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Antigua and Barbuda Photo Travelogue (March 2012)

Antigua and Barbuda is known for its perfect beaches; with sugar white sand and azure blue seas. Many celebrities have houses in Antigua such as Oprah Winfrey, Eric Clapton and Silvio Berlusconi, the (disgraced) former prime minister of Italy. It might scare people away thinking that the country is an unaffordable haven for jet setters, but there is something for people with practically any budget there. You can spend $8,000 a week in the Sandals Grande Antigua resort, or $50 a night in a charming guesthouse. Another advantage of Antigua and Barbuda is that with its British colonial roots, language is not a problem for English-speaking people. Yet, while cricket is still popular on the island, the Caribbean flavor is predominant. Antigua and Barbuda is a great get-away to leave one’s stress behind and to forget any problems. A tropical paradise works much better than Prozac!
Antigua and Barbuda Photo Travelogue cover page.
Antigua and Barbuda Photo Travelogue cover page.		 Map of Antigua & Barbuda with the red dot indicating the capital, St. John's.
Map of Antigua & Barbuda with the red dot indicating the capital, St. John's.		 Ships docked in St. John's harbour. Many cruise ships regularly arrive here.
Ships docked in St. John's harbour. Many cruise ships regularly arrive here.		 Close-up of the ships.
Close-up of the ships.
Me holding a spiny lobster, which are indigenous to the Caribbean.
Me holding a spiny lobster, which are indigenous to the Caribbean.		 I took an Island Safari Land Rover tour of Antigua.
I took an "Island Safari" Land Rover tour of Antigua.		 Statue of Antiguan hero, Prince Klaas, a slave who was executed for planning an uprising (in 1736) where whites were massacred.
Statue of Antiguan hero, Prince Klaas, a slave who was executed for planning an uprising (in 1736) where whites were massacred.		 Field workers planting spring crops in Antigua.
Field workers planting spring crops in Antigua.
Close-up of the field workers.
Close-up of the field workers.		 On the tour, we drove by this unusual boat-shaped house.
On the tour, we drove by this unusual boat-shaped house.		 St. Barnabas Anglican Church is the oldest church in Antigua. It is more than 250 years old.
St. Barnabas Anglican Church is the oldest church in Antigua. It is more than 250 years old.		 The bricks that were used to build this church were brought from England on HMS Royal Navy Ships. The church is still in use.
The bricks that were used to build this church were brought from England on HMS Royal Navy Ships. The church is still in use.
Close-up of one of St. Barnabas's stained glass windows.
Close-up of one of St. Barnabas's stained glass windows.		 An interesting and sinuous tree next to the church.
An interesting and sinuous tree next to the church.		 View from the top of Dow's Hill of yachts below.
View from the top of Dow's Hill of yachts below.		 Another view from Dow's Hill.
Another view from Dow's Hill.
Dow's Hill has an interpretation center for tourists.
Dow's Hill has an interpretation center for tourists.		 The interpretation center has an interesting 15 minute presentation on the history, culture and heritage of Antigua and Barbuda.
The interpretation center has an interesting 15 minute presentation on the history, culture and heritage of Antigua and Barbuda.		 Dow’s Hill overlooks a gorgeous national park, the glistening Caribbean Sea and Nelson’s Dockyard.
Dow’s Hill overlooks a gorgeous national park, the glistening Caribbean Sea and Nelson’s Dockyard.		 Pleasure boats below, as seen from Dow's Hill.
Pleasure boats below, as seen from Dow's Hill.
After leaving Dow's Hill, we drove by Eric Clapton's House on top of a hill.
After leaving Dow's Hill, we drove by Eric Clapton's House on top of a hill.		 It has a magnificent view of the water.
It has a magnificent view of the water.		 View of the Guard House - The Lookout (1791), which is located at the highest point of Shirley Heights, Antigua.
View of the Guard House - The Lookout (1791), which is located at the highest point of Shirley Heights, Antigua.		 Sign describing the historical significance the Guard House.
Sign describing the historical significance the Guard House.
Vendors selling souvenirs at a concession stand on Shirley Heights.
Vendors selling souvenirs at a concession stand on Shirley Heights.		 Magnificent view from Shirley Heights of Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour.
