To get the video in HD – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED click the ‘HD” in the video and watch on vimeo..got fed up with the masses of ads all over my videos on youtube so testing this out.
If you would like to compare the resort prices using TRIVAGO for your stay and book a flight separate this can work out as mentioned in the video alternatively they have good deals from the major travel suppliers on different basis for example all inclusive. TIP –  Here you would be crazy not to do that unless you really are a light eater/drinker. All inclusive allows you to control the cost of your stay especially a family and this place is a good way to relax with a family if you are not relying on the kids club – check the latest reviews of this resort to see how well that is going it seems to be in a constant state of flux depending mostly on demand.
Still a highly recommended resort in Antigua.

I missed the chance to visit the Antigua Donkey Sanctuary last time so made that my first stop this time round while on holiday in Antigua. As it was a fascinating area though a rather tough road after you get past the donkey sanctuary I wanted to pop the drone up and get some images and here is the resulting video. I am quite pleased with the editing though the footage was not the best it could be from a critics perspective. I hope you like it. I decided again to feature music from a local musician a Ms Claudette Peters – enjoy.

In just 1 week ended up going through 3 different cars the first a jeep style thing that actually delt with the rough road worse than the later two Toyota cars ! Also this is something I want to ask – has anyone suspected they have had their gas stolen ? in Just 2 days I had emptied the tank and made a north south run and smaller runs…STILL !!! The second car the brakes were going so I took it back and ended up with the same type of car but a manual which was a pain the kind of driving you end up doing in Antigua. Such is life and bad luck and in season it is true that the rental car outlets start to get low on stock.

I decided to stay quite local so that I would just need to run my car to the airport – 1 hour was plenty from Falmouth to get petrol (sorry gas) and it kind of makes you feel how complicated my world in the UK is when its oh so simple in the Caribbean. The other reason is I was busy visiting friends scattered about the island so I felt that I was always in my damn rental car.
I guess the charms had come back in just a week yes just what the doc ordered. The phantom was packed away and I was clocking off from duty today.
So pigeon beach was the best bet for me and didn’t disappoint I elected to go to Bumpkin’s for a drink or two to take on the beach while I tried to get some colour. I met a girl I recognised from a long time ago who worked at sweet T’s this is one of the nice things about Antigua –doesn’t seem to change. You know what you’re getting.
It was time to leave Goat Studio and leave the island until next time.
I went straight through security at ANU and bought my English Harbour 5 year which doesn’t come in a litre bottle annoyingly which is one mans limit. However I am sure many of you go home clanking down the victoria line ! It’s not going to be as smooth as the Mount Gay XO (extra old) that stuff went down TOO damn easy and left me with the feeling that I just flew first class and slept all the way !!! (That was my trip in Barbados last year ). Not that I have ever flown first class.
It was really really nice to see and stay in Falmouth while in season, however I am designed for the Dickenson Bay arrondisment.
I did buy these wonderful magnetic balls that are such fun they are in a big bin and you have a bag and so long as you can close the bag its like 11 USD. So that made a couple of gifts – some suzzie hot sauce and just enough ECD (Eastern Caribbean Dollars) left for the most expensive rum punch on the island.
Me Ga-wan

If you like AntigWWAA then you will like this ! I never realised that Barbuda is shaped like a pig !

I didn’t quite get this right as there was quite some wind and the conditions were not ideal. The gopro did ok here though I was shooting into the sun and you can make out the effect that this caused. But here is Darkwood Beach – so you know what to expect. The internet kind of takes away the adventure doesn’t it !

I went diving with my friends Indigo Divers today – the vis wasn’t as good as it can be at this time of year but the two dive sites we did we had Antigua Sharks ! You can read more of the diving here on Caribbean Diving.

Today I was back at some of the best that Antigua offers in beaches and did a mini hike to Willoughby bay – now there is a very nice bar restaurant at the opposite end of pigeon beach called Catherine’s something or other. It’s a modern beach bar and restaurant something that we see more in Antigua. So you are where you want to be (a great beach) now with a modern and tasteful setting – I didn’t stay so couldn’t tell you the prices but you would enjoy the experience and this could be the best way to enjoy pigeon beach for many. The walk through (you cant get by car) to Willoughby bay is 7-10 minutes. There is not a place really to swim but you get the sound of waves crashing against the rocks and it’s a nice romantic gig I suppose. It’s a place for artists to come and wonder for sure and you will find the walk enthusing. On the way you will also get the impression that some big money is being spent on the local infrastructure in the general are here – roads ! I am guessing a resort or massive luxury villa round the corner.

