The countryside of Antigua is very enchanting. There are many villages outside of the main capital of St. John's, and each community is unique and special in it's own way. Together, they combine to create dynamic landscapes and spectacular views which can only be appreciated…Read More

The countryside of Antigua is very enchanting. There are many villages outside of the main capital of St. John's, and each community is unique and special in it's own way. Together, they combine to create dynamic landscapes and spectacular views which can only be appreciated during a leisurely drive. Even the locals love to absorb the beauty of their country, and many take Sunday afternoon drives with their family at least twice a month.

Old Road village is a very picturesque community, set amongst a lovely beach backdrop. There are countless tropical palms and towering coconut trees along the roadside, and many gravel footpaths from the main road will take you to small but pretty beaches along the indentured coast. The village itself has many old homes, which provide great photographic opportunities. These old structures are surrounded by more recent dwellings which gives visual proof to how time changes everything.

Another lovely beach village is Wilikies. Perched upon a hill, the village has breathtaking views on the Caribbean Sea. The road network is comprised of tiny winding streets, and many of the homes are constructed right next to the road. Needless to say, front lawns are not common in this village. The homes are very colourful, with brightly painted walls and red roofs. Wilikies is a prime example of what an old Caribbean village should look like.

Although Antigua is only 108 square miles, the landscape is anything but monotonous. During a drive through the countryside you will see fields of grass with farm animals grazing, ponds with wild ducks swimming, then suddenly, you're plunged into an area of green vegetation known as Fig Tree Drive. This part of Antigua, is what is known as the local rainforest. There are a wide spectrum of flora and fauna, and it's a real pleasure to behold.

Fig Tree drive received it's name due to the number of fig trees and banana trees which are grown along the roadside. Antigua has the perfect climate for the production of these fragile tropical trees which bears the favourite fruit of many. Although there is a large market for the product, planting fig trees is a very risky endeavour, as the trees are susceptible to wind damage. Antigua is usually in the paths of many hurricanes and tropical storms, and thousands of dollars are lost in agriculture with each passing force of nature.

Just as there are many older villages on the island, there are as many modern communities. English Harbour is so modernized, that locals tend to call it Antigua's second capital. The reason for this, is the numbers of yacht marinas located in the area. To accommodate the large numbers of visitors every month, there are many hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs and services such as banking in the village. There are lots of condos and villas dotting the hillsides of this community, and the lucky persons who stay there are definitely living in the lap of luxury.

Hodges Bay is another example of a modern community, but the main thing you notice as you drive through the village is the abundance of $$$. This is where many of the wealthy residents in Antigua reside, and it is glaringly obvious. From large outdoor swimming pools to the large iron gates of several gated communities, you are definitely not in 'Kansas' anymore. Expensive hotels, modern supermarkets, entertainment facilities and clubs have been constructed in the area over the past 3-4 years. Some of the best restaurants on the island are situated in Hodges Bay. Evidence of the countryside is still obvious however, as there are many grassy pastures and gorgeous hillside views in the environs.

The last thing you will expect after leaving Hodges Bay greets you a few minutes later, driving in a westerly direction. Mangrove swamps are the main attraction in the village of McKinnons, and the area is a great place for bird watching. The countryside of Antigua changes every 15 minutes while you're on a drive, and is definitely something to see for yourself during your visit. Close

It is common knowledge, that many photographers love to take photos of different churches in the country or city which they are currently visiting. Antigua has many beautiful churches, belonging to several different denominations.Antigua is very much into Christian religion. Every village you drive through…Read More

It is common knowledge, that many photographers love to take photos of different churches in the country or city which they are currently visiting. Antigua has many beautiful churches, belonging to several different denominations.

Antigua is very much into Christian religion. Every village you drive through will have a minimum of three photographic worthy churches, constructed on a hill overlooking some portion of the community. The reason for the large number of churches in a very small area is very simple: There are quite a number of religious beliefs on the island. Three of the largest Christian denominations are listed below:

Roman Catholic
There is a large number of catholics in Antigua, and subsequently, quite a few of Roman Catholc churches. Today, there are seven cathedrals scattered around the island in several villages. The most well known catholic church in Antigua is the "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" which is mounted on what is now known as Roman Hill in the village of Tyrells. This grand pink church has been featured in many national magazines, websites and even on postcards.

Wesleyan Holiness
Today, there are now seventeen congregations found within the communities of St. John's, Swetes, Cedar Grove, Ottos, New Winthorpes, Bolands, Jennings, Swetes, Old Roads, Urlings, Potters, Freetown, Wilikies, Parham, Buckleys, All Saints and Liberta. The Wesleyan Holiness ministry in Antigua is also the Headquarters for several churches within the Caribbean (Antigua & Barbuda, Montserrat and Dominica). Family members of mine are part of this congregation, and whenever I am in Antigua, I worship at the Swetes Wesleyan Holiness church.

Adventist
This is the largest of all the Christian communities in Antigua. There are thirty-two churches located throughout the island, all having their worship service every Saturday morning whereas other denominations worship on Sundays. Due to many persons being Adventist, it is no surprise that several services and businesses are closed on a Saturday, so that the owners and employees can recognize the Sabbath.

Other religious denominations found on the island include Anglican, Lutheran, Moravian and several small Protestant worship centers. Given the abundant christian populace, it is only expected that there is a subsequent large number of christian schools. These schools are private schools and belong to churches such as the Adventist, Lutheran, Wesleyan Holiness, Moravian and the Catholic. Most of these are nursery and primary schools, while only the Catholic and the Adventist have secondary schools as well.

Anyone planning to visit Antigua, should be made aware of the fact that most stores and businesses are closed on a Sunday. Business days are from Monday to Saturday except for certain large supermarkets who are in business seven days a week. Close

It's fairly easy to find your way around the island of Antigua, with the several means of transportation available. It depends on how adventurous you are, and the amount of money you are willing to spend for convenience. The main options one would have when…Read More

It's fairly easy to find your way around the island of Antigua, with the several means of transportation available. It depends on how adventurous you are, and the amount of money you are willing to spend for convenience. The main options one would have when attempting to get from point A to point B are:

Car rentals
This is obviously the most convenient mode of transport by far. There is no need to wait for a ride, or no limitations on where you can go depending on the time of day. There are several car rental agencies in Antigua, but they do charge at a rather hefty fee. Some of the agencies are:

Big's Car Rental: Located in English Harbour, has quite a large variety of vehicles.
Titi Rent-A-Car: Offers free delivery and collection of rented car, jeep or mini van.
ATS Car Rental & Limousine Service: Located close to the V. C. Bird airport.
Others: Budget Rent-A-Car, Dollar Rent-A-Car, Hertz and Thrifty.

On average, one can expect to pay anything from US$40 to $50 per day for the car rental while on vacation. Along with a valid driver's license from your country of residence, an international license or a valid permit to drive internationally is needed. If you do not have a temporary license, one can made available to you at the rental agency for a fee of US$20 and is valid for three months.

Taxis
For transport to fixed destinations, taxis are widely available. Unlike in certain countries, taxis in Antigua are not metered. Most destinations such as hotels, the airport and harbours have fixed fares, but to residential properties and other such destinations, the price depends on whatever the driver quotes.

Of course, you as the paying customer will decide if you find the quote to be reasonable or not, and there is no pressure to pay more than you think is adequate. There are taxi stands in St. John's and at the aiport, while several taxis can be found near popular hotels.

To sum it up, hiring a taxi is the most expensive way to get around in Antigua. However, if you are short on time, or prefer the convenience of sitting back and allowing someone else to take the wheel, it may very well be the easiest option of all.

Tours
This is the best option for very short stays or in the case of cruise ship visitors. The main advantage of a tour is that you not only get from point A to B, but you also receive an opportunity designed to pack as much as possible into a few hours. Tours vary in price, depending on what the customer is interested in seeing, but one can expect to pay anything from US$25 per person for a regular island tour.

Public transport
There are two bus stations on the island, which all public buses leave from and return to. There is the West Bus Staion, located on lower Market Street and the East Bus Station, located on upper High Street. The bus routes which most visitors would need to know originate from West Bus Station:

Bus # 17: This bus route ends in the historical village of English Harbour.
Bus #22: The bus route passes through several beach communties and most persons staying at hotels in the area of Jolly Beach would find this route quite useful.
Bus #42: Buses on this route will pass into Coolidge, if you need to go to the airport.

