Do you think that getting to Antigua and Barbuda is difficult? Don’t you think. It is not only long and expensive, but also dreary.

You can’t get to Antigua either by bus or by train. This is another part of the world. The only way available is by plane. Add the consular fee for the visa of the country in which you will be transplanting to the cost of tickets.

There are only 19 cities on the small island of Antigua. There are only 1 in Barbuda. All the cities of Antigui are similar to what we call rural villages in Russia. These are villages where they built rows of houses around the local church. In front of the houses there are flower beds, and their walls are painted in all kinds of colors: pink, green, yellow, blue, orange. I admit, I would be glad if we borrowed this idea from cheerful anti-Guans. Imagine, our typical high-rise buildings suddenly became multi-colored.

I lived in the tiny town of Liberta in the south of the island. Nearby was a ruined church, one-story houses with kindergartens and something like a boat parking near the water. Despite the fact that the city of Liberta looks very modern, it has historical significance for Antigua. It was here that the first freed slaves settled. They acquired land from the ruined white masters and cultivated it. The owner of my guesthouse proudly talked about this when she drove me home from the airport. But there is nothing to be done in this, quite frankly, village. And so it is everywhere. An exception is the state capital St. John’s.

St johns

This city is home to 22,000 anti-Guans. As befits the capital, it is the cultural and political center of the whole country. Here is the largest port of the island and major retail outlets. Do not think that you will find huge shopping centers here. Instead, there are small malls, multi-brand boutiques, souvenir shops with Chinese consumer goods and shops with jewelry from local jewelers. Many of them work on the Dutu free system, allowing foreigners to save up to 50% of the purchase price.

Do not expect to find nightclubs and noisy pubs here. In this country, it is not customary to have parties in the style of Ibiza. And if people want to have fun with dances and dances, then he goes to Shirley Heights. Everything in this town is decent in a Christian way. Unless the guys in wide trousers and knitted rasta-caps will balamute the water.

In 1632, the government appointed by the Crown selected this territory – St. Johns – for the construction of the residence. The settlement was expanding: the British nobility settled here, a church and parliament were built. In 1981, Antigua and Barbuda gained independence, and the city of St. John’s remained the capital of the state.

You need to go to St. John’s if you are tired of a beach holiday and want to go out to “people”: go around the store and sit in restaurants. There is even a colorful Chinese restaurant Shanghai Restaurant with antediluvian fan and non-English speaking staff. If you want to enjoy colonial cuisine, head to Redcliffe Street and Thames Street. They have the most restaurants and cafes that cook according to traditional anti-Guan recipes.

On Friday and Saturday in the morning in the south of the city there is a farmer’s market. Householders from all over the island come here. They sell fresh fish, meat, vegetables and fruits from the garden. If you can’t bring a guava home, it’s unlikely that you will get guava jam with ease. How cool it is to drink tea with such jam in Russia in winter, brewed by the caring hands of an anti-Guan granny. Fans of souvenirs in the national style will find in the market handicrafts and jewelry in the colonial style.

Getting lost in St. Johns is very difficult. In terms of design, it resembles New York – the streets in it intersect at an angle of 90 degrees. There are two bus stations in the city – the east opposite the Antigua and Barbuda Public Library and the west next to Valley Road.

The state of Antigua and Barbuda includes two main islands and several small ones.

Highlights: Antigua, Barbuda.

Small: Prickly Pear Island (Island Prickly Pear), Long Island (Long Island), Guiana Island (GYANA Island), Green Island (Green Island), York Island (Island City ), Smith Island (the island of Smith), Maiden Island (Island Maiden) and a few very tiny uninhabited islands, which do not even have names on the map.

And oh yes, I almost forgot about Redonda Island. Although it is a state, it is still virtual. Owned by Antigua and Barbuda. There is practically no information about the islands that I categorized as “small”. If, for example, in Thailand, it’s normal practice to transport tourists by boat to small oases in the middle of the sea, then here you will not find such a service. Most of the islets are privately owned, so landing on their beaches is illegal.

