POSITION 17:04.54N 61:53.61W JOLLY HARBOUR ANTIGUA

Aurelia
Shirley and Michael Webb-Speight
Fri 2 Feb 2007 22:38
Anchored in the river at Jolly Harbour tonight, having left English Bay this afternoon. We intend to return to Antigua if we get time, and those of you who have told us to not miss Shirley Heights, we WILL try to get back for the Sunday night steel drums and party.

Went into check in and see Nelson's dockyard and then over to Falmouth to check out that harbour too. checking in was certainly a time consuming nightmare, not to mention, expensive. Oh and we were suppose to have our visa sorted by today for the International Cricket, which doesn't start for another month! St Martin wont be requiring this, so we will have a bit of respite to organise ourselves.
The officials were certainly moody and rude, topped off by one of them telling another official who was questioning Mike about our plans, to "shut up and give him the papers"! However Mike had a good time talking to prof skippers on where was good, and where they were going. ( eg "I am on an Oyster 100", "my boat burns 600l of diesel an hour" and a third guy who told me his boat was 148 feet long!!) Good information gathering in the waiting rooms at these places.
Nelson's dockyard was interesting, largely reconstructed and with large amounts of tourists coming in there from their cruise ships, it felt a little contrived. However, the island itself is very pleasant and beautiful. there is extreme affluence here, and just to remind the modest cruiser, the prices of everything match the look. when you look round the corner there are the locals living in very simple houses and their kids are playing in the dirt.

Listening to the weather forecast this morning was highly entertaining with an extremely strong British accent delivering the goods. We were a little unsure if he had just arisen, stifling the odd yawn, or if he was recovering from a major night at Shirley Heights.

Over at Falmouth the MEGA yachts were moored. Maltese Falcon was there, we last saw her off Bonifacio, and one of her crew informed us that THEY had come across the Atlantic in 18 days. Well, That surprised me as we came across in 19 days. However, they left from La Spezia in Italy and cruised at around 24 knots. Hmmmm. other boats of note included Gran Bleu with her helicopter and large speed boat on top, Mirabella III, and anchored in the harbour, Mirabella V. And then there were LOTS and LOTS of super yachts. One kiwi boat - Coconut from Nelson. Certainly the place to be seen, ay what.