The public buses are by far the cheapest way to travel in Antigua. It is very safe for visitors and costs anywhere between USD $1 to $2. Simply take a moment to confirm with the bus driver that his bus route will take you where you need to go, then hop on. Most drivers are very willing to help visitors, and will stop at your destination, letting you know that your journey is completed.
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Things to keep in mind:
The road network in Antigua is very simple. (no bridges, tunnels and numerous lanes)
Roads tend to be on the narrow side.
Divers are not always courteous, and traffic can be crazy during rush hours.
Roads in the country can be bumpy and dotted with potholes.Close

Everyone knows the truth, so it's futile for me to deny it. The term female is equivalent to this word: Shopping. Antigua creates a perfect atmosphere to encourage visitors, both male and female to part with their funds. Whether your interest lies in art, souvenirs,…Read More

Everyone knows the truth, so it's futile for me to deny it. The term female is equivalent to this word: Shopping. Antigua creates a perfect atmosphere to encourage visitors, both male and female to part with their funds. Whether your interest lies in art, souvenirs, articles of clothing or that perfect piece of jewelry for your loved one, Antiguan stores do not disappoint. The local currency is the XCD (Eastern Caribbean Dollar) but the U.S currency is widely accepted. Other currencies must be exchanged at any of the many banks situated across the island. Major credit and debit cards are accepted in most of the larger stores, especially in the tourist areas.

The main shopping centers in Antigua are located in the capital city of St. Johns. Persons interested in local arts and crafts will fall in love with Redcliffe Quay, the Craft Market and Vendors Square. These locations specialize in paintings by local artists, hand crafted masks and small souvenir trinkets such as key rings and magnets. Colourful beach sarongs and T-shirts with funny quotes in the local dialect are also available.

Redcliffe Quay is a whimsical area located in the town, which is full of old artifacts. The stores are quaint and colourful, with many open air restaurants in the vicinity. The atmosphere is quiet and peacful, almost akin to an oasis in the middle of an upbeat city. The stores here are mostly small boutiques with designer fashions, shops with larger souvenirs and beach wear galore. There's a cafe called Grab A Java, which sells great coffe and iced drinks, a well stocked ice cream parlour and a small but inviting wine bar. The main restaurants in the area include Big Banana (they make the best pizza on the island) and Mid East, a small middle eastern eatery with a very tasty menu. Redcliffe Quay encourages you to slow down and unwind, and the shopping scene is worth a peep.

Heritage Quay has almost everything, and all items are duty free. From jewelry, to clothing to designer shades and leather goods, this shopping site is the largest which Antigua has to offer. For electronics, there is the Camera Shop and the Music Shop. In the mood for a new swimsuit to hit the waves? Sunseakers has the largest selection of swimwear with popular brands such as Billabong and Roxy. How about jewelry? Some of the many jewelry stores available in Heritage Quay are Colombian Emeralds International, Abbotts Jewelry and Jewellers Warehouse. In terms of clothing, The Edge and United Colours of Benetton offers causal wear, where boutique stores like Gingerlily cater for that sophisticated look. So break off a bill or two because the shopping here is extensive.

For a more local shopping experience, there is the main farmer's market, located in downtown St. John's. There is a wide variety of local produce for sale, such as pumpkins, tomatoes, seasoning and lots of seasonal fruits. The market is comprised of a large building, with many small stalls from which the farmers sell their goods. Some park their pickups outside, selling their fruits and vegetables from the back of their vehicles. The prices are very affordable and the fruits/vegetables are fresh.
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Whether it's a day trip or romantic weekend getaway, if you have time, try and visit Barbuda. Barbuda is Antigua's smaller sister island, There is a large lagoon which encompasses roughly half of the isle. This lagoon is actually a bird sanctuary, home to over…Read More

Whether it's a day trip or romantic weekend getaway, if you have time, try and visit Barbuda. Barbuda is Antigua's smaller sister island, There is a large lagoon which encompasses roughly half of the isle. This lagoon is actually a bird sanctuary, home to over 170 species and most importantly, the rare frigate bird. Barbuda is one of the least developed main islands in the caribbean, with a population of approximately 1500. Most of the population reside in the main town of Codrington, named after the family who established it. The town has only one main educational facility, The Holy Trinity School and does not yet have a local hospital. Badly injured or sick persons must be airlifted by helicopters to the Mount St. John Medical Centre in Antigua.

Barbuda has serveral beaches, the most famous being their 11 mile long beach. The sand has a distinctive pink tinge to it, and the waters are the bluest of blues. Many honeymooners choose Barbuda as their destination, mainly due to the fact that the island is never crowded, leaving beaches almost always empty. There are only two major hotels on the island, the Lighthouse Bay Resort and Coco Point Lodge. Both are all inclusive and carry hefty price tags of US$800 upwards per night. More affordable accomodation options include the Palm Tree Guest House and Nedd's Guest House with prices around US$50.

