An Antiguan in the UK

Win a honeymoon to Antigua: Antigua and Barbuda Leap Year Proposal

2012-02-14T11:41:00.001Z

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is celebrating this Leap Year with a competition offering ladies that propose to their partners on 29 February 2012, the chance to win a seven-night, all-inclusive luxury honeymoon at the chic, boutique Sugar Ridge Resort in the twin-island paradise of Antigua and Barbuda.

Courtesy of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and Sugar Ridge, the honeymoon includes return flights from London Gatwick and seven-nights all-inclusive accommodation at the luxury boutique hotel Sugar Ridge. Nestled on a natural hillside bordered by sugarcane, the hotel offers the perfect secluded and romantic escape after the excitement of the big day.

See full terms and conditions and entry requirements for the Leap Year Proposal Competition

The day it snowed in February

2012-02-12T17:27:00.001Z

With 2011 ending without a bit of snow in December or even November like in 2010, I figured I wouldn't be seeing any snow until December 2012, so can you imagine what it felt like waking up to a nice thick blanket of the white, fluffy stuff on a chilly morning in February.

I love it when it snows! Its just so magical! Snow brings to my mind, twinkling fairies and unicorns with irridescent horns, and 'My Little Ponies', and 'The Chronicle of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' . It really does! There's just something about snow that makes my imagination come alive...weird, huh...

Update: Snow is da baddist!!! and My Antigua snowman is the cutest!

2012-02-04T22:47:00.000Z

I guess you showed us huh!

The Snow is da baddist,

but little did it know that while I'm not a fan of extreme cold, I just loveth the snow!

Can't wait to build myself a Snowman!

Who is da baddist: Snow or Soca...feel dat breeze!

2012-02-04T21:42:00.003Z

I am a lover of soca and of carnivals, so when I heard there was a party taking place, I was all systems go, untillll the BBC weather forecasts started. People, those BBC reporters, would not stop talking about the snow, and the cold, and the snow, and the cold, and the snow warnings changing from yellow to amber, and the big freeze, and how low the temperatures were going to be, and how to prepare for the cold weather, and how many inches of snow to expect, and on and on and on. But me, me, I know these people. "They does exaggerate, alot, alot, alot", so I decided to basically ignore them. I decided this warm-up session to TNT carnival would not miss me. So I went shopping for a carnival fete outfit. I'm accostumed to shorts, and short dresses, and sleeveless outfits, and back outs, and just NO tights, and NO coat, and No nothing that will keep you hot...goodness I'm from the Caribbean. Needless to say, I kinda picked up some items of clothing, that I can't figure out how to where in a way that looks workable, and I feel like I will be piling on clothes on top of clothes just to feel warm when I step outside. I mean this is how I am feeling and looking right about now:

"No sah, I am noooot leaving this house to go outside to catch no bus, to catch no train, to catch no taxi, in that at all, at all, at all. Cheese and Bread it is too cooold for all ah dat!"

For those brave enought to go to a warm-up session in the snow, I salute you! You've obviously been living here longer than me :) Have fun, wuk, drop on the ground and roll, and show people like me you are a baddist. I will respect the baddist, but me I will be soca-ing in my bedroom, cause I am definitely "feeling dat breeze!"

Antigua: Coconut Water is good for your daughter!

2012-01-27T13:08:00.004Z

Coconut water, may be good for your daughter, according to Harry Belafonte, but for me its always been about the 'Antigua Black' Pineapple. I don't know what exactly the pineapple is good for but Antigua definitely has the "sweetest pineapple in the world", and of course the 'Antigua Black' is usually only available in Antigua.

Driving through Fig Tree Drive minding my business, i spotted the familiar yellow, and automatically put the car in reverse. "Back, back, back, that car up".

So happy I backed that car up - that pineapple was juicy and sweeeeet - had me wishing I'ld taken one more.

merrily on my way through Fig Tree Drive, Antigua

Spotted!!!

hmmm, coconut water...or pineapples, coconut water, or pineapples

The Cades Bay Pineapple Farm, all those things in the field are Antigua Black Pineapples

Antigua: The Colourful side of Island Life; Rich Imaginations & Fantasy Kingdoms

2012-01-17T17:17:00.002Z

Growing up in Antigua, we all learnt by the time we were in primary school (probably in a social studies class) that Antigua had "365 beaches one for every day of the year"...Its amazing how world-wide that tagline now is. Everyone knows that Antigua has (say it with me)..."365 beaches one for every day of the year".

Countless men have visited Antigua with the sole intention of spending their entire holiday counting beaches - every last one has been unsuccessful. The locals say, that 'every man jack' has failed because the waves hypnotize them, the sparkling white sand blinds them, the swaying coconut trees drive them to lose their thoughts, and the blueness of the sea tempts them closer until they honestly really couldn't care less about the other 364 beaches, as they've found their perfect one.

Now me, I gave up counting beaches a long time ago, deciding instead to do something meaningful like throwing eggs into Devil's Bridge!

Growing up in Antigua (yes again), we, well I, was told the story of Devil's Bridge, Antigua. Now this bridge has quite a bit of stories, but the one that stuck the most for me, is: If you take a fresh egg to Devil's Bridge, and throw it into the water - now you've got to be standing in the correct spot on the bridge*** (***means do not try this on holiday or at home and I mean that!) that the egg comes up hard boiled. Why does the egg come up hard-boiled? ...Devil's Bridge...

To make a long story short, my egg cracked before it got to the water...okay that's not true, I chickened out of walking onto that bridge (do you know how many people have fallen into that water and never escaped? Well neither do I, but I wouldn't want to be the first!) FYI, If you ever visit the Devil's Bridge area and feel adventurous let's try something safer like: shouting hello into the waters. He answers back you know, via the waves, which will come crashing up to greet you. Bet you didn't know that!

Bet you also didn't know that some people with very rich imaginations live in Antigua. My saying that has nothing to do with the above two paragraphs and everything to do with the two images below. Explore Antigua on your own, and you might blink and miss The Sleeping Indian in the hills and the Hawksbill in the sea.

The Hawksbill

Can you see the Sleeping Indian in the distance

Find a knowledgeable Antiguan to take you on an island tour and you will probably discover a bit of hidden history, such as why Rat Island is called Rat Island, about the four kings from the Kingdom of Redonda (Redonda is one of Antigua's offshore islands). You may even get lucky and: meet the man who built a boat shaped house, find Sugar Mill Road, be educated on why Freetown is called Freetown, learn that there was a time when camels were in Antigua, take a trip to Hells Gate, or meet one or two persons living in the South of Antigua who claimed to have seen fiery sparks, during volcanic eruptions from a neighbouring Caribbean Island!

Just in case you start doubting any of what I've said, I've got the pictures to prove it! Oh and Barbuda really does have pink sandy beaches - but that... you've got to see it, to believe it!

the infamous Devil's Bridge, Antigua. Photo Credits: Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office

look closely and you will see the outline of Montserrat in the distance

The boat-shaped house

Antigua Holidays: Why I will always return to Antigua...

2012-01-10T23:10:00.003Z

I am wonderful. I am refreshed and I am rejuvenated and truly feel like I've just spent a month at a wellness spa, all due to my Antigua holiday. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and I just took a chill pill and enjoyed being home with my family and friends.

My first morning in Antigua, I woke around 6 am, to cocks crowing, dogs barking, birds chirping, and no duvet because it was and happily so - just too warm for that. When I looked out my window I was overjoyed to see an orange glow as the sun rose, with the silhouettes of coconut trees all around me. I stepped outside barefooted, in a lil tank top and shorts and was happy to be greeted by WARMTH and a mellow cool breeze.

With dewy grass and cool mud beneath my feet, I walked through the garden, admiring the tropical flowers I hadn't seen in a while, said good morning to the gentleman walking up the hill with his flock of goats, went back inside and listended to Antiguan accents on the morning radio talk show, chatted up to my mother, father and brothers while sipping some sorrel drink, Rushed (okay not really) to take my brother to work so I could get the vehicle, then took a drive through St. John's and just reacquainted myself with the pace of the island.

Oh Antigua, land of sea and sun. I fell in Love with Antigua especially different on this trip. There was something about those lush, green rolling hills, the water - an undescribable aqua, turquoise, kinda mesmerising type of blue ( I can't begin to tell you how pretty, pretty, pretty the waters are, or how soft and powdery the sand is.) Everytime I passed a beach, I was just in awe...Antigua really does have some of the best beaches in the world...I felt as if i could cry, like I had died and gone to heaven! If there are better beaches in the world than that, sexier beaches than that...which I can't possibly imagine... well...well...well...I don't even know what I would do.

And the sky was just so blue. So blue with the coconut trees in the background, and the humming birds, and the yellow birds, and the brightly coloured houses, all unique with their own personality and I was so happy they were not perfectly organised, but quirky and spunky, and the winding roads, and the man selling sugar cane by the side of the main road and petting the cow behind him...and the lady hitching a ride down the road and being given one by the driver in front, and coconut water sellers, and the man selling the newspaper on the side of the road, and then...discovering that after 20 odd years of living on an island, there are places that you've only now discoverd that just take your breath away.

