Green Island - Antigua

Well Green Island is a beautiful island on the east coast of Antigua and because it is sheltered behind a reef system it is protected form the Atlantic waves that crash against these eastern shores. So we make the 12 mile jump from Long Island through Great Bird Passage over the reef and around to Green Island.

We stopped in Rickett's bay, you can go around into Nonsuch Harbour but this was almost empty so we stopped here. The only disadvantage is there are a few day tours that come in here, they are only around for a couple of hours and not everyday so we agree we can share the paradise for a little.

The Wadali tour cat

The 'Excellence' tour boat with Cruise ship passengers

We are left in the afternoon with the bay to the sailboats and the peace and quiet is restored. So we plan on having a braai each night on the beach. We also invited a couple of other cruisers in the bay to join us so the other IP Nan Shan from Quebec joined us with their friends.

Relaxing waiting for the fire

Local birds wanted to sample everything

Great Braai on the beach

We have been to Green Island before but never tried to find a trail. This group seemed determined to see if we could walk a bit. So we struck out to find something. After two abortive attempts to head east we set out north across the island toward Nonsuch bay. The trail is not that obvious but on the north of the bay we did find find it and after a while we picked up markers, it is much easier to find from the other way. It takes maybe 15 minutes to walk across the island on a very short hike, but it is well worth if as the views of Nonsuch bay and the kite surfers is wonderful.

Found the trail at last

Our anchorage

The beach on the other side

Great views of  Nonsuch Harbour

A kite surfers delight

In the afternoon we need to cool down so we take a snorkel tour of the bay. The coral is very bleached and damaged but there are a few signs of live coral. The fish are few and far between because the coral is so poor, but the grass is fine and it encourages quiet a few sea turtles to use the bay.

Jo tries her new snorkel mask and Liz looks on

A turtle right under Moosetracks

Some of the nice coral we found

One of several ballyhoo following us

More brain coral and four eyed butterfly fish

Another turtle found in the bay

The turtle comes up for air

It is a lovely anchorage and mooring here at Green Island and we are very tempted to stay but the weather forecast tells another story. There are 20+ knots of wind forecast and heading out past the reef in the large waves kicked up by this would not be fun. So with regrets a plenty we head for Falmouth Harbour a little earlier than we need to. The upside is we have lots of friends there and it will be great to be at classics again this year.

Great Bird Island and Jumby bay - Antigua

Easter is almost upon us so we decide to move with friends to Great Bird Island for some crystal clear water clean beaches and lots of fun.

Out of Africa jib sail in Great Bird Island

Liahona arrives for the fun too

We all settle down to anchor and you could have guessed it was only minutes when the radio crackles with "when is the next Braai". We hope you can understand if my photos are a bit mixed up but when you have three braai is a week they merge into one in my memory.

We have the luxury of the table free for the night

Now that's what we come for

Home made sides as well

Lots of fun

Great friends

Sheila, Leslie and Liz

We all like the idea of a walk into Parham which is 2 miles by dinghy but the nearest village. So we set off in a dinghy each and head across the bay, pretty flat but in 2 miles you still get wet. Our first stop is the Marina where they are working on catamarans which were brought in from the BVI following the hurricane Irma damage. The sites we saw in SXM are immediately brought to mind, hurricanes can be immensely destructive to boats.

No way to park a boat

These are all scrap - make an offer

Lots of really bad damage

About half the boats are being fixed up

We finish the dinghy ride across the bay to the fisherman's dock at Parham and tie up.

A good place to tie up

the fisherman's dock

Awwe, we found another mistreated boat mascot.

We inquire at the very small grocery store as to the availability of lunch. We get rough direction and head out, after a few more inquiries we find the bus stop and the local restaurant.

The admirals love a grocery store

The captains are blase about it

Our local chef

We are all satiated and walk back down the hill to the docks. Like any diverse group we can't stick together all the time, so several admirals check out the church while the others go check out the Big Bamboo bar.

Parham church

Very well maintained

Fabulous ceiling

Plenty of musical instruments

Of course the bar is rather nice to so we stop for a few to wait for the ladies.

The Big Bamboo

It's a nice hang out, shame they were not open earlier

We returned to Great Bird Island and one of the locals approached us and invited us over for dinner. As we had eaten at lunch we took a rain check. David on Persephone then managed to turn this into a gig the following night as they had a generator on the beach.

John, Our local host, Devin and Mark

White Chocolate played on Great Bird Island

Mark on Liahone found out somehow we had a GoPro camera on board. So he asked if he could fly it, I couldn't work out how until he said he had a drone on board, Ohh I said. So we took the equipment over to Great Bird Island to see if we could get some pics. Now we know the airport is not far away so we cannot fly above the island, but it is only a test so that's OK. Well it all went very well and Mark got some great footage considering the height restriction. 

The site where we do our Braai's

The beach

Well we can tell you the locals who come over to party on the island at Easter had a great time and were wonderful hosts for us at their camp. They really left the island spotless when they left too which really impressed us all. We certainly know of folks who party hard and forget the clean up part!

Well we have been out of good internet contact for over a week so time to get a small fix. We jib sail over to Jumby Bay on Long Island to reach the resort wifi and get updated with weather and email. we decide to get together with Out of Africa and Never Bored to take a trip to St John by bus to do a little produce shopping too. Another long trip across the bay but we are now well stocked for our next stop.

While we were in St John we stopped at the Hospice and shopped for seconds, the ladies found lots to buy and hopefully it adds a little to the coffers. The guys spent some time with the local residents and chatted foe  while with a couple from Barbuda. If you don't know it was the first island hit by Irma when the hurricane came through. The damage caused the total evacuation of the island afterwards. They still do not have water and power restored. Unfortunately this couple are still waiting to return to Barbuda and they do not know when that can happen if at all.

Well back at the boat we decide to move on and collectively we decide to leave via Great Bird Channel over the reef. Chris has been this way before and assures us there is lots of water depth. We make it easily and he is correct.

Hugs to all our family and friends.