Anthony on a childhood vacation
View from Shirley Heights
Anthony, Meemah and Deedah in Shirley Heights
affectionately known to us as Meemah and Deedah. This week was an opportunity to share with us one of his favorite places in the world. Anthony decided the best way to explore the island was by land and by sea. The first part of our trip was spent touring the island with a local driver and
tour guide named Elvis, who is a native Antiguan living in one of the six parishes on the island with his wife and children. When Anthony spotted him on the beach wearing a Yankee cap, he knew this was the tour guide for us. Anthony and Elvis instantly bonded (even discovering they shared a birthday) and together
planned our extraordinary excursion. Our tour of the island started with a visit to St. Johns, the capital city of Antigua. While part of the town is geared toward the large cruise ships that help support the local economy, St. Johns retains its charm, filled with farmers markets, stalls and local restaurants. Amanda was immediately enchanted by one of the young local shopkeepers selling souvenirs with his mom. The next stop was Betty’s Hope, one of the earliest sugar plantations dating back to 1651. The sugar mills are beautifully preserved, and we learned about the large role these sugar plantations played in Antigua’s history. While enjoying the scenery at Betty’s Hope, Elvis surprised us with homemade sandwiches and rum punch. A delightful snack to recharge us for the next stop — Devil’s Bridge in the Indian Town National Park. Devil’s Bridge is a natural stone arch that was carved from the rocky coast by the constant pounding of waves. Locals say its name comes from surges of water that snatch away people who stray too
Anthony on Devil’s Bridge
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