Antigua has many attractions- places of interest for the explorer in you! From the iconic St John’s Cathedral to world class historic sites with views to make memories.
I returned to one of my favourite beaches today The top end of Pigeon beach more Falmouth Harbour Antigua.
and as it was quiet I decided it would be ok to get some aerial video from up above. Check out the image while it will take me longer to process and edit the aerial video.
An example of the water quality – the dark patches are turtle grass not reef so the snorkelling is ok but its not reef. Still enjoyable.
Hot work this !
Donkey Heaven ?
Also made it to the donkey sanctuary and they have a nice brief explaination tour – you can buy the tshirt or make a donation please to support their good work.
Visit the Donkeys Website Today
I also got introduced to the backyard it’s only open on friday and saturdays and its first come first serve on their excellent menu – they chalk it off the board as it gets nailed. I met up with a friend John who teaches at the Medical University. Good to see you again !
It may have been a different day but here anyway are a few photos of my old haunt in Jolly Harbour and the beach. The crows nest has really gone down hill and its a shame. A slam dunk as this bar should be easy to get and keep people drinking.
With a variety of accommodation types available Nonsuch bay offers an excellent ‘beach hotel experience’ in their secluded bay on the eastern side of Antigua. Antigua is small enough that it doesn’t really matter what side of the island you are on.
[EDIT] We no longer have a cricket tour ! If you manage tours and have a cricket tour we would be happy to show that here. Just get in touch.
The following has been left in the blog for now.
You can book this cricket tour in advance online to save hassle or you might decide to do it in person on the island through your hotel or resort tour desk.
This is a 3.5 hour tour that takes you to 3 centres of cricket (Stanford Cricket Ground the ARG (Antigua Recreational Ground) and the Sir Viv Richards stadium pictured below) the chance to meet some former Antigua cricket legends like Keith Fredericks and one of the following Curtly Ambrose, Richie Richardson, Andy Roberts or even Sir Viv Richards himself and a 30 – 45 minute session listening to your questions and telling you about their finest. Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, taken 2013
The ARG is now mostly used for events like Antigua Carnival. Good times all round..
Sport fishing in Antigua usually means offshore boat fishing (aka Sea Fishing) but there is an increasing amount of lake and brackish water fishing like the salt flats as an example. But firstly lets run down the usual sport fishing that takes place in Antigua. There are 2 kinds to concern yourself with deep sea and bottom fishing. The former is more expensive and for the more experienced. this doesn’t mean you should discount it outright but you might get more seasick and find it a bit less relaxing, some call this the ultimate kind of fishing indeed a 400 lb fish is extreme. Don’t expect that by the way, one of the joys of visiting the Antigua fishing tournament is that you can see sometimes what such a fish looks like. Even a 200 lb Marlin is very impressive but you won’t see Marlin as they are protected and catch and release applies. Read this real life experience of a sea fishing tour in Antigua.
Sea Fishing Antigua
Deep sea fishing usually involves trolling lures that this fast pelagic fish kind hit. Fish such as Mahi Mahi (also known as dolphin fish and rainbow runners) King fish, Tuna Marlin Sail fish and Baracuda are on the cards oh I forgot Wahoo too ! This is usually in deeper waters and this is why these kind of charters are more expensive as the boat diesel for a start to get out 10 miles plus is a factor. You might try bottom or regular boat fishing or reef fishing for the fish that inhabit the reefs. Grouper might be your big target fish though in danger as they have a long time before they reach sexual maturity and can’t breed while young. So fishing out a bigger older fish deprives the reproduction. You don’t see many scuba-diving these days. More likely candidates are snappers and hind and grunt fish. Your boat might be able to anchor in calmer water but unless you are used to it sea sickness can affect novice fishermen. This fishing is much more relaxing and less taxing as the fish are smaller but the rods not as powerful. You most likely won’t need a harness here. In deep sea fishing the crew will be ready to get the harness on you should you hook in to a big one. There are lures that have no hooks and that are designed to wrap around the bill of the marlin and sail fish though not common on charters. Because smell is important the bait could be a hybrid bait plus lure so the first part is a lure with bright attracting thingys and then there is the hook where you would hook your baitfish.
What does sea fishing cost in Antigua ?
