s superb reputation.

Click the link below to see this amazing Anguilla Webcam

Meads Bay, Anguilla – Viceroy Resort

About Anguilla & Meads Bay

With a population of just over 12,000, this British Overseas Territory is 15 miles long and 3 miles at the widest point. Anguilla is home to 33 gorgeous white sand beaches and one of our favorite reggae artists, Bankie Banks. One of those near-perfect beaches is located in picturesque Meads Bay, an small Caribbean resort community and one of the top-rated beaches in the entire Caribbean. A fading sun dipping into crystal blue water is the backdrop at this beautiful two-mile long stretch of sand. Sounds like a little slice of perfect doesn’t it? Be sure to check this webcam out for live sunset vistas that will make you feel as if you were actually there.

Cheers Castaways!
RumShopRyan

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You could say that time and big tourism sailed right by Anguilla. Now that the laid-back British West Indies enclave has become famous for stylish villas and celebrity sightings at posh resorts, it’s easy to forget that it didn’t even get electricity until the 1970′s. Places like The Pumphouse and the near by Elvis’ Beach Bar will remind you of that fact.

The Pumphouse came by its name because it sits beside the Road Bay salt pond, and relics of the once-booming salt industry (including a diesel pump engine) still occupy one end of the beach bar. Vintage metal signs fill the walls (Guinness, Carib, Valvoline); a fiberglass pirate hangs from the rafters.

Inside the Pumphouse

The pub menu holds a few surprises (Korean tacos; Caesar salad with Asian-glazed, pan-seared tuna), but the main attraction is the reggae music. During the tourist season, there is nightly entertainment five nights a week. On Tuesday nights the house DJ offers ‘Pumphouse rock’ which includes alternative music and rock ballads from the most famous rock bands. Wednesday nights are for the reggae lovers. Hotshot and his band Hod Nox plays their reggae favorites much to the delight and enjoyment of the patrons. For all those who enjoy Spanish music, Thursday nights are the ‘Meringue Magic’ nights. One can dance the night away to the melodious music of Keith and Raphael. Friday nights again there is the Pumphouse rock by the house DJ and it all ends on Saturday night with the ‘Reggae Groovers’ belting out reggae hits which usually has the crowd on its feet begging for more.

Pumphouse Music

The Pumphouse serves Stella and Hoegaarden on tap, but you won’t forgive yourself if you don’t try the rum punch , it’s not the Hawaiian Punch most joints push, but a limey, potent version of the classic 1-2-3-4 formula. Like the Caribbean beach bar that serves it, it’s the real thing.

Need a break from dancing? Grab your rum punch and take a step outside, across the street is the one and only Sandy Ground. The contrast between being inside this action packed Anguilla bar to being a few staggering steps from a quiet pristine beach is, what’s the word…perfect. Sandy Ground beach will quiet your ears in the short time it takes to through back a couple sips of that rum punch. It’s a peaceful Anguillian paradise once the sun goes down and the stars come out.

Sandy Ground, Anguilla

And when that peace and quiet goes on for a little too long? Just head back inside to The Pumphouse to party the night away with your new best friends you just met that day.

History

To most of us The Pumphouse is known as one of the best Anguilla bars and spots for Anguilla nightlife. But before playing reggae music and serving a mean rum punch, The Pumphouse was key to Anguilla’s salt industry. Road Salt Pond (behind Road Bay/Sandy Ground Beach) was used for salt mining, all the way back to the Amerindian days.

The Pumphouse was used as a mill to refine salt that was sold within Anguilla and also exported. The salt business eventually collapsed and saw its last days in 1986. The Pumphouse opened as a bar roughly ten years later in 1995.

The Pumphouse is owned and operated by Laurie and Gabi Gumbs. It opened its doors to the public on 4th August, 1995. The site is rich in history in that it was home to the Anguilla Road Salt Company Factory which in its time was the main export of Anguilla.