Arrival into ANU I was met by Titi who took me to the office to get payment sorted and a car organised. I was given a small Jeep that has dash controls similar to my mums old Nissan Sunny that I procured from her and that was my first car that I could rely on ! I digress – it was good to be back in Antigua.
A short stay of 7 nights is what my internal doc ordered. A list of priority of things to buy from Baileys the supermarket next to Sweet T’s ice cream parlour. I was slightly hungry as Virgin Atlantic serve those finger sandwiches that taste great but don’t fill you up. So Sweet T’s helped me with an island burger and fries.
As a priority I needed a large 5 litres bottle and refill from that. Staying longer I might have gone for a bigger one that you can barely pickup and carry yourself return the empty thing to get the deposit on the bottle at the end. They are a pain as you need to also get a pump unless you elect to DIY and decant the h2o its awkward but it reminds me of my early days around and about in the Caribbean so it feels like a homely task. A can of Off – however I have to say that the mozzies have not really been getting at me straight away as they normally do. I am here at the beginning of Feb so perhaps that’s why. And Nacho’s and rum punch – the latter a guilty pleasure. I did spot English Harbour was 41 ECD as a ref point – the can of Off

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.<–Digital window verification 001–>You can find more detail here – https://antiguablog.co.uk/2014/annual-report/ Indeed we are getting some great traffic and will be ramping things up for 2015. If you would like to take advantage of a free trial advertising spot to see if it can work for you then please just contact us. Here’s an excerpt:

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Click here to see the complete report.

Althea Davis shares her home made ice cream with us

Announcement includes mention of a  250 million pound resort (interestingly for Barbuda) developed by an American celebrity and and Australian Billionaire.

If you are thinking about a Caribbean holiday over Christmas or new years or just this winter then think about Antigua and Barbuda. Blessed with good natured Antiguans a lot of sun (at this very cold time of the year) and some of the world’s best beaches – Antigua is a favourite. All inclusive seems to be a popular choice especially for those with families as controlling the cost of the holiday is important to mum and or dad. There are a plethora of watersports and land activities to do if you get a bit beached out. Scuba diving, sailing or jet ski , hike bike or go shooting at the shooting range ! But the best reasons to come to Antigua compared to other Caribbean destinations and other beach destinations are

Short transfer times!
Some islands like St Lucia are a 2 hour hell after the flight.
Great beaches
They all say that between Antigua and Barbuda there are more than 365 one for each day of the year. But you will certainly never count them to argue! And you could have 14 world class beaches one for every day of your two week Antigua Holiday !
Great resorts
Some of the finest in the world exist if you can poney up the dough. Or checkin to a more value proposition where you will find warmth and hospitality equal and great value.
Great spas
Most likely the spa will be in your resort but you are always free to visit the better spas in other resorts.
Great gymnasiums
The island has some good gyms and open to all so you get to meet expats and Antiguan’s alike.
Great island exploring by jeep or car.
The roads are bad but the speeds are low so driving in Antigua is really not too bad at all. If you do find yourself in St Johns just ease back on the gas and no one will have any problem at all directing you.
Amazing sailing
The winds and local geography mean you can get around a few islands quickly and see a real chunk of the Caribbean culture within just a week of sailing. 2 weeks and you have one amazing sailing vacation or sailing course.
Friendly locals – no need to say more.
Tours and excursions by the bucket load.
Excursions of all kinds from zip-lining through the rainforest to taking a Segway into Antigua’s coastal forts or a chartered day sail.
So to help you plan check bestantigua.com and make the good choice for a break at winter time this year.

I found this really great video taken with a gopro and edited really nicely to some good music that does help to make the scene a little more dramatic. We see many species of fish here including gurnards (flying fish while swimming not flying) and some crazy coloured morey eel. See for yourself – Scuba Diving in Antigua is really worth it.