Prices for bottom fishing are cheaper and you can get around 6 fisherman on the boat from 450 USD splitting the cost (based on a 4 hour fishing session). For trolling or deep sea it is a bit more and expectation is for a longer trip up to 12 hours costing in excess of 1000 USD. The folks at Antigua Island have organised perhaps the best value and very real trolling fishing tour in Antigua just for their readers ! Click on the contact us and mention you want to book the sea fishing tour that’s all !
What fishes can you catch in Antigua ?
Mahi Mahi, King fish, Tuna (Black and Yellow fin), Marlin Sail Fish, Barracuda and Wahoo. And a host of kinds like snapper grunts groupers and bat fish. Take a look at the Fishes found in Antigua page. Take a look at some of these – http://www.superpuppan.se/Antigua2.html
This is a nice account of a guys experience of sea fishing in Antigua http://www.planetseafishing.com/features/read/antigua-adventure-fishing Good tips here in this forum post on fishing in st James club dark wood beach and dickenson bay http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/threads/shore-fishing-at-st-james-club-antigua.763470/
A quick useful and joyful read about fishing from your cruiser Quit Wishin Go Fishin
Why might you look at Antigua for an all inclusive holiday? It does seem to be a speciality of the resorts on the island which also includes upscale resorts like the Royalton.
If you are from the big country then you might like Canadian Hockey and you will be pleased to know that now Crows Nest in Jolly Harbour have started showing Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night, a Canadian tradition. It’s on the big screen on a Saturday. Enjoy.
Driving in Antigua – for the best way! Getting around Antigua is a bit of a pain (unless you drive yourself) so this article is probably one of the best online reads on the subject. Let us know in the comments bellow if you got some value.
Most all of the best destinations for tourists can be reached via boat or are seaborne activities like sea fishing or jetski or indeed one of Antigua’s most famous sports sailing (oh yes include the best beaches which makes Antigua famous) If you can sail or power boat then it may be worth your time exploring Antigua like that and you should visit a specialist website for that.
If you want to get an idea of what it is like to drive in Antigua I recommend this voyeuristic watch of Driving in Antigua – Sanchia and Calvin chat while driving through the island while chatting – worth having on on the background if you like listening to opinionated people?
For most of us however, Antigua will need to be visited by land or by using a tour. I will outline some of the more common ways to ‘Do Antigua’ and for each recommend the best most economical approach depending on the kind of group you have below.
All Inclusive Holiday | Duration 1-2 weeks
This is probably one of the most common ways to visit Antigua or at least visit a beach and a resort in Antigua. You may be happy with what you have and indeed a good day tour can easily acquaint you with the best interior places that Antigua can offer in just one day. If you are staying for a couple of weeks I recommend hiring a car for a day or at most 2 with gaps. Even though you need to purchase a temporary license in order to rent a car the taxi fares are quite a lot when they start to add up. So in order to have ANY independence at all it is a must-do. You might find that you want to escape the resort too – so mix this with a couple of well-selected island tours or sea tours like Around Antigua Circumnavigation and you will save more money. Don’t come this far and miss out on some of Antigua’s History and get some memorable photos. If you are here for just a week then just do up to 2-3 tours would be my advice. A circumnavigation or better still the day trip to Barbuda (unfortunately Barbuda was hit hard by Hurricane Irma) or the classical island tour by jeep. Kick back and relax the rest of the 4-5 days and get the most from your all-inclusive status.
If you are staying in a 2 weeks all inclusive then read on..
There is something supremely satisfying about driving in a foreign country and Antigua is not a hard place to drive (with some caveats). Drive on the left here and you will find things go much easier! Also, try and spot one-way streets as some are not well signposted in the capital St Johns. Tip: Follow the traffic flow. I have never seen an Antiguan so alarmed as when I started to drive up a one-way street! IT IS POSSIBLE TO EXCITE AN ANTIGUAN IN THE AUGUST MIDDAY SUN. But seriously speeds are low due to the road surfaces..and noone is really in a rush here, all part of the attraction.
Antigua Pot (Holes)!
I have even seen potholes in Antigua with hair (grass) growing out of them! On Fig Tree Drive. I will also try and get a photo of some of the directional signposts here that have been washed out due to the weather. Particularly tricky is finding Jolly Harbour from the north! But driving in Antigua – it’s not all that bad and in fact quite enjoyable once you get over the spending money part (notice the pattern in my articles?).