And most importantly basking in the sense of community, of being an island girl used to saying good morning, and good afternoon to every one close enough to hear you, in an island, where if your car breaks down in the middle of say Five Islands, after say a post Christmas hike to Galley Bay, that you can bet your bottom dollar no less than six strangers will stop you and ask "Yuh OK". One will ask if you need to make a phone call to a tow truck company, one will get out their car and take on the occupation of a mechanic and one will give you a ride all the way to your house, and come back later with your slippers you forgot in their car. Antiguans are friendly with all the tooting horns and flashing car lights, and persons striking up random conversations with you...

I love Antigua, I love the potholes that remind you that sometimes in life you need to slow down and the hot bread and cheese that you need to have from one specific bakery, cause no one else can reproduce it....For me also I loved Christmas with family and friends, New Year's with family and friends, every day with family and friends...I had an amazing holiday, and as this post is getting very long, and I wanted to add some photos to leave you wishing you were in Antigua also, I will end right here.

overlooking a totally deserted stretch of beach...Deep Bay, to be visited on my next holiday

Island life...and a visit to the Wadadli Animal Nature Park, Antigua

How Green. Heading through Fig Tree drive, Antigua

Halcyon Cove, Antigua

I can't forget to say, I'm still basking in my post holiday glow, because I have returned to the UK where the weather is as close to perfect for this time of the year as anyone could ask for. It really is!! Today we had blue skies and double digit temperatures!!! (My flight back from Antigua was easy breezy...xoxo to British Airways for introducing me to life in Club Class...I soo appreciate the flat beds, and what I considered some real gourmet food for an airline, and the immigration officer at Gatwick, who realised that okay maybe she didn't follow the maze to get to the top of the queue and is at the wrong desk but oh well.

Right so even though I'm not currently in Antigua, I am in heaven ... eating a wicked (that means good) lasagne from a local restaurant, sipping some wine under my cosy duvet, and listening to sexy british accents on the telly...bliss, ahhh.

So ready for 2012, thanks to my rejuvenating Antigua Holiday!!!

London to Antigua: Tis The Season!

2011-12-24T23:44:00.004Z

Isn't it amazing, the various ways persons all over the world, celebrate Christmas . For the past two years, I've done the London Christmas, this year I did Antigua.

Even though the basic elements in the way we celebrate are the same: the lights, the Christmas trees, persons shopping everywhere you go, the ham and the turkey baking in the oven (hmm, hmm, hmm I'm smelling it as I type) there are also a few distinct touches.

The funkiest Santa ever! He had the underground jamming!!!

Antigua's version of a White Christmas!

Attending Christmas Novena: A Catholic (and family) Tradition

Instead of mince pies, mulled wines, christmas carols and winter coats, (which I've taken a liking to) in Antigua (and most other Caribbean islands) we've got ginger beer, sorrel and fruit cake, steel pans, soca parang, midnight shopping, and warmth, lots and lots of warmth - but that doesn't mean we don't still have a white christmas! :)

But even with these difference, at the end of the day the most important thing about Christmas and the holidays is spending it with family and persons that you love and care for.

Wherever you are and however you celebrate it, have a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

See you in 2012!

How two Antiguans ended up at IceBar, London (-5 degrees!!!)

2011-12-02T17:14:00.001Z

What happens when two Antiguans plan to meet up in London? Lots! First times and meeting points get changed, over and over - 6:30 p.m at Liverpool St Station, becomes 6:45 at Bond Street, becomes you didn't show up on time so I went shopping in Selfridges, becomes - ohh the bar I had planned is now closed so lets just go walking up the road and we will find one eventually. The short walk down the road i.e Oxford Street, leads into Picadilly Circus, which eventually leads to an unplanned butt-up into Icebar London, and a miraculous opening at 8:00 p.m. (ten minutes later) for two to experience, the only bar made completely out of ice in the UK!

To say it's a once in a lifetime experience is expected, but as my Antiguan visitor-friend said it was "wooiiieee". Woiiieee, meaning COOOLLLD (expected at -5 degrees) but meaning good too :)

Cheers to unexpected, totally unplanned, yes very spontaneous experiences, that turn out being amazing, and something you can tick off your 'to do list' and talk about for years to come (along with the disastrous all you can eat chinese buffet, *ha, ha, big joke) . At least we burned it off by walking the Picadilly circus block twice, ending up on Leicester Square and called it quits moments before Covent Gardens.

Right! All kitted-out!

Is it okay to use this if I say: Image from Icebar London

Antigua Holiday Giveaway: Christmas lights turn-on in Chelmsford, Essex

2011-11-28T10:36:00.002Z

Is that Nelson's Dockyard in the town centre!

Whoever won (Congrats Mark!:) this 7 nights for 2 in Antigua prize given away by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and Elite Island Resorts during the Christmas Lights turn-on in Chelmsford, can definitely tick one item of their Christmas shopping list! Can you imagine what an amazing gift that would make - A holiday to warm sunny Antigua, ...goodness gracious!

Whoever the lucky person (girlfriend :) is who gets taken along on the holiday, staying at the very luxurious 4* St. James's Club, Antigua will be very happy!! Elite Island Resorts have got two other amazing properties in Antigua: The 4*+Galley Bay Resort and the 4* Verandah Resort & Spa.

The evening came to a magical end, with an impressive fireworks display!!

Antigua's Newest Hotel: Keyonna Beach!

2011-11-20T11:22:00.003Z

For those of you like me, who are into intimate, boutique style properties, let me introduce you to Keyonna Beach all-inclusive boutique hotel in Antigua. The hotel opened on November 3, and is located on Turner's Beach, which is one of the best beaches in Antigua! (As an fyi, all of the 365 beaches in Antigua and Barbuda are beyond amazing, so in essence this hotel is located on 1 of the 365 best beaches in Antigua and Barbuda). Our beaches are magical. They lure you and tempt you...hmm, in fact you could be discussing hotels and, and yes, suddenly find yourself off-topic speaking and day-dreaming about beaches and beach bars, and knocking back a mean rum punch with a strong dose of Antigua Cavalier Rum, at Turner's Beach bar.

Right...Sooo anyway back to Keyonna Beach - the hotel has 12, caribbean styled rooms: think light, breezy, natural, tranquil, handmade furniture, verandahs, and ocean views, and you would have just about gotten the picture. Love the sound of it, then I'm sure you will also love knowing that Keyonna Beach has special introductory rates on offer, until December 22, 2011.


View from Keyonna Beach hotel - I wouldn't mind waking up to this! (Photo courtesy: Keyonna Beach)

Ice, Ice, baby!

2011-11-20T00:36:00.002Z

I love being able to try out things that I can't necessarily do on a warm, sunny island. Whenever I've watched a figure skating Olympic competition, or even Dancing on Ice, I've said oooh i want to try that one day, so my first winter here, I decided I would definitely do it and I did end up "attempting" to ice skate at the Natural History Museum's outdoor rink. Had a lovely time, wasn't as graceful as the figure skaters you see on tv but was pleased as punch that I didn't fall once. "I'm a natural!", or so I thought.

So this year, the"pro", decided to take a friend and show them how its done! Ha! Ha! Ha, my bum hurts, the palms of my hands hurt and I have a third knee growing larger by the minute ( I kid you not!) I not only fell, I fell hard 5 times! I soo wanted to kill it like Vanilla Ice here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYjqRaUAUXA but tonight was not my night! I think its the ice...I blame it all on the ice, it was too hard, lol! Either way, I love ice skating, and if its one thing i know I learnt tonight, its how to fall gracefully :) And as an added bonus, saw my very first hockey match...just like watching the Mighty Ducks!

The Chieftans versus a romford team

my photographer had to beg me to let go of the railing, and move to the centre, to take this photo

Thirty Antigua Holiday Deals!

2011-11-13T09:22:00.008Z

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has produced a list of thirty 'Antigua and Barbuda best holiday deals and experiences' from great value holidays to once in a life time adventures and much more. I've pulled a few from the list, because that list is very jam-packed with deals :) and I wanted to really highlight some of the remarkable holiday offers, or activities on our calendar of events, or just general siteseeing stops that are worth taking in, while in Antigua and Barbuda. View all thirty of Antigua and Barbuda's best deals here.

LEARN TO SAIL IN STYLE (Yes, Please!!)
Nonsuch Bay Resort Antigua, offers specialist sailing facilities, expert instructors and outstanding conditions for small boat sailing. Rates at Nonsuch Bay start from £545 per person for a week self catering in a two bedroom apartment, including sailing. www.nonsuchbayresort.com.