Laurie Gumbs, the owner has managed to restore some of the equipment which was used in the salt production process and has them displayed at his bar, his intention being to create a ‘Mini Salt Industry Museum’. During the tourist season, the archaeological society arranges tours of the site.

The Pumphouse has 7 staff members, his wife and himself included. The entire staff is kept very busy catering to their patrons’ needs. The Pumphouse boasts an extremely impressive well-stocked bar. You can get the drink of your choice all at very reasonable prices.

The menu may be informally chalked on the wall, the food is absolutely delicious.

The Pumphouse

If you’ve been to The Pumphouse on Anguilla let us know what you thought. We would love to hear your story.

Cheers to another Caribbean Beach Bar to explore Castaways!
RumShopRyan

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Bankie Banx is Anguilla’s coolest reggae star and the organizer of the island’s biggest and wildest music festival. It’s a can’t miss. Unfortunately I will be missing it.

For over 20 years musicians such as Steel Pulse, Bunny Wailer and Tarrus Riley have rocked Anguilla at this annual weekend festival, held at Banx’s exclusive beach bar.  Two nights of concerts are followed by a tremendous beach party, the kind that only the Caribbean can lay claim to.

This year’s party (2011) happens on March 17th to March 20th. If you want to go I suggest making arrangements quickly.

Bankie Banx

If you are unfamiliar with Bankie Banx here is his story. Cash in on Bankie Banx. This Bankie Banx post was one of the first things I wrote about on RumShopRyan back in 2009. I love his music. He tells great stories with this music and it is sure to make you feel like you already have your toes in the beautiful sands of Anguilla.

If you would like to check out Bankie’s music, here are some albums that I think you will most enjoy as you kick back with a cold boat drink in your hand.

Still In Paradise – Bankie Banx

Chariots of Steel – Bankie Banx

Island Boy – Bankie Banx

Roots & Herbs – Bankie Banx and The Roots & Herbs

Let me know if you’ve ever been to Moonsplash and what you thought.
Cheers,
RumShopRyan

Anguilla is located in the Caribbean Sea, the northern most island in the Leeward Island chain. It’s nearest neighbor to the south is St. Martin/Sint Maarten. It has a population of just 12000 inhabitants, is sixteen miles long and three miles wide at its widest point.

Anguilla is perhaps one of the lesser known Caribbean islands. It is renowned for its natural beauty and serene tranquility and is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of every day life. It is the perfect vacation getaway for families and couples alike and is a popular holiday destination among holiday makers.

Anguilla is also famous for its beautiful, white sandy beaches which are hugely popular among tourists and local inhabitants. Anguilla boasts 33 beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and deserted sands which add to the tranquility and relaxation of the island.

Shoal Bay, Anguilla

One of the most popular Anguillan beaches is Shoal Bay East. This is one of the bigger beaches on the island and also one of the most serene. Shoal Bay East is scattered with beach bars and covered in white powdery sands and this is perhaps the reason for why it has been voted the beast beach in the world on numerous occasions by top tourist magazines.

Barnes Bay Anguilla

Another popular beach is Barnes Bay which is situated on a secluded island which means the beach is virtually always empty. Like Shoal Bay East, this beach has beautifully white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters.

The final beach that will be covered in this article is Sandy Ground, which like the other two beaches, has white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, however it does also have one stark contrast. Sandy Ground is a lively and eventful beach with a heck of a lot of people and boats as people from around the world dock their boats here when they visit. This beach may not be the perfect for relaxation, but it’s great if you’re ready to have one big party!

