ST JOHNS, ANTIGUA

Antigua has a beautiful 26 square kilometres (10 square miles) National Park in which lies the famous English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard.

Antigua has a beautiful 26 square kilometres (10 square miles) National Park in which lies the famous English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard. It will take us approximately 35 minutes to reach the National Park, where we shall stop at four sites of interest. Our journey through the centre of the island takes us past quaint villages, which epitomise the typical West Indian style and culture.At the Dow Visitors’ Centre, there will be a 15 minute cultural audio-visual show about Antigua past and present. A short tour of the area will follow, as will one of the most spectacular panoramas in the Caribbean. At the Blockhouse ruins, a powder magazine, gun platforms, water catchment, officers’ barracks and a 15 kilogram (32 pound) cannon still exist as evidence that this was a main lookout post in 1787. The officers’ quarter, known as the Blockhouse, is located on the approach road to the clifftop; this is where the first West India Regiment was stationed. In this modern day, Eric Clapton’s house can be viewed in the distance from this point. Another short drive will bring us to Shirley Heights, located on the most southerly point of the island, 148 metres (487 feet) above the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Named after Sir Thomas Shirley, this was the principal fortification of the British fleet stationed at English Harbour. The original Ordnance building here has been converted into a bar befitting seadogs young and old, and unearthed artefacts are displayed alongside a list of regiments stationed at English Harbour during the 1700s. Physically little has changed over the past two centuries and the original kitchen, water cistern and ammunition magazine remain. There is a dramatic clifftop view over Nelson’s Dockyard village, Galleon Beach and Falmouth Harbour. On a clear day it is possible to see the island of Montserrat, some 45 kilometres (28 miles) away.After these distant views we will descend to sea level again, for a visit to Nelson’s Dockyard village, where we will explore the delights of this historic site. It was built in 1725 to provide a base for a squadron of ships patrolling the West Indies, maintaining Britain’s sea power. Today it is the world’s last remaining Georgian naval dockyard still in use; sleek yachts now moor at the old stone quayside. Before returning to our ship we are invited into the Copper & Lumber Store Inn for a ‘farewell’ drink.This tour involves walking at the Dow Visitors’ Centre, where there are around 18 steps to get to the best panoramic viewpoint; at the Blockhouse ruins, over uneven ground; at Shirley Heights, over uneven ground and about 4 steps; and around Nelson’s Dockyard, including a walk of approximately 10 minutes to reach the historic area from the bus. Please note that there is also a rather long walk from the quayside into town (and vice versa), to board the tour buses. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes. Not recommended for those passengers with severely limited mobility.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR THE 2007 CARIBBEAN SEASON