Travel Log

Antigua (lesser Antilles), Caribbean

Antigua, Caribbean

Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin.

Size:
Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Boggy Peak (1319 ft.), located in the southwestern corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population for the nation is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's on Antigua.

For more details see the official tourism website of Antigua: http://www.antigua-barbuda.org/index.htm

I had the fortune to be there about 1 year ago at this time ---I must say that the waters in Antigua are so crystal clear, aqua, green and turquoise you feel like it is almost fake as it is so beautiful! I fell in love with the island. The friendliness and the joy of the locals was more evident than some of the other islands we visited. They have so little materially, but are so rich in spirit (and why not when you live on such a gorgeous island?).

There are many excellent specials right now to the Caribbean and great cruise offers as well. Why not call or email for a quote!
 

St. Marrten, Caribbean islands

 

St. Maarten, Caribbean

The island of Sint Maarten-Saint Martin is the smallest land mass in the world to be shared by two different nations. Only 37 square miles are owned by France and the Netherlands Antilles.

The French territory covers about two thirds of the island and is technically a part of Europe and the European Community. The Dutch side is a member island of the Netherlands Antilles and part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but not considered European territory. There is no real border, just modest monuments and signs. The island is known as an almost perfect holiday environment; beaches and nightlife are spectacular, shopping and dining the best in the Caribbean.

As hard to believe as it may be, St. Maarten/St. Martin has thirty-seven beaches on its thirty-seven square miles! Whatever your lifestyle or vacation style, there will certainly be a beach suited to the ambiance you desire. For the action seeker, many beaches offer water sports of every description. Waters in St. Maarten/St. Martin offer the bluest of blues and turquoise hues.

Beach bar/cafes are there for your enjoyment too, and offer varied cuisines, from classic French to pizza and burgers, as well as local Caribbean fare. Blenders are busy mixing up delicious fresh frozen cocktails, guavaberry, mango, and passion fruit coladas heading the list. Beach chairs and umbrellas are provided for those who just want to soak up the rays and do some people watching.

If quiet and privacy is more to your liking, St. Maarten/St. Martin has numerous beaches that are semi to totally secluded and offer little or no facilities. 

For many other ideas on what to do in St. Maarten/St. Martin - visit this website - http://www.st-maarten.com/

This photo was taken from Philipsburg which is the Dutch capital of St. Maarten/St. Martin.

Sunrise in the Caribbean

 

Sunrise (April, 5:30am) in the Caribbean

Todays' entry has nothing to do with sailing, oceans or travel other than posting a great recipe from the Caribbean region. This is a bit spicy but has great flavor ---perhaps you might like to try it:

CARIBBEAN JERK CHICKEN  

1 tbsp. ground allspice
1 tbsp. dried leaf thyme
1 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 1/2 tsp. ground sage
3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tbsp. salt
2 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. sugar
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. soy sauce
3/4 c. white vinegar
1/2 c. orange juice
1/4 c. fresh lime juice
1 Scotch Bonnet pepper
1 c. finely chopped white onion
3 green onions, finely chopped
4 (6-8 oz.) whole chicken breasts, skinned and boned

In medium sized bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients including the sugar. Mixing with wire whisk, slowly add olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, orange and lime juices. Use rubber or plastic gloves to prepare hot pepper (jalapeno or serrano may be substituted). Avoid touching face or eyes! Add chopped pepper and chopped onions to marinade; mix well.
Spread 2 cups marinade in glass baking dish. Add chicken to coat in marinade. Cover and marinade at least 1 hour (overnight is best). Reserve 3/4 cup of marinade as a dipping sauce. On grill, cook chicken over medium to high heat 6 minutes each side. Baste with excess drained marinade.

Heat reserved marinade that has not touched chicken. Serve as a dipping sauce.
 

St. Maarten, Caribbean

 St. Maarten, Caribbean

The island of Sint Maarten-Saint Martin is the smallest land mass in the world to be shared by two different nations. Only 37 square miles are owned by France and the Netherlands Antilles.

