Since Nutmeg busted me & Eva joined in.......this is my 1st Trip report so be gentle. Since I tend to be wordy & life is short, I've decided to go with a facts only vs my book version. But I'll be glad to answer any questions or provide details if you ask.
This was primarily a Sailing (Sunsail charter) trip but I planned 2 days pre & post trip to soak up as much Ilon spirits. Here goes:
Flights = I went to NYC area for pre-post trip needs but it did cut down my usual west coast journey.
5/11, 8:05am - AA #1857 EWR to SJU - uneventful 4 hrs
AA #891 - SJU to ANU - 1:10pm departure really 3:15ish dues to equipment change (dumb), burned wire in engine area (better fix that) and then no crew to push plane back.
Immigration/Customs - 1/2 hour or so in A/C but could be tough if you land with one of those Virgin 747s in front of You.
Taxi to Hotel - Taxi dispacher just outside Customs will arrange, set price ($31 US to EH) & give written receipt
Hotel - English Harbour / Nelson's Dockyard so I could be near Sunsail base..great choice = The Copper & Lumber Store Hotel -
http://www.copperandlumberhotel.com/Boutique / B&B style hotel...great service via e-mail booking & arrival. Balance of historic & modern.
Rental Car - I used TiTi Car Rental out of Falmouth Harbour which is easy walking from English Harbour. Another great service company which I booked via e-mail
titi@candw.ag . I needed a car to see island, provision the boat, pick up crew from airport, etc. I have never driven on the left side of the road intentionally. Mixed opinions whether to even try. It was a right hand drive car...oops other side.....which actually makes it easier to drive on the left side and except one close call within 5 mins (misjudged space passing a parked car), it was a fun experience. Driving in Antigua was not bad. Rentals have special lic plates so everyone knows you are clueless & gives you some "forgiveness'......less tailgating than I've seen on other islands but you will be passed often which is fine. Locals will help with directions as road signs could be better....definitely travel with maps & be adventurous....it's an island = how lost can you get? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Sunsail - right next to hotel in Nelson's Dockyard....small base which is only open 6 mos or so. Great service, very good briefings and other than one problem, the 10 day charter was fine.
Sailing Trip - English Harbour is on the southern part of Antigua. So here goes our 158+nm odyssey...EH to 5 Islands, 5 Isl to Barbuda 11 mi beach, move to Coco beach, Barbuda to Deep Bay, Deep Bay to Jolly Harbour (water/provisions)to Long Island (jumby Bay), move to Great Bird Island, Gr Bird to Green Island, Gr Isl to EH.
After debrief, I rented another car from TiTi...this time a 4 wheel drive small SUV vs sedan on front end. Drove Fig Tree drive on the way to Jolly Harbour area...stopped for black pineapple & finger bananas from roadside vendor that I wanted to do pre-sail. Arrived @ rented house for final two days. We relaxed, enjoyed Jolly Harbour area then did more touring the next day - Zip Line(clip on & fly thru the air) in the rain forest, reservoir, aborted (roads) highest peak drive, etc.
Restaurants/Bars 5/12 - Le Cap Horn - very french & very good... Dinner $$$ on the street between English & Falmouth Harbours
5/13 - Bumpkins - beach bar - very good & reasonable lunch $
on the beach @ Pidgeon Point....fish & chips great
5/16 - Wa O'Moni on Barbuda in Codrington - best meal (lunch) I had the whole trip...local food $-$$ in airconditioned new place
5/22 - Tamarind @ Nonsuch Bay behind Nanny Island...great oasis where you have access to beach, pool, hammocks, etc when you eat there......we had a delicious lunch at this very Italian restaurant........$$-$$$
5/23 - OJs @ Turners beach just south of Jolly Harbour area......it is a great location to see the water, Monserrat and the sunset. we had lunch & it was quiet, food was good (not great)$$-$$$.
Others:Nelson's Dockyard Tour - Disappointing due to young tour guide who never smiled and had only a few words to say about the 4 or so stops where there should have been 10-15. But there are signs so do a self tour.
Shirley Heights - the famous Sunday afternoon/evening gathering. We almost forgot as we were in the midst of boarding our boat that night. So as we were sitting down to our own happy hour, we looked up & realized that we were missing the party. Not Really. We drove up there (above EH) and it was a disappointment to me = every tourist on Antigua was there along with a huge parking lot filled with all the taxis + buses to carry them, it was $20ec to enter (cover charge) and two drinks were $22.50ec. It was crowded with hardly anywhere to stand less sit. A steel band was playing and they were OK = too much elec bass not enough steel.........so after 1 drink we left.
Jolly Harbour - marina bar.....right at the dock there's a little building that opens for happy hour and beyond....nice setting.
Flights backAA# 1270 - 5/25 3:35pm - left a little late due to late arrival......full with many Antiguans leaving for long weekend (holiday not USA memorial day).....SJU immigrations & customs not too bad = 45 mins from standing up on plane to walking up to boarding area (same plane) for flight to EWR......AA#1270 SJU to EWR - 4 hrs uneventful & full.
So that's my short trip version.
Oh yeah, Weather = was great..sunny, hot (upper 80s & mid 90s), humid, some clouds the last few days with a few brief showers on the boat
The islands were beautiful, people fun & friendly (greet them, treat them well & they will be nice) and wonderful memories. Sailing Conditions were great - mid-upper teens winds everyday........winds mostly ESE-SE, waves/swells 3-7'
Questions??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/usflag.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />
