Heritage Quay is the largest seaport shopping area in Antigua and is located at the waterfront of the St. John's Harbour. The presence of many different stores and upscale boutiques offer a vibrant shopping experience in a very picturesque area of the city.The buildings within…Read More

Heritage Quay is the largest seaport shopping area in Antigua and is located at the waterfront of the St. John's Harbour. The presence of many different stores and upscale boutiques offer a vibrant shopping experience in a very picturesque area of the city.

The buildings within Heritage Quay are painted in bright colours, and each store is bathed in it's own unique hue. From shocking yellow and neon green, to a softer pink and a stunning blue akin to that of the Caribbean Sea, the entire plaza is an irresistable feast for the eyes.

Some of the island's largest jewelry stores such as Diamond's International and Jewellers Warehouse have set up shop in the centre of Heritage Quay. These stores offer an extensive collection of fine jewelry with both precious and semi-precious stones. Regardless of it the piece you are searching for is for personal adornment or a special symbol of commitment for a loved one, chances are you'll find something to suit your taste.

I've personally have purchased jewelry from Jewellers Warehouse on two separate occasions. I bought an elegant gold ring for myself, and a gorgeous pair of earrings for a friend, and the staff was extremely helpful and efficient, and sized my ring within ten minutes.

For visitors who had to pack for their holiday in a hurry, and weren't able to purchase any swimwear in advance, Sunseekers on the upper floor is the best place in Antigua to buy quality bathing suits. One can expect to find hundreds of options in all colours imaginable, and designs ranging from modest and simple, to eye-catching intricate creations. Costs range from $15 to $300 upwards, and if you're interested in a good bargain, ask about their sale corner!

The majority of stores at Heritage Quay, however, tend to gravitate towards the sale of clothing and footwear. Everything from formal wear to beach sarongs and flip flops can easily be found, andd all of the stores accept major credit cards and some debit cards.

I advise all potential visitors to bring along a copy of their travel tickets in order to take advantage of the seriously low duty-free prices at Heritage Quay. Without proof of travel, regular prices will be charged.

After a day filled with flitting about from store to store, a leisurely lunch at the Island Beehive restaurant is recommended. Enjoy local cuisne and a bottle of Wadadli beer at a decent price. Several other restaurants and bars are located a bit closer to the waterfront, and an establishment known as The Coast offers an open air bar right on the boardwalk.

Simply put, whether you're in the mood to shop until you drop or you're only looking for a place to pass the time and people watch, Heritage Quay just may be the place that you are looking for.Close

The Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery is a small establishment nestled amongst the trees in the tropical rainforest of Antigua. The Fig Tree Drive is a winding paved road which cuts through the dense green vegetation of the rainforest, and the studio is situated a…Read More

The Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery is a small establishment nestled amongst the trees in the tropical rainforest of Antigua. The Fig Tree Drive is a winding paved road which cuts through the dense green vegetation of the rainforest, and the studio is situated a short distance off the main road. Swaying palm fronds and towering trees result in an all natural backdrop which is an art form all in itself.

The owner of The Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery is Sallie Harker, a well known artist who was born in England but has chosen to make Antigua and Barbuda her home. Many of her oil and water colour pieces are on display at the gallery, as well as artwork belonging to several other painters and craftsmen throughout the Caribbean.

Various creative paintings dominate the walls of the gallery, many featuring old fashioned Caribbean sea vessels such as Carib canoes, French yoles and Grenadian sloops. Most of these boats are battling stormy seas and heavy winds and you can easily imagine being onboard as the early explorers searched for foreign lands.

The paintings vary significantly not simply by the colour schemes used, but by the very materials on which they were created. Apart from the more conventional materials such as canvas, Sallie makes use of wooden shingles as the foundation for a very unique series of paintings known as 'Cruising the Caribbean'. The shingles are made from hardwood trees and the resulting artwork of captivating colours remarkable composition is a pleasure to behold. Paintings such as these can be bought for USD $300 and upwards.