If you are only visiting for the day, the bird sanctuary is a must. The tour is a 40 minute boat ride in the Codrington Lagoon and is heaven for the active birdwatcher. The birds really are beatiful, and it's quite an experience to see them in their natural habit. For the more adventurous visitor, there are several huge caves to explore, with one of them containing ancient cave drawings. The diving is also spectacular, with many wrecks submerged beneath the local waters. Whether it's for relaxation or to go birdwatching, Barbuda will give you an idea of exactly how beautiful nature can be.

Barbuda is not directly accessible to international visitors, but instead a stopover in Antigua is necessary. The Barbuda Express is a ferry service which operates 5 days a week, bridging the distance between the two islands. Presently, fares are quoted at US $40 for a one way journey for adults, children ages 2-12 pay $29 and children under 2 years of age are charged $18. A full day tour is offered which includes the boat trip to and from Barbuda, a taxi ride to the pier, where a tour boat will take visitors to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. Afterwards, a taxi will give a land based tour of the island, making stops at the caves and the ruins of the Codrington Family Home, before finally ending the day with an included lobster lunch on the beach. This excursion costs US $159 and provides quite a bit of value for the price.

Regardless of how short your stay will be, a visit is definitely recommended.Close

Tourism is Antigua's major industry, which results in a vast number of land excursions available to visitors. Some of these excursions are organized by established companies, while other tours are conducted by the large number of registered taxis. For a detailed chart of taxi fares…Read More

Tourism is Antigua's major industry, which results in a vast number of land excursions available to visitors. Some of these excursions are organized by established companies, while other tours are conducted by the large number of registered taxis. For a detailed chart of taxi fares in Antigua, click on the following website.
http://www.antiguanice.com/v2/documents/Taxi%20and%20tour%20fares%20-%20ABTB%20final.pdf

Island Safari is the most popular tour company in Antigua. They specialize in off road tours in the rugged and least visited areas of the island. When seated within one of their Land Rovers, you better buckle up tight and hold on for dear life. There are several different excursions available, with visits to the most popular sites, including Devil's Bridge, Nelson's Dockyard and the Antigua Rainforest. There are also boat trips available which pay visits to Bird Island, Stingray City and kayaking circuits through the mangroves on North Sound. When planning a visit to Antigua, look them up facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Island-Safari-Antigua/138232076195885

Explore by Sea
The island of Antigua is known as a sailing destination around the world. There are several harbours and many catamaran marinas, and the industry is quite up to date. The biggest sailing attraction which the island has to offer is the Antigua Sailing Week, which is held around Easter every year.

For those visitors who have a love for water and seacrafts, a circumnavigation tour of Antigua is a great and fitting option. There are many companies who offer various trips on catamarans and speed boats to areas not accessible by land, but a definitely worth a look at. Some of these companies include Adventure Antigua, On Deck, Wadadli Cats and Tropical Adventures.

Adventure Antigua is owned by Eli Fuller, and the company is mentioned by many travel magazines. They specialize in eco tours and they have quite a variety of trips available. One can choose to embark on a half day tour, motor sailaing around Indian Town Point and snorkeling at the coral reef in the vicinity of the offshore Green Isalnd. If a longer tour is preferred, there is the Xtreme Circumnav, which is a longer tour which circles Antigua, visiting Hells Gate, Green Island, Nelson's Dockyard and the Pillars of Hercules.

Wadadli Cats is tour company who specializes in catamaran tours. Their slogan is "Sail Fast, Live Slow" which is quite appropriate for the trip which this party cruise tour will give you. The catamaran company caters for people who want to have a fun trip, equipped with plenty booze and finger foods. Wadadli Cats uses 5 boats (Spirit of Antigua, Sea Breeze, Siboney, Siboney 2 and the Falcon) to give visitors access to pristine beaches and the best snorkelling spots. They facilitate private charters and have special cruises to Cades Reef and Bird Island.

Antigua from the sky
The only established helicopter tour company in Antigua is Caribbean Helicopters. Based in Jolly Beach, the company offers visitors a chance to receive a bird's eye view of the isle. There is a half island tour availble which lasts for 20 minutes (US$115 p/p) and a full island tour for 30 minutes (US$165 p/p).

During your visit to Antigua, there are some points of interest worth a visit im my opinion. They include the following:

Any of the beaches – Choose from 365 beaches, all with sugar white sand and crystal clear waters.

