Antigua

One for every week of the year!

There 65 beaches in Antigua – one for every week of the year. As far as we can tell, every one of them is fine yellow sand. We didn’t have time to visit all of them but we tried. This a place the classic sun, sand, palm tree beach vacation.

We toured most of the island taking in the atmosphere created by the local people and finding super beach bars.

You name it, we drove it! There aren’t many roads so we made a pretty good stab at driving all of them. Unfortunately, some of the roads are ‘basic’ some have huge pot holes too. So a car rental company shouldn’t be too surprised if cars are returned with a few noises coming from their wheels. Ours had a scraping noise from the front offside wheel!

Half Moon Bay.

 I see you pulled over, can I help you?

The people of Antigua are wonderful. Nothing seems too much trouble. It’s if everyone wants to make sure that all their tourists go back home with stories of the perfect holiday.

 For example..

We rented a car for a few days to tour the island. We learnt very quickly that if you are not sure where you are or how to get to where you want to go to then all you do is pull over to the side of the road and possibly hold a map. Within seconds, no more than minute, I guarantee a taxi will stop next you, open his window and ask if you are lost and where would you like to go!  If that is not enough often they have suggestions of cool places to visit in the area you are going too!

Then with a great big smile they wish you a great vacation and are on their way.

No ulterior motive, no hand-out – they just want to ensure that you are having a great time in their country. The taxi drivers in Istanbul should take leaf out of the book of the Antiguan taxi drivers.

 For example.. 

We were taking pictures on Long beach during a sunny Sunday afternoon. A chap wandered over from his family and friends beach party and offered to take our picture as a couple. He then suggested a myriad of places to visit and anchor around Antigua and then suggested we join his family party for a beer!

 Then there was the police men. 

The first policemen handed over my new Antiguan temporary and with a big smile asked, “and which side of the road do we drive on in Antigua?” All whilst rap music was playing in the police station.

The second policeman wandered over to our car whilst we were being helped with directions and just wanted to make sure we were fine before he wandered on.

Long Bay.

Devils Bridge.

One the taxi drivers that offered us help told us about the place we had just visited on the south east coast.  Devils Bridge. 

In olden times, many slaves on the island believed that Africa was just over the horizon, a very long and dangerous swim that might take them many hours if they were fit – but then freedom was theirs!  When conditions had become too terrible for them the risk was worth it.

Many hundreds died after they plunged into the water for that 3,000 mile swim.

The Antigua 600 Race

 Antigua is known for the magnificent super yachts that call English and Falmouth harbours their winter base.

We have seen many super yachts now but Wow! Some of these super yachts could be mistaken for cruise ships.  In particular, this is the place for sailboat racing. These harbours are geared up to the needs of yachts and their crews from a golden widget to party time!

It seems that we arrived for the preparations of the ‘Antigua 600’. 600 miles, 11 countries, 60 sailboats of all sizes. The race would start in two days time.

There was a BUZZ everywhere. It seemed that a quarter of the boats around us were preparing – including our smiling boat neighbour.

The exciting start of the Antigua 600 

The next morning the dock was deserted!

We drove up to Shirley Heights to see the start of the Antigua 600 race.  This was the first ‘start’ of a serious sailboat race we have attended and we were lucky be next to a spectator with a radio and another that knew what we were looking at!   Between to these two chaps and our binoculars we had a really exciting few hours as the 60 boats vied for pole position ready for the ‘OFF’.

The prize was getting it right was a few seconds that might become very valuable after 600 miles. The cost for cutting it too fine was to have to go around to the start line again but against the other 59 boats all pushing you in the wrong direction.

It was a shame for SY ‘Balearics’ – so close but it cost them more than 10 minutes as 30 odd boats roared past them.

We would know the results from two days hence.