Well Sunday is going to be castaways last night open. There are talks of a boutique hotel in the grounds which makes sense. Hope they get the right pros in to style it and it could be a real gem.
If you read our earlier mention of this bar it makes sense. It felt like they had given up. Moving on us sometimes the best course. Knowing when to call it a day is difficult especially when passion is involved.
It seems that you cant get into the main compound owned by cable and wirless to enjoy the views at Antigua’s highest point. You can get an idea of what it could be like from this site. I hope they can make some kind of area to get the public access to some nice views close by.
http://www.summitpost.org/mount-obama-once-boggy-peak/327589
I hadn’t realised that this was the last home game as I had assumed we would play all teams here. But this years CPL was the first and I guess they were dipping their toe. As far as Antigua games go this last game was sold out early then they reprinted more tickets and they sold out. So I guess they have their answer. I was going to go with John but on Wednesday my daughter flies home with mom and I will be sad so for now I am spending as much time with them as I can. I was also tired from some late-ish nights and my daughter doesn’t allow us to sleep in!
So I watched the game from the Crows Nest sports bar in Jolly Harbour. I can recommend this place. Arsenal in the morning had a crushing defeat first game of the season and one could write a whole topic on that. But I just wanted to set the scene for the game. Nice sports bar and rum drinks on special just 8ec.
Antigua had started with the bat and I was watching without sound as Summer was getting to sleep. Then I headed out and joined John and some locals at the Crows Nest. By this time I think we had a full 5-6 overs played and just a single wicket. There was some decent partnerships going on and indeed they climbed to a total of 166 for 6 wickets. Not quite as high as the Zooks previously on this ground. Could it be that Antigua would get to the playoffs they certainly had made the right start and their weakness seemed to be the bat earlier in the games now it was improving with each match. Their bowling had done them fine so far.
Tonight it was going well up until Cornwall and Orlando Peters (see here the twin towers and empire state buildings do still exist)
two tall orange bars show the incredibly poor economy rates and then Devon Thomas to do that in the final over again when simple bowling well would have been enough.
I think it was a couple of loose overs and a miss fielded ball by the young Orlando that allowed some belief to come in for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
On Hafeez the guy to get the run rate high enough (strike-rate of 217.39 incredibly) at the end and see it through for the Amazonians: I could have had more respect for him as a total sportsman if he had taken all the credit himself... “First of all I would like to thank the Almighty Allah” Well also you need to thank the gifts that came in some very bad bowling in the final over, where it still should have Antigua who got the game.
Special mention to Ricky Ponting whose last professional game therefore was tonight and indeed his class shone through as he had a long throw at the stumps run out James Franklin.
Well there it is how the game was lost from 166 runs and it’s goodbye to Antigua and the Zooks.
The Hawksbills really struggled with their bowling last night and for a team struggling with the bat it would have been an even longer night had rain not stopped play and the duckworth lewis run rate decide that the zooks would win. They desperately needed that win. Still the Hawksbills came with the right attitude to chase the massive total and the inevitable wickets fell. For the first part they kept in touch but as the game wore on the gap was 17 runs calculated on run rate. See the full match report here.
I thought it might be interesting to show some of the classifieds that catch my eye while wandering round limin..
It was the original town because of the natural Harbour and is quite a small area to explore. There is little in the way of refreshment and if any place could hold a decent western run or Antiguan run restaurant it would be here. I found the place very charming probably due to the quiet in part or the so many small traditional houses with chickens running around and the beautiful water of course. There is no natural beach that we found and some people may think I’m mad for liking it by saying there is nothing there.
The Antigua Hawksbills played their first home game against the top of the league tridents from Barbados.
Antigua started very positively and were able to take wickets with ease (see cotterel), the total to chase was just 98. That total wasn’t exactly achieved in great style and I am left to think that the top order batting has to improve should the Hawks like to progress higher up the table. However the bowling and fielding needed to be applauded which I duly did along with all the other home fans. I got lost on the way after leaving JH at 7pm for an 8 o’clock start maybe not early enough. One of the ticket sales advisors for digicel was telling me that there was no available parking at the stadium. Anyway I decided there must be some around about and indeed there was lot. I don’t know what planet you were on desi ?
After driving next to the airstrip as I couldn’t get any other meaningful fix on my location and was lost but then somewhat found by nature of seeing the airport. I decided to ask and got set on the right track and then followed a string of cars and eventually saw the lights. There was ample parking and a great vibe – I was now very happy that my efforts would pay off. The stadium was booming song between bowls and raucous when we took wickets. I decided to go for the party stand which was 5USD extra and needed to walk right round the other side of the stadium. I also had a long walk for tickets and a bit of a wait – the woman selling them in JH had left early (typical).
I was most pleased to watch the team some of whom I had met in the Halycon Rex like Ricky Ponting and Ben Rohrer and assistant coach Phil de Freitas.
Sir Richard Branson was there and cruising around doing some PR alongside was t20 cricket royalty Darren Sammy who gave me a wave as I yobbish shouted ‘Yo Sammy’ Awesome I am such a child.
It has only just occurred to me the the hawksbill is a turtle not a bird! Of course this I know as I am a big scuba diving fan!
ANYWAY WELL DONE HAWKSBILLS!
I am looking forwards to the game tomorrow against Barbados at the Viv Richards Stadium. Rain messed up play a bit last night and the batting of me mate Ben couldn’t quite get them the game. Here is the full report – I was too steaming at the Crows Nest to wait it out and at that point 170 runs looked like a difficult total. I am just about recovered now.
