When I arrived at ANU airport, I quickly passed through security. They did not have the modern electronic immigration process, which I prefer, because it means I get an actual stamp in my passport. Eventually, I imagine that stamping passports will be obsolete as more countries move to electronic immigration. However, to me, there is something very cool about having a country stamp your passport and being able to look back on all of your stamps. Yacht Life in Antigua begins the moment you step off the plane, offering a blend of modern conveniences and charming traditions that make every visit memorable.
Arrival and Transportation Woes
I briskly proceeded to the rental car area to pick up my car from Hertz and noticed that there was nobody at the counter. An employee from a different company called the Hertz rep to inform them I was there to pick up a reservation. They told me the rep was in town and I would have to wait until she returned.
Apparently, I was the last reservation that day and since I was there 2 hours after my scheduled pickup time, the rep left the airport. This was the first time that I have experienced such a thing. I suppose this would be a case where having your flight info attached to the reservation would be helpful, though I was not able to, as my airline (Inter-Caribbean) was not in their dropdown menu. Therefore, I told them to cancel my reservation and proceeded to take a taxi. I was not about to waste my very limited time in Antigua waiting around for a Hertz rep, especially when I did not have a particular need for a car.
The Perks of Taking a Taxi
Taking a taxi turned out to be a better move. I was able to have a nice conversation with the driver, get some great background and history on Antigua and its culture, learn some good tips for things to do/see/eat on my visit, and take in the beautiful scenery en route to my hotel. I decided to let my driver return the next day to take me back to the airport.
This is a tactic that I do not usually take, as it means you lose flexibility in case you decide you want to leave at a different time or if you must wait for your driver. It is always most convenient (and often cheaper) to simply get a taxi from your hotel or on the street when you are ready to head to the airport. I opted to give my driver the return trip in this instance because I found her to be extremely friendly and helpful and I wanted to help her out. A $48 fare is substantial to someone from a low-income country like Antigua and I was happy to oblige.
Staying at the Antigua Yacht Club
I checked in to the Antigua Yacht Club, a boutique hotel located on the bay in English Harbour. Experiencing Yacht Life in Antigua starts with choosing the right accommodation, and this hotel was perfect for that. There are very few American hotel chains so using points and gaining loyalty perks was not possible in Antigua. Additionally, the hotels were quite expensive, more so than the other two islands I visited. I chose this hotel for its location, which turned out to be a good move. The property was average but charming, with very few amenities. At $200, I would say it was reasonable given that it was on the water in a great location, and I had a nice balcony overlooking the harbor.
Discovering the Island
I quickly learned that Antigua was a quiet and sleepy island, similar to Grenada. Yacht Life in Antigua was highlighted by the ongoing regatta, which meant that many large yachts were docked at the harbor where I was staying, adding a lot to the experience. I had not seen so many large yachts since I was in Cannes for the film festival 7 years ago; it was quite impressive.
Dining and Socializing
I ventured to a nearby seafood restaurant on the water for dinner and had the catch of the day. It may be one of the best preparations of mahi-mahi that I can remember. I then walked over to the bar area where there was a group of guys playing pool. Since I love to play pool over drinks, and when traveling solo, it can be a great way to meet new people. I asked for the next game and watched a very cocky local who I would consider to be a pretty good pool player, beat up on the other guys one after the other very loudly.
I took the challenge and won, and he was not very happy about it. He immediately pulled $500 local dollars out of his pocket, threw it on the table, and begged me to play him again for the money. I refused, knowing that if I were to lose, I would not feel good losing $500 and if I were to win, I would not feel good taking his money. He proceeded to give me props on the win and exit the bar. I think he was a bit embarrassed.
I stuck around playing for a while with a few others, winning pretty much every game. It was a fun group of boat workers, one local, one from New Zealand, and one from the US. I always enjoy meeting people from random places and learning about their story. In this case, I got to learn a lot about yacht culture, the types of people that come through, and what life is like as a boat worker.
Exploring the Nightlife
From there, the four of us headed to another bar a few doors down which was known to have karaoke night on Mondays. The bar was filled with a mix of yachties (what the locals call the yacht folk), vacationers, and locals. Everyone seemed to get along quite well and we’re having a lot of fun. After a few more Caribs, I was ready to call it a night, definitely the most fun of any on this trip. Yacht Life in Antigua offered a vibrant and friendly social scene that made the trip even more memorable.
A Morning Routine
My typical routine is to work out in the gym after waking up. I will do this no matter how early I must be up, whether traveling or at home, hungover or tired. This has been my regular routine for 25 years. I started this to ensure I was getting adequate exercise for health reasons, but it is more than exercise at this point. Working out in the morning is more important to me than my morning cup of coffee.
It gives me energy, it provides balance, and it gives me time to clear my head and plan out my day. I tend to have some of my best thoughts and ideas when on my daily run. I almost always stay in a property that has a gym and if that is not the case, I will run outside. In this case, there was no gym, but there happened to be one located nearby and it was on the way to a scenic historical landmark that the taxi driver recommended so I opted for that. After the gym, I proceeded on the 30-minute hike and took in some great local scenery while ultimately getting some great views of the island from the top of a hill.
Reflecting on the Trip
Overall, it was a great trip. As with most of my trips, I am always happy to get back home and into my routine, and that is certainly the case now. I was able to get a lot in with the limited time I had and would say that it all worked out better than expected.
All three of the island countries that I visited had a somewhat similar feel, especially given the British influence given that they are all a part of the British Commonwealth, but they also each had their own identities and unique qualities which were interesting to discover. I would not say that any of them would make my short list of places to return to, but that is often the case with me, given that I almost always prefer to travel somewhere new if given the option. Nonetheless, Yacht Life in Antigua left a lasting impression that I will cherish.
