Sunday, January 1, 2017

Antigua - the island of sun & sand



While “waiting for weather” in Falmouth Harbour, we witnessed a few rainbows (a result of almost daily rains).

 

We explored another of the local trails; this one took us to Rendezvous Bay, which had two beaches – one stony…


and the other a huge yet deserted sand beach. We had it to ourselves! 




We had packed a lunch (and a couple of cold ones), and stayed a while (we needed to rest up for the hike back, which we weren’t looking forward to).

Along the trail, we saw these; a fruit I have yet to identify.

We finally escaped Falmouth Harbor, though not before witnessing a couple of regattas with their start and finish lines within the harbour. Always fun to watch, especially when non regatta boats get into the mix!

 

We sailed west, then north, then east; circumnavigating a little better than half way around Antigua, to visit Great Bird and some of the other outer islands, which are protected by a series of reefs.

 Great Bird Island anchorage

Great Bird Island is a nesting area for the red billed tropic bird. They are difficult to capture on camera, as they are very fast in flight. 

 

 

Though we didn’t see any, this island is apparently the only home to the Antigua Racer, a rare and endangered snake.


Another of the islands here, Hell’s Gate, has a hole right through it; adding some drama to the landscape.

Snorkeling was enjoyable here – not so many fish, but plenty of corals and plant life....

 

 

 

 



Our sunset from Great Bird Island anchorage was striking,


but early the next morning was eerie.


We had a short sail west to Long Island, home of Jumby Bay, a large exclusive resort. The mansions on this island reminded me of Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

 

 


We were hoping that a resort of this caliber would have fireworks on New Years Eve, and we were not disappointed!

 

 

 

 

Wishing all of our family and friends a happy and healthy 2017!


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