Aside from her seacraft artwork, Sallie also has a penchant for animal sculptures, and many beautifully carved birds, fish and turtles can be found at the studio. High quality woods such as Teak and Mohagany as utlized to ensure that the end result is not only aesthetic, but durable. Other sculptures are created from driftwood and bamboo, for those interested in a more Creole oriented
artifact.

Smaller sculptures such as bob-a-head turtles made from coconut shells are available for purchase if a simple souvenir is all you're looking for. Colourful hand woven baskets, and jewelry boxes are available for purchase, and provides an alternative to the usual plastic keyrings that visitors rely on to remember their vacation.

The journey to the art gallery is beautiful, and the art on display is fascinating. This combination can only mean that a visit will be worthwhile, whether it's simply to have a look around, or to take home a piece of the Caribbean with you.Close

Old Road is the very first established community on the island of Antigua, located quite a distance from the capital city. In retrospect, it's actually one of the furthest countryside communities. The best way to view the area for the very first time, is via…Read More

Old Road is the very first established community on the island of Antigua, located quite a distance from the capital city. In retrospect, it's actually one of the furthest countryside communities. The best way to view the area for the very first time, is via Fig Tree Drive starting from the turn-off at Tyrells on the All Saints Main Road.

After passing through several small districts such as Follys and John Hughes, you'll encounter many curves and bends in the winding narrow road before arriving at Old Road. This island village is akin to those you would expect to find in the Southern Caribbean islands, rather than on a popular tourist destination such as Antigua and St. Maarten.

Small but brightly coloured stalls fabricated from pieces of wood line the main road, with a wide array of fresh fruit and other local snacks for sale. Expect to sample fruits such as 'Julie' mango and sweet and tropical Finger Rose, which belongs to the banana family.

Speaking of fruits, Old Road is the home of the Antigua Black Pineapple, which is the national fruit of Antigua. There are several large plantations in and around the village, which facilitate the growth and exportation of what is considered to be one of the sweetest varieties of pineapple worldwide.

While slowly driving through the village, you'll arrive at a long but gentle incline. After peaking the hill, you will be treated to one of the best seascapes on the Southern Coast of the island. Acacia trees dot the hillside, but that doesn't diminish the vista in the slightest. The bay appears to stretch for miles, waves crash on the sandy shore far below, and charming cliffside villas line the nearby escarpment.

The beach in sight is known as Morris Bay, and it's a great place to take a dip if you're interested in immersing yourself in the 'island life'. The shore is usually characterized with children playing games such as cricket and football, while the village men tend to their fishing boats which are docked a few feet away.

To see a different side of Antigua than what is publicized in the media, take a trip here. There's more than the fabulous beach and the ubiquitous palm trees, and you can be sure that everything you'll experience is genuine and not scripted for your benefit. Close

If you ask anyone who has visited Antigua, the question of where has the best view on the island, the unanimous answer will be Shirley Heights. Perched on a hilltop overlooking Nelson's Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour is one of Antigua's most well known landmarks. The…Read More

If you ask anyone who has visited Antigua, the question of where has the best view on the island, the unanimous answer will be Shirley Heights. Perched on a hilltop overlooking Nelson's Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour is one of Antigua's most well known landmarks. The panoramic 360 degree vista is exceptional, and getting there is quite easy, as all of the island tours make a stop at this site which is part of the Nelson's Dockyard.

Given that Shirely Heights is located on one of the steeper hills in the country, the journey there is on a long and narrow winding lane, which begins in the village of English Harbour. Don't expect to overtake any vehicles on the way, as there are steep drops in some sections. The further up you drive, the more arid the vegetation becomes with cacti and acacia trees dotting the landscape. Look out for the island's national shrub called the Yucca plant, as it flourishes in dry regions.

If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, there's an alternative way of getting to the top. There's an off-road route commly known as the 'Lookout Trail' which leads from Galleon Beach to Shirley Heights. This isn't an easy hike, as the terrain is quite uneven, with a few large rocks to climb over. Be sure to walk with proper footwear, to lower the risk of injury.

After arriving at the top, the first thing you'll notice is the large shed under which several vendors ply their trade. Local art work, pairs of brightly painted maracas and small souvenir are displayed for sale, and cold beverages are sold in coolers to help with battling the harsh rays of the Caribbean sun.

