La Belle Grand Case Guadeloupe

... clear blue/green water while their neighbour had cloudy water with no visibility. Some offered loads of local produce but little else, while others grew nothing but shipped in pork pies from England (not enough of these islands for Adrian) and Grape Nuts cereal from the US (that's for Dana). And the comparisons go on as did our constant adjustments as we island hopped from one to another; some part of the same chain, while others were separate countries.  Just as we got used to ...

... a 4 x 4 excursion to the centre of the island, which in view of the number of visitors now deposited on the island seems like a lucky choice. Off we lurched in our LR Defender through the city with our guide pointing out local points of interest, he was a proper laugh, so chilled, no problems man; up we went to Convent's Hill for a breathtaking view of English Harbour and the surrounding scenery. Eric Clapton has a place here which ...

... was built in 1725 and served as a base for the English naval squadron patrolling the West Indies. After a short informative walk with the guide, we were able to tour the entire dockyard on our own. This proved to be quite interesting and beautiful pictures were taken once again. After the tour, we enjoyed our free time to explore the mall museum, art gallery, gift shop and boutiques. We were also served a complimentary drink prior to our departure ...

... telling us how everything works, boggling our minds with scientific facts that we didn't need to know but telling us anyway. Dinner conversations that I'm sure the whole bay could hear as the volume and intensity increased, all good natured of course but still feisty. I had forgotten how much of a talker Matt is and a loud one at that. No fifty million dirty cups and plates constantly piling up in the galley, no wet towels and smelly clothes hanging around. It's like a big ...

Today we arrived in St. John's, Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda. We debarked the ship and walked a bit until we reached what seemed to be some sort of plaza, where a local was balancing a pineapple on her head while grooving to music, hoping to make a few dollars off of us tourists. Later in the day, we took a tour of the island and saw two gorgeous beaches: Dickinson and Runaway.

... An hour later, had had followed me to the shuttle pick up, just to wish me a great vacations time. Ahead of the shuttle, I got to chat with a few locals, about their way of life; they don't pay a lot of tax compared to us, about 2%, yet they have to pay for most services that a freely given in my country. Kindergarden is $500 monthly, primary school is $2300 per three months ...

... sauces. Beware of market stalls; difficult for the curious mind not to enter, but sellers are rude, arrogant and simply nasty. What a bunch of mean people!!! Opposite Ireland and Scotland, Antigua is a cultural shock! I couldn't resist entering the market, but I was yelled at from every sides, each seller wanting me to purchase anything of theirs. They impose guilt on you, if it doesn't work, they turn outright nasty and insulting. If I return to St John's market, I ...

Time to explore by foot; the resort gym is nicely equipped, but the 3 men in there are quite intimidating, staring consistently. I decide to leave . The marina is a walking distance, very pretty. The casino is a scam although a beautiful building. Lots of photo opps! I opt for the pool today rather than the beach; I also fell asleep in the jacuzzi, combination of many pina coladas and hot sun! I wake up, get out, the mermaid now looks ...

... lunch at the Courtyard amidst palms and songbirds. During the next few days we explored the long and beautiful Pinney's Beach by foot and the rest of the island by car. We fell in love with the sprawling lawns and beaches of the Nisbet Plantation Hotel. The main building is the historic Nisbet house (Fanny Nisbet wife of Nelson) and the rooms sit among palm trees in small buildings all along the edges of the huge lawn. There is a fabulous view of the Atlantic and all of ...

SAINT JOHN ISLAND







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We are at St. John and it is 07.00 am. It is the most "Virgin" out of all the other Virgin Islands .







Our sailing ship stops in the Ocean, and another one comes to take us to the shore. We get in line and we step in the smaller one which carries us out ...