St Johns is the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, a country located in the West Indies and part of the Leeward Islands.
Antigua And Barbuda became an independent state in 1981, after gaining its sovereignty from The United Kingdom. Vehicles right hand drive as in UK. Cricket is national game. All the parishes have saints names and there are many churches. There are 365 beaches. Sugar used to be important.
We docked at St Johns. As we approached we were followed by another cruise ship, and a booby welcomed us -
Once again I did an island tour in a share taxi.
Went past the large Chinese funded international cricket stadium, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, built for the 2007 cricket world cup and since used for test matches.
Went past the large Chinese funded international cricket stadium, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, built for the 2007 cricket world cup and since used for test matches.
Onto Nelson Dockyards National Park, $8 entry which includes the dockyard. Stopped at a stunning views down over the yacht bays of English Harbour -
We went up to the top, the Blockhouse Hill, an old military area. We were told that Elton John owns the headland and has a house here -
The old Block House -
The view looking south
We went through Shirley Heights and down to the dockyards which is a World Heritage Site. It was inscribed in 2016.
"The site consists of 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, 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."
Most of the old buildings are now used as shops or for the marina
We then drove along the south of the island, through Falmouth and back through Liberta, then Swetes and down to the coast at Old Road. Saw Carlisle Bay and Grace Bay where Curtain Bluff Resort is located. It is Antigua's premier resort -
Along the coast through Urlings and Johnson Point and Crab Hill, stopped for black pineapples that weren’t at all sweet. The beach was nice though -
Further along is Dark Wood Beach
Then it was time to head back to St Johns.
Some birds flying alongside as we left -
We went up to the top, the Blockhouse Hill, an old military area. We were told that Elton John owns the headland and has a house here -
The old Block House -
The view looking south
We went through Shirley Heights and down to the dockyards which is a World Heritage Site. It was inscribed in 2016.
"The site consists of 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, 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."
Most of the old buildings are now used as shops or for the marina
We then drove along the south of the island, through Falmouth and back through Liberta, then Swetes and down to the coast at Old Road. Saw Carlisle Bay and Grace Bay where Curtain Bluff Resort is located. It is Antigua's premier resort -
Along the coast through Urlings and Johnson Point and Crab Hill, stopped for black pineapples that weren’t at all sweet. The beach was nice though -
Further along is Dark Wood Beach
Then it was time to head back to St Johns.
Some birds flying alongside as we left -
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