CURTAIN BLUFF Autumn Special Offer (Free Nights are always great!!!)
British Airways Holidays offer seven nights from £2379 per person, for travel November 13 – December 8, 2011. Includes return flights from Gatwick, all-inclusive accommodation and one free night per seven night stay, based on two sharing. Visit ba.com/antigua or call 0844 4930758.

Party in Antigua this New Year’s Eve (Sugar Ridge is sooo very cool and hip!!)
Enjoy 7 nights all inclusive in a Deluxe Room at Sugar Ridge, Antigua, from £2,699 per person including an amazing 20% discount on accommodation and all inclusive meals and drinks, private transfers and international flights from London. www.sugarridgeantigua.com.

TENNIS WEEK WITH JEREMY BATES (Doubles with Jeremy Bates!!!)
Play with tennis pro Jeremy Bates at Carlisle Bay’s Tennis Week in . Packages from £2645pp including return flights from London Gatwick with British Airways and private transfers. Save £820pp. Valid 13 - 19 November 2011. Book by 08 November 2011. Carrier: 0161 492 1354, www.carrier.co.uk.

Blue Waters New Spa (We may have found heaven!!!)
An essential addition to the established Blue Waters Resort, The Spa at Blue Waters. Book by 15December 2011 and receive US$90.00 per room per night discount, in any room type, on stays in Antigua from 7 January to 23April 2012. www.bluewaters.net.

Antigua Tennis Week, May 5 to 12, 2012 (Put those tennis lessons to good use!!!)
Hosted by tennis legends Fred Stolle and Owen Davidson. The week is made up of prize tournaments, pro-doubles exhibitions, plus stroke and strategy clinics. www.curtainbluff.com.

Carnival is huge in the Caribbean and the aim is to make the costumes as glamorous as possible. This is a costume from St. Lucia

CARNIVAL ANTIGUAN STYLE (I absolutely LOVE Antigua's Carnival!!!!!)
Antigua Carnival starts its celebrations on 28 July 2012 and runs through until 7 August 2012. This Antiguan celebration of life and culture is one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated events. www.visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk.

MANGO MADNESS (Mangos in all shape and form! Incredibly hard to resist!!!)
Mangofest, August 2012. Fruit lovers, and most importantly Mango Lovers are in for a treat when they visit Christian Valley for this two day event. www.antiguamangofest.com.

GET WITH THE GROOVE (Another week of partying with UK DJs! Dancing shoes on!!)
DeJam Festival, 21 - 28 September 2012. Beach parties, catamaran cruises, club discos and gala dinners, this week-long party in Antigua just gets better and better. www.dejamfestival.com.

lively steel pan music gets the party started on a Sunday night at Shirley Heights, Antigua

CARNIVAL OF CRICKET (So not your ordinary cricket...Party Cricket!!!)
The 2nd Annual 20/20 International Masters Antigua Cricket Fest with day and night matches will take place from 16 to 20 November 2011. Entry is free for all spectators. www.richierichsportsandleisure.com.

ENJOY A CARIBBEAN CHRISTMAS (This is just too cute, even I'm excited !!!)
Guests staying at Hawksbill by rex resorts in Antigua will be treated to the sight of Santa Claus arriving at the resort by boat to give out presents to all the children waiting at the beach this year, a memory to treasure! www.resresorts.com.

New mini-golf (Thinking of quality time with the family, and friendly competition!!!)
Experience Antigua’s first ever mini golf at The Verandah Resort and Spa. www.verandahresortandspa.com.

STAY SOMEWHERE SPECIAL (your own pool, own private lil area and your lil cute cottage!!!)
Experiences Galley Bay’s Gauguin cottages, unique to the resort and perfect for a romantic getaway. www.galleybayresort.com.

STORY TIME (Perfect for the children...absolutely genius!!)
St James' Club’s new series of storytelling events for 2012 with Puffin offer the perfect Antigua family holiday. If you can’t wait for next year, summer rates now apply for stays between 1 – 30 November 2011 plus stay seven nights and pay for five including breakfast and dinner. www.stjamesclubandhotel.co.uk.

Fig Tree Drive (Stop by the Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour for a zipline adventure or coffee!)
Antigua's most picturesque drive meanders from the low central plain of the island up into the ancient volcanic hills of the Parish of Saint Mary in the island's southwest quarter. www.visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk.

GO SILLY FOR SEAFOOD (Silly is an understatement...Go CRAZY...seafood in abundance!!!)
The Urlings Seafood Festival in Antigua takes place every year in August and offers families the chance to enjoy a relaxing day out. Entertainment includes a fishing competition for the children, boat rides around Carlisle Bay and a Mango eating competition. www.visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk.

GET INTIMATE IN ANTIGUA (Here's to a true island experience!!!)
Antigua’s Very Intimate Places (VIP) are perfect for those seeking a slice of authentic Antigua. VIP members are a selection of Antiguan owned or managed unique boutique properties, guest homes and inns. www.antigua-vip.com.

TAKE A DIVE( Never knew the Pillars of Hercules were in Antigua huh? How awesome is that!!!)
A 23-metre rock dive that’s suitable for novices, the Pillars of Hercules in Antigua is so named because of the limestone formations in the cliff above the site. Expect to come face to face with sergeant majors, blue tang and snappers. www.visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk.

BARBUDA’S BEAUTIFUL BIRDS (Must do for Bird lovers!!!)
Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda, is home to the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the world. Visit these colourful birds in their natural habitat and you might just spot some rare species in amongst the more than 5,000 Frigate birds that call Barbuda their home. www.visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk.

TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME (just a bit of what makes Antigua, Antigua!!!)
English Harbour, Antigua's graceful and evocative historic district, is focused on the fifteen square miles of Nelson's Dockyard National Park. Today Nelson's Dockyard has been completely restored, and it is now the only Georgian dockyard in the world. www.visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk.

ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK (Antigua really is the sailing capital of the Caribbean!!!)
Taking place from 29 April to 4 May 2012, over 1,500 competitors including Olympic and Americas Cup sailors take part in five days of thrilling yacht racing around the tropical island. www.sailingweek.com.

For further destination information, go to: www.visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk or call the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority in the UK on 01245 707 471

World culture on show at World Travel Market

2011-11-11T12:58:00.001Z

World Travel Market, is an excellent opportunity to take in the culture of countries throughout the world, from amazing dances, to brilliant national dresses, jubiliant music, wonderful food, fascinating jewellery...once you've got on some comfortable shoes, or even if you don't you can see it all! Walk through the halls, and move from Africa, to Asia, to Latin America and the Caribbean!

Around the World and to Antigua in a day!! (at World Travel Market)

2011-11-10T22:50:00.002Z

My henna tattoo from Morocco!

with two Trinis: former Captain of the West Indies Cricket Team, Brian Lara, and Anya Ayoung-Chee, 2011 Project Runway winner

Remember when travelling around the world in 80 days, seemed almost amazing, now you can visit most of the world in one day! Imagine that! Well at least you can do it at World Travel Market. With the event due to finish today, I took some time out to explore the world! I got a henna tattoo in Morocco, listened to steelband in Trinidad, posed with dancers from Thailand, El Salvador, got up close with an eagle from Abu dhabi, and did a whirlwind tour of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Africa. Of course I also took in some Antigua and Barbuda :). Antigua and Barbuda stirred interest, when the Minister of Tourism John Maginley, announced the construction of a new US$45 million airport terminal for the destination!

On Antigua and Barbuda's stand at WTM (note Antigua Sailing Week pop-up! 2012 dates are 29 April - 4 May)

Win a holiday to Antigua!!

2011-10-25T20:37:00.002+01:00

Just in case you didn't know, click on the below link, if you are interested in winning an amazing holiday to Antigua - absolutely no strings attached :) What's it about? Well:

"Musto has teamed up with the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and Nonsuch Bay Resort to offer one lucky winner a dream holiday prize for two adults to Antigua, the sailing capital of the Caribbean and host of the world renowned annual Antigua Sailing Week."

Trust me you can't go wrong, this is a free holiday worth £6000. Enter today, remember, you've got to be in it to win it!!! You could be the lucky winner. And if you are saying you've never won any competitions, that is the same thing a friend of mine said minutes before winning a cruise for two from filling out a competition form just like this...I kid you not!!

Here's the link to your free Antigua holiday: http://www.musto.com/fcp/content/Antigua_competition/content

British Airways Reminder: Your trip to Antigua!

2011-10-16T17:14:00.000+01:00

Today while browsing through my emails, I noticed a new message from British Airways reminding me about my flight. In my mind, I thought it must have been an old email from my trip to Hamburg. Either way, I opened it just to double check, I hadn't booked a trip to somewhere this week without remembering. Turns out British Airways was REMINDING ME about my flight to ANTIGUA in DECEMBER!!

