Antigua

Stop number three, Antigua. Now we are really getting into rhythm of the cruise. Today again no excursion planned. We were on the wait list for a Catamaran cruise and snorkel package. But we never got the call. We again docked at the pier in Antigua. This town was obviously set up to cater to the cruise ships. As you get off the dock, you have a relatively nice shopping area and a pretty cool restaurant. There were two other cruise ships also docked that day, but the area was not overwhelmed.

The native language in Antigua is also English, same as Tortola. Antigua has been an independent country only since 1981. They claim that there are 365 beaches in Antigua and while I do agree that there are a lot of Antiguan beaches, 365 seems like an awfully suspicious number created by the tourist board.

We got a group taxi to one of the beaches in the area, Turner beach. The weather had been postcard nice all day, we had seemed to put the rain behind us. Here is a picture of me at the beach holding a Wadadli, the local beer.

I had to take this picture just to make sure I got the name right:

The Wadadli really was not that good, but here is the photo I'm sending into the Wadadli promotions department in my attempt to be their new Seattle spokesman:

After our time at Turner beach, we took the taxi bus back to the city. We still had some time before all aboard. Paty continued her crusade to 'Shop Through The Caribbean' in town. Afterwards we had time for a rum punch at the Rum Shack with the Norwegian Pearl in the background:

Apparently the Presidente beer already has a better spokesman than me.


Dinner that night was at Cagney's the steakhouse. There was a $20 surcharge for this restaurant, but it was entirely worth it. Paty had a whole lobster. She was messing around trying to crack the claws (they gave her three claws) until the waiter came over and cracked the lobster and pulled out all the meat for her. It was fabulous. The steakhouse experience would compare favorably to the nicest steakhouse in Seattle.


Tuha Note:
Antigua was a really nice stop. Whatever excursion you choose, you should make sure that it includes some beach time. Antigua is famous for it's beaches for a reason. I heard some good things in retrospect about the Catamaran cruises. Also, try the steakhouse. This is a stop that is very easy to do on your own if you are looking for a day off from the planned excursions. The town is right off the pier and taxis can take you to any beach you want.