Nelson's Dockyard - A national park in English Harbour, whose construction began in 1725. It served to maintain the Royal Naval warships in the Caribbean Sea and was named after Horatio Nelson, a past commander of the dockyard. The national park now features restored buildings, as well as destroyed forts.

St. John's Cathedral – The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is a national monument whose 70 ft twin towers can be seen from almost anywhere for miles around. Most cruise ship passenger can spot the church while they sail into the main harbour in St. Johns. The present church stands on the grounds of which two previous churches were constructed. The first was built as early as 1681, the second in 1720 and over a 100 years later, the cathedral we see today was constructed in August 1842. Today it is lovingly known to locals as "Big Church".

Stingray City – A local ocean park which mainly features friendly stingrays, located off the shore of Seaton's Village.

Shirley's Heights Lookout – Famous park which provides gorgeous views of English and Falmouth Harbour. Barbeque parties are held every Sunday night.

Pillars of Hercules – A national heritage site which features massive pillar like formations formed by coastal erosion. Mostly only accessible by boats.

Betty's Hope – National site which is home to one of the best preserved sugar mills on the island. Let's go back in time to when sugar was king. Miles upon miles of sugar cane could be seen from any point on the island. Betty's Hope plantation was owned by Governor Keynell, eventually passing through many hands, before finally being granted to the Codrington family from Barbados in 1674 who managed the estate for 270 years.

Devil's Bridge – Site of massive coastal erosion at Indian Town Point.

Antigua Rainforest – One of the largest areas of flora and fauna in Antigua. Zip lining tours are a major attraction in the area.Close

It's a fact. Most tourists visit the twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda in search of the white sandy beaches that have been listed as some of the best within the Caribbean by magazines and sites such as Frommers. Although united as one,…Read More

It's a fact. Most tourists visit the twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda in search of the white sandy beaches that have been listed as some of the best within the Caribbean by magazines and sites such as Frommers. Although united as one, the beaches of Antigua and those of Barbuda are famous for different reasons. Antigua is said to have 365 pure white sandy beaches, while Barbuda is known for its 11 mile beach of pink sand. Add the fragrant tropical breeze from the Caribbean Sea along with the warm sunshine all year round, and it's a complete package.

All the beaches in Antigua are public, so your only worry is how to possibly find time in your visit to explore even half of them! Each local household has their own personal favourite, and on public holidays such as Easter and Labour day, hundreds on families flock most of the popular beaches on the island. On such days, there are many djs and speaker systems on the beaches, picnics galore and instead of the the usual tranquility, there is a definite party atmosphere.

I have always loved the beach and the activites which come with it. Snorkeling, swimming, floating on a waterbed and riding a jet ski are some of the privileges I enjoy when I visit a beach in Antigua. There are four beaches which are close to my heart. They are located quite far from one another, and each possesses a distinct charm which lures me to their shores. I will now list and describe each sandy paradise.

Long Bay beach:
My favourite by far, due to the gentle clear blue waters which are fringed by powdery sand. This particular beach is situated on the eastern coast, a short walk from the village of Wilikies, Antigua. It is an extremely popular beach and the construction of many hotels in the vicinity serve to back my point. Some of these hotels include the luxurious Verandah Resort & Spa and the Dian Bay Resort and Spa. Long Bay has two bars which are situated mere steps away from the shoreline, providing beach goers with ice cold beverages and finger snacks, when hunger and fatigue inevitably arise. Small booths also stock unique trinkets and beach wraps for visitors to purchase as a reminder of their trip to Antigua.

Turners beach:
Another turquoise gem of a beach is in the form of Turners beach. Located on the south western coast of Antigua, this beach is preferred for two reasons. The long stretch of white sand on which to soak up the sun's rays, and the wonderful cuisine available at Turners Beach Bar. After the sun goes down, the flames in the kitchen at this bar ignite. The lobster dish here is particularly divine and costs approximately EC$90/US$33. The beach feautres numerous minature cabanas under which you may relax on a beach chair. The beach chairs are rented from the Turners Beach Bar for a nominal fee of US$5. The shore line is dominated by coconut trees, which provide lots of shade and reminds you that you are indeed basking in paradise.

Dickenson Bay beach:
Located on the north western coast of Antigua is a beach with a personality so to speak. This beach is a major hot spot for cruise ship visitors due to its close proximity to the St. Johns Harbour where most of the ships dock. Taxi fares from the capital of St. John's are in the price range of US$4 to $5 per person for the 15 minute journey. There are so many activities available here (provided by Tony's Water Sports), that it's pretty tough to choose what to do first. Visitors have the option of renting a jet ski (price is upwards of US$50), sailing on a hobby cat, parasailing etc. There are also bars on the beach where drinks (alcholic and non alcoholic) can be purchased. This is a perfect option for the active beach bum.