Speeds are slow due to the speed bumps and natural speed bumps as in potholes or inclines and meandering dogs near death or just the villagers who decide to walk in the road as there are often no paths. This has led to the macho man not needing a sidewalk. It is probably a good thing as it keeps the speed in villages down. Also mention must be made to the businesses that uses the public roads notably the car mechanics where there is frequent gridlock. Instead of spending more money on a yard or place to jack up cars and work on them, they fill their business premises up with junk and then use the road as the yard space!!!
Also, don’t be surprised to see abandoned cars on the roads some with vegetation growing out of them. Carlisle Bay on Fig Tree Drive is notable. This is just outside one of Antigua’s most exclusive resorts Carlisle Bay! It’s all part of the charm- rest assured on your first drive you shouldn’t be rushed- take it easy and get used to the width of your car/4×4 as there are gullies on the Near Side (passenger side) OFTEN and if you run into them you may need more than the local CDW.
The really great news about driving in Antigua is that it is most likely to be an Auto- YAY. Until we all go auto-electric with the Tesla Model S this for us is as close as we get. If we were all loaned the 90k pounds to buy one we might get that money back instead of the Saudi ok Kuwait profiteering. I digress…
Rent a Car in Antigua
Hiring a car for a couple of days spread apart will allow you to enjoy some spectacular sights that you will get on a tour without the vendors and at your own pace. Petrol (Gasoline) is pretty cheap compared to the UK we estimated about half price. Coupled with the fact that distances are short, the bigger part of the car rental is the rental itself and any insurance needed. Don’t forget the temporary tourist license again (20USD). It is very much worth considering buying an online CDW Collision Damage Waiver as it seems to be a false economy in Antigua. Buying it locally didn’t protect me from much at all when I enquired. In fact anywhere in the Caribbean if you get into the smallprint you will find you are insured but with a deductible from 1500 to 3000 depending on the car. You can buy a policy that then covers this excess. I would check if you can just get cover online and check the deductible. The cheaper insurances run from 15 per day to 25 depending on the vehicle too.
Staying in a Holiday Home or Vacation Rental | Duration 1-2 weeks
The difference with a holiday home is that you might probably need a car and in some cases a 4×4 to navigate a rainy season driveway which is common for a lot of properties. It is more common for vacation homes to suit bigger parties or families and here resorts get pricey also. So the cost of a car is also shared. You will need the car to go buy groceries and get to the beach or other destinations. You might find it okay in Jolly Harbour to rent a golf cart as much more is in the area still walking gets tedious in the heat but you might do it for a week on a budget so long as you don’t have kids. Golf carts for rent in Jolly Harbour are 20 USD per day – consider a budget car for less than 275 per week! Jolly Harbour will require a final cha-ching with a car pass at least it is just 10 USD. I would just ignore it unless you get asked. TIP: If staying for longer than a week consider strongly booking the second week in a different location.
Alternatives for getting around in Antigua.
Getting around by local bus can be fine for shorter journeys or let’s say straightforward ones like from Dickenson Bay to St Johns the capital a single route serves this and will cost a couple of US dollars only. But you may be waiting up to 45 minutes for the minibus. Stick your hand out to catch it. A similar taxi fee is 12 USD each way you may negotiate fares though they say they cannot be. One of Antigua’s ‘mistakes’ is setting the fares too high IMO and people are staying more and more in the resorts – this is money running straight in and back out of Antigua if people stay in the Resort. Bus route 20 goes between Jolly Harbour and St Johns which is another straightforward route if slow way.
Hitch Hiking in Antigua
You will see many people walking, I wouldn’t give a lift to anyone asking. You are on holiday it is not your place to be doing that and don’t feel guilty. 99% of the time things would go well I am sure here and the passenger would be grateful but you may get a farm worker with dirty trousers for example. Just be safe and let a local give you a lift instead. Motorcycles in Antigua are rarely seen and we discussed this as a ‘why not?’ I can only think of the weather (in the rainy season) as the roads would be well suited to bikes as opposed to scooters that may struggle up some gradients on Fig Tree Drive. Maybe you can tell us? Oh yes if you can remember to stay in the resort on Cruise Ship Day when the vendors come out in force and you will get busy roads and beaches. Please share this article if you got this far, you must have enjoyed it and sharing gives me some kudos and appreciation. I am available to give advice on car rental in Antigua just email use the contact form 🙂
Where : The Sea (Caribbean) and English Harbour Antigua.
What : One marlin only but king fish, tons of wahoo (yeah !), dolphin fish (not dolphins !) also known as mahi mahi and rainbow runners I think.
My time was getting short in Antigua and my heart was heavy. It has been a hell of a time for me and life was too good for the 3 whole months they were gracious enough to give me at the airport upon arrival. Little did I know at that time the people I would encounter and the friendships I would strike up. That’s the real essence of travel FOR ME at least. Sure places can be amazing but there is nothing like being away from home to bring out your real self. And this then counts for the people you meet often as well and hence why the best friendships I have struck up have been while on such adventures. Give it a go before it’s too late – but here this it’s never too late! Well one mini event to make the mood less heavy was the fishing tournament’s weigh in. A fishing match open to anyone you just have to get up at stupid o’clock and keep flying on the rum rather than battle a hangover. On board you might try to keep the flow natural. But the main name of the game is trolling. You understand that I missed a trick and didn’t partake in the most fun part. I don’t have a boat * and the people that I know who do stuff on boats just work on them. I wasn’t about to swan in on their perk. So I just got to enjoy the festivities at the weigh in as did hundreds of others. It was 3 in the afternoon and I had my last dip for the moment in pigeon point beach and set off around the corner for the harbour. Lord Horatio Nelson really did at one point preside over affairs here as the English established a base to strengthen the territories in the west indies. English harbour is a natural one that was selected with high lookouts and fort points from which to fire cannon down into any marauders. Today the flags were the surf kind that sponsors like and there were it has to be said a few too many. There were wine bars cocktail stands and BBQ’s a big set of digital scales allowed photographic opportunities for the fisherman great white hunters that some were 😉 The first boat came in shortly and then all of a sudden they all seemed to be in. Wifi was available and instagram got a rare spike of photos from me. Though I kept having to get close to the scales. Well done guys for getting wifi and not locking it off. So the fish were egressed from the boats into wheelbarrows and then taken to be weighed. Dolphin fish, barracuda, wahoo, king fish the pelagics that get around and have a turn of speed were the fishes most caught. After they were taken back to the boats for cleanup and subsequent gutting etc. Here is where you will see some of the more gory stuff.
Antigua Boats return from the Fishing Tournament.Dolphin Fish, Rainbow Runner or Mahi MahiWahooooooooThe digital scalesAntigua is full of CharactersNo waste no way.A cloudless September sky.
To think a few hours ago these fish were cock of the walk in their world. Piers Morgans if you like – now there’s a tangential thought when faced with such a still end game. In truth I would have liked to escape the camera a bit more however the flip side will be me enjoying and reliving the afternoon from the photos. I met various people most I had known some new and it was a family affair. It got busier with boats families and the sun shone down – and I got my first coup du soleil after 3 months. Just a couple of hours running up and down the line of boats looking for the marlins and sail fish I had expected since my last fishing tournament. I decided that I was not going to hang round as Guinness were painting the town black and I had seen all I wanted. I also wanted to enjoy Fig Tree Drive on last time under the sun. I got to the end of the line of boats and kept walking around – I dare not look back as I may have stayed forever. I was going to blast my joyride riddim over the pass. What lay before me on exiting I have never seen before in all my umpteen times here at the entrance to English Harbour. A sea of cars for as far as the eye could see. Is this what race week is like? All of a sudden Antigua fills up every year. I will be back reporting on this very different time of the year. Anyway Bashment Girl awaited to bury my thoughts and once more I flicked the rio into D for the last Fig Tree Drive I may ever do if my luck one day runs out – no chance no worries menawa leave. Follow my life in photos
Bored in Antigua ? You’re not trying hard at all ! I tried to fit a bit too much into my day and missed the donkey sanctuary by about 30 minutes. It runs Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. I didn’t know what time it did close and this being low season of course it was taking a chance; on the one hand and always a sure bet on the other – adventure. This is Antigua.
I got my fig tree drive fix in on the way and all went ok it’s never fast! That fix starts as you round the tamarind hill developments after passing Jolly Harbour and approach darkwood beach. You get a fantastic view of the Caribbean Sea over arguably one of Antigua’s best beaches. More incredible vistas await rounding the points and bluffs that characterize this part of the isle. It does start to cut back in and until the beach at Curtain Bluff you have amazing views of the mountains to the left that cocoon the colorful villages here, an often overlooked feature of Antigua. The village here after the speed bumps has provided me with the following:
Abandoned cars just left it would seem for decades on the side of the road judging by the foliage and pillaging that has happened.
A guy pressing what appeared to be coconuts for oil by the roadside.
Meandering people – there are no paths and if there are Antiguan’s prefer to walk in the road. For black people in the dark this is either a) Suicidal b) Ignorant c) Macho d) Without choice. I have met all 4 on a single pass through here !
Friendly villagers who wanted their picture taken and for them to take mine.
It has left a lasting impression. In both directions this village signals a change in the road ahead. Today it was the start of the winding road up to the pass. The start of Fig Tree Drive. In one 10m stretch of foliage here you can find mangoes, bananas, bread fruit, figs (of course) and more. Otherwise it’s a sometimes potholed road to the extreme with the possibility of rolling off the edge into a Gully or worse down into a drop of certain write off and a possibility of serious injury. It charms one moment and scares the next. At night the former decreases in favour of the latter, Antiguans don’t help with full beams and fog lamps coming into your path. It’s not that bad though if you take it steady; Antiguans swerve a bit before finally at the last moment missing you. During the day you may find the locals washing their cars and trucks here in the natural streams that pass by, the canopy providing a break from the sun as they toil – Antiguan’s are not stupid. You will see the rasta plaques which speak of something profound nailed to certain trees, the size of dinner plates in various colours. On my next visit I will expand on these. A Rainforrest zipline tour tops close to the pass and signals my decent and a couple of speed bumps. Passing a couple of hikes on the right hand side just before the Gallery (often closed) you are approaching the end of Fig Tree Drive. Again another village a bit less crazy and you shortly arrive at the big pink church Our Lady of Perpetual Hope. I almost always turn right here otherwise (towards Falmouth) I don’t know why I would have taken as a tourist FTD. One notable church for its sheer beauty is the sole attraction until you arrive at Falmouth. I needed to talk to the car rental people in English harbour and passed through Falmouth where my Antiguan (mini life) began this time.
Time was ticking after doing something I may have achieved by phone if it were not for the fact that their phone is unbelievable soft and at best titi is hard understood, no that was a job in person. So time ticks by even if in Antigua they have time, where you come from you have clocks. And It was just taking me forever to get to the donkey sanctuary, was it really this far away from Falmouth – I should normally have taken a different route but drawn by FTD. [I love annoying those who say you can’t start a sentence with the word-and.]
And then it was winding bends on the other side of the island, we have crossed the whole of Antigua ! Past Willoughby bay some interesting construction (see images)and further on I saw the big sign not clearly saying you have arrived but that’s what has happened or have you ? I turned inland and started down a roughened road – it said 1 mile to the Donkeys.
I picked up a local lad who was going to work in the fields around here and I couldn’t understand him well at all ! We made very small talk. I wondered if he was a migrant worker I figured he was under 20, long pants cap and a dick Whittington type pack with what I figured was his supper as it was getting late to start a days work. After some really bad roads and the guy saying yes they did get worse and me knowing what a mile feels like I realized that I must have passed it and the guy knew it but he wanted the ride to last – Ok he said when I arrived immediately at his field. A woman 20 yards ahead informed me that I had passed it, the cute goats had distracted me (if ever you need a distraction take a cute goat. If your buying a used car make sure there are no goats around) as this was where the turning was. What goats you say oh yes on the way I saw a goat farm. A WAY TOO SMALL sign signals your arrival at the donkey sanctuary. On turning back I found the sign goats laughing at me and the road I had missed. Note to you – if the road gets real bad turn back. I was in the non 4×4 rio not at all ideal bring on a Top Gear challenge sketch ! But really it wasn’t all a waste (never is) some of the interior views of the fields were simply beautiful. So beautiful, annoyingly beautiful I had to keep stopping getting out and getting another green and blue polaroid. These won’t do justice to the air of peace and nature that sat there hugging me. See for yourself. So the Donkey Sanctuary was closed but I felt I had arrived. There was an awkward donkey in a paddock left of the gate, my daughter being only marginally harder to take a picture of. I was due to meet up at tradewinds hotel for a special happy hour and I hadn’t even got home to change ! Onwards Tonto, donkey or Rio.
My future wife and I began looking for a honeymoon destination in early 2012, our wedding was booked for November 2012. My wife is a seasoned traveller while I had never even flown before! As Cheryl had been to quite a few places, even in the Caribbean I was on the look out for somewhere very special but would at the same time feel ‘safe’ for me. One day searching on line we came across the Verandah Spar resort in St Phillips Antigua, it looked stunning!
