We were booked on the Poly out of Aruba in June....from all indications she isn't sailing there next summer, so I called, Jose said she will be out of Antigua. I have always wanted to go there, but no experience with ANU. Any thoughts?

Antigua is great! Wonderful beaches. We stayed at the Heritage Hotel which is right down the dock from the ship. It is a "businessman's hotel." No pool but nice rooms, internet access, breakfast included, and shopping, restaurants, etc right there. It is also close to the bus stop. We took the bus to Jolly Harbor Beach for the day, as well as to Nelson's Dockyard. I definitely want to go back. Also if you are there for a few days you can take a ferry over to Monserrat for the day.

Antigua was the first Caribbean island I ever set foot on as I was on my way to my first WJ'er sail. My memories are vague. I just remember the tag line of 365 beaches!

Hopefully this is a conscious decision by WJer Inc. to avoid Aruba as all of us should.

Kent

<scratches head> We should avoid Aruba because.......

...it's a flat scrubby island only fun for divers?
...when taken with Bonaire and Curacao it reminds us of the alphabet?


...or because of a reason that when taken in context makes nearly any city in the US look MUCH scarier?

Brilliant response, Casteve, really quite brilliant !

Hey come to MY town Kent, we could use the money just like Aruba, but we don't have Casinos!
However, We've had kidnappings and disappearances too, but then the here diving sucks.

And WHY should we ALL avoid Aruba? Because of the Natalie thing? She was a foolish individual who got herself into big trouble.

I can fully understand her parents plight. However, to me, it looks like they did nothing but get in the way of the Aruban investigation. Their daughter disappeared in a foreign country and the laws and customs of that country must be followed. Remember, when visiting a country of which you are not a citizen, you are still under the laws of that nation.

Aruba and the ABC Islands are a very interesting group to visit. Bonaire is especially nice. I enjoyed my Legacy cruise to the ABC's very much and would certainly visit there again as a tourist.

FYI I'm from ALABAMA... I would rather go to Aruba than Birmingham.
But, I'm really interested in Antigua. please call me. Thanks for all the info!!!

Jodi1161

A lot to do on Antigua. English Harbor and Shirley Heights at the south end of the island. If you're there on a Sunday enjoy the BBQ and live music. I was there doing a back-to-back.

The S/V Fantome sailed out of Antigua. Oh what a great ship, she was. And, the S/V Mandalay sails out of Antigua.

Here's a web site with some local information. http://www.antiguamuseums.org/nelsonsdockyard.htm http://www.concierge.com/destination/antigua/seeanddo

"Britain's main naval base during the Napoleonic wars is now the world's only remaining Georgian shipyard and Antigua's biggest tourist attraction. Named Nelson's Dockyard after Lord Horatio Nelson, who was stationed here in 1784, it's the historic heart of Antigua, the site of the island's annual Sailing Week regatta, and a national park."


Bell Ringer

Any info on the islands planned for this itinerary (like Barbuda or Monsterrat), or is the usuual Poly run, just a different starting place.

4th of July week anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My thoughts on Aruba....

I rented a scooter and went to see the island. This was in Nov on the Grace. I was stuck in traffic for half of the day and you know what? I can do that at home! The island was OK but it didn't impress me a whole lot. I also walked through the downtown section away from the tourists and watched young girls smoking crack on the corners and was approached to buy dope about 15 times etc.

Sorry, it didn't impress me much.

Bonaire and Curacao were great though.

And truth be told, subtract the crack and stuff and you can have the same experience on St Barts! The traffic is really bad now!

The "Natalie" thing is new to me though, would be interested to know more.

- Steve

I don't know if this is my place or not, but what the heck.

I really don't think this is the place to go into the lurid details of this case. If you need to know more, search under Natalie Holloway, there is plenty (too much I think) on this case on the web.

Now...if we must have this conversation, lets take it to another forum, and keep this forum about more pleasant things like "the Poly's going to Antiqua"

Hey Jodi,
We should also post the question in the Mandy forum since they are there twice a month. I bet those folks can give us some answers.
I am very tempted to change my april trip to later in the year to go to Antigua instead. Although that is getting into season and maybe the beach bars will be closed and it could get rained out.....
gotta think about that some.

I can't go the fourth of July week, I think we are going to stick with the first week of June and go to Aruba another time. We will get to go back to some of the islands we visit in January, plus a few new ones....well, new to us......
and why don't you join us???? Anybody else, too! Just !!!!

I would love to join you, but i am not sure. I would either have to postpone my January trip to June (which i think i might go mad if i do that) or push the April trip out to June. I will have to talk to my friend, since it is mainly her trip and see.
I would love to see some new islands....we will see.
Since the tickets aren't bought yet, it could still change.
will kepp you posted!

I did a search and now I remember what this was all about. Sorry, I thought we were referring to some sort of Windjammer story.

And agreed, let's keep this for FUN talk...that's a sad story that doesn't need to be dredged up again.

Cheers,

- Steve

, I have more insight on Antigua now. EMAIL me and I'll send you my thoughts. Right now it is too early in the ANU airport to think.

Next time, I will stay at the Heritage Hotel like Sandra said. Its in the middle of the action instead of $30US round trip from the hotel where the service was sloowwwwwwwwwwwwwwer than normal. Coconut Beach Club is ok, but....well, we will talk.

!

Just called WJ and asked them about all this.
Starting 5/21 the poly will be out of Antigua and heading to Nevis, Dominica, Iles des Saints & St John's (but that just looks like the other side of Antigua). But there maybe more sailing on this trip than usual. Who know.

Now i am seriously thinking about rescheduling to go down there.

the ship docks at St Johns, Antigua

BTW this is essentially the first part of Mandalay's 13 day southbound from ANU to GND. The stops are the same except for heading back to ANU instead of going further south to St Lucia.

Mike

I did check out the MY stuff on the website (windjammer.com) but i wanted some first hand account. maybe i can find another TR or something from last year.
that is if the hacker didn't get to it!
TTFN

These are great islands to visit. You would love them. If you can get in a few days early or stay after your trip I can recommend a place to stay that has a great beach, pool, food, etc. At least I like the place

Linda is writing a TR right now and they went to many of the same islands, except ANU. I think it's going to be a good itinerary. Dominica and Ilse de Saintes are 2 great stops, totally different from each other. Nevis you have been on the Poly so nothing new there.

On DOM you have to check out the hikes (with water falls & Titou Gorge), river tube, TRAM, or Whale Watching trip. On MY we always have the Beach BBQ at the Anchorage Hotel with live band that is excellent.

On Terre de Haute there is Fort (in the AM only) town for shopping 3 great shops must visit are the Soap Shop, the Shirt Shop and the Art Gallery. Check out http://www.maogany.com/f_home.htm see if you can find Matt. And of course ICE CREAM!!!

In the PM the launch will run you over to a beach for snorkel or you can explore town on a scooter.

Hope this helps.

Mike