REMINDING ME!! Really British Airways, if only you knew, I've been talking about that trip every day of every week since I've booked it. So much so that the topic is banned in the office lol, because it makes its way into every conversation, and sounds something like this..."oooh are you guys having a christmas party, if so I won't be here, I will be in Antigua" or "I can't tell when last I've had some proper food; can't wait until I go to Antigua" or "The weather today is pretty good, can't wait until Antigua!" or " you guys should remember to order your Christmas cakes early this year, I won't need to, cause I'll be in ANTIGUA" or "what are you doing for Christmas, have you booked your tickets yet, oh your still looking at fares - NOT me, I've already gotten my ticket!" So you get the picture LOL.

British Airways is so encouraging me in this counting down thing! I've since pulled out my calendar, and am excited to say I have less than twwoooo months before I am in ANTIGUA!!! Can't wait to climb up those British Airways stairs - first time flying long-haul with BA, and I've been told to expect excellent service and food, so we will see, but really and truly I'm just totally excited about the final destination! Nothing beats Christmas with family. Now if only I could fit in Trinidad in that trip, life would be perfect!

Coach Trip!!! Hello Oxford

2011-10-09T23:04:00.000+01:00

Hellooo Oxford, home of numerous universities and just a portion of my family! I've been planning a trip out here to visit the relatives for a while - a loooong while - two years to be exact. So pleased that I finally made it out. Don't mind the gray in the photos it was actually a very lovely day out. We did some siteseeing, had a bbq lunch, and got chased by dinosaurs, all in a day!

where the Rhodes' Scholars meet-up

aarrgh...dinosaur food!

Gorgeous Hamburg

2011-10-02T19:15:00.002+01:00

My visit to Hamburg, just makes me want to see more, more, more - show me more world! Its a wonderful, gorgeous, amazing world out there!

A change of scenery

2011-09-27T18:57:00.000+01:00

Guten tag!!! So how far would you go for a change of scenery...lets not do the hamburger jokes either :)

Planten un Blomen park

Changing Seasons

2011-09-22T07:45:00.001+01:00

I have had the most amazing week ever! Its involved tears, and smiles and change! Yes the season is changing - if you consider a cold summer to a cold fall a change, but that's not all thats changing.

For a moment now, I've been resisting change, in all its forms and shapes, wishing I could go back to 2 years ago, to 6 mths ago, to 1 day ago - yup, wishing that when I woke up things would all be different, or that I could buy a time travel machine and go back to the period I wanted to be at...but alas (lol, just felt like saying that : alas, alas) I couldn't.

So instead, I prayed. I said God, please, please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change...help me to let go. And for the last couple of days I have just had revelation, upon revelation. Its honestly been so amazing, that I've woken up to write this down. They've all involved past relationships.

No. 1 change involved a change in relationship that I just was not ready to accept...who really wants to be platonic friends. No 2 involved a change in relationship that took me so long to accept, but happy that i did in time to share in and experience wonderful amazing blessings and signs of new life.. No 3 change was even more amazing because it shows that changes can happen in the blink of an eye but can definitely result in

an actual live, living, beautiful new beginning! (live, living... right Maria!)

So this morning I've come to the conclusion: If living involves growing, its only sensible to accept that living involves changing as well. Changing in all forms: changes in size, in location, in wealth, in friendships and relationships, in your outlook on life. It is so not worth your while, going through life resisting change. Focus instead on acknowledging, learning from, and enjoying those moments of change - they mean you're alive and growing. Just as the seasons change for a reason, life changes for a reason...be still and listen.

The Tourist ~ My London Collection

2011-09-12T10:13:00.000+01:00

Its never too late to do the tourist thing - so even though I've been here for a while, I took the opportunity to do some siteseeing with an old classmate who is visiting from Trinidad. We had an amazing day and I was able to take some new photos to add to "My London Experience" collection! I've got tons more which I've gathered over the two years I've been in England, but here are a few from the weekend!

The Beach ~ In Essex :)

2011-09-06T15:30:00.001+01:00

Over the bank holiday weekend, I opted out of the glitz and glam of Nottinghill Carnival, choosing instead to experience something and some place new.

The decision was made to take a day trip. Southend-on-Sea won out!

The weather was much warmer than it looks in the photos and I spent a glorious day on the beach with the aunties :)!!! We enjoyed ourselves people-watching, indulging in some fish and chips, daring each other to go on amusement park rides, eating ice-cream, indulging in old fashioned sweets, and just enjoying each others company.

hmm, nothing beats a large scoop of vanilla ice-cream on a chilly day!

What a time, in Rotterdam!

2011-08-19T16:18:00.005+01:00

I have made it my mission that any carnival in relatively close proximity to where I am, that involves a bit of travelling to a place that I've never been will get a visit from me (this statement sounds so contradictory, but you know what i mean) - and that's what happened with Rotterdam Carnival, in The Netherlands.

Rotterdam, changed my life forever...okay, not really, but ever since then soca has been ringing through my head, and I can't stop thinking of my next carnival trip - Berlin! Heck, with Nottinghill being the next one up, I almost clicked the "buy now" button for a cute blue and orange beaded costume, but alas I sobered up and opted to save those dineros for a cold, rainy day when I really need to click a "buy now" button for a plane ticket.

Remarkable Rotterdam memories will forever be in my head - Loved it!

My sole touristy picture is below, all other photos contain wining to the side.

The best part of waking up!

2011-07-22T09:19:00.001+01:00

The best part of waking up, is waking to a wonderful glorious sunny day!!!! Yup, and the forecast shows its going to be that way for the weekend - joy, joy, joy!

What better way to take advantage of all the wonderful heat, than to jump off the bus a couple stops early, stroll through the town centre, hop into a Costa, get a cappuccino, served by a gorgeous italian man with a lovely italian accent, and then step outside, find a sun spot, sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Super buzzed for the rest of the day!

And on top of a cappuccino just imagine how super buzzed I am, when I turn up the volume on my ipod to listen to my go-to song for the summer!

Cus Im fly like a bee

Man I got em all buzzin buzzin buzzin buzzin

Like da-da-da-da-da-da-da

Man I got the world buzzin buzzin buzzin buzzin

Like da-da-da-da-da-da-da

Im from where its forever sunny! (Antigua xoxo)

The Day my ShaDow DaNCeD

2011-07-21T09:58:00.002+01:00

This uk weather is so bipolar - it is unbelievable - sunny one day, grey the next, and the next, and the next, and the next :). So when the sun comes out in all its glory, you need to take full advantage of it. On that day when it appeared my shadow made and appearance, and boy did it dance!

Trip to Kew Gardens

African violets - photo taken just for mom

something about this photo reminds me of the awesomeness of the Creator!

my fascination with ducks, continues

Sometimes I ditch the bus

2011-07-12T16:48:00.001+01:00

Every once in a while, I decide to ditch the bus, and take a leisurely stroll into the office. Okay, that's a half-truth. I generally only ditch the bus, when I miss the bus. This has been happening quite a bit this month. For some reason, I get up early, then decide to diddle-daddle around the flat, and then end up running to the bus stop, just in time to catch the bus or to miss the bus.

The last time I missed the bus - I'm going to blame it on my wrist-watch. I have a tendency to be barely on time, so to prevent my missing the bus, and having to wait another half-an-hour before the next one comes, I've set my mobile phone clock and my wrist-watch 10 minutes ahead of schedule - giving me ample dilly-dallying allowance.

Anyway so back to the story as to why I'm blaming this particular 'miss bus instance' on my watch. My wrist-watch battery died, so naturally I took it to the repair shop, got the battery changed and of course the gentleman set my watch to the correct time also. (Why, would he do that?!)

The next morning (last Thursday), I just forgot! I got up early, checked my phone, realised I was on schedule, went did what I do, put on my wrist-watch, checked the time, realised I was early (cause you know I know the 10 minutes allowance is there, so I use it - I don't actually leave the house 10 minutes early), did some dilly-dallying, until I realised the radio programme had advanced pass the stage I usually hear - yes I know what time it is based on the progress of the radio programme.

So I knew I was late. So I ran, the entire 5 minutes run up the road, and just as I was approaching the main road, the bus whizzed passed me. It really did. It just whizzed pass me, just like that.

To make a long story, short. I decided I would suck it up and gets to stepping. It is after all just a 30 minute walk. And though I'm late for the bus, I'm never late for work, so I always have time to take the scenic route, and snap a picture of a duck or two.

postcard pretty!

My long distance loves

2011-07-11T10:25:00.002+01:00

This morning, I woke up thinking of my long-distance loves, and what they mean to me.

One of them, my mom loves (you know there is always one your mom loves) and I can honestly say, that's also the one, that I turn to for added emotional support, for being with family and when I'm in the mood for some good roti.

The second one has got 700 split personalities, all unique and special in their own way. So far I'm happy to to have bumped into two, who've schooled me and taught me.

