Monday, November 11, 2019 - St. John's, Antigua, Antigua & Barbuda

Monday, November 11, 2019 - St. John's, Antigua, Antigua & Barbuda


Saint John's is the city and capital of Antigua and Barbuda.  It lies on the northwest coast of Antigua and is a resort community and the island's main port, handling sugar, cotton, foodstuffs, machinery, and lumber.  The port, in a sheltered harbor, accommodates ships drawing 35 feet and V.C. Bird International Airport is six miles fo the northeast.  Attractions include an Anglican cathedral, the Government House, a botanic station and nearby Fort James and Goat Hill.  Fort St. John's was severely damaged by earthquakes in 1690 and a long 1843, a fire in 1769, and a hurricane in 1847.  St. John's is one of the most developed and cosmopolitan municipalities in the Lesser Antilles.  The city is famous for its shopping malls as well as boutiques throughout the city, selling designer jewelry  and haute couture clothing.  St. John's attracts tourists from the resorts on the island and from the cruise ships which dock in its harbor at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay several times a week.  The investment banking industry has a strong presence in the city.  Major work financial institutions have offices in St. John's.  There is a market on the southwest edge of the city where fresh produce, meats, and fresh fish are sold daily.  The Antigua Rum Distillery is located at the Citadel and is the only rum distillery on the island.  Annual production yields more than 180,000 gallons bottled.

  

 Today was not a good day for me.  Had looked forward to a ramble around the town, especially because places of interest were right off the ship and we didn't have to take any conveyances to get there!   However, have been hit with a bit of vertigo and cannot walk a straight line!!!   Gervaise did go off on her own and I was glad that she was comfortable to do that!   I rested and stayed put so that falling down was not an option!

 Here are some photos from Gervaise.  

  

The slave trade history is very prominent here in the Caribbean islands.   The dates of abolition of slavery are varied, sometimes varying as much as one hundred fifty years.



Big ships berthed alongside the Sojourn - make us feel very puny, but also very lucky to be on this warm and beautiful, smaller ship.   One of the ships had a movie screen on the top deck that constantly showed future cruises and where to eat on the ship.   So intrusive in the beautiful night - couldn't take a photo because of the glare from the screen which was easily three stories high and four stories wide!! UGH!!


   


Later in the day, we had a Steel Drum Band come aboard and play for us on the pool deck for two hours.   Gervaise refers to them as the "Tin Trio"!!!   Stayed outside for about one and half hours, and decided to have room service for our dinner - which was very good.   An early night and hopefully I will feel better tomorrow.

We were able to view the 49er/Seattle game live here in our suite.   It began, our time, 9:15 p.m.   I managed the first half, and went to sleep.   Slept through the very exciting second half and overtime, as Gervaise reported to me in the morning.   She barely got six hours sleep!



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