Antigua & Barbuda has so much to offer
THE twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda lies right in the heart of the Caribbean. The island has a lot more to offer than just the sun-kissed sands and crystal clear waters that comprise the 365 beaches located there.
It is a place of award-winning hotels, world-class sailing, duty-free shopping and fascinating history. English is Antigua’s official language, although the locals often speak a dialect that can sometimes be a challenge to understand.
The capital St. John’s is a vibrant city well worth a visit. Its two waterfront shopping areas offer easy access to cruise ship visitors.
Heritage Quay is a modern boulevard of duty-free shops, and neighbouring Redcliffe Quay is a charming contrast with its restored 18th Century buildings forming a cosy complex of boutiques and restaurants.
The museum in Long Street and grounds of the twin-towered cathedral both offer areas of tranquillity amidst the hustle and bustle of town.
You can stroll among the restored 18th century buildings of Nelson’s Dockyard surrounded by fleets of beautiful yachts, or you can visit the ruined fortress of Shirley Heights and enjoy the panoramic views from the terrace with a rum punch in hand.
Minister of Tourism and Investment and Energy, Charles Fernandez in his welcome remarks during a recent press trip said Antigua and Barbuda is the “gem of the Caribbean”.
He deemed the island as “a home away from home” experience where you can snorkel, kayak, kitesurf, swim with the stingrays or zip through the air amidst their lush rainforest. “Let your imagination run free, as the sky is truly the limit here,” he said.
The Minister said another unforgettable pleasure is dining in Antigua and Barbuda where the cuisine ranges from spiny lobster and succulent snapper to a few slices of their naturally-sweet Antigua black pineapple.
He added that a trip to their beautiful sister isle of Barbuda is a relaxing experience of 17 miles of unbroken beach and pink sand and is simply an escape paradise.
Meanwhile, CEO, of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), Colin James said in his welcome remarks that Antigua and Barbuda is brimming with Caribbean charm, rich history, culture, picturesque settings and, of course, 365 fabulous pink and sandy beaches.
He stated that Antigua is home to a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nelson’s Dockyard, the only working Georgian naval dockyard in the world.
This historic dockyard is a hype of activities daily with yachts and the busy museum, bakeries, restaurants and gift shops.
This reporter was on a three-day trip to the twin-island nation where the ABTA provided daily tours of the place. Some of the places visited included lunch at Big Banana in St. John’s and shopping at Heritage Quay, and dinner at Beach Limerz.
The tour also saw visits to scenic South Side Mount Obama, Dark Wood Beach, Antigua Pineapple Farm, Antigua Rainforests, drive through Nelson Dockyard, lunch at Shirley Heights Blockhouse and Shirley Heights sunset BBQ party.
Keron Francis, a local and also a Tour Guide/Driver attached to the ABTA told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been at the job for the past 12 years and it entails promoting the island and educate visitors about the country.
“There is most good in Antigua where the population is just about 100,000 people and tourism brings in about 75 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the place is a tourist haven for visitors who like our sun, sand, beaches and our way of life here,” he said.
Francis, an upbeat and jovial guy, said for him Antigua is home but he has some Guyanese roots and the people of Antigua are most welcoming and hospitable folks, who are very religious and spiritual and like to see others smile.
“We put ourselves out to make everything go right. We are proud of our history and who we are…we love our island and people, we are a warm people full of love. The folks here either work on their own or work in the tourism industry at hotels, bars, resorts, gift shops etc.
Some make and sell their own craft products while some are fishermen and others work in offices. We love our belly and prefer seafood and everything that either comes from the ground or sea and we believe in eating what we grow,” Francis said.
He told the Pepperpot Magazine that Antigua is an untouched island where the people are everything and it is a place to be since many celebrities visit for their vacation and there are no cameras here or paparazzi to intrude on their privacy.
“This is a place to relax and unwind and definitely a place for families and couples to be themselves and enjoy the beautiful island. I love to meet people and tell them about my island, to also advertise my island and since I am a social butterfly, that’s no problem,” Francis said.
Antigua and Barbuda is a flora and fauna paradise in which more than 1,500 types of plants can be found which also includes their national plant the “Dagger Log” which is used mainly to make tequila overseas.
Francis said, “A picture cannot tell you about Antigua and Barbuda you simply have to come and see it for yourself.”
Raynel Carroll, Marketing Officer of ABTA told the Pepperpot Magazine that her job is to market destination Antigua and she would travel to talk about her island to boost their tourism drive.
“We were in Guyana this year to promote our island and our Carnival. I do most of the Caribbean markets because I work along closely with our Marketing Consultant, Charmaine Spencer. We are known for our beaches and for being one of the friendliest people and we are open and welcoming to all… We are a ‘melting pot’ for immigrants and visitors alike because we have a lot of Guyanese here,” she said.
Carroll related that Antigua and Barbuda is a comfortable place where accommodation is readily available ranging from island properties to villas, to apartments, resorts and hotels, all at an affordable price and some with five-star ratings.
She added that the locals are warm and courteous people, who take care of the environment and enjoy going out to the beaches, eating out and there is a general relaxed feeling that is contagious.