The third one, I truly Love. This is the one though I normally take for granted, until "that feeling" comes. The feeling to be with the one who loves you regardless and the one you know will always welcome you back with open arms. The one that knows your history and who you are today. This is the one that though I'm away from them so often, as soon as I see them aproaching, I feel as if I've never left. xoxo

I need me some soca! Antigua Carnival 2011

2011-07-09T08:00:00.007+01:00

This video of Myst mas troupe during Carnival in Antigua brings tears to my eyes *deep sigh* I think I've given the uploader an extra 20 views. This is so what I need right now!

Okay, so I'm fast-forwarding the catch-up process a bit, only because I need me some soca, some bright colourful, beaded two piece costume, some fun in the sun, the opportunity to just break free... all this and more has me wishing I could be home for Antigua's carnival, and to play me some mas.

You may have heard about mas before, but then again you may not have, but all you need to know is for those of us from "The West Indies" or the "Caribbean" who are actually into this thing called "Carnival" and "Mas playing", it is an event we look forward to each and every year.

The colour, the music, the dancing, the feathers, the beads, the revellery, the steel pan, the coconut rum, the friends the family, the feteing down the place non-stop, etc. etc, the beads (I said that before didn't I). Once you start to play mas, the feeling is you can't stop, its like you just become a "soca rebel".

Carnival and mas playing - "its in my blood, its in my soul" and its been a while. I haven't played mas since in Trinidad, when I made a bacchanal on the road with my fam... that was so long ago. Actually no that's not true, I did play last year, with our press trip from the UK, see me and my ridiculous red shoes in Didi's article

Hmm, okay well it seems long ago, lol especially as the facebook photos of all the fetes after fetes, after fetes currently taking place, have been showing up in my news feeds.

Not to worry! To the rescue was Antigua Day in Chelmsford, at the Essex County Cricket Grounds, so I got my fix, slightly, listening to some soca, and chilling with the group from Poison UK.

Can you tell, I've got a slight case of costume envy, going on here in this pix :) These are also their costumes for Nottinghill Carnival - They are amazing!! Nice showy headpieces, and ah ton load of beads (You know I love me some beads, and the swishing sound they make when you shake your waist). I could spend the day dreaming of that swishing sound...

Today is 'Clean yuh Flat' day, and I will be blasting my soca along the way. If I was in Antigua, on an ordinary 'Clean my room - not "flat" day - and I was in a soca mood, I would have thrown on my last carnival costume waist band - yes I keep them, they are way too pretty to throw away. But I'm not in Antigua, so I will settle with pretending I'm hearing the swishing sound. Then later today, in a total switch-up :) , reminding me of exactly where I am, I will be off to a JLS and Olly Murs concert. I love them both. JB from JLS was actually raised in Barbuda for the first 5 years of his life. And, Olly Murs, has this cute song, with a Caribbean beat. Listen here.

I love all the costumes. Nottinghill Carnival this year...maybe?


Colour, colour, colour, yeah! Photo Credits: Essex County Cricket Club

Give thanks for sunny days

2011-07-08T16:05:00.003+01:00

On an ordinary morning, I woke up, and the sun was streaming out the windows. (This was in March, yes - still playing catch-up on the blog).

It was a beautiful day, the flowers were blooming and spring had definitely sprung. And this was not a day to be indoors - nope not at all. So despite the fact that it was a Sunday, and there are no buses running in my neighbourhood on a Sunday, I decided to take a walk into the town centre, which then led to me boarding a train and heading to Colchester for a day at the Colchester zoo! Yes, i did!

The long winding road, is the start of the journey into the town centre

Living here has thought me, not to take lush green grass and brightly coloured daisies for granted

Too hungry to pose for me

so nuturing!

Loving me some giraffes

Check the stripes!

Guess who we found, Nemo and his lil one - happy family :)

The Royal Wedding trumps Antigua Sailing Week, this once only!

2011-07-07T00:26:00.002+01:00

So this post, should count as a new day, as from where I am it is 12:44 in the a.m. to be exact.

In a previous post, I mentioned I would not be going to the Royal Wedding, because I was Antigua-bound, for the Antigua Sailing Week. Well, to put it mildly my mom got to me - and my dates were changed. Quite pleased though that I was able to be in the UK, for such a historical event, which I enjoyed immensely. Just can't help it, these sort of things appeal to me - even though no one could understand, why anyone would want to go through all the trouble of standing for hours in a crowd, for an event you could see on television. Anyway, the day before the event, I packed my georgie bundle and headed into London to overnight, rose early ON THE DAY (I had no intentions of camping out) to secure a reasonably good location outside the Westminister Abbey.

Loved how everyone in my area came together, joked, sung, smiled with each other, and just made the experience so much better, than say watching it from the comforts of your home. And at the end of all the pomp and ceremony, I headed out to an after party!

Once in a lifetime experience for me - and I definitely made sure I held on to the two editions of The Evening Standard that came out that April 29th "Sealed with a Kiss" and "My Royal Bride". Yup, those papers will be passed down to the next generation...hmm, right.

Everybody peeping...

Tell me you don't see them!! So worth it!

Sun is shining, weather is sweet!

2011-07-06T21:36:00.000+01:00

Yup I haven't written an entry since March! Reasons being the sun is shining, and I've been out and about, trying to get out of the broken heart syndrome. So what have I been up to? Well, I've taken the pixs, so you can sneak a peek. I'll feature an activity each day (cause I've really accumulated a lot of photos). The most Important thing though is that I went home to Antigua! I really needed that trip - and I've returned to the UK, and more specifically Essex, rejuvenated and gearing to go, until my next trip home later in the year!

And so to France (said in a French acccent :)
In a very spur-of-the-moment manner, I decided I was going to hitch a ride on a coach heading to a seaside town in France for the day. I spent the day browsing the town, brushing up on my french, enjoying a lovely meal with some excellent french wine, and getting some delicious french desserts, and bread.

By the way: Have you ever tried asking a french person a question in half english mixed with the half french, you learned in school, only to have them reply in full-blown french! Lets just say, I spent the day saying "Oui, Oui", smiling and nodding my head, and of course being extremely polite with a "Pardonnez-moi" . I had loads of fun, doing this though, mind you, :) and, pretty soon with lots of pointing, broken french, and long replies back in french, the french was slowly coming back to me. My high school teacher would have been proud!

Then before you knew it the words "allons-y" were heard, and we were on the ferry heading back to Dover. Really good day, the sun was in its glee, the company was great and I couldn't ask for more. C'est bon day! ;)

Of Royal Weddings and Antigua things

2011-03-19T13:41:00.005Z

Just a glimpse of the stunning beaches in Barbuda
Photo credits: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority

So the Royal Wedding takes place on April 29th - and what I've been doing for the last couple of weeks is attending wedding shows, offering visitors to the Antigua and Barbuda booth the opportunity to win a holiday to Antigua and Barbuda, if only, just only, they can let me know the full name of Prince William's fiancee.

I really did not think the question was very difficult. Guess I was wrong. Lots of people were quite happy they had Iphones and Blackberrys and friends who followed current affairs in the UK.

Sooo because we like to highlight our connections with the Royal family, and because we do have a few more wedding shows to attend, and you may just need the answer to my question take a look at this article: Will and Kate to take Royal Honeymoon in Barbuda?

I would love to experience the Royal wedding, but it does clash with a very important activity taking place in Antigua at the time. The wonderfully, fabulous Antigua Sailing Week which runs from April 24 - April 29! Antigua Sailing Week is the 5th best regatta in the world. And, while I am not a sailor, I'm very excited! Why? Because of the parties! Naturally, we will be Partying Hard!!!

(Photo Courtesy: Ted Martin - Photofantasy, Antigua)

My New Year's Resolution - Visit Antigua and Barbuda for 2011!

2010-12-22T11:40:00.004Z

Photo credits: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority

For 2011, I will go to Antigua and Barbuda, I will visit Antigua and Barbuda, I will visit Antigua and Barbuda, I will visit Antigua and Barbuda, I will visit Antigua and Barbuda...phew! That was my daily exercise.

I made lot's of New Year's resolutions in 2010, and the only one i kept was ---to do daily exercise, ha ha ha (NOT!)

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has compiled its top ten tips to inspire and brush away the winter blues for 2011. And as I am currently having suitcase envy of every single one that i see walking with a suitcase - escaping this mess of snow, these are definitely some New Year's Resolutions worth keeping, don't you think!? Shall we start packing that suitcase for the trip to Antigua!

Here's the Antigua and Barbuda list:

Don’t Worry Be Happy: the locals are famous for their legendary hospitality and you’ll enjoy a welcome as warm as the sunshine. Stay in a unique VIP (Very Intimate Places) property to get a slice of authentic Antigua.

Feel The Rhythm: work up a sweat dancing the night and day away during the 10-day celebration of the Antigua Carnival, one of the biggest parties in the Caribbean. See hundreds of spectacular costumed MAS bands competing to be crowned the best at this highly anticipated event, which is an extravaganza of music, dance, fantasy and fun.

