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.
Parham just on the way out.
Power Plant Antigua
Pickup truck the staple workhorse of Antigua.
Parham looking out.
Waterside in Parham
Typical Antiguan Village Actually think this is Parham.
We then drove around via the Naval base area and saw the Waddadli brewery and the desalination plant and one if not the only Power Plant. So big industry is here. A small shack served me some sweet and sour chicken for 10EC – East Caribbean Dollar. Photos coming up.
On the way I maybe got a 1/3 tank of gas for just 40 EC = 10 pounds – some things at least are relatively cheap.
Its the big game tonight and I will try and wind my way across to the stadium from around 7pm.
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 ?
Sir Viv Richards Stadium – opening night for the Hawksbills.
The wicket.
View from the party stand.
Sir Viv Richards Stadium and the Antigua Hawksbills Vs Barbados Tridents.
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 Viv Richards Stadium and the Antigua Hawksbills Vs Barbados Tridents.
View from the party stand.
The wicket.
Wrong side of the tracks..
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. Dennis Restaurant
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. Ffryes beach as seen from Dennis.
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.
Well presented the zip line tour premises on fig tree drive
It looks great fun..
Thrills and adventure bekkon
Gorillas in Antigua ?
The diversity of plant life here is simply amazing.
This for me is the most beautiful part of Antigua – not the road but the highlands.
Banana Tree – Fig Tree Drive
These look like mangos 100% to me but I had learned that the season had almost already passed ?
What plant is this ?
LUSH !
Antiguan’s don’t wreck their cars they just leave them !
Carlisle Bay
Kids in Antigua near Carlisle Bay
They insist they took a photo of me..
This was me when I was older.
Caipirinha Bar
Caipirinha Bar on the right – this must be Cades Bay or Morris bay..
South Western Corner of Antigua
I wish more farms would do this kind of thing and show off what they grow. Cades Bay Agricultural Station
Pineapples don’t grow on trees ! You knew that already…
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.
Banana Tree – You could live without money in Antigua with what grows locally – but we prefer to drink rum.
Start of the End of Carnival : The old cricket ground again hosts the final ace off and trophy presentations. This stadium is very charming indeed giving good shade from the hot sun.
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.
Winding through the smaller streets takes some driving.
Some restoration in progress.
Steel Pan Antigua Style
Here comes another one – always exciting !
Tractors come to hand..
E.T. was not depressed I think the costume was sagging a bit – but excellent.
All ages…
They call them Troupes
If you would like to learn more about St Johns Cathedral Click Tap here. >>
The Antigua Hawksbills posted their first win this same evening against the St Lucia Zooks. They got a great 165 total that St Lucia looked like they might match but the wickets began to fall and the early strike rate did too. Some great fielding and bowling was displayed after a solid performance in the bat.
http://cplt20.com/news/antigua-hawksbills-enjoy-their-first-win
Back to some more Caribbean Carnival Images !
They call them Troupes
Some worked harder than others – after all prizes were at stake.
A real crowd pleaser were the horses. Blazing Saddles came to mind.
Live tv with commentary capturing the best moments.
Shaded people
Boy liked getting his photo taken
One of the narrower sections and the crowd.
Fishnets and Ghoules
A passerby helps tie a shoelace
VC Bird Statue at the head of the market on Carnival day
A typical St Johns Street
Fish cooked on the street – excellent.
Shark Attack Antigua
These guys were really good movers.
backin up now..
There were some great bodies out there !
Little girl was putting on a great show.
Every kind of wonderful performer
You have to take a quiet moment in the shade now and again.
The fish and veg rice parcel (pudding)
Photo boys ?
Friend John and a procession performer.
Crab hole liquors is a store in English Harbour, otherwise spot that many floats have MC’s
Just Limin
One of the best things is the actual loudness – I love that..
Support of the troupe is a must – sons and daughters have to come along..
Like ‘slashes’ a troupe dance at what appears to be slants sometimes different angles at the same time.
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 !
350 USD per week and gas came in at 117 ECD roughly (30 GBP) for a fill up which was kind of ok we thought. The car as in everything in Antigua – seems dear for the spec and size. This didn’t include any kind of insurance.
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.
Antigua Driving License for Car Rental
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.
Visitor Driving License Antigua. 20 USD per 3 months duration.
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 🙁
If you can read this ‘BACK OFF’ especially if you love using your fog lights like Antiguans do!
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.
The Suzuki Grand Vitara is popular in Antigua.
Driving in Antigua Tips
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:
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.
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.
Swimming Instructor, Pupil or Dad? It can be really hard to learn to swim and I had real nerves the night before (I am Dad!). Summer the pupil has been really clingy and I am happy to battle through the tears and there were lots today.
I have to say that both islands feel very different. The first thing you notice is that getting around St Lucia takes a lot longer! Especially for example the transfer from the airport. So bad is the 2 hour winding trek by minivan I am not looking to visit again soon. I think it really hits the islands repeat business. However it’s not the end of the story. Many will tell you that after this St Lucia is better in almost all respects. I disagree with that- apart from there may be a bunch more diverse tours to do as simply the size and topography of St Lucia offers a greater variety of tours. One example is the mountain biking in St Lucia which isn’t available in Antigua.
We are return visitors here (which tells you a lot) and are like many fed up to be told the lack of whatever it is is due to low levels of occupancy. I have made friends with a lot of staff members who do work hard to please. Let down by a poor infrastructure of service (poor selection of drinks due to low stocks) each day being told we expect it tomorrow.
