Antigua 2004
a trip report from Julia Gelsdorf and Birger Teetz
The Island
Officially the island is called ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA but most of the 70.000 inhabitants are living on Antigua. Barbuda is a small island some 26 miles north of Antigua, famous for the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. The capital of Antigua is St. Johns 10 miles southwest of the international airport. On every number plate you can find what the people of Antigua call their country "Land of Sea and Sun".
Once you've been there you have to agree, you can see it even in the flag: beach, water, sun. It is said that Antigua has 365 beaches so you can enjoy every day in the year a different beach!
The currency is East Carribbean Dollar but US Dollar is accepted as well. You have to obtain a driving license for Antigua if you want to hire a car, it will cost 30 US$ and is valid 3 months. There is a bus service running but you better be prepared for a "carribbean" timetable. When you reached the point where you want to leave the bus just shout "bus stop please" and the driver will drop you.
Food is delicious, of course lots of seafood but if you get the chance you have to try one of these small BBQ places beside the road.
Accommondation is not really cheap, prices may rise in the season up to 80-100 US$ pp. for the hotels.
copyright: all pictures published on this website are either ©Julia Gelsdorf 2004 or ©Birger Teetz 2004