MSC CRUISE – LESSER ANTILLES
Antigua and Barbuda March 12, 2022
Antigua and Barbuda . Tourism dominates the local economy of both islands. Antigua and Barbuda are nicknamed “Land of 365 beaches” due to the stunning white sand beaches that surround the two islands, and on Antigua many high-end resorts. Barbuda still has the beaches but little tourism-based infrastructure.
Investment banking and financial services are important with many major foreign banks taking advantage of the nation’s liberal banking laws.
Cricket is a huge sport here and this tiny nation has produced several genuine all-time world greats of the game. Cricket fans will certainly not be short of locals to chat with.
Capital: St John’s
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) “$” or “EC$” (XCD). US$1 ≈ EC$2.7 (pegged).
Population: 101,000
Language. English (official) and local dialects + an expanding Spanish-speaking migrant population.
Country Code: +1268
Electricity. Outlets are the standard British type and non-grounded North American outlets.
Visa. Most western countries don’t require a visa.
Covid. Most wear masks outside. The week after we left, all mask requirements were being removed.
Antigua had no restrictions on visiting. We made many attempts to rent a car but were unable to navigate the web sites. They either had no cars or no driver permits. There are no agencies close to the cruise port. We finally gave up and went down to the bus depot and caught a bus each way to English Harbour ($1.75)
ANTIGUA The main island and a major Caribbean resort destination
SAINT JOHN’S
Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. A good review of the history of the island, a typical municipal museum. $3
St. John’s Cathedral. This large church is a prominent part of St John’s skyline. The inside has been totally restored with natural wood and is a magnificent church. The lateral naves have second story balconies. The pulpit and baptismal font are the only old appearing objects. There are many graves dating to the mid 1800s.
VC Bird Statue. This is an unusual monument – the large bust of Mr. Bird is painted in nice tones. The first premier of Antigua, he is described as “The Hero of the Nation”.
Fort James. At the end of a spit forming the harbour, it is only walls with little of interest inside.
ENGLISH HARBOUR
Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites. World Heritage Sites. A group of Georgian-style naval buildings and structures, set within a walled enclosure. The natural environment of this side of the island of Antigua, with its deep, narrow bays surrounded by highlands on which defensive fortifications were constructed, and that offered shelter from hurricanes and was ideal for repairing ships. The construction of the Dockyard by the British navy would not have been possible without the labour of generations of enslaved Africans since the end of the 18th century. Its aim was to protect the interests of sugar cane planters at a time when European powers were competing for control of the Eastern Caribbean. Antigua’s location as a front-line naval dockyard facility gave the British navy a strategic advantage over its rivals at a crucial point in history.
English Georgian architecture was modified to suit the hot tropical climate to a distinctly colonial Caribbean Georgian architecture with the addition of features such as storm shutters and verandas.
The dockyard buildings have all been restored and repurposed as shops, restaurants and a hotel. The surrounding marina had some large spectacular sail boats. $15
Dockyard Museum, English Harbour. At the Royal dockyards, this is a very good museum with good explanations and some interesting artifacts. Free with admission to dockyards.
Get In.
By plane.V.C. Bird International, (ANU) has flights to United States, Canada, Europe and other Caribbean islands.
Get Around
Car or scooter rentals.The nicest spots are only reached by your own transport. There are various car rental agencies and if you stay a week or more, rates improve.
By bus. Inexpensive but slow. 15 Nomad Mania sites, mostly on Antigua, all separated.
Ferry to Barbuda. Barbuda Express runs ferries between Barbuda and Antigua from the ferry dock in St. John’s Harbour at the bottom of High St. The Barbuda Express is an innovative wave-piercing catamaran giving maximum passenger comfort at high speed and a journey time of 90 minutes in nearly all weather conditions.
Climate. Tropical marine with little seasonal temperature variation. The islands experience hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October), and periodic droughts.
See
Frigate birds on Barbuda
Mount Obama, previously known as “Boggy Peak” the nation’s highest point and a national park named for U.S. President Barack Obama on his 48th birthday in 2009.
Greencastle Hill
Betty’s Hope Mills, Betty’s Hope. Windmill
Beaches
17-Mile Beach
Darkwood Beach
Shoal Bay (Sight)
Christian Valley Waterfall
Pillar of Hercules via Shirley Heights Trail. Trails 2 – Hikes:
Festivals
A & B International Kite Festival
Antigua Sailing Week
Wadadli Day
Redonda. M@P, XL, Tiny uninhabited island
BARBUDA Few people, even fewer facilities, magnificent beaches
Codrington Lagoon (Frigate Bird Sanctuary)
Two Foot Bay Caves