Trip advisor had many glowing reports so we made further enquiries. The Verandah staff were really helpful, answering all our questions and really putting themselves out to make sure our special trip was just that. The flight from London Gatwick with BA was a very long one on the 777 aircraft, not a great deal to see but sea LOL, that was the worst part on the way out really. Arriving over Antigua I and many other passengers eagerly looked out to catch our first glimpse of the promised paradise island! What we saw was a lush green island with very character filled bays surrounded by a most beautiful blue sea! Here is my video of our flight and arrival!
Once we landed on the runway and stepped off, the warmth hit us all, and the informality of being disembarked onto the runway was very novel after the military precision of Gatwick! However, not realising it and eager to catch holiday snaps I took a photo of our 777 aircraft and was politely told not to do so by a security guard, so watch out for that! Customs and immigration was no worse than Gatwick, in fact its air-conditioned and did not take too long at all! The staff were efficient but welcoming and we were soon outside waiting for our taxi. Now, the roads might be a little bit of a surprise to EU guests LOL lets just say they are fast and cheerful, just hold on, ha-ha but in reality we never came to nay harm. Arrival at the Verandah was wonderful, we were met by very friendly reception staff and handed our first rum punch! OH wow! Soon we were on a golf cart heading for our little cottage style accommodation and taking in the sights and sounds as we went. We had arrived around 17:00 local time so the sun was already getting low in the sky as we checked out our room and then made our way onto the balcony overlooking the little bay directly towards the setting sun. Here is a compilation of what we saw:
The warmth and sounds was nothing like I have ever encountered, so relaxing so very beautiful! The sounds of the tree frogs and cicadas and the gentle lapping of the sea together with a stunning sun set made our honeymoon perfect and this was only our first night! Once we had gotten over the amazement of it all we headed off to meet the ‘management night’ and to get our first taste of Antiguan hospitality, now dark the charming clean pathways were lit with subtle lamps, but I had a little torch with me all the same. We were stunned to hear the sounds of a steel band wafting on the breeze as we neared the main pool and location of the Sea Breeze restaurant! How amazing to arrive in the Caribbean to a real steel band, just perfect and a memory never to be forgotten. The next few days saw us exploring our little slice of paradise and saw me setting about capturing on video as much of the local wildlife as I could. Here is my video:
We loved to natural history of this place, helped of course by the fact that the Verandah is located on a nature reserve! Diverse, amazing and colourful, we were treated to small lizards, humming birds and the tiny, tiny tree frogs that have a very loud voice at night 🙂 Of course, the sea and water sports are very much a part of a holiday in Antigua and what really made it for us was the complementary water sports equipment offered by the Verandah! As a non swimmer, I never felt pushed or unsafe and they really took care of me.
To my amazement this holiday would see me not only paddling off in my own Kayak, but also sailing a Hobby cat and even snorkelling! All under the watchful eye and guiding hand of my very proficient swimmer wife 🙂 We also headed over to Long Bay beach which is just down a little road from the resort, not as sheltered as our two bays but very beautiful all the same.
We took a trip to St Johns and then joined the Eco Boat tour! Another amazing experience as we were spirited along the azure blue sea to Hells gate, Bird Island and many other interesting locations! Lunch on the boat accompanied by more rum punch!
Here is my video featuring my snorkelling first time experiences including some views of Hells Gate!
Back at the Verandah we spent our days being looked after and gently exploring more of the resort, even taking a trip to the close by Devils Bridge to see a very precarious stone causeway that is pounded by the sea, a blow hole and much more. Highly recommended this location. All too soon it was time to think about heading home and so we spent our last day at this friendly resort being very spoiled until it was time to make our way to the airport! It was raining quite hard! But we were quite safe in the airport, passport control was very easy going and we eventually boarded a rather delayed BA 777 flight for home, that had come from another island! This was the only real down point of the honeymoon for us! We had specifically booked a night flight in the hope of catching up on some sleep.