Sandy Ground Beach, Anguilla

The three beaches outlined in this article are just the tip of the iceberg. Each with their white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters are a tourists dream and you will be left speechless by the natural beauty of the beaches. There are also thirty more attractive, elegant and picturesque beaches and as many should be visited on your trip to Anguilla. Anguilla may not be one of the most famous islands of the Caribbean, but it sure does have some spectacular beaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_A._Penn

Sandy Ground is the closest thing Anguilla has to a lively tropical seaport. When you mention Sandy Ground to people, the first thing they usually think of is Johnnos night spot. But there is so much more. Actually, Sandy Ground is the area between North Hill and South Hill at the head of Road Bay. It has a beach and a salt pond and a narrow spit of land in between which holds a village, bars, restaurants, customs house, piers, even a small luxury cottage resort!

Anguilla Sandy Ground Beach Webcam

Cheers,

RumShopRyan

I first got a taste of Bankie Banx when he came together to make “Live in Anguilla” with fellow island sole Jimmy Buffett.  I will give one of my buddies credit, he actually ordered one of Banx’s albums online and really got me familar with this great reggae story teller.

Bankie’s sound has been described as a cross between Bob Marley and Bob Dylan, and his music a blend of folk, reggae, R&B and Jazz. He is often called the “Anguillan Bob Dylan”, and indeed has played with Dylan himself.

I now have is “Still in Paradise” album and it always seems to be at the top of my ipod when I have my toes in the sand on the beach or wave hopping on the Gulf of Mexico in the boat.

Below is a bio of Banx is you want to learn a little about this famous Rastafarian. Check him out.

Bankie’s Story

1977 – The Dreamer

Track 4 on Bankie’s album “Roots & Herbs” conveys the dream that Bankie had as a young boy and aspiring musician. He dreamed of writing music and playing songs that would touch people and get them thinking.  Bankie released “The Dreamer” as a track on his very first album in 1977 – “Where I And I Abide”.  Bankie never imagined how well received and respected his music would be.

1983 – The Battle’s On

Bankie released his album “The Battle’s On” in 1982.  In the years before, Bankie Banx And The Roots & Herbs had become a staple in the Caribbean reggae scene and it seemed that their star had reached its peak when they were invited to perform at Reggae Sunsplash in 1983.  It was only the beginning as Bankie launched a full scale Caribbean tour and laid the groundwork for 4 years of touring in Europe.

1986 – Missing

By 1986, Bankie had a new band and was touring Europe and working for his break.  His song “Missing”, recorded as Track 8 on his CD “Island Boy” captures what Bankie was missing.  He was working, touring and making music, but he was missing home and family.

1991 – Island Boy

Bankie returned to Anguilla in 1987 only to find that things had changed dramatically since he left.  Some of the faces were the same, but so many things were different.  He once again packed his bags to follow his dream, and this time he was an Island Boy in New York.  Bankie’s career gathered steam and he became one of the better known and loved reggae acts working up and down the East Coast.

1994 – Busted In Barbados

Bankie and his New York based band were hot!  With “Terrestrial Spirits” and “Island Boy” under his belt and demos for his first major label release polished up, Bankie was “Busted In Barbados.”  Bankie recounts opening the door to his hotel room in Barbados to find 5 or 6 cops with guns drawn at his door. Bankie was arrested on suspicion of Marijuana possession. Although later acquitted, the damage was already done.  Bankie lost his visa and seemingly the chance to fulfill his dreams.

1996 – Stuck In Paradise

It took a while for the reality to sink in.  For 10 years, Bankie would not be able to return to the U.S. and perform for his fans there.  Determined to follow through, Bankie immersed himself into building The Dune Preserve, and growing what was before only his personal showcase – Moonsplash.  Since then, Moonsplash has grown into the region’s premier festival and The Dune Preserve has reached icon status, being featured on TV and in magazines around the world.  Bankie is still in paradise with no plans on leaving.

2003 – Find It

True to his own lyrics, Bankie has found what he’s looking for.  He is in a place all his own, making music he loves, and jamming with his friends in his own backyard every year during Moonsplash.  And yes, he gets to travel and meet  great people.  Life is good!

Let me now what you think of Bankie Banx if you’ve heard him before or end up exploring his albums.

Cheers to the Salt Life.

RumShopRyan