Great Bird Island

It is a tiny uninhabited island 3 kilometers northeast of Antigua (No. 2 on the map above). Its area is only 81 square meters. It is even smaller than most city parks in Russia.

The island did not just get its name. The first sailors who landed on it were struck by the number of birds that lived here. This is a small eden for birds. However, the island is open to tourists. It is often included in the tour program. I think you can get to it yourself if you pay a transfer to some fisherman on a motorboat.

There are a couple of picturesque beaches. But the main value of the island lies in its inhabitants. Rare Griswold amyves live here – these are such large lizards, similar to monitor lizards. American brown pelicans, Cuban whistling ducks, and red-billed phaetons nest here. Only here lives the anti-Guan racer – a unique kind of snake. Be sure to bring food and bottled water with you – there is no shop or cafe on the island.

Antigua is not rich in attractions. But what to do to the poor tourist who was fried on the beach to the state of boiled cancer, and bedsores have already appeared on his gods? Use all the entertainment options available in this former English colony. The British heritage here is not as diverse as in Barbados, but there is still something to see.

For history buffs

• Fort James was built by the British in the 18th century to guard St. John’s Harbor. They expected an imminent French invasion. Then, soldiers in red uniform ran around this very land. At the disposal of 75 fellows there were 35 guns. The greatness of the fort has long sunk into oblivion – every year the fort’s condition is increasingly deplorable. All that remains of the past is 11 rusted cannons with monograms and the foundation of the fort. The main value of this place is the spectacular view that opens from it to the harbor.
• Fort Barrington appeared on the territory of Antigua for a reason. In 1779, Admiral Barrington ordered the construction of a giant semicircular fort on the approach to St. John’s Harbor. It is located in Deep Bay in St. John’s County. I advise everyone to visit this place. If not in order to look at the decently preserved walls of the fort, then for the sake of a bewitching view that opens from the observation deck to the Caribbean Sea and the whole island from a height of 90 meters. The climb up time is about 30 minutes. Believe me, it’s worth it. And here goats run everywhere, so look under your feet while climbing – sneakers can be dirty.
• Nelson’s Dockyard – This naval base was built by the British on this south side of the island to watch neighboring Guadeloupe. At that time she was a French colony. At the end of the 18th century, Admiral Nelson commanded here. In honor of him, the shipyard, and the port, and the naval base in one bottle and bears its name now. Today, this well-groomed territory. Just walk along the path and enjoy the views. I had the feeling that I was in a film studio, in the scenery of which the next film by Jane Austen is being shot .
• Admiral’s House Museum – Admiral Nelson’s house museum. Located in a single Nelson’s Dockyard complex in English Harbor. I think even those tourists who are interested in history will be disappointed with the atmosphere of this museum. The quality and quantity of its exhibits leaves much to be desired. Exhausted by termites and turning dark from time to time, they do not cause any feelings except longing. And for those who like me, are not fan of history, giving money for an admission is generally contraindicated.
• Museum of Antigua and Barbuda – the collection of this museum consists of exhibits from different eras. They tell visitors about the times when the island was just forming, and about modernity. There is a bit of Viva Richards cricketer adored by anti-Guans, and a full-size replica of the Arawak home. Arawaki are the indigenous people of the island, the Indians. The museum is located in the center of the capital St. John’s. If you do not want to visit the museum itself, find it anyway. The stone building in the traditional English style is beautiful in itself – a feast for the eyes.

• Walking around St. John’s, be sure to stumble upon Cathedral of St. John the Divine . This is a magnificent cathedral that belongs to the Anglican church. The British built it in 1745 from solid brick. On the territory of the church is an ancient anti-Guan cemetery. Modern descendants of slaves working in nearby offices come here for lunch. Without malicious intent, they sit on the stone gravestones of English aristocrats of past centuries and eat their sandwiches. What an irony.