This was not to happen due to a truly dreadful screaming baby for 75% of the trip! Very late on the BA staff ushered it and its highly stressed out mother to
the back of the plane and we all breathed a sigh of relief. Not being a seasoned traveller the sense of taking what had to be only a few weeks old baby on such a trip with just one parent seemed madness to me but I guess you can’t plan for such things. Well, we loved it so much that we are heading back in 2013 for an early 2nd honeymoon 🙂 we really can’t wait and plan to visit a few more recommended locations this time. I’ll be putting up my experiences on my YouTube channel so please feel free to browse in and see how we got on this time.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mikesndbs
We are flying with Virgin this time and taking two of our dear friends with us! The Verandah has a facebook page if you want to have a look at the resort
https://www.facebook.com/VerandahResort?fref=ts
Hope this encourages others to give Antigua a chance, you really won’t regret it.
All the best from Mike of Mike’s Movies.
I finally felt like a pizza and thank god I have been dying to stop by and try one of Perry’s pizzas. It’s close by Sugar Ridge and next to Shelly’s fish and chip bus ! It is in a really nice spot. I have always driven past and just not been hungry or had had a pressing destination in mind while blogging this amazing island. I opted for the Perry special because it had bacon and for a change I was actually interested in chicken. I asked him to spice it up and he did just that.
The Pizza Hut
See the board for the prices and pizza flavour ideas.
Perry and his oven !
I am ready for this !
I thoroughly recommend his pizzas and restaurant as an Antiguan place to eat – good quality food and good service. Especially if you are staying at Sugar Ridge then it’s almost across the road.
it’s been a rewarding but protracted period of commute, career, and maybe family commitments and you deserve a break for a week or two. Let me walk you through a destination where you and yours will be treated as royalty. That destination is ‘the Ridge’ Sugar Ridge in Antigua.
Feel like a million dollars.
Turn off from your high-touch world as much or as little as you like. With omnipresent Wi-Fi, you won’t be limited by location, pool, restaurant, room, gym etc. Catch up on your reading or use your laptop or tablet while relaxing in the infinity pool on top of the hill at the renowned Carmichael’s restaurant. Just Instagram that view and watch the followers flock in! Carmichael’s you should absolutely reserve, and anticipate the experience. Often serving Antigua’s most important dignitaries and famous, with Caribbean fusion dishes created by the head chef. Carmichael’s position on the ridge was chosen for the views which are simply unparalleled, out across to the uninhabited Redonda and to St Kitts and Nevis. Carmichael’s is not the only restaurant at Sugar Ridge, the Sugar Club bar and restaurant is tastefully contemporary in design – let’s describe it as Caribbean informal chic.
Tastefully Modern
Throughout the resort rests generous and comfortable ergonomic designer furniture. Poolside and throughout the Sugar Club you will find your own style of lounging- as the locals say ‘limin’.
Amazing pool, you can do lengths!
Villas are also available to accommodate larger parties and families, but let’s get back to YOU. Rooms (lower with plunge pools) with clever spaces are 4 to a building; Apple device docks and designer fixtures will accommodate you and your family in style and comfort. I felt the room more like a suite than a room because it is more than a single room with a dining area and balcony and my own entrance and private path. Whisking me around the ridge are the resort’s green electric buggies.
beautiful immediate surroundings.
The rooms are Incredible!
Dare I say the whole resort smells great! I have no idea how they do that – it’s aromatherapytastic. A full week of relaxation also involves some activity for the body and mind ensuring that you return to self. Try some yoga or Pilates in the fitness studio or elect to hit the iron with their state-of-the-art machinery and free weights.
State of the art Gym and Studio
If, like me, you like running on the beach (Antigua is known for its beaches) within minutes you can be barefoot on some of Antigua’s best. Other Antigua activities include a new clay pigeon shooting range, ziplining or simply hike a part of Antigua’s nature on one of the many trails. Visit the charming Antiguan interior with its sugar mills and historic dockyards once manned by Nelson himself. Antigua of course has water-sports galore, jet-skis and hobbie cats to scuba diving. Not your thing? Charter a boat for a day (crew or no crew) sail. On Sunday don’t miss the Shirley Heights BBQ attraction where Steel Band meets views atop Nelsons Dockyard and English Harbour. One of Antigua’s most popular tours is the getting married in Antigua tour! And Sugar Ridge has your most special day covered. Brides are treated to in house makeup with the specially trained Aveda makeup artist using ONLY their range of high end AVEDA makeup products. Sugar Ridge is arguably one of the best spots to say ‘I do’ in the world.
Sugar Ridge I do!
The Aveda Concept Spa, the only one in Antigua is part of Sugar Ridge Club.
