Good bye St. James - Antigua

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Shirley Heights & Paparazzi - Antigua

 Our last night in Antigua was quite a special one. Benjie took us to one of the the highest spots in all of Antigua. It over looked the St. James and the beautiful bay. I love this photo of Scott and myself. 

Welcome to Shirley Heights - now home to sensational steel bands, libations and gorgeous views. It originally used as a lookout for who was entering the harbor: friend or foe.

Stunning view of the English Harbor.

The steel band rocking out. It really was an incredible sound.

For only $9.99 you too, could make music. Ya Mon'...

I felt so blessed to experience this whole trip. What a memory I will have of Antigua!

My date for the evening, Scott; deciding on what he might order at "Paparazzi" a Canadian owned Italian restaurant.

Grilled Shrimp with al dente rice served with marinated peppers, eggplant and mushrooms. Not nearly enough food for what it cost, but it beat the alternative of nothing at all!

Lady in BRIGHT red!

Of all things I order Veal! The color is a little grey but it did taste good. I enjoy lemon and capers on pretty much anything so this was the dish for me!

Tomorrow will be my last Antigua post... How sad!

Piccolo Mondo - Antigua

Just because we were on vacation I did not allow Scott off the hook for one of our "special" date nights. When we are at home we dress up and go out somewhere fancy at least once every couple weeks. So here we are dressed up and ready to go!

Piccolo Mondo was located at the St. James Club among the villas. It is an upgrade to our all-inclusive plan but we decided it was worth it!

For Scott's appetizer he ordered the Caprese Salad. The tomatoes did not impress but the cheese with olive oil and balsamic was amazing. The addition of cucumber was an interesting one. They added cucumber to a lot of dishes, quite randomly.

This is my date, he was suffering from a cold. Who gets sick in paradise? I guess we do!

These little bad boys were mine! Stuffed mushrooms on a bed of mashed potatoes? Yes, please! I practically licked the plate clean.

Hi, my name is Melissa Good Taste and I am addicted to food.

We both ordered the lobster and were so glad we did. It was fantastic, delicious and every other in between. It was probably the best lobster I have ever had. Good job Antigua!

I wanted dessert but Scott was done. What does that mean? More creme brulee for me! this was the cappuccino variety and I was not a real big fan. A couple bites and I was done.

So here we are, full and happy. This meal made my trip! And, my jumpsuit. That made my trip too. 

Slowing Down - Antigua

Day 5 in Antigua and we are pretty much relaxed as possible. We have read one book and well into another. We have eaten well, drank plenty and just starting to move according to island time. 

We hired Benjie, our driver for the week, to take us to some local spots that he loves. We drove through the countryside and came upon this little donkey. How cute is he?

This beautiful old church - there are so many and they all are stunning.

This is Half Moon Bay - not the one I am used to in California but the Antiguan version of course. Notice the horse shoe shape?

The beach was pretty awesome but we were not in the mood to hang out very long. We continued on our countryside journey.

A bit parched we stopped into "Smilin' Harry's" a roadside stop.

This is the actual Harry. Notice his resemblance to Samuel Jackson? I did. He was a really nice man who had a lot to say. He was probably the most friendly person we had met in Antigua.

This is what a typical Antiguan house looks like. Up off the ground, shaped in a box and laundry out on the line. Simple living.

The closest thing to cutting we did all week.

My daily bikini - Target is where I found the bottoms. Very cute. All 5'4 of me thinks I am a Hawaiian Tropic model, in my own mind I guess.

Another beautiful sunset, another beautiful day.

Island Fever made by Rum Punch - Antigua

Today is Sailing and Snorkeling Day on the vacation! I am dressed and ready to go, notice my cool Walden's Surf Shirt - Just a shout out to all you Venturians in the house!

This would be our boat. A small beauty.

 Pre-Rum punch and very excited to be out on the water!

Sailing into the English Harbor - This is where the yacht race is called. A man watches from the post and and calls the winner with the shot of a gun!

To get into the harbor you have to get by this fort first. Do you think we made it in?

In absolute heaven!

A few of these down the hatch and we started to get a little tipsy.

Snorkled. Meh, I think Hawaii has Antigua beat in this department.

The Rum Punch is in full effect!

Oh my! Needless to say we missed our dinner reservations that night and we slept in an extra hour or two the next morning! Yikes!

English Harbor - Antigua

We had heard that the English Harbor was a place to visit during our stay in Antigua. Developed as a base for the British Navy in the great age of sail, the harbor served as the headquarters of the fleet of the Leeward Islands during the turbulent years of the late 18th century. It is part of Nelson's Dockyard National Park, which also contains Clarence House and Shirley Heights. Named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, who lived in the Dockyard from 1784 through 1787, Nelson's Dockyard is home to some of Antigua's sailing and yachting events such as Antigua Sailing Week held every April.

Yachts! If you are in Antigua you are either a local, tourist or a "yachtie" - they fill the English Harbor and provide much business to Antigua.

Scott as Mr. Nelson!

I belong on the front as a ship with this lady!

Pillars from an original sail repair shop. They have been repaired from the 18th century but were quite impressive!

Sailboats are everywhere!

The old buildings within the harbor were just gorgeous.

They turned this building into a hotel, it was so charming!

Vacation home for someone very special. What a view you would have on a everyday basis!

Random shot of the day. A loose donkey next to a Snow Cone Stand!

We enjoyed a glass of wine watching the yachts come into the harbor, we saw so very impressive boats!

Sunset.

 Scott and I wandered into the Admiral's Inn hungry for dinner. Scott wanted the lobster and was impressed when he received this big boy on his plate!

I saw Wahoo on the menu and knew that was exactly what I wanted. A moist fish that basically melts in your mouth. It was served with an outstanding balsamic sauce, creamed spinach and purple potatoes. It was a beautiful meal.