My favourite part of Shirley Heights however, is the Lookout. Right on the edge of a cliff which is guarded by stone pillars is where I love to stand and take in the magnificent seascape. From this point, you can see the two main harbours, on either side on a hilly peninsula. The scenery is truly picturesque, and the view is featured on many Antiguan postcards and international tourism brochures.

Several blockhouses and cannons serve as reminders of the signifacant role the fort played in Antigua's history, and one of the buildings has been fully restored and now houses a restaurant and bar. Lunch or dinner can be ordered, and several benches outside provide a great setting for guests to have a picnic while enjoying the sights.

Shirley Heights Lookout is a fantastic place to hang out during the day, or a lively place to dance during it's weekly Sunday BBQ party. There's a really good reason why people return time and time again, and you should pay a visit to see it for yourself.Close

The grounds of Nelson's Dockyard appears to be an actual museum all by itself. To think that all of the buildings I pass by were standing there for hundreds of years, with only slight restoration attempts made, brings about a sense of awe. It's as…Read More

The grounds of Nelson's Dockyard appears to be an actual museum all by itself. To think that all of the buildings I pass by were standing there for hundreds of years, with only slight restoration attempts made, brings about a sense of awe. It's as if I've been mentally transported to the era which has shaped Antiguan into what it is today.

On entering the site, I walked through a narrow entryway, flanked by a large brick and mortar building on one side, and a craggy cliff face on the other. In some parts, the cliff face was covered with overhanging vegetation, brittle and dry from the ongoing drought which was taking its toll on the island.

The entrance to the Dockyard is flanked by two guardhouses which were built in 1778. A wooden gate once stood between them, and this gate now resides in the Dockyard Museum. These guardhouses once served as a form of security for the dockyard, and the enforcers were gorverned by a long list of rules, which is also being exhibited in the musuem.

After passing the guardhouses, I noticed many tall, black Victorian styled streetlamps lining the various paths throughout the grounds. These stand testament to the heavy British influence on the twin island state.

Several steel cannons, some real and others faux, are placed all about the lawn and small notice boards stand nearby, offering various tidbits of information on the cannons and other objects. A miniature imitation cannon on wheels was even parked in a large hollow within a rocky ridge, as a reminder that the entire dockyard was once a fully operational fortress manned by soldiers.

The green carpet of lawn is only interrupted by random small patches of flowers and shrubs, which are obviously pruned and cared for my a skilled gardener. All of the vegetation on display are found all around Antigua, and the flowers being in full bloom added an aesthetic quality to the property.

The gardens and pathways were formed around several buildings, which served various purposes back in the day. The red bricks used in the construction of said buildings, reminded me that they were built for withstanding attacks from foreign nations.

Throughout the dockyard, many different maritime artifacts are scattered about, but one in particular grabbed my attention. A massive black ship's anchor was laid to rest on the ground near one of the buildings, and its sheer size helped me to get a better idea of how enormous those battle ships must have been! To think how the ships were built in an age without even half of the equipment we have at hand today was mindblowing.

To get up close and personal with the history of the Caribbean Sea, all you need to do is to take a stroll about the grounds of Nelson's Dockyard. Pieces of the past lie all around for you to behold, and it's an experience I won't forget anytime soon.Close

A friend of mine organized a circumnavigation cruise onboard her uncle's boat for her birthday, and I was thrilled at the opportunity to see the island from the sea. We were to meet up at the Jolly Harbour jetty where we would clamber onboard and…Read More

A friend of mine organized a circumnavigation cruise onboard her uncle's boat for her birthday, and I was thrilled at the opportunity to see the island from the sea. We were to meet up at the Jolly Harbour jetty where we would clamber onboard and head North.

It was a beautiful sunny day, so the water was an unbelievable hue of blue, and white frothy spray doused us as we cut through the waves as a remarkable pace. Soon a weird shaped island came into view, and I was told that this was Hawksbill Island. The island received it's name due to the uncanny resemblance of a turle breaching the waves for a breath of air.