Entertainment

• Shirley heights – This is the main party of the island, which takes place every Sunday evening. This place is definitely worth a visit for several reasons. Shirley Heights offers incredible views of the entire island. Come here at 4:30 to take places on the observation deck and take a picture. If you go there to 7, then most likely stick out in a traffic jam. And the parking lot will be difficult to find. Tourists from all around come here to take a photo card against the backdrop of the island, burning in the rays of the setting sun. With the onset of darkness, locals have a grand barbecue. They cook meat, fish, burgers, side dishes. Behind separate racks, bartenders pour a drink. I advise you to be careful at these racks – many pour so much alcohol into themselves that it is not known how they will behave in the next second. Entrance fee is 8 USD.
• There is a dangerous place in Devil’s Bridge in St. Philip County . The Devil’s Bridge is a cliff on the east coast in the Indian Town Point National Park. The whole area is a wild rocky landscape. There are no trees. Only desert cliffs and huge waves of the Atlantic Ocean. For thousands of years they sharpened ledges of rocks and formed holes in them. When the next powerful wave breaks on the rocks, water passes through these holes and breaks out into the air, as if from a geyser.

• Mother Nature has tried on the appearance of Antigi. Another place with the religious name of Hell’s Gate . Hell’s Gate – a huge arch sticking out of turquoise water. In fact, the Hell’s Gate is a separate island. It is located northeast of Antigua and can only be reached by motor boat. He often falls into the program of sightseeing tours.
• Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary – be sure to come here if you are relaxing with children or just love animals like me. Important: this is not a zoo, but a shelter for donkeys. This is surprising, but the island has a problem of orphaned donkeys and goats. For example, brought down, infected with parasites, bitten by dogs, old, blinded animals are brought to the shelter. To date, the farm has more than 150 goals. Entrance ticket costs 25 US dollars. Employees are allowed to stroke and feed the inhabitants of the shelter. If you wish, offer help – volunteers will not give up a couple of extra hands: throw hay, feed newborns from the bottle. Donkey Sanctuary is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Food

Antiguan breakfast usually includes salted cod (yes, like our roach), eggplant, eggs and lettuce. For lunch, locals like to eat pasta, rice cooked with local spices and beans, vegetables, salads, corn porridge, baked potatoes, plantains (large vegetable bananas for heat treatment), pasta-pie (pasta pie). The main dish is cooked with fish, chicken, pork, and beef.

Popular desserts: ice cream, fruit pies, shugarkeyki (translated as a sweet cake, but there is no analogue of this dish in Russia), fudge and cakes.

During the annual carnival on the streets in large vats they cook something like a stew of pork joints, legs, tails with lots of onions and spices. Still locals love black pudding. In fact, it is a well-aged black pudding. The composition in addition to blood includes rice and meat.

The drinks

On Antigua, it’s a sin not to try the juices of the wildest tastes from local plants: juice from saersop, from guava, from passion fruit, from hibiscus, from mango, from raspberry, tamarind and cherry. They also make a maibu drink, ginger beer, malt beer and rum.

Rum is a different story. As in any other Caribbean country, here this drink is considered national. Ponche Kuba is very popular. This is such a high alcohol sweet creamy liqueur. In appearance – thick and creamy. Sold in elongated bottles.

• Dukanoo – dumplings made from sweet potatoes, grated coconut, sugar, flour, coconut milk, grated nutmeg. Flavor with salt and vanilla extract. All ingredients are kneaded in a deep bowl until the mixture begins to adhere densely to the spoon. Then it is all wrapped in a banana leaf and boiled for about 25 minutes, until the mixture sets. The dish is eaten hot with salted cod, or cold, thinly sliced.
• On the streets of St. John’s often sit grannies with homemade braziers of small size and roast corn . A great way to have a budget snack while exploring city streets.
• Mauby is a popular drink in the Caribbean. Boil from the bark of the tree of the same name, adding sugar in the cooking process. Sometimes put spices and anise. I first tried this drink in Barbados. I did not know what it was and what to expect from taste – I took it because of an unfamiliar name. It tastes a specific thing – with bitterness. It’s hard to drink from a habit.
• Be sure to buy fried pork, chicken or beef in jerk marinade made from local spices. Take the plantaines for a side dish . It will be a 100% anti-guan style dinner.
• Roti is a thin tortilla (pita bread in our opinion), which is used to wrap meat stewed in curry sauce and boiled potatoes. Insanely delicious stuff!