Spend Quality Time With The Family: head to the islands for quality bonding time with loved ones. A wide variety of hotels offer great value family packages and activities meaning that there is no better and safer place for families to enjoy a sunshine holiday.

Enjoy Exhilarating Adventure: take part in an array of activities from zipping through the rainforest on high wires 350 feet above the tree tops, hiking, biking, kayaking, scuba diving, kite surfing and more in the crystal clear turquoise waters.

Get The Wind In Your Sails: Antigua is the sailing capital of the Caribbean and home to one of the world’s top regattas, the annual Antigua Sailing Week, which attracts thousands for five challenging days of races. Celebrating its 44th year in 2011, there is no better place to be on the ocean waves.

Slow Down And Chill Out: for the ultimate Robinson Crusoe experience far away from the maddening crowds, head to unspoilt Barbuda where the wildlife outnumbers the people and sink your toes into the 17-mile stretch of pink sand beaches.

Say I Do In Style: Antigua and Barbuda make a dream setting for weddings and honeymoons with picture perfect backdrops for declarations of love and stunning locations. No complicated paperwork or residency requirements, ensure that organising your nuptials are a breeze.

Get Sporty: the new Richie Richardson Cricket Academy at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua will give everyone the rare chance to be taught by cricketing legends and to play at world-class facilities used for international matches.

Become One With Nature: Explore the wonders of nature and head into the rainforest or discover the uninhabited islands and protected mangroves accessible only by kayak. Take a nature walk to learn more about traditional plants and their uses and be wowed by the enormous geysers of water bursting through rock boreholes at Devil’s Bridge, a large natural limestone arch on the shoreline.

Eat Healthily: an abundance of delicious fruit and vegetables are grown and Antigua is particularly famous for its sweet Black Pineapple and mouth-watering mangoes. Every August, the Antigua Mango Festival showcases the tasty fruit and visitors can tuck in to a wide array of mango dishes to their delight.

Definitely Antigua, for the New Year!

For further destination information, go to: http://www.visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk// or call the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority on 01245 707 471.

Antigua is Hot,Hot,Hot!

2010-12-13T17:29:00.002Z

Is Antigua in Chelmsford?
Photo credits: The Essex Chronicle

It definitely does not snow in Antigua. In fact, what do we know about snow? 1, its icy, 2. its wet, and - 3. though it may be just as white - it is absolutely nothing like the warm sand on the beaches in Antigua!

It is freezing in Chelsmford, Essex, the new location of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority in the UK.

So what did we do - we decided to go outdoors during the first snowfall for the winter, and imagine ourselves in beautiful, sunny, gorgeous weather, clear blue skies, lovely turquoise waters, warm sand between our toes (I am sure you get the picture now) - Antigua and Barbuda!

Ah yes, Antigua where the temperature never drops to below zero.

24 - 30 degrees celcius all the time dah-ling!

I may look cold now but trust me I am feeling HOT, HOT, HOT!

(Photo Credits: The Essex Chronicle)

Antigua at Notting Hill Carnival!

2010-09-06T09:36:00.000+01:00

Have you ever realised, that whenever you are a way from home, you become fanatically patriotic?

Yup, that was me and my co-worker at Notting Hill Carnival in London...anytime the dj screamed "Antigua Massive" we shouted back "Yeah! Antigua Massive!" And of course there was jumping up and down with that as well.

Then we made it our business to look out for Antigua and Barbuda flags. Naturally introductions followed: "Hi! You're from Antigua! I'm from Antigua too!"

When I saw these girls, with this Massive Antigua flag, I just had to jump in for a photo.

Awhh Notting Hill carnival was good, but it was nothing like Antigua's Carnival!

Sometimes its about the simpler things

2010-08-13T14:45:00.001+01:00

I move to a completely different pace when I touchdown in Antigua.

Sometimes you do just need to go far away, and slow down.

And of course you begin to think transportation costs back in the days, must have been way less.

Congrats to S. Mario Blackman - Winner of the ACB Sir Louis H Lockhart Scholarship

2010-08-13T14:10:00.000+01:00

Congrats to my lil bro Mario Blackman on his recent accomplishment!

http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=39068

The Super Proud family.

Summer Gold Savings for travellers to Antigua and Barbuda

2010-05-23T12:44:00.000+01:00

Antigua and Barbuda gives Summer Gold to Travellers

(May 21, 2010) LONDON, England - The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s UK Office launched a Summer Gold card, offering visitors to the destination fantastic savings between June and September this year.

Director of Tourism for the UK and Europe, Hilary Modeste said: "This new initiative makes it affordable for families travelling Antigua and Barbuda during the summer to explore our many activities and attractions, and encourages them to venture out beyond the 365 beaches.”

UK Travelers to Antigua this summer can take advantage of special summer holiday offers for stays at hotels on island. Summer Gold card holders will benefit from discounted offers from thirty companies encompassing hotel day passes, diving and helicopter trips, restaurants, excursions, yacht charters and more.

The card is valid for use between 1 June and 30 September 2010 for adults aged over 18.

Visit the website at www.antiguasummergold.com and contact the UK office to receive your card!

The Summer Gold initiative is being heavily supported by The Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism, The Antigua Hotel and Tourist Association, Antigua Nice.com.

You know I love where I Come from - Antigua and Barbuda

2009-09-30T18:38:00.000+01:00

Fly Free to Antigua and Barbuda!!

2009-09-29T15:39:00.000+01:00

The video competition on facebook is still on!

Visit www.facebook.com/antiguabarbuda for more details. Terms and Conditions are here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=-3&id=603160586#/note.php?note_id=138207953149

I'ld Rather be in Antigua and Barbuda!!

2009-09-21T21:08:00.000+01:00

“I’ld Rather Be in Antigua and Barbuda, Fly me there for Free!” the online competition orchestrated by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, starts today, Monday Sept 21 2009 .

The competition being run on the Tourism Authority’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/AntiguaBarbuda invites fans of the page to create a short homemade video telling the world why they LOVE Antigua and Barbuda and need to be here.

Whether it is the 365 beaches, the perfect weather, local cuisine, parties or family and friends, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority wants to know.

The competition is meant to be a fun project, where the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority can engage Antigua and Barbuda fans and they in turn can have fun producing creative videos selling the destination.

The winner will receive two return tickets to Antigua and Barbuda, for the country’s Independence celebrations and tickets to attend official Independence Homecoming events, where they will have the opportunity to experience the culture of the twin-island state.

Did I mention I am back in Antigua!

2009-09-16T20:50:00.001+01:00

Back in Antigua for a bit - taking in some sun, spending time with my family, and of course working.

Attended the Inet Golf Tournament that took place last Saturday. The Cedar Valley Golf Course is quite impressive, it was my first time out there and it made me say wow - never knew green could look so good.

The tournament also had some celebrity guests present!!! Visit the photo gallery at http://golfexperiencecaribbean.com/blog/ and see if you can spot them yourself. (Photos are courtesy Golf Experience Caribbean / http://www.torrezjoseph.com/ )

Also must say congrats to Mark Woodhouse and Wayne Mitchell who won the tournament. They go on to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the International Pairs World Final in Carnoustie, Scotland.

Enjoying the weather

2009-06-22T16:57:00.000+01:00

Okay so by now I've already moved and I am in week 2 of working at the UK based Antigua Barbuda Tourism Authority. So far I have no pix of London or anything I've been to because i need to upgrade my camera....soon though. I'm thinking of changing the name of this blog to An Antiguan in the UK...think i will.

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Appoints New Tourism Officer...Me!

2009-06-22T16:46:00.000+01:00

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office has announced the appointment of Miss Maria Blackman as Tourism Officer for the UK.

Blackman joins the new Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority having previously worked as Communications Officer (Ag) at the Ministry of Tourism in Antigua.

During her time at the Ministry of Tourism she assisted with the Marketing Department’s development plans, as well as upholding the responsibility of Press Liaison Officer.

Blackman holds a BSc in Tourism Management (upper second class honours) from the University of the West Indies, and brings to the team a good knowledge of the Antigua and Barbuda market.

Blackman will assist both the Marketing & Administration Manager and Antigua and Barbuda’s Director of Tourism for UK & Europe, Hilary Modeste.

Colin C. James, Chief Executive Officer of the new Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, commented on the appointment: “The appointment of Maria to the London office further demonstrates our commitment to ensure that the UK office is fully staffed with the right competencies as we implement new strategies to meet the challenges of the market head on. It is also an investment in building the human capacity of our team. I wish Maria every success in her new role"

Blackman will commence her duties at the UK based Tourist Office on 15 June 2009.

The Skin - A HAMA Film, set in Antigua

2009-06-10T22:22:00.000+01:00

I received this email from Avonelle at Pole Vault Communications and thought I would share it with you. Antigua and Barbuda's very own Howard and Mitzi Allen are in the process of shooting a very intriguing movie "The Skin". I will say no more, please do check the blog, for photos and updates.