Magnificent view from Shirley Heights of Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour.		 Me posing in front of the harbours. My hair was messed up from high winds at Shirley Heights.
Me posing in front of the harbours. My hair was messed up from high winds at Shirley Heights.		 I heeded the warning and did not get too close!
I heeded the warning and did not get too close!
Another view of Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour, below.
Another view of Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour, below.		 Close-up of the boats in the harbours below.
Close-up of the boats in the harbours below.		 View of the Guard House and souvenir stand as I left Shirley Heights.
View of the Guard House and souvenir stand as I left Shirley Heights.		 The next stop on the tour was at Nelson's Dockyard. English ships took refuge from hurricanes in this harbour as early as 1671.
The next stop on the tour was at Nelson's Dockyard. English ships took refuge from hurricanes in this harbour as early as 1671.
Map of Nelson's Dockyard.
Map of Nelson's Dockyard.		 Admirals Inn at the dockyard. The dockyard was used by admirals Nelson, Rodney and Hood and was the home of the British fleet.
Admirals Inn at the dockyard. The dockyard was used by admirals Nelson, Rodney and Hood and was the home of the British fleet.		 Sign for the boat house and the sail loft, which were built in 1797.
Sign for the boat house and the sail loft, which were built in 1797.		 The boat house was a huge 2-story building. The ground floor was used for general storage and to repair ships.
The boat house was a huge 2-story building. The ground floor was used for general storage and to repair ships.
The boat house and sail loft were damaged by an earthquake in 1845 and a hurricane in 1871, resulting in the loss of its roof.
The boat house and sail loft were damaged by an earthquake in 1845 and a hurricane in 1871, resulting in the loss of its roof.		 Guide explaining the sail loft pillars. Sails would be hoisted from boats up to the sail loft through a trap door for repair.
Guide explaining the sail loft pillars. Sails would be hoisted from boats up to the sail loft through a trap door for repair.		 The Engineers' Offices was planned in 1785 as a store for pitch tar and turpentine.
The Engineers' Offices was planned in 1785 as a store for pitch tar and turpentine.		 It was used as an engineers' office in the 19th century. In 1960, it was converted into a hotel.
It was used as an engineers' office in the 19th century. In 1960, it was converted into a hotel.
Sign describing the history of the Engineers' Offices.
Sign describing the history of the Engineers' Offices.		 On this side, the Engineers' Offices faces the harbour, where the hotel guests can enjoy the view.
On this side, the Engineers' Offices faces the harbour, where the hotel guests can enjoy the view.		 Bucolic view of boats on the harbour at Nelson's Dockyard.
Bucolic view of boats on the harbour at Nelson's Dockyard.		 More pleasure boats in the harbour.
More pleasure boats in the harbour.
View of the a sail loft pillar jutting out into the water.
View of the a sail loft pillar jutting out into the water.		 A marina at Nelson's Dockyard.
A marina at Nelson's Dockyard.		 There were beautiful sailboats in the marina.
There were beautiful sailboats in the marina.		 In addition to sailboats, there were luxurious yachts docked there.
In addition to sailboats, there were luxurious yachts docked there.
The Sawpit Shed and Cabin is the oldest structure at Nelson's Dockyard, built in 1769. Lumber was cut there to build ships.
The Sawpit Shed and Cabin is the oldest structure at Nelson's Dockyard, built in 1769. Lumber was cut there to build ships.		 Sign describing the history of the Sawpit Shed and Cabin.
Sign describing the history of the Sawpit Shed and Cabin.		 Colonial-era cannon near the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel.
Colonial-era cannon near the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel.		 The Copper & Lumber Store Hotel was converted from its colonial copper and lumber store usage.
The Copper & Lumber Store Hotel was converted from its colonial copper and lumber store usage.
The Dockyard Museum was built in 1855 and originally served as an officers’ quarters in the Royal Navy Dockyard.
The Dockyard Museum was built in 1855 and originally served as an officers’ quarters in the Royal Navy Dockyard.		 Officers Quarters Bar & Restaurant and other shops at Nelson's Dockyard.