Bird Island beach:
Bird Island is an offshore island located a short boat ride away from Antigua. It is the home of the Antiguan Racer Snake, which is endangered and found only on the island. It is very much small and harmless and feeds mostly on small animals, therefore it is very safe to visit the island. The beach h is very beautiful and secluded, and for this reason many boat tours take visitors ashore to enjoy the privacy. The beach also proves to be one of the best snorkeling spots that Antigua has to offer, with lots of colourful fishes and numerous sea anemones.

To sum it up, the beaches are the main feature of what Antigua has to offer. They are well taken care of and much is done to keep them worthy of being tourtist attractions. All of the island tours which are available always include a stop to one of the beaches with a stay from 1-2 hours. So have loads of fun but don't forget the sunblock!
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The real reason we went to Antigua was for the wedding of our friends, Jim and Vicki. They had been engaged for a year and decided they wanted something a bit different for their wedding. They researched various Caribbean islands and finally decided on Antigua.…Read More

The real reason we went to Antigua was for the wedding of our friends, Jim and Vicki. They had been engaged for a year and decided they wanted something a bit different for their wedding. They researched various Caribbean islands and finally decided on Antigua. Vicki contacted a local wedding planner in Antigua who took care of everything - the location, minister, flowers, reception, cake, entertainment and transportation for the guests. This was the largest Caribbean wedding the wedding planner had ever seen - 65 guests from all over the world. Jim is American and Vicki is South African but they are living in London now. So friends and family traveled from all over to help them celebrate.

There were coaches which took us to Turner's Beach and Restaurant. A steel drum played "Here Comes The Bride" as Vicki was escorted by her father onto the beach towards her fiance waiting under an arched trellis with bright tropical flowers. The ceremony took place shortly before sunset which provided for some beautiful pictures. The reception was held at Turner's Restaurant where we danced the night away to the steel drum band.

It was such a beautiful wedding. Jim and Vicki were lucky enough to be able to spend the entire week with all the guests unlike most weddings at home where everything is rushed and stressful.

We went to the town of St. John for a morning of shopping. There were many duty-free shops throughout the town, and we were able to compare prices and get some great bargains on watches, and jewelry. I didn't think that the prices…Read More

We went to the town of St. John for a morning of shopping. There were many duty-free shops throughout the town, and we were able to compare prices and get some great bargains on watches, and jewelry. I didn't think that the prices were any better than any other place you can go to duty-free shops, however they had a great selection.

If you are staying on Antigua and plan to go shopping, I would recommend researching the days where there is a lot of cruise activity in port and avoid those days when possible. The town was very busy with people and you may find it less hectic when the cruise ship passengers aren't also there competing for a good price.

You can find some great discounts on local postcards, and walk a few blocks to the post office to mail them out.

There is a casino in town, that we didn't go to, it looked small and run down from the outside and we thought our time would be better spent roaming the streets, and then heading back to the beach. We never had any concerns about safety while exploring the downtown shopping area of St. John, Antigua. The sales people were friendly but not as pushy as some of the duty free shops I have been to on other islands, so the overall experience was better than in other places.

So after a lazy afternoon and feeding our faces with yet more fish and lobster, we headed into town for the Queen contest. From what we saw, the contest is not unlike Miss America, on a much smaller scale. The portions we saw were the swimsuit…Read More

So after a lazy afternoon and feeding our faces with yet more fish and lobster, we headed into town for the Queen contest. From what we saw, the contest is not unlike Miss America, on a much smaller scale. The portions we saw were the swimsuit competition knit bikinis are apparently the height of Barbudan fashion, the talent competition, and the eveningwear/interview competition. Perhaps the most interesting part was the talent competition. Each of the five contestants spoke about an issue they were passionate about, which led into a song. Issues such as teenage pregnancy, STDs, listening to your parents, and embracing the visitors to the island, were common. The last one particularly tickled our small group, as it was obvious we were the only non-natives at the event. What was even more comical was that the tourists she was referring to were people from Nevis, Antigua, and other Caribbean islands. We were all a bit overtired from the sun and fun, plus my stomach was rather upset, so unfortunately we didnt stay for the crowning. The next morning we heard that the after-party went until 6am! Close