Day 10 - Landfall

Thursday 3 October Antigua

We arrived to a heavy rain shower but it soon cleared. It was wonderful to see the huge Frigate birds circling the ship and nicking food from the terns as pelicans skimmed over the water in the harbour.

I had chosen the Highlights of Antigua and Lobster Lunch tour. We walked along the boardwalk past the excursion catamarans and boarded a very smart minibus with aircon (Yeh!) and toured most of the island, including Block House Ruins, Shirley Heights and stopped for views over Falmouth and English harbours, before going to Nelsons Dockyard for our lunch.




Falmouth & English Harbours

There had been a few showers as we toured and at Nelsons Dockyard we could hear thunder rumbling in the distance but after a brief light shower we had sunshine the rest of the day. The lunch was buffet style – green salad, mango or guava dressing, Caribbean style rice, banana fritters and steamed veggies with Rum Punch (151% proof!).

It was fascinating seeing the real island life in the interior with its rich fruit plantations – guava, mango, banana (called fig here) etc. After lunch we went to Turner Beach where we had about one and a half hours to swim, sunbathe etc.

By now the sun was out in ernest and it was the perfect Caribbean beach – white sand, blue sea, palm trees, umbrellas, etc. I was particularly interested in the wildlife, especially the birds such as Wilson's Plover. In the sand were small holes and now and again a small crab peeped out! Inland we also saw geckos and mongooses. We got back to the dock at 4.30 and I stayed on deck for the sailaway.

The sun was setting and the town looking beautiful bathed in the golden light as pelicans dived in our wash for the fish we disturbed. We are now sailing for Tortola.