Officers Quarters Bar & Restaurant and other shops at Nelson's Dockyard.		 After leaving Nelson's Dockyard, we continued the Land Rover tour and passed a sugar cane silo from Antigua's rum making days.
After leaving Nelson's Dockyard, we continued the Land Rover tour and passed a sugar cane silo from Antigua's rum making days.		 A young pineapple ripening on the vine.
A young pineapple ripening on the vine.
Antigua is fortunate to have magnificent white sand beaches.
Antigua is fortunate to have magnificent white sand beaches.		 Some other Caribbean islands have black sand, caused by volcanic activity, which is less desirable for beaches.
Some other Caribbean islands have black sand, caused by volcanic activity, which is less desirable for beaches.		 When we stopped for lunch, this Bananaquit was scrounging for table scraps.
When we stopped for lunch, this Bananaquit was scrounging for table scraps.		 After lunch, we went to a pier with many pleasure boats.
After lunch, we went to a pier with many pleasure boats.
The beauty of the boats was accentuated by the clouds.
The beauty of the boats was accentuated by the clouds.		 View of St. John's and cruise ships in the harbour.
View of St. John's and cruise ships in the harbour.		 On the way to St. John's, we passed a lighthouse. It was odd, because the lighthouse is inland.
On the way to St. John's, we passed a lighthouse. It was odd, because the lighthouse is inland.		 The tour guide dropped off a couple at Sandals Grande Antigua resort. They paid $8,000 for one week (my hotel was $69 a night)!
The tour guide dropped off a couple at Sandals Grande Antigua resort. They paid $8,000 for one week (my hotel was $69 a night)!
The pier at St. John's Harbour.
The pier at St. John's Harbour.		 The Black Swan schooner was docked there.
The "Black Swan" schooner was docked there.		 The Vendors Mall in downtown St. John's was a big tourist trap.
The Vendors Mall in downtown St. John's was a big tourist trap.		 A popular restaurant in Antigua is the Big Banana. They have great pizza there!
A popular restaurant in Antigua is the Big Banana. They have great pizza there!
View of St. John's Anglican Cathedral in Antigua, which is undergoing a renovation.
View of St. John's Anglican Cathedral in Antigua, which is undergoing a renovation.		 Two St. John's Anglican Churches have already stood on the site of the present cathedral. The first was built of wood in 1681.
Two St. John's Anglican Churches have already stood on the site of the present cathedral. The first was built of wood in 1681.		 The second was built of brick in 1720. After an earthquake in 1843, construction on the current church began in 1845.
The second was built of brick in 1720. After an earthquake in 1843, construction on the current church began in 1845.		 In downtown St. John's, is a statue of Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, Sr. (1910-1999), the founder of Antigua & Barbuda (1981).
In downtown St. John's, is a statue of Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, Sr. (1910-1999), the founder of Antigua & Barbuda (1981).
I stayed at the Inn La Galleria, which is located 15 minutes away from St. John's on the northwest coast at the Five Islands.
I stayed at the Inn La Galleria, which is located 15 minutes away from St. John's on the northwest coast at the Five Islands.		 It is located on top of a hill with panoramic views of the sea.
It is located on top of a hill with panoramic views of the sea.		 It is a bit of a climb up the steep hill to the hotel.
It is a bit of a climb up the steep hill to the hotel.		 More steep stairs to climb, but it is worth it. The price is right, and it has a lot of charm and ambiance.
More steep stairs to climb, but it is worth it. The price is right, and it has a lot of charm and ambiance.
Interior of the Inn La Galleria.
Interior of the Inn La Galleria.		 Breakfast area in the hotel with a spectacular view.
Breakfast area in the hotel with a spectacular view.		 Decoration on the breakfast table.
Decoration on the breakfast table.		 View from the balcony of Inn La Galleria.
View from the balcony of Inn La Galleria.
Another view from Inn La Galleria. One of Antigua's best beaches is a 5 minute walk from the hotel.
Another view from Inn La Galleria. One of Antigua's best beaches is a 5 minute walk from the hotel.		 I made a new friend with the hotel cat (kitten).
I made a new friend with the hotel cat (kitten).		 I woke up in the middle of the night with the kitty sleeping next to me!
