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Published: December 29th 2017
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Antigua & Barbuda are two islands of similar area, situated north of Guadeloupe, but almost the entire population of this country (around 80,000) lives on the former island. Antigua is perhaps best known for its beaches, which are plentiful throughout the island. It also has great reefs and wrecks for diving and snorkelling, and these, along with an attractive tax regime (no income tax) and minimal standards of business regulation make it a magnet for the rich and famous with their luxury yachts and cruisers. Like Barbados, there is a touch of Mother England here although the locals insist they are their own people. Our visit here again include a choice of destinations - either to the marina servicing the town of English Harbour, down the southern end of the island and some distance from the capital, St John's, or a beach stop at nearby Pigeon's Beach, so it did not require a relocation of the ship.
English Harbour:
The ship actually set anchor in the adjoining Falmouth Harbour, with the tenders going alternatively to the marina at English Harbour and to Pigeon Beach, where they were putting on a beach barbecue. We took the marina option first, and
our immediate impression, before we had even berthed, is that there is some serious money on this island. The tender had to weave its way through a flotilla of million dollar boats that might even have had Greg Norman a little envious. We were advised that Antigua is a low taxation and low financial regulation country, so it would seem a logical refuge for the obscenely wealthy. The only location of major interest within walking distance of the marina was Nelson’s Dockyard, reputedly the only surviving Georgian naval dockyard in the word. This site has been totally restored, and contains a museum to expand on the history of the region. Among the many trinkets on display is a telescope once used by Nelson himself (oh yeah!). Outside of the dockyard and its many marinas, again all with their luxury yachts, English Harbour was just a pleasant town to meander around. During our walk, we chatted to a couple of locals, who confirmed that (Sir) Vivian Richards is still a proud resident of Antigua, but they mourned the death of West Indies cricket, with their team having recently taken a bath at the hands of the Kiwis. It seems the lure
of the dollar in US basketball is more appealing than the pride of playing cricket for the Windies. As the Donald would Twitter it - “Sad!”.
Pigeon Beach:
I’d like to be able to say something special about this beach - but it was just a beach! A couple of hundred metres long, with some trees for shade, nice sand, warm water - but no different from the other half dozen beaches we have visited this trip. I guess it’s fair to assume that many of the Europeans, coming out of a miserable winter, can’t get enough of the sun (and many set out to become lobster red every day), so different things appeal to different folks. Or maybe it’s just time for us to go home!
Tomorrow we set off for St Kitts, for a railway trip that some blogsters have suggested may well be the highlight of their cruise. We shall submit our opinion.
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Locals play
Can you imagine growing up with all this beauty to play in? ...and the weather.