December 2007

Our trip to the Caribbean, ...this is only a start, we have many more pictures to sort through and post..

 


We stayed at a very small, very friendly little spot right on the water. This snap was taken by our friendly Taxi driver, Mr. Edwards who went out of his way to make sure we got everywhere we wanted to go. I have his card, if you stay on the Dickenson Bay side of the island.

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From the minute we arrived, all of the staff and even the owner, Mr. Johnson, made sure we felt welcome and that they appreciated our visit. Tamu at the front desk was cheerful, helpful, friendly and full of good advice about how to have fun and avoid the crowds.
Sibony Beach Club
 


Wonder why we didn't send emails? This was the nearest internet cafe (notice the sign) just a few hundred yards up the beach. Couldn't tell if there was a computer hidden inside behind the rusty water sports stuff.


Looking back up the beach, Sibony is in that grove of trees at the end. Water was around 78, air temp varied from 78 - 85. Sun, rain squalls, clouds and constant trade winds. We'd walk on the beach, swim and have breakfast.
 
Our room had a nice balcony overlooking the lush garden, lizards, birds mosquitoes and whistling tree frogs.  There was also a small fridge in the room for water and snacks as well as an AC in the bedroom. Very comfortable if you are not expecting resort-style pampering.
A view of the St John's market. We found a little local market and bought fresh fruit from a vendor near the hotel. The tiny bananas that they call "figs" were very tasty.
St John’s Saturday Market.  Redcliffe Quay shops
 


Lunch in ST John's at Hemingway's
Our bartender at the restaurant on the hotel property got us hooked on Antigua English Harbor 5-year aged rum. Sip it like Brandy.
 


St James fort at sunset for our first dinner.
Russell's at St James came highly recommended by some locals. We ate "inside" which is relative since most places in Antigua don't have windows and many only have enough walls to hold the roof up..
 


Our host Russell made us feel welcome then sat and chatted with us for a while after dinner before the bananas foster. Of course Marie had lobster for dinner.

 


On our tour of the "rain forest" which was mostly the 'fig' trees.

 


English harbor is the old and the new sailing capital of the island. They were having the boat show of the mega yachts.
Lunch in one of the old buildings.

Looking back at where we had lunch.
Sunday evenings, locals and tourists head to the top of Shirley heights to watch the sunset, listen to steel drum music and drink rum. Notice the rain shower, only moved people under cover to protect their drinks.

We found a great spot to see the sunset.

Shirley Heights at sunset
 


Looking down at the harbor
 


The coconut grove restaurant at Sibony. The rainstorm while we had dinner produced a river through the dinning area and a cooling mist if you sat on the edge next to the 'wall'. Yes, Marie had lobster again. Do I look damp?


When I say the resort was small, I mean it. I took this snap of our little beach cove while eating dinner. The 12-room Sibony Beach Club, Coconut Grove bar and restaurant and little beach would easily fit onto 1 acre of land.

We took an all-day around the island boat ride. Here is just one of the sites. Swam with the stingrays in a driving rain squall, bounced through 10-foot swell, had lunch on the beach, snorkeled in 15-foot of crystal-clear water and had rum punch on the way home

www.adventureantigua.com/ 


We had fun playing with the local wildlife during our lunch stop.

Did I mention the "boat" was a 45-foot offshore racer? Our captain JD needed all his skill during our ride on the Atlantic side of the island.
Marie standing in front of the older condos looking at Sibony. There were several bars and restaurant nearby as well as the big Sandall's resort - pretty, but too crowded for our taste.


The off to the island of St Maarten where we stayed on the far side of the island in a little yacht harbor. Captain Olivers Resort. A nice spot just on the French side of the island. Notice the really nice houses all over the hillsides on the French side.

  


Interesting restaurant overlooking the boats.
 

My favorite side trip was the day we got to help crew a 12-meter America's Cup yacht racing in the harbor. Marie and I were the Port Backstay trimmers. Marie's first time sailing, and I think she liked it.
Americas Cup Challenge 12-meter regatta.
Did I mention we had plenty of wind? The picture was taken by the starboard trimmers, notice we are trying to keep from falling out. Captain Matt, in the blue shirt said if we fell out and the boat was winning, he wasn't stopping to pick us up until after the race. We did win sailing against the Stars and Stripes boat.

Next day we joined a small tour group fighting our way up the coast to snorkel on a  reef. Was a pretty good swell and definitely a bouncy ride.
Rhino Island tour
Lunch after the boat ride.
 


Another lunch on the beach
One of the small towns on the French side

The local market in Marigot.
Another view of the market. Mostly closed that day because no cruise ships were in.
 


The "World Famous" seafood buffet at Captain Oliver's. Here is a shot of the grouper. Nice presentation. Food was O.K. Also lots of people and fun dance music.


Did I mention the bar and restaurant are built out over the water onto the Dutch side of the island.

Captain Oliver's had a very nice pool overlooking the restaurant (complete with glass wall).
Here is the Iguana bar built out over the rocks. When the daily rain squall came in, you could get drenched either from the rain or the water splashing up from below.
Recommendation: If you are planning on visiting St Maarten, go to this web site
http://www.stmaartenconcierge.com and get in touch with Michelle. She was a huge help with reservations, suggestions and advice.
   

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