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As with many other Caribbean islands, Antigua and Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after a church in Spain, the Santa Maria La Antigua (St Mary the Ancient) when he sailed past the island in 1493. Of the two islands, Antigua is the more populated, while Picturesque stone towers, formerly sugar cane processing windmills dot the island, left-overs from the days when the main crop was sugar cane after a planter from Barbados, Christopher Codrington, arrived in 1684. Later on in history, Antigua became a strategic port of military importance as the “gateway to the When you are not on the beach or in the sea, go to Shirley Heights, from where you can overlook the beautiful harbours as well as see gun emplacements and various military buildings stationed as lookout points. Or visit the Harmony Hall Art Gallery, St John's Cathedral, or the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda which has some rare artifacts. If you visit Antigua at the right time of the year, attend the Antigua Music Festival where you can see internationally-known singers perform. For a taste of local art, visit the Sea View Farm village for a look at Antiguan Pot Pottery.
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Travel Tips from people who've been to Antigua and Barbuda
Saint John's is absolutely one of my most favorite place to visit in the Carribean. It is kind of run down, but the people are sweet. I loved getting smoothies here. In downtown Saint John's, there is a lady who makes smoothies from a booth. They have no sugar or other crap that you find in most smoothies in the U.S.
Mama Lolly's Vegetarian Cafe and Take Away is another great place there if you want to eat. Some of the greatest vegetarian meals are available here in good proportions. Here's a link: http://www.antiguanice.com/mama_lollys/index.html
When you take a taxi, know the going rate for a taxi ride. I found many drivers tried to take advantage of my wallet because they thought I was a clueless tourist. When they found out I knew what a ride was supposed to cost, they dropped the crap and lowered the price. Don't be afraid to speak up.
All beaches in Antigua are great... there are 365 beaches there. However, they are much less modest than beaches around here so don't be surprised to see topless women or naked men. Also, if you are a girl, I wouldn't advise going to a beach alone... just from personal experience. A man once came up to me on a beach there wearing only gray underwear and asked me to go off somewhere with him. After talking to some other girls, I had found out that he had told them it was his job to impregnate young women... that he got paid for it... strange. I'm not saying something like this wouldn't happen anywhere. I'm just saying use your head and take caution if you feel it is necessary. Good tip? (0) My home land, the Jewel of the Caribbean. 365 beautiful, sandy beaches with one additional manmade beach. Sister Island of Barbuda has pink sand beach. Fabulous coral reefs and ship wrecks, caves, bird santuaries, historic district, excursions, land and water activities, cricket lovely cricket, sailing week, antigua music festival, carnival, wide range of accomodations and night life, juicy local cuisine. The perfect getaway...always something to do, friendly people, duty free shopping...almost like heaven! Good tip? (0) This is the most dry island I've ever seen - not beautiful at all. The people here are very british and very snooty! I almost got arrested over one of the locals trying to rip me off!!
Shirley Heights was pretty cool - they do a neat little outdoor party at night to watch the sunset - the views of the island and ocean from here are pretty incredible - this was the only thing I really enjoyed! Good tip? (0)
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