Antigua

Thursday, December 07, 2017
Saint John's, Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda
Woke up at 06.00 as we slowly made our way into St Johns which is the capital of Antigua. We were up to date with laundry having stuck it in the machine whilst at dinner last night. We went up to the top deck at 07.00 so we could watch the docking procedure. The Oceania Riviera was already in a berth and we went alongside that, looking back we could see 2 other ships slowly making their way in, the German ship we were alongside in Guadeloupe and the Serenade of the Seas. Looking across at the Riviera some of the suites look really impressive, a large balcony with 2 sun loungers and 2 big easy chairs plus a private jacuzzi with a large TV screen above it. And of course butler service to go with it.
So with the 4 ships in dock there would be anything up to 10,000 people descending on a town of about 30,000 people. Probably enough to send the average age of the town up by about 30 years I suspect. We had already decided to stay on board for a couple of hours to let the rush die down, we didn't want to get caught up in the mass of people going on organised trips nor those just wanting a taxi to go exploring.
We went for a leisurely breakfast and then back to the room to collect our towels and went out to sit in the fresh air. It was still only 08.30 but it was already 80F but quite cloudy. We sat out until 10.00 and then went back to the room to get our stuff and left the ship through the usual security check. Again as usual as soon as we stepped out of the quay entrance we had to negotiate our way through the guys selling tours or offering taxi services. We walked along up Nevis Street and then along Market Street and ended up at the museum, we went in but to be honest it was pretty shit. Much like the town itself really. We then walked up to the cathedral, its closed as its undergoing a renovation programme, by the look of it they have a major challenge on their hands. The information booklet says "there is no planned re-opening date", I don't think it won't be anytime soon.
We then walked back into town looking for a bar with Wifi, we found one nice bar with a veranda but no Wifi, no wonder it was empty. There are a couple of small markets but they all sell the same stuff. We ended up at the West Bus Station where the fish market is, nothing doing there either. We eventually ended up back at the cruise berth and went to a bar overlooking the dock itself, we had a few beers, used the Wifi and then headed back to the ship for lunch. To get back into the dock security area you only have to show your cruise card so its important not to lose it, I think every day we come across someone as we come back in who can't find their card. Today it was an American woman who thought she had left it on the bus. 
Not many people at lunch as you'd expect, we ate inside as it was too hot to sit out. 
The Sports channel was showing the Atalanta match and not Everton's so I went to join Fiona sunbathing on the top deck. At 16.00 we packed up and went back to the cabin but we picked up some cookies and coffee on the way for me but Fiona hit the gin instead. I watched a bit of the Arsenal match but watching them was enough to send me back to the gym for an hour or so. For once the gym was quite busy, obviously guilty consciences are kicking in with some people.  
I didn't see it as I was at the gym but Fiona said that or last 2 passengers arrived back on the dot at 17.30 which was the cut off point today and of course got a round of applause from everyone looking out from the top deck or their balconies.
It was a bit rougher on board ship during the night, either Fiona has got used to it or those bands she bought actually do work, either way she hasn't had her head down the toilet again. I am fine on board ship, its when I get back ashore that I take some time to get used to the land not moving. Tomorrow its Basse Terre which is the capital of St. Kitts, because the port is busy we have to use a smaller berth just outside the main town s P+O are providing free shuttle buses to the main part of town.

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Comments

Stephen Sunners
2017-12-08

You are discovering that not all of the local towns / villages in the Caribbean have much to offer - if you don’t go on the tours you sometimes don’t see much at all

2025-02-06

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