If for you to go somewhere and not bring home a ton of purchases is a crime, then for you the good news is that Antigua is a wonderful shopping experience. In St. John’s, there are entire streets with multi-brand boutiques operating on the Duty free system. When shopping, don’t forget to bring your passport and return ticket with you. It will come in handy when filling out documents.

On Antigu you can buy both cheap Chinese consumer goods and luxury products: watches, clothes, jewelry, perfumes and cosmetics. Local also create goods for sale: souvenirs, jewelry, textiles, coffee, rum, interior and exterior decoration elements. It seems to me that the last category is the most interesting. But Gucci and Gabana always have time to buy.

All shopping streets and malls with luxury goods and local artisans, jewelers and artists are located in the city of St. John’s in the heart of the city.

• Village Walk Shopping Center is an entire street with luxury brands. Boutiques are open from 12 noon to 9 pm every day.
• Redcliffe Quay – similarly. Opening hours: from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday from 10 in the morning, on Sunday from 11 in the morning until 6 in the evening. What they sell: cigars, cigarettes and alcohol, paintings by local artists, branded Italian bags, diamonds, souvenirs on the marine theme. In the Rasta Pasta shop, they sell rasta-themed products. Also on this street with colored houses in the colonial style there are many cafes, restaurants and bars. Everything for people.
• Heritage market. Be sure to go to the grocery market in St. John’s. Only on the market can one truly learn the life and customs of the country to which he arrived. The market is located on West Street and is open every Saturday from early morning. Merchants will fight for your East Caribbean dollars. They will show you their fruits and vegetables, like a matador red bullcoat bullfighting. A smaller market is adjacent to this food market. It sells craft goods.

• Jewelry made by local jewelers, beautiful Caribbean-style clothing sewn by local designers. Where to get:
  • Zenergy Boutique, Corner Complex, Dockyard Drive, English Harbor, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • The Goldsmitty, Redcliffe Quay? from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. They sell luxurious jewelry with black opals, imperial topazes, tanzanites, tourmalines and other exotic stones in 14- and 18-carat gold.
• For tourists who have a limited budget – souvenirs made in China. Where to get:
  • Vendors’ mall, St Mary’s Street and Redcliffe Quay. Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all days except Sunday.
• Luxury accessories. On Antigua, a paradise for those who collect watches. Where to get:
  • Sterlings World of Watches, Heritage Quay, from 8am to 6pm.
  • Vendor’s Mall is a shopping center. Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all days except Sunday. Here you can buy watches from Omega, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Gucci, Raymond Weil, Tissot, Longines, Carl F. Bucherer, Frederique Constant, Rado, Cross Pens, Swarovski, Michael Kors, Fossil, Hamilton, Shinola, Emporio Armani, Swiss Army / Victorinox, Ice, Guess and many other brands.

If you plan to rent a car, then rest with children in Antigua will appeal to you. Just do not forget to take out medical insurance, take a frameless car seat and a few liters of cream with SPF 60.

If you want to travel on your two and minibuses, then rest on Antigua with a child will turn into hell. It is a bad idea. Public transport here goes horribly, there are long distances between stops, and a taxi is expensive.

In all other respects, Antiga is perfect for family vacations: it is quiet, safe, clean, there is where to go with the children (remember about the shelter for donkeys?) And a comfortable entry into the water on the west coast.

Antigua and Barbuda is safe in the traditional sense of the term. That is, of course, if you shake a pack of green at night in the gateway, then most likely the gopniks will want to grab the money. If you leave the car in the field, and there will be bags and equipment on the seats, most likely the windows will be knocked out. Just stay within the framework of common sense.