2024-04-28 More time in Barbuda, and on to Antigua

We hung out in Barbuda for a few more days.  Went over to our friends boat Matcha, and helped them start up their watermaker, which had been pickled for a while.  They recently purchased the boat, and just wanted moral support for the start up.  Everything went well, so no issues.

Sunrise at Barbuda

We took another beach walk, and just hung out on the boat.  On Wednesday the wind shifted to ENE, so it was time to move, and we had a brisk sail down to Antigua.  Supposed to have 10 to 15 knots, but had 16 to 18 with gust to 21, so we had a reefed main.  Scooted right along at 8 to 9 knots.

We anchored in Jolly Harbor in Antigua.   Next day we went into town, as even though we checked into the country in Barbuda, we had to pay the fees once we got to Antigua.   We had to stop at an ATM and take out some local money first - as we had to pay the port fees in cash.   Antigua uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar.   Tried an ATM at the grocery store, but they wanted too high of fee, so tried another, but it was broken, finally the third one worked.    

We got caught in a bit of a rainstorm on our way to the port authority office and spent some time under the eave of a building, but did make it to the office around 9:00 a.m., where the nice fella took our papers and said - come back at 1:00 p.m.   Oh well.  We then went to Budget Marine as still having issues with our port engine raw water not priming and got new hose, then to the grocery store for some fresh stuff.

Really nice dinghy dock in Jolly Harbor

Small fruit and veg stand outside grocery store

One of the purchases we made at the fruit and veg stand was a pineapple,  Specifically the Antiguan Black Pineapple.  It is said to be the world's sweetest pineapple, and although we are not pineapple experts - we can agree that it is pretty darn sweet.

Antiguan Black Pineapple

At 1:00 we headed back into town, and paid our fees to be in Antigua.  $85 EC, which is about $32 dollars.  

Jolly Harbor Bay is quite large, with lots of homes on the fingers of the bay.   There are a couple of large marinas, and a large boatyard as well.   A sailboat charter company as well, so there is quite a bit of traffic in and out of the harbor, as the anchorage is on the outside of the harbor.   

Jolly Harbor

The bay to anchor in is nice, but there are flies.  Maybe we anchored too close to shore?

Saturday we got on a bus to head into the largest town in Antigua of St. John.  They have a Saturday Market, and we thought we would check it out.    

The bus was only 3 EC per person, about $1.11 dollars US.   Bus is really an exaggeration.  It was  a van that had seen better days, but it got us there just fine.

The market was interesting.  All along the main street for about 1/2 a mile, and in a couple of  lots along main street people had set up tents, and had tables selling stuff.   All new stuff, but at a table you would see hats, shoes, laundry soap, potato chips, and paper and pencils - all at the same table.   The next table might be all clothes, in a big pile.  The next table would be all fruits and veg.   Then a table of shoes.  Then a mixed table.  

There were officials walking around making sure everyone was following the rules for table placement and tent placement, and security as well.  There were lots of folks walking around shopping.  I think we saw three other white faces besides ourselves, so definitely not in the tourist area.

Lots of clothes in this section.

Always watch where you are walking, lest you fall into a hole in the sidewalk

Tents on the side of the road, lots of cars on the road, and people crossing the road back and forth to go to the tents.

Mostly fruit and veg on this section.

The street market is only on Saturday.  We asked about it, and were told that the vendors all have stores around the area, but bring stuff to the Saturday market as well, as they have no big malls or such where you can go to one spot for shopping, so the shopping all comes to one spot on Saturday.  They also have a everyday market inside a covered area.  It had mostly fruit and veg, and was not as busy as outside.

Inside market area

Large statue in park of V.C. Bird, the first prime minister of Antigua.

We enjoyed walking around the market, and strolled some side streets as well.  Even went down by the cruise ship terminal - no cruise ships were in, but did find an ice cream store, and shared a cone.

We walked into a new large modern grocery store near the market as well.  Get a kick out of seeing the familiar foods packaged as different brands.  

Took the bus back.  We always see the countries from a coastal perspective, so nice to take an bus inland to see a different view.

Inland Antigua.  Hilly

When we got back, we upped anchor and moved a bit further out into the bay to see if we get fewer flies.   

Will be here a few more days before moving.