" I want all of you to read this blog every day and follow the progress of this Antiguan film. It's called "The Skin" ...a HAMA Film, and is based on the Soucouyant -- which is a Caribbean Vampire! Vampire movies have always ingtrigued movie goers and have evolved to television (remember "Dark Shadows"?)...now we have the very successful HBO series "True Blood" which is back for a second season...and all the stars are young actors and actresses.

Let us know what you think...that's what friends are for...I mean that's what "blogs" are for! " www.theskinahamafilm.wordpress.com

- Avonelle

THE SKIN – A HAMA Film

THE SKIN – Week One in Photos

By trulycaribbeanwoman 0 Comments

Categories: Caribbean, Filmmaking, Films, Hama and The Skin
Tags: Aisha Ralph, Steven Berry, The Skin, Howard Allen, Avonelle Pole

Photos by Laura Hall

Aisha on set

Aisha in character as Lisa is startled by a sound while in the bedroom.

Avonelle Pole coordinates the shoot in St. John’s.

Brent on Set.

Lunch in the city compliments Big Banana.

Director Howard Allen and Cinematographer professor Steven T. Berry discuss a shot.

Laura get the shot!

Script Continuity supervisor Lorraine takes notes.

Antigua and Barbuda on Facebook and Twitter

2009-06-10T22:16:00.000+01:00

Antigua and Barbuda can now be found on Facebook and Twitter.

There is a lot of activity taking place on the pages so please feel free to join the group or become a follower.

Antigua and Barbuda’s facebook page, entitled AntiguaBarbudaTourism features the islands images, video and a link to the island’s official tourism website.

The twin-island state also appears on the newest popular social networking and micro-blogging service, Twitter. Found under the username antiguabarbuda, the account is a means for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority to provide media, tour operators, travel agents, travelers and anyone interested in the twin island state with news and information in a real-time environment.

Facebook and Twitter have grown considerably in the last year with over 200 million Facebook users and Twitter with over a million users but growing faster and faster by the minute.

Of Celebrities and Destination Weddings in Antigua and Barbuda

2009-06-10T20:54:00.000+01:00

Congrats are in order for Adrienne Scales and Myreon Smith of Atlanta GA who tied the knot at sunset in beautiful Antigua on Saturday at The Inn at English Harbour, in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Tourism, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and the ever energetic Indashio, Celebrity "guest of honour".

The couple could not have picked the perfect place, the backdrop was absolutely stunning, the kind of setting you thought you could only see in magazines or in movies. And, the unity sand ceremony using Barbuda's pink sand and Antigua's sparkling white sand, made the ceremony one that could not be duplicated easily.

Must I add the bride looked gorgeous, natural beauty, plus she had the opportuity to be styled by Indashio who is the winner of the first series of the VHI show “Glam God”

So how did this couple get so lucky? Well in Antigua and Barbuda, June is known as "Romance Month". During this month, The Antigua and Barbuda's Tourism Authority's US office runs a celebrity destination wedding sweepstakes. Tell them your love story, win a trip to Antigua, get married (which might i add is as easy as 1, 2,3) and fall in love again and again...

Photo courtesy: Ted Martin

Antigua Sailing Week 2009

2009-04-28T14:58:00.001+01:00

The 42nd Antigua Sailing Week, got off to a great start on Sunday April 26th with the Around The Island Race that ended up at Fort James Beach.

Lots of persons gathered at Fort James late into the evening for the Annual Sailing Week Beach Bash which is organised by the Ministry of Tourism.

I enjoy the whole atmosphere created at these events, and its fun to see persons coming out to enjoy the live bands, and the grilled seafood and bbq and just basically lime with their friends and families.

Me - I spent the day by the inflatable rides - the bucking bull, giant slide and dragon something - working though, nothing else...oohh and i got to meet Rocky from Search Antigua. He doesn't talk much but he's quite cool to hang with :-) Check him out on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Johns-Antigua/Search-Antigua/5836127139

For more information on Sailing Week visit: http://www.sailingweek.com/

Photo Courtesy - Ted Martin, Photofantasy Antigua

Model Boat Racing in Antigua on Easter Sunday

2009-04-15T14:00:00.000+01:00

Model Boat Racing is big in the Falmouth Harbour Community, Antigua and every Easter Sunday for the last 13 years, the Ministry of Tourism has organized a Model Boat Regatta.

During the weeks leading up to the event, the guys are really busy getting their boats in top condition and of course heckling each other over bottles of beer, during pre-race meetings on which boat is faster and which boat won't even get in the water.

So come Easter Sunday, the excitement is really in the air with racers out to prove who really has the bragging rights. True to form the racers with the biggest mouths pre-event (will call know names) spend most of the event fine tuning their boats, so they never ever really do make it in the water. And well the quiet racers usually have the deadly boats that always finish on top. I love model boat racing not because i love boat racing but because of the camaraderie and the whole atmosphere created during the event.

Right now i just want to go to a beach in Antigua or Barbuda!

2009-04-02T19:17:00.000+01:00

Every once in a while, I take a break from work to surf the internet ;-)

During this particular surfing session Iwondered across a particular flickr account that seriously caught my attention and caused me to spend quite a bit of time clicking through the photos...and thinking that right now, I just want to go to the beach!!

And while I hate to say it, even though I live on Antigua - a Caribbean island known for its beaches, I really can't tell the last time I went to the beach, and actually went into the water. I'm usually looking at things from afar.

Don't get me wrong though, every time I pass one of our beaches, I just want to go into the water - and looking at these pictures is having the same effect on me...but like the saying goes, sometimes you get so caught up in life, that you forget to take the time to enjoy your island and the simple pleasures of life.

Anyway back to the flickr account, the pictures here at Antiguan's link are so absolutely beautiful. see right here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/antiguan/212225241/ (check the cute dolphin pixs!!).

And i just had to add this link to Antiguan life's photos as well: http://www.flickr.com/photos/antiguan_life/652019615/ , because this is exactly where i want to be, and i thought i would share because who knows it might be where you want to be too.

ahh...2 more hours to go I think i might go straight to the beach when I finish work.

1st Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Festival

2009-03-31T01:38:00.000+01:00

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend the Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Festival's Wine Tasting Dinner and Awards show.

It was an evening well spent with good wine, good food and great friends!!

The seven course sample menu was extra-ordinary meaning it wasn't your every day run of the mill dishes. This was quite nice as I got the opportunity to taste some items that i had never tasted or had never tasted prepared in the manner in which they were.

I wish I could tell you the fancy names of the menu items and about the chefs from the different resorts on the island that cooked up these unique and interesting dishes, but somewhere between my third glass of Pinot Noir, my menu with all that information on it disappeared....Oh well I can show you pictures!

Kudos to the Organisers. The event went well and is an added must do for anyone interested in culinary tourism. And which traveller wouldn't want to take a vacation and sample foods prepared with Antiguan and Barbudan flair.

Nice destination video i found

2009-03-26T15:37:00.000Z

Barbuda featured amongst Best Remote Beaches

2009-03-20T17:05:00.000Z

AOL Travel has named Pink Beach, located in Barbuda, (Antigua's sister isle) as one of the best remote beaches around the world.

"Essentially one huge sandbar, this flamingo-hued swath extends eight miles from Palmetto Point towards Spanish Point, at the southern end. About the only people who stroll Pink Beach are guests from the handful of small hotels that sit on it." See: http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/warm-weather/galleries/hidden-beaches?ncid=AOLCOMMtravdynlprim0472

Barbuda was the only Caribbean Island included. (The pix is just an aerial view of a long strip of beach in Barbuda)

Some of the other best remote beaches were:

Bai Dai Beach, Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Wildcat Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Los Frailes, Ecuador
Playa Medina, Venezuela
Poles Bay, Kea, Greece
Cayo Costa, Florida
Plage Blanche, Morocco
Porat Beach, Bisevo, Croatia
Majahuitas Cove, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Store Beach, Sydney, Australia
Polihua Beach, Lanai, Hawaii

Representing Antigua during Trinidad's Carnival

2009-03-04T17:58:00.000Z

So i am back from a much needed vacation. Went down and played mas in Trinidad for the very first time. YEAH!. I went to couple fetes, ate some of my favourite foods, spent time with my family, met up some old school friends and jammed to some of the best soca music, and made "a bacchanal in road" with some of the Caribbean's most beautiful and friendly people.

Of course everywhere i went, i took my Antigua flag, which helped me to make some new Antiguan friends. And i could also identify some friends who i did not know were making the trip to Trini by their Antiguan flags as well.

All in all, I had a superb time, and all it does is makes me more anxious for Antigua's carnival to come up from July - August.

Which came first - the chicken or the egg?

2009-02-09T17:12:00.000Z

A couple weeks ago, i was having a very interesting conversation with another tourism-oriented person like myself.

The conversation basically centered around which was more important pumping your limited dollars into marketing your destination or into product development.

To put it mildly the conversation, just seemed to have evolved into that conversation one has about whether the chicken or the egg came first. It just kept going without reaching anywhere.