I woke up in the middle of the night with the kitty sleeping next to me!		 The next day, I went on this catamaran on the Excellence Catamaran Day-Cruise around the island of Antigua.
The next day, I went on this catamaran on the Excellence Catamaran Day-Cruise around the island of Antigua.
Since it departed from St. John's Harbour, we passed a lot of cruise ships.
Since it departed from St. John's Harbour, we passed a lot of cruise ships.		 We passed the Adventure of the Seas cruise ship.
We passed the Adventure of the Seas cruise ship.		 View of the bow of the Adventure of the Seas.
View of the bow of the Adventure of the Seas.		 The upper deck of the catamaran.
The upper deck of the catamaran.
The wake of the catamaran at the bow.
The wake of the catamaran at the bow.		 The captain and crew with some of the passengers.
The captain and crew with some of the passengers.		 We passed by Fort James. The fort was built in 1706 to guard St. John's harbour and is one of many forts built by the British.
We passed by Fort James. The fort was built in 1706 to guard St. John's harbour and is one of many forts built by the British.		 In the old days, it was the custom that every vessel passing should pay a fee of 18 shillings to the Captain of the fort.
In the old days, it was the custom that every vessel passing should pay a fee of 18 shillings to the Captain of the fort.
If the ship did not comply, a shot was fired across its bows.
If the ship did not comply, a shot was fired across its bows.		 View of Sandals Grande Antigua resort. For $8,000 for one week, I hope that it is worth it!
View of Sandals Grande Antigua resort. For $8,000 for one week, I hope that it is worth it!		 Wadadli Cats was one of many boats that we passed on our tour.
Wadadli Cats was one of many boats that we passed on our tour.		 We passed by Devil’s Bridge, which is a natural arch carved by the sea from soft and hard limestone ledges.
We passed by Devil’s Bridge, which is a natural arch carved by the sea from soft and hard limestone ledges.
Note the unusual turquoise blue water along the Antigua coastline.
Note the unusual turquoise blue water along the Antigua coastline.		 View of Silvio Berlusconi's house in Antigua (the former disgraced Prime Minister of Italy).
View of Silvio Berlusconi's house in Antigua (the former disgraced Prime Minister of Italy). 		Close-up of Silvio Berlusconi's house.
Close-up of Silvio Berlusconi's house.		 The catamaran stopped for lunch on the pristine beach of Green Island, which is a small island off the coast of Antigua.
The catamaran stopped for lunch on the pristine beach of Green Island, which is a small island off the coast of Antigua.
The white sand beaches of Green Island were ideal for swimming. Other passengers went snorkeling at a nearby reef, there.
The white sand beaches of Green Island were ideal for swimming. Other passengers went snorkeling at a nearby reef, there.		 Another (smaller) fort that we passed on the tour, after our Green Island stop.
Another (smaller) fort that we passed on the tour, after our Green Island stop.		 A beautiful schooner docked on Antigua's coastline.
A beautiful schooner docked on Antigua's coastline.		 Sailboats are plentiful in Antigua as we observed during our cruise.
Sailboats are plentiful in Antigua as we observed during our cruise.
This boat had a mini-helicopter!
This boat had a mini-helicopter!		 Hawksbill Rock in Harksbill Bay, Antigua, is famous because it resembles a sea creature opening its jaws.
Hawksbill Rock in Harksbill Bay, Antigua, is famous because it resembles a sea creature opening its jaws.		 When the cruise ended, I went back to my hotel for a swim at this beautiful beach nearby, a great way to end the day.
When the cruise ended, I went back to my hotel for a swim at this beautiful beach nearby, a great way to end the day.		 The beach is at the luxurious Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort Hotel. It was strange, the hotel was virtually empty.
The beach is at the luxurious Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort Hotel. It was strange, the hotel was virtually empty.

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taboo502-May-2013 22:43
Thanks for your feedback. I made the change.
Guest 02-May-2013 16:41
Nice pictures. Helped me put a name to some of the stuff I forgot. Just a note though, the view of Oprah's house and close up is not her house. That is Silvio Berlusconi and below are houses he owns that are for sale. Oprah's house was on flatter land on the point of an island and has a water fountain that you can see from the Excellence.
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