We continued to sail further North where we could see the large Sandals resort resting near the shores of Dickenson Bay. There were a few small boats flying across the water, while several windsurfers enjoyed the same wind which propelled us forward, their colourful windsails creating a stark contrast frpm the bright blue sky and iridescent sea.

The indented coastline forms an abundance of beaches and hidden coves, with tall coconut trees swaying gently in the breeze. The green unkempt vegetation dotted the undulating rough terrain and cliffs and the overall beauty of the scene before me was staggering.

The land would sometimes suddenly change friom flat terrain to towering peaks rising from the sea as if to pierce the sky. Waves broke on the rocks at the bottom of the precipices, sea gulls coasted on the soft breeze and time seemed to slow down.

Soon we approached the tiny offshore islands located to the North of Antigua. We sailed past Green Island, Long Island and Bird Island. Bird Island is an important part of Antigua's heritage, as it's the home of the Antiguan Racer Snake which is an endangered species.

On the Eastern part of the island, the winds died so we started to run the engine. Puttering by at a much slower pace, it allowed me to hang my legs off the side of the boat and snap photographs of the everchanging landscape. Before I knew it, the landscape became really strange, and I was told that the carved cliffsides which I observed were known as the Pillars of Hercules.

The rock surface was eroded by the sea to form 'pillar's and above this fascinating natural wonder was a ruined colonial fort known as Fort Charlotte. Seeing all these landmarks from the sea was a wonderful experience.

Due to the number of marinas and harbours in the area, the Southern section of the island was great for boat watching. Yachts bobbed on the sea swells and small rubber dinghies wove between them, transporting sailors and passengers from their vessels to the mainland.

Finally, it was time to head back to Jolly Beach to end our sailing adventure. On the way, we drank champagne, cut the cake and wished my friend a splendid birthday and thanked her for the amazing opportunity. Everyone had a grand time, and agreed that it was worth doing a second time.

For future visitors who are interested in having this experience for themselves, there are several tour operators in Antigua who offer boat tours around the island. Wadadli Cats and Excellence are two of the better options, and expect to pay $100 to $140, but these trips include a more detailed itinerary and lunch onboard.

Exploring by sea gave me a totally different perspective of Antigua, and one that was stunning enough to stick with me for a lifetime. I hope this article encourages others to hit the waves and set sail themselves!
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A very common way to spend an evening in Antigua is to participate in one of the many different Karaoke events being held. Many different bars, restaurants and even casinos dedicate an evening during the week to this vocal occasion and many people faithfully attend,…Read More

A very common way to spend an evening in Antigua is to participate in one of the many different Karaoke events being held. Many different bars, restaurants and even casinos dedicate an evening during the week to this vocal occasion and many people faithfully attend, whether to belt out a note or two, or to simply offer support by means of claps and whistles.

On Friday and Saturdays, C&C Wine Bar in Redcliffe Quay downtown St. John's gets the weekend started with it's weekly Karaoke Nights. Guests are seated at small tables outside under the stars, while the Karaoke team operates using a small screen and several speaker systems.

Song books are placed on each table, along with a pad and pencil with which guests are encouraged to write down their song of choice. A member of staff will routinely pass by to collect the papers and transfer them to the MC who will then call your name when the time comes. Due to the wide array of South African and Chilean wines in stock at C&C, many people turn up and seating arrangements become rather limited, so if you arrive late, there may be a short wait before being seated.

I enjoy the karaoke at C&C and I've sung a few songs on numerous nights. The crowd is usually energetic, and after sipping on wine, everyone wants a turn on the mic. The Karaoke staff is lots of fun, but parents should be aware that some of the jokes that are told aren't fit for young ones. In short, this is a great option for light hearted adult entertainment.

On Sundays, the next best Karaoke event sparks to life at the Kings Casino in Heritage Quay. After 7pm, many of the patrons pause their activity on the slot machines and grab a drink at the bar, where the Karaoke screens and mics are set up. Some of the regular attendees have really great voices, and several others do their best to 'carry their own key'.

Other places on the island which offer evenings on the microphones are The Crow's Nest on Wednesdays and Westpoint Bar and Restaurant in Jolly Beach.