Well let me start to list my favourite places and why:
Putters: pub quiz Thursday and this is also a place to escape touristic hell. Not that Antigua really does that. The music is slightly too quiet but it makes for better conv. Friendly locals and expats like it here. Also hit this on a Friday before the next bar … Pepperz N’ Lime (Peppers and Lime)
Friday night in Antigua has been a tradition here since before the latest Mexican rebranding theming. Friday dress up or down no problem but don’t make the same mistake the locals do 😉 ; Don’t arrive too late ! Instead get there after say putters and enjoy more space and the ability to get served. The music is still good and it is nicely busy. But for an even better time do the Sunday Cooler Fete which is bring your own cooler and leave you inhibitions behind as you grind and whine away to a local DJ on the beach.
Crows Nest: Good value with themed evenings such as movie night, karaoke and salsa night, all the good stuff about this sports bar makes up for the too neutral music ! soft jazz etc karaoke on Wednesday is the best night IMO! Steve the new owner of the epicurean brought some great music across yesterday so hope this is to be repeated !
Bay House at Tradewinds : For arguably some of the best views on the island – the cocktails here are excellent I recommend a ginger twist on a mojito. You can find yourself a great table for food after a couple of warm up drinks.
Kelly and Martin – what a wonderful couple celebrating their first year of marriage by coming back to the blessed isle !
I met them at the skulduggery cafe in Falmouth this evening and it was one of those evenings. Even the water was still. September has brought us s cooler evening and thank Guinness for that ! The tarpon were even hanging out and jako was testing the staff and a semi local expat who was more than a match for his antics. Jako I first saw riding his donkey in falmouth down the road side sadle doing something while he went. I didn’t get a pic that day but did one other evening prior.
Well we all chatted hung out – limed as they say. It was an evening that saw me see how different Falmouth could be in season. Watch this space. But thanks and congratulations to a great couple. Martin and Kerry please get in touch ! We want to know about your week.
I have some regrets about making the very most of all inclusive holidays in Antigua take last year for example- I may well have literally stumbled upon (or at least OUT OF) Putters next to the salt lake up in Dickenson Bay.
This is early- it gets nicely busy and rather fun.
I was welcomed by a very friendly bunch buying shots just like that- it was a Thursday Pub Quiz Antigua day and I even got to chat diving with the Divemasters and Instructors of Sandals. Drunken banter about Canada- the UK all the old stories rivalries and swapping notes that happens and that was the guys behind the bar ! They were sober and doing a grand job for the record, the rest is true. SO make sure you make it down when you visit Antigua. I recommend the large sports screen, small crazy golf and if you have kids a playground. But the bar is its best feature after the friendly crowd. You can do this as part of the Antigua Pub Crawl on a Friday night. Oh yes please support Antigua, Best Antigua and the good people that like this stuff. That means a quick share copy the link and email if you need but support we are grateful for. Thank you!
How do you turn a daytime beachside restaurant into Antigua’s most happening place on a FRIDAY ? Well I went along to see what the talk was about. It’s entirely all 100% every-ting true..The place to be seen and see the gorgeous amongst.
Well it may be that you are not staying close by to Dickenson Bay so then allow me to propose the Pub Crawl Tour that will get your group to Putters and Peppers and Lime – the latter being the beachside restaurant I was on about. Up to 14 people travel in fully a/c insured official taxi style minibus with Raymond. He is also a really good local music artist. Contact Raymonds No 1 Taxis (him) here:
(268) does anyone ever need that ? 7269100 /7751001
email :[email protected] or facebook GSMARTPETERS he says 24/7 and appears to be hard working and caring !
just mention you found him through BEST ANTIGUA ! As we like to let businesses know where they got the lead.
Start the tour from your resort or villa rental, travel down to putters at your preffered time. Plan bearing in mind your group needs to keep together or discuss with Raymond and extra return trip. Putters gets going from 6ish we say and that is already a lot of time to be drinking – so if you want to go long go later and get a few in putters and spend most of your time in Peppers and Lime. Great music great atmosphere and great times.
Find them Peppers N Lime on facebook if you can!
So I have my green card (wrist strap) which gives me entitlement to an all inclusive day here like I was a guest.
It must be good for some reason as I keep coming back up here.
I just questioned my first drink diet coke ! I guess I want to maximise my attempted windsurfing – I will let you know how it goes.