It has been a couple of days with a bit less than usual sun and this evening the heavens opened somewhat always bringing high winds and like I sometimes do or don’t think (I often think and ignore the thoughts) and decided to eat out in an exposed restaurant. Of course I made the assumption we had seen the last of the storm but in fact it seemed to be circling us like some bald eagle. I meant vulture google just failed me on ‘birds that appear when you are nearly dying to eat you’. But I got there in the end with just my memory.
It does get somehow scary when it sounded like the new renovations to Denni’s main restaurant seemed to be blown away with a crash ! The animals came in – a cat and dog and they came of course close to us. It was like a mini huddle – there was a waitress and the cook who were also around making sure we were ok. I have to say excellent service. I think they would have preferred to leave early for the night and then we go and ruin their plan. That was all in my mind if it were true they didn’t show that at all. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dennis-Cocktail-Bar-Restaurant/207949312617303
So the rain started to come down and it was blowy but we huddled near the counter where earlier the water hadn’t reached and indeed this part of my plan had worked – but light sprinkles of water came at the same time as shrill winds ripped through our tropical dress. It was a bit chilly. And Emily kept talking about hurricanes and how she had wanted to be in one !
I think we ate faster than normal after summer had got scared at some point by I think the rain and wind not the animals. However they seemed to get the blame and the cook comically had to assert his authority with my daughter starting to scream too with the added panic. To be fair it did seem like she was pointing to them. The dog and cat clearly didn’t want to go ‘out there’ ! They couldn’t understand what they had done and that this was their place. The cook had to get closer to them and the fact that they were ignoring him and his demands made it comical to me. You see I have been there before trying to get something done and animals have been in the way. I used to have a dog that would get around your feet while you were trying to manoeuvre to perform open heart surgery. You couldn’t do it at all in a thunderstorm.
There are a couple of lifestyles that you might choose to be in Jolly Harbour (to live and on vacation/holiday) and many people come year after year across the whole year on holiday. It’s popularity is that it offers turnkey home away from home style living.
I love this drive in the direction heading towards the beaches of the south west like Carlisle bay and Darkwood beach by then it is no longer fig tree drive but to me its still part of a great route that you can do yourself by car. The biggest hazard are the potholes that you could camp inside ! Features are the friendly communities you should take some time to stop in and buy some mangoes or other fruits in. Locals sometime bring their cars to the small stream to wash their cars. A 4×4 isn’t needed for this run but take it slow until you know the width of the car and where the tyres sit for the darn holes…
There are a big variety of fruit trees along the drive not just figs – try going bananas! Fig is actually the name for banana in Antigua.
I am doing this extra blog post to show the very best of the carnival, I got a lot of shots and this is going to take some time to get finished. Will be tweeting this as usual with updates but better still to subscribe to this antigua blog !
I had a great time with new friend John from Canada. We took the opportunity between the floats to cover most of the route – all the way up to the VC Bird statue from the top of Main street where the stadium is on Independence Avenue.
I think its best expressed in photos again.
Get a good deal (service and price) on your Antigua Car Rental.
It’s the very last thing you want to do after your flight to Antigua is pick up a rental car. You do need to pay attention for just a while to go over the paperwork with your car rental company of choice.
Choose Best Antigua for your car hire needs on Antigua.
There are a few rental companies and you can find some varying rates. During busy times you may be lucky to get a car at all, for example during sailing week. But you got lucky or took the best car rental deal and here you are with your car rental agreement. Inspect the vehicle for damage and get the representative to mark your agreement so that there can be no mistake if it already has damage. You will be required to sign that you do or don’t take CDW insurance which does not mean the same as in other countries but does offer protection. Remember to drive on the left and drive defensively. But overall driving in Antigua is fine- just take it easy MAN!
Never be in a rush driving in Antigua !
Check our cars for rates and type on our car and jeep page.
To get a quotation and get your jeep 4×4 and car (ANY VEHICLE) rental Just fill out this form and include dates of rental required (book well in advance for sailing week and over the high season) and the kind of vehicle you are looking for.
You will need to also buy a license which lasts for 3 months, after a year you can take a test and get a full license. Places like Jolly Harbour will then further tax you to keep your car there! $10 USD one off fee.
The Kia Rio- a low ride position but well specced and economic. I mean this car is still with us as a favourite. Don’t try and overtake as it is pretty gutless. The Kia Picanto is cheaper still and thats why it always seemed to be rented 🙁
I have chosen this car again as it is very economical and comfortable – I have since been able to raise the seat and the driving position is normal. I don’t have massive luggage needs and important I don’t stay in a bungalow or villa with a road that is best done with a 4×4 so check your vacation rental for access requirements.
Here is the lovely indulgence that we rented out a couple of times. When we needed that extra space and comfort then the Suzuki Vitara is hard to fault.
CDW – available at $10 USD per day extra. But CDW doesn’t cover you in the same way this works in the US (ie its not for minor damage). Here it helps you avoid paying out after 1500 USD for big crash or major damage that is your fault. But note you still have to pay the first 1500! So don’t take chances and drive defensively.
Here are some actual driving in Antigua videos to show you the pace and how easy it is:
A guide to renting a car in Antigua
Driving in Antigua
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPOAuGUFql8
Used for things like Antigua Carnival. This now forms part of the Antigua Cricket Tour. It is the original cricket ground on the outer edges of St Johns in Antigua. Most everything is walkable in the Capital so long as it isn’t a super hot day.
Wandering around found this great little coffee shop in the capital st johns. Cute fish swimming in the fountain shown in the photo.
We wanted to put together this handy guide for those wishing to come to Jolly Harbour on a longer term basis. We will start by our own honest findings and as we spend some time here will elaborate on this page. If you would like to see something of yours here then contact us – it is more than likely possible.
