Antigua And Barbuda guide
Beachy Island
Set between the Atlantic and the Caribbean, the former British naval bastion of Antigua (pronounced An-tee-ga) resembles a giant amoeba on the map-or maybe it's an inkblot.The outline is what gives Antigua its special attraction-scores of bays and inlets, set with so many beaches that you can stay there a year and never visit the same beach twice. There are 365 of them and they are reckoned to be among the finest in the world.
Antigua's coastline was prized in the 18th century for strategic reasons, and this is why the 276-sq-km (108-sq-mile) island was much sought after by French, Spanish and British in their battle for supremacy in the Caribbean. You could hide and defend a whole fleet in landlocked English Harbour. Today the only fleets are those of yachts. Sailing Week, held towards the end of April every year, sees some of the world's leading yachtsmen descend on the island, and English Harbour has become the base for blue-water cruising.
This is a dry island, lacking the humidity of some other Caribbean resorts, which makes it particularly popular among sun-seekers. The heat is mitigated by the trade winds, and when it does rain, the whole island assumes a lush green livery almost overnight. It is not the place for those who want things done by yesterday. The pace of life is easy-Antigua's 66,000 people take their time. That is why cricket is popular-more than a national sport, it's almost the national religion.
Get to know the Antiguans; you may have to overcome an initial shyness, but you will be rewarded with typical Caribbean warmth and friendliness.
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