Karaoke in Antigua provides a bit of live entertainment in conjunction with alcoholic beverages, and all in attendance are sure to have a good time.



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One of the more popular attractions in downtown St. Johns is the Public Vegetable Market and Craft Market Complex. It's located away from the hustle and bustle of the main shopping areas, but only a few minutes walk away from any point of the city.…Read More

One of the more popular attractions in downtown St. Johns is the Public Vegetable Market and Craft Market Complex. It's located away from the hustle and bustle of the main shopping areas, but only a few minutes walk away from any point of the city. The Vegetable Market is set up on the ground floor of the two storey building, and over forty different farmers and vendors earn their livelihood there.

Inside of the complex, many small wooden tables are constructed, and each table is laden with many different types of fruits and vegetables which were harvested from farms or even small backyard gardens. Usually a table would specialize in a few specific crops such as eggplants and sweet potatoes, or okras, cabbage and breadfruit.

A large variety of tropical fruits are sold here, and that's the main attraction for me personally. Grapes, tangerines, golden apples, sugar apples, bananas and specialties such as the Antiguan Black Pineapple are all found here at the best prices on the island. The cost is significantly lower at the market, which is enough of an enticement to draw locals out of their homes before the sun rises on Saturday mornings, when the largest harvests hit the city.

Visitors, especially from the cruise ship port tend to explore the Vegetable Market for a taste of exotic fruits such as the genip and the tiny but sweet yellow and red Caribbean plums. Both of these fruits have a solitary seed in the center, covered by a sweet and fleshy exterior. If you visit during the mango season, the market is laden with the colourful fruit and different by-products such as jams and candies. A resultant sweet scent lingers throughout the building, and tempts you to sample as many tasty treats as possible.

Apart from the allure of the foreign fruits, tourists usually visit the complex to browse in the Craft Market. Everything from souvenir T-shirts and magnets to woven baskets and keyrings can be found here. If you're looking for something unique, I recommend to get either a customized leather handband, created in your presence or a painting by one of the several artists at hand.

Outside of the Antigua Vegetable Market and Craft Market complex is a small park with several benches. In the park, a large statue of the founding father of the island, V.C.Bird Senior has been erected there, and it's common to see persons pausing to snap a photo since the statue seems a bit random at the Public Market.

Costs at the markets vary, but everything is very affordable. Fruits can be bought for $1-2 USD, for small portions. Local drinks such as coconut water or sugar cane juice are sold for approximately $3 a bottle, and snowcones are made in a pick-up truck outside on the street for $1.50. Vegetables and Fruits are usually sold by the pound, but for small portions it is possible to hand select your choices.

If you are interested in seeing a slice of local life, the market complex is the best place to visit in St. Johns. It's noisy at times, and can be crowded on the weekends, but the experience will be very real. There's nothing orchestrated for tourism purposes there, and the products sold are the very best which the nation has to offer.Close

A Carmen Miranda look-alike welcomed us to Antigua as we left the Carnival Freedom. Her male counterpart was playing the drums at the end of the dock. Put us in a very good Caribbean mood. However once we entered Heritage Quay (pronounced key) we were…Read More

A Carmen Miranda look-alike welcomed us to Antigua as we left the Carnival Freedom. Her male counterpart was playing the drums at the end of the dock. Put us in a very good Caribbean mood. However once we entered Heritage Quay (pronounced key) we were beset on by men offering to give us a $20 taxi tour of the island. The cruise director had warned us about taking a tour from one of these guys. Cruise passengers in the past have missed the boat departure, because of a taxi breakdown, or poor sense of time on the part of these tour guides. So, we side stepped each one who approached us. Finally I did tell one that we didn't want a ride, just directions to the museum. He was so startled he graciously told us how to find it, just a short walk away.