Marketing versus Product Development. What's your take? Do you feel that:

(A) You should pump that money into your product, because once your product is superior naturally people will want to experience it (and guess what word of mouth marketing is extremely effective - and you don't pay for it)

OR

(B) Pump that money into marketing your destination (you need to be visible in the marketplace) which may eventually lead to you getting more visitors (and guess what that means more dollars, so you can use that to develop your product)

OR

(C) both a and b. (IF you pick C ... a thought that just came to me...maybe, just maybe you may have just answered the age old question as to what came first the chicken or the egg.)

They came, they saw and they ran!

2009-02-09T16:33:00.000Z

Something very out of the ordinary happened last week.

You know usually when a cruise ship visits Antigua and Barbuda, St. John's becomes pretty busy, with passengers coming on shore to stroll through the duty free shopping centre (Heritage Quay) or check out Redcliffe Quay. Some will even make it on to Market Street, while others will take a trip to the beach (did i mention we have 365 beautiful beaches - one for every single day of the year) or participate in a on-shore excursion.

Not last Thursday (Feb 5)! These cruise ship passengers used their vacation to run - they must really love that sport huh, because every island this particular ship docked in, they ran. They ran in St. Lucia, they ran in Barbados, Tortola, St. Thomas and yep you guessed it, they came and they ran in Antigua too.

343 of them at that. They started off at the pier and ran all the way to the top of Fort Barrington one of Antigua's historic sites (recently declared a National Park) - where the view from the top is absolutely amazing.

I tip my hat to them (me being the ony run if necessary type of person)...they came, they saw, they ran and they absolutely enjoyed themselves...oh and did i mention they donated books to our National Library while here as well.

Got to love those "Cruise to Run" folks

Love is in the Air, Everywhere I look around - Antigua and Barbuda, Romantic Rhythms

2009-02-03T12:50:00.000Z

After an absolutely lovely inaugural Antigua and Barbuda Romantic Rhythms Music Festival last year, I am looking forward to being lovestruck when June 5 - 7 comes around.

Last year we had performances by Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Keyshia Cole, Heather Headley, Musiq Soulchild, Brian McKnight and of course our Caribbean heartthrobs - Damian Marley, Maxi Priest, Shaggy, Claudette Peters, Tizzy and Destra. Love was definitely in the Air.

This year should be even (i'm looking for another word that goes with the romance theme...sweeter?) more climactic...and i can't wait to see who ends up coming.

I'm Back

2009-02-02T15:18:00.000Z

Hi All,

So i have seriously been neglecting my postings...seriously. The last time i tried to post, my comp was giving me so much problems that i just gave up. But with a new computer...and new perspective, things are looking up. I will certainly try to update my posts at least once a week with interesting tourism related news and events taking place In Wadadli. :-)

Advanced warning though, i am going on vacation later this month...heading down to Trinidad to play mas! Yeah! so you will not hear from me for that week, but i will share my pictures with you when i get back.

Take Care,
Maria

Agressive Marketing Strategies needed

2009-02-02T15:07:00.000Z

Directors of Tourism and Marketing Managers from Antigua and Barbuda's overseas tourists offices recently converged on Antigua to set the vision for the destination for 2009.

CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James, in his presentation on the way forward, emphasised the need to respond quickly and in a focused and strategic way to meet the unprecedented challenges that are affecting the industry.

Embedded in the development of a three year marketing plan, was an emergency 90 day turn around plan, which he said, will be implemented shortly following consultation with the Antigua Hotel and Tourist Association (AHTA).

James said that, "the primary objective of the 90 day turn around plan is to market the Antigua and Barbuda destination brand using a creative mix of marketing and PR programs, to drive visitor arrivals from all source markets."

###

Welcome To Romantic Rhythms

2008-02-10T15:33:00.000Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp9tZ3jOP0s

Antigua and Barbuda Music Festival - Romantic Rhythms

2008-02-05T16:55:00.001Z

St. John’s Antigua, January 22, 2008 --- Antigua and Barbuda, award winning destination for Weddings and Honeymoons, will burst onto the entertainment scene as the epitome of romance, when The Romantic Rhythms Festival is launched during the month of June 2008. Music aficionados will fall in love as the lyrical beauty engulfs the entire destination, spreading peace, love and unity to locals and visitors alike.

This International Music Festival will be launched June 12 – 15 and offer visitors an experience as they indulge all of their senses in the allure of Antigua and Barbuda. More than just a music festival… Romantic Rhythms will offer a unique opportunity to sample the cuisine, heritage, culture and attractions of these “Love Islands.”

Featuring an impressive slate of performers from across the globe, including our very own backyard of Caribbean and South American, and an impressive line-up of vocal and instrumental performances, this festival will romance throngs of ole school and modern day music enthusiasts at candlelit concerts and other intimate settings throughout the destination.

Two exotic concerts will be hosted at the scenic Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and a barefoot, shore side concert against sunset views at Russell’s, Fort James. A variety of special events and romance packages are also being planned to enhance this exhilarating summer experience that is designed to elicit treasured memories.

Romantic Rhythms will create a sense of balance, and transcend all to a place where peace, love and unity reign supreme. Come to Antigua and Barbuda, located in the heart of the Caribbean and be pampered by the soothing trade winds and unwind to the Romantic Rhythms of these exotic islands!

For more information about the Romantic Rhythms Festival, contact Ministry of Tourism, U.S.A. 888-268-4227 or info@antigua-barbuda.org

Antigua & Barbuda Welcomes Sailors

2008-01-05T03:44:00.000Z

January 3, 2008 made it a year since Antigua and Barbuda welcomed 14 year old Michael Perham to our shores.

Michael sailed into the historic Nelson's Dockyard in 2007 where he was greeted by scores of well-wishers including the island's Minister of Tourism and other Tourism Officials within the sector.

For his one year anniversary, Michael returned to the island with the rest of his family, where they were treated to a cocktail reception by the Ministry.

Michael presently holds the Guiness Book Record in being the youngest person to sail singlehandedly across the Atlantic Ocean.

The last person to hold this record was Seb Clover, who made his historic journey into Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua in 2005.

Who will be next?

2nd Let's Triathlon

2007-12-14T18:02:00.000Z

The 2nd Annual Let's Triathlon took place in Antigua on December 9th. The event which attracted over 30 participants from Antigua, neighbouring Caribbean Islands, the US and UK, saw participants participating in both Olympic and Sprint distance races.

Participants swam in the choppy waters of Dickenson Bay, before engaging in a challenging ride through some very scenic villages in the island before ending up at Shirley's Heights, one of the island's most renowned Historic sites.

Next year's triathlon will take place on December 13, 2008.

Antigua and Barbuda amongst the World's Sexiest Beaches

2007-12-07T18:37:00.000Z

Antigua famously boasts 365 glorious beaches—one for every day of the year—but if you have to pick just one, make it Pigeon Point, where lily-white sands slope gently out into blue-blood waters and hammocks hang between swaying palms. Close to the historic English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard National Park, it's home base for the jet set. This crew are often defined by what they own (look-at-me yachts) and what they're wearing (Hermès, Rolex, Dior, Armani). In fact, Giorgio himself is one of the celebs who owns a home here, along with Eric Clapton and Oprah.

Taken from: http://www.worldmostbeautifulbeaches.com/world_top_sexiest_beaches_august.htm

2007-12-07T18:12:00.000Z

Another picture by Victor.

With Love from Antigua

2007-12-07T16:53:00.000Z

A gentleman by the name of Victor Richardson shared this and other pictures with me. They truly represent the Antiguan island experience.

Antigua and Barbuda Featured on 'America's Next Top Model'

2007-09-24T19:46:00.000+01:00

Antigua And Barbuda Among Carribean Islands Featured On Hit Reality Show "America’s Next Top Model"
September 21, 2007
NEW YORK, New York

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Antigua and Barbuda was one of the Caribbean Islands featured recently on the CW network's hit reality television series, America's Next Top Model, which premiered on September 19. During this episode, the cast and crew arrived on "The Royal Caribbean" cruise liner from Puerto Rico to alight on the beautiful shores of Antigua and Barbuda.

The Beach at the Grande Royal Antiguan provided the perfect backdrop for the participants' first fashion photo shoot of the cycle. "Having Antigua and Barbuda as one of the feature destinations on the premiere episode of a top national television program, is an incredibly effective way for us to reach a core target market." Derede Samuel-Whitlock, Director of Tourism in the U. S. said. "In an increasingly competitive marketplace, every bit of product placement helps."

The Department of Tourism in New York worked with producers of the show to coordinate logistics to welcome and host the participants in Antigua.

The show focuses on a group of young women who live together and vie for a modeling contract, as supermodel Tyra Banks mentors them. Now in its ninth cycle, America's Next Top Model is watched by millions of American's between the ages of 18 and 34. Video clips of the show are also available online.