Antigua, Country #97!

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This morning we woke up early around 6:30 am for no good reason. We were about to tie up to the dock in St. John's, Antigua. I think the official name of this independent country includes another, less populated, island of Barbuda. So, Antigua & Barbuda.

It looks like there is room for at 1 to 3 more cruise ships to dock here, but somehow we managed to be the only ship in port here today. The dock is right at the foot of downtown St. John's, the capital.

We went up to Terrace for Sunday breakfast because we had an 8:45 am tour meeting time. They had a chalkboard up saying Swedish Pancakes with fruit skewers. I had asked about them yesterday and I've really missed having any this trip. I thought it was my lucky day, but when I pointed to the board and asked, I was referred to the single regular pancake that is there as a sample order everyday. Yesterday that was just a pancake. You can't just change the wording! I am afraid now to make the trip to GDR for breakfast for Swedish Pancakes. Clay said maybe they meant a Swede made the pancakes today. We have a 10:45 am tour time tomorrow and I only had a bagel today that I didn't even finish because it was so gummy. New guy manning the toaster today and he barely had the heat on, 4 passes through and we never saw any browning. Plus he was a serial processor! Fingers crossed for real Swedish Pancakes in GDR tomorrow.

We booked a ship's tour here, The Best of Antigua. It was 3.5 hours and $99 each. Tour description is pasted below.

Best of Antigua (SJH-001)
Port: St. John's
Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 3 1/2 hours)
Tour Description
Admire the views from a hilltop where the British manned a lookout in the 18th century.
Drive through villages with characteristic West Indies vernacular architecture.
Enjoy other scenic views from the overlook at Antigua’s southernmost point.
Linger over a drink at a charming inn and then browse the shops nearby.
Travel around Antigua, taking in the natural beauty and visiting must-see landmarks that showcase the island’s history, architecture and culture. Before leaving town, you will stop at the Dow’s Hill Interpretation Center to watch a short but enlightening multimedia show and then pause for photos at the blockhouse that served as a lookout for the British in the 18th century. As you might imagine, the views will be spectacular and you may spot musician Eric Clapton’s home below. Continuing on, you will pass through traditional villages of West Indies-style chattel houses and smallish plazas that present an authentic view of daily life. More sweeping vistas await you at the Shirley Heights Lookout, Antigua’s southernmost point. Nearby, you will find Nelson’s Dockyard Village, a fully restored 18th-century naval base where you will enjoy a drink in an historical inn. Afterwards, you will still have time to admire the sleek yachts while meandering around the marina and shops.
HELPFUL HINTS
Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
PLEASE NOTE
A wheelchair is allowed if it is collapsible and the guest can walk up or down the steps to the bus. Only Dow’s Hill and Nelson’s Dockyard are accessible by wheelchair.

End of tour description.

The tour went pretty much as described. I will mention that after my Destination Services query about Priority Check in being meaningless yesterday that today for the first tour day since January 26 they did not have up the signs for separate queues for those with and without status. There was still no line when we entered so it still meant nothing to us. But while we sat in Riviera Lounge waiting the line extended out of the theater so it probably meant something to a bunch of other folks. My apologies to them if I caused this change today! The tour bus was another of the previously described "Japanese Coasters". Somehow we lucked out today and were the second couple to board the bus. Clay went forward and got shotgun and I was right behind him, in front of the passenger door. It rained on and off all day. We enjoyed the tour and learned a lot and saw a lot of the island.

We got back to St. John's in time to see that near noon on Sunday with only 1 ship in town most things were closed. We had lunch in Terrace. I tried the Beef Stroganoff which had minced beets in the sauce! I risked the Humphry Slocombe ice cream again today and again they had failed to get it frozen. I am sure they aren't meant to serve it soupy. It was Elvis (the Fat Years). I was happy I got a slice of chocolate cake with it! Too banana-y.

We sail at 6 pm. We have our last specialty restaurant reservation tonight at the steakhouse, Polo, at 6:30 pm. For those interested, the Oscars pre-show and ceremonies will be aired live on a big screen in Horizons and on our in cabin TVs tonight.

I'll assume nothing noteworthy the rest of the day and post this now. Tomorrow, fingers crossed that we'll make landfall at St. Lucia for country #98.

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