Walking to the Antigua-Barbados Museum, Bill warned me to watch my step. Good advice. There are deep grooves between slabs of concrete on the street. I'm sure it is to allow rain storm run-off, but they were real ankle-grabbers. The museum is located in the oldest surviving building in St. John's. It was the former court house. This is not a Class A museum like the Smithsonian or The Field Museum. But its the little museum that tried. Displays were arranged in chronological order starting with the formation of the island through volcanic, sedimentary eras and earthquakes. We learned that the highest mountain called Boggy Peak has recently been renamed Mount Obama. There was a nice display of stone-age tools found in the bay. There was an unsual basket the original people called a cassava squeezer. The casava root is processed in it by squeezing and evenutally becomes a flour like tapioca. We saw a model of the square waddle and daub housing structures used a hurricane in 1951 knocked down the last ones. There was a section of the museum devoted to the slave trade and how it was linked to the plantation life. What downgrades the museum is the lack of professional signage. But I applaude that there were signs and explainations at all. We learned more about the Caribbean from this one museum than on the whole rest of the cruise.

Now that our brains had been fed we found a place to feed our bodies. Hemmingway's Caribbean Cafe occupied the second floor and balcony of an 1800's building on St. Mary's Street. Not owned by Ernest the Author, but he did stay here when it was a boarding house. I loved sitting at our balcony table enjoying the colorful buildings of the historic area. Bill loved watching the drivers below and how they managed to cram their vehicles into tiny parking places. Bill stuck to the breakfast menu which always suits him. I was adventuresome and ordered Conk Fritters and Key Lime pie. I think we even heard some Jimmy Buffet music floating up from the sidewalk vendors. For the atmosphere alone I would recommend this place...but the food was awesome, too.

We shopped along Heritage Quay and on Thames Street and Redcliffe Quay. Remember the $20 tour taxi drivers harassing us earlier?...well their wives, sisters and aunties took up the harassment as we poked around in the stall markets. "Sweetie, Honey, Sugar" was the way they addressed us. Very persistant and frankly there was nothing there I wanted to buy. Redcliffe Quay was different. We found a nice gallery and a pottery shop. I bought a blouse at the boutique Island Girl and a tea towel at the Linen Shop.

Back on board ship we watched party boats arriving. Just as at St. Thomas, we found the bay at Antigua lovely.Close

Most restaurants in Antigua that claim to offer local cuisine may or may not actually do so. If they do, it's still presented to impress a visitor, thereby taking away the actual authenticity of the dish. If you're a foodie, who's really interested in what…Read More

Most restaurants in Antigua that claim to offer local cuisine may or may not actually do so. If they do, it's still presented to impress a visitor, thereby taking away the actual authenticity of the dish. If you're a foodie, who's really interested in what and where Antiguan residents eat, I will give you a general idea.

The national dish of Antigua is Fungee and Pepperpot, but other dishes such as salfish and ducana and very much local dishes as well. The best way to sample all of the local cusines of the island would be at a food fair, but there are only a few of these occasions, scattered throughout the year.

Fungee is a dish made mostly of cornmeal and pepperpot is a stewed meat dish featuring spinach and many different types of meat such as chicken, pork and lamb. In order for a tourist to get a taste of these dishes, he/she would have to do some research prior to arriving, or ask a local for advice.

Small cafes and eateries may have local cuisne available Monday to Friday. These locations are definitely not first class restaurants, but the food is unbelievable. Below, I've listed two places where local cusine can be found in St. John's:

Hemingway's Caribbean Cafe: Located on St. Mary's St. on the second floor of an authentic old West Indian house, serves local creole cuisine Mondays to Saturdays, 8:30am to 11pm. $-$$

Island B-Hive: Located in Heritage Quay, local dishes are served for lunch. $-$$

Every weekend, there are small shops and booths which cook local dishes for their neighbourhood/village. These booths are somewat like roadside food stops, and the dishes are cooked by residents. Some of these booths are actually tents pitched up on a street corner, with tables laden with pots. Inside these pots may be cooked crabs, ducana, saltfish, pepperpot, creole fish, coconut dumplings and seasoned rice. The prices are definitely affordable (around USD $5) and the servings are large.

My biggest tip to find local food in Antigua is this: Where there is a large crowd of locals at a small booth or pickup buying food, ask what's on the menu. More often than not, it's the real deal.Close