The French territory covers about two thirds of the island and is technically a part of Europe and the European Community. The Dutch side is a member island of the Netherlands Antilles and part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but not considered European territory. There is no real border, just modest monuments and signs. The island is known as an almost perfect holiday environment; beaches and nightlife are spectacular, shopping and dining the best in the Caribbean.

As hard to believe as it may be, St. Maarten/St. Martinhas thirty-seven beaches on its thirty-seven square miles! Whatever your lifestyle or vacation style, there will certainly be a beach suited to the ambiance you desire. For the action seeker, many beaches offer water sports of every description. Waters in St. Maarten/St. Martin offer the bluest of blues and turquoise hues.

Beach bar/cafesare there for your enjoyment too, and offer varied cuisines, from classic French to pizza and burgers, as well as local Caribbean fare. Blenders are busy mixing up delicious fresh frozen cocktails, guavaberry, mango, and passion fruit coladas heading the list. Beach chairs and umbrellas are provided for those who just want to soak up the rays and do some people watching.

If quiet and privacyis more to your liking, St. Maarten/St. Martin has numerous beaches that are semi to totally secluded and offer little or no facilities. 

For many other ideas on what to do in St. Maarten/St. Martin - visit this website - http://www.st-maarten.com/

This photo was taken from Philipsburg which is the Dutch capital of St. Maarten/St. Martin.

Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic

 

 

CAYO LEVANTADO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Cayo Levantado is a tiny island (so small in fact you will not see it on most maps) and is part of the Dominican Republic. I have attached 2 photos here to give you some perspective. The first photo is the actual island (photo taken about 1/2 mile from the ship). The 2nd photo is taken while on the island. The island offers some local arts and crafts, jeep excursions deeper into the island,  parasailing, catamaran sailing, snorkeling and a caves and mangroves adventure (to the Bay of Samana). For those who just want to relax in the sun and enjoy the crystal clear waters then you will certainly enjoy this "port of call" stop which is offered on several of the larger cruise lines which sail to this part of the Caribbean Sea. 

Jolly Beach in Antigua (Lesser Antilles)

 

Antigua located in the Lesser Antilles islands in the Caribbean

    **We have just returned from a weeks cruise (on MSC Cruise Lines) in the Caribbean -look forward to at least a month's long showing of various ports of call in the Caribbean**

There are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each day of the year. The great majority rest inside the calm, protected waters of the island's Caribbean side. All are open to the public, and so the challenge posed to a visitor is not how to gain access to the best of them but simply how to locate the beach that suits one's taste. Exploring on your own is the best way to do this, although it is wise to bring a companion along to particularly isolated locations. Antiguans are understandably reluctant to divulge their own favorites, so here are a number of good starters. Be sure to acquire specific directions before you go.

Northwest Coast:
Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, located along the island's developed northwestern coast, are the place to go for those who want the fully-loaded resort beach experience. The beaches most convenient to St. John's are Fort James, a locally-popular public beach, and Deep Bay. Galley Bay attracts surfers during the winter months and a joggers during the evening. The series of four crescent beaches at Hawksbill are also highly regarded, one of which is nudist.

Southwest and South Coast:
The beaches of the hilly southwest corner of Antigua are generally less developed than those around St. John's further north. On the road that winds along this coast are Fryes Bay, Darkwood Beach, and the beaches around Johnsons Point. Rendezvous Bay and especially Doigs Beach, both located on the central southern coast at Rendezvous Bay, are especially quiet beaches worth the rough travel necessary to reach them. Pigeon Point, near English Harbour Town, is a convenient balm after a day at Nelson's Dockyard.

East Coast:
 On the southeast corner of the island is Half Moon Bay, now a National Park and a good choice for a family outing. Long Bay, on the easternmost point of the island, is another good choice for families, as it is completely protected by its reef.

This information was taken from the Official Site of the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism.