It was time for another journey to another island, so we headed to Newark where this was our gate
and Seva showed off her new watch
which told time in a slightly blurry way at close range
as we recorded the watches of the extended family taking the trip
before we boarded to this sad meal
though I was allowed to bring my water on board (which would not be case on the return trip)
and so on we went until we reached the airport in Antigua
and out of the darkness emerged Uncle Lloyd who would later turn out to be a life saver
as we moved away from the airport
and waited until the rental car arrived
to take us to our house where this was our room
complete with dressing room
and bath,
this was the living room
and here was the kitchen
with its elegant door stop.
The views down to the sea were delightful
and so after admiring our patio
and pool and spa
and making some ice for later
we headed down to the water
where this gentleman posed with Peter, Seva and Suzanne after directing us down the beach
to the wedding spot
to the wonderful views
that didn't quite hold up in the dark
and to The Beach which would house our first dinner
where drinks were served
and Peter and Seva
and Suzanne and I could start to relax
as shrimp
and the hummus plate were served
along with water
and my pasta
Suzanne's Ceasar salad
and Peter's fish (fear not reader, Seva was fed but had the same as me, hence no photo)
and concluding with coconut ice cream for Peter before we trekked up the hill and to bed.
The next morning, after checking out the view again
and the pool
with its plantings
and the rental car
complete with local license plate
and the neighbor's pool
that lay below our orange trees,
we headed to the Epicurean
where in the midst of numerous power failures, these groceries were purchased
and back at home were assembled
as Suzanne made the coffee
and Seva (with her new watch) preserved our ice and made more
as I admired the cereal box
the coffee pot
with the various coffees
and poured myself a bowl of cereal
to which I added milk before eating.
Seva then made sandwiches for the trip
as coffee was drunk
and the soaps, one for each couple were compared
and ingredients recorded.
We began our journey to Carlisle Beach by driving through the town past the local hero
where fruit was being sold off a truck
near the 24/7 club
and we drove on past the Spy security company
with our first stop at Darkwood Beach
where the group checked out the water
and the sand
as they explored the beach
before Peter took these pictures of me against the beach backdrop.
Next we came to Carlisle Beach where this frigate (the national bird) soared overhead
even as we discussed politics with our new found English friend who loved a small town in Iowa.
After a few shots of the beach
we settled in until this boat pulled in
and began to attract the locals in what appeared to be a forced march (with little emotion) and gave a theme (one of many) to our trip as we were forced to devise increasingly creative stories about the ships activities
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even as we marched down the beach
admiring the sailboats
as Peter showed the wind up car he had found
and we headed to this building
where the drink menu was impressive
and in our enthusiasm
we forgot to ask Monique how much the drinks cost
but our shock at the $17 price was turned into access to comfortable chairs from which we could eat our sandwiches
and enjoy the view
as little children
and Seva
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enjoyed the water
at this all inclusive resort that allowed families
as I took self portraits
and then captured Seva and Peter coming back from their swim
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before we returned to the car which was parked by a tree that the local children told us grew calabash fruit (but not casaba melon because melons don't grow on trees).
Next we headed to Shirley Heights
where we heard the music
and watched the crowds as the sun set
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before recording the music scene
and the sales person and deciding to head back to town.
Once back at our place, we admired the sugar apples we had purchased
along with small bananas and tomatoes
and the famous black pineapple. Unfortunately the situation of their purchase was too unusual for me to capture photos so this will be left to the imagination.
With the basic ingredients
drinks were mixed
sugar apples were ignored
pineapple was cut
and the nuts were ready
to go with the pineapple
that garnished our drinks
before we headed to the Coconut Grove
where we took the obligatory phone booth picture
studied the menu
and then gathered at the table where Suzanne
sat before a view that couldn't be captured
as bread was served
along with Caesar salad
onion soup
a pasta dish for me
various fishes for Suzanne
sword fish for Peter
and shrimp for Seva
as the moon was visible (only to keep growing day by day)
and we were able to record the rules of Antigua Village on our way back home.
Monday we awoke and admired our local tree
when we saw our favorite catamaran come into the shore below
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before we headed into town and took an obligatory phone booth picture
before seeing our favorite catamaran (as the stories grew)
and the cruise ship that had docked for the day
and capturing signs of the town including Natures Eyes,
Mama Lolly's where we would return for lunch,
and the Australian Ice Cream place.
At Mama Lolly's we were happy to see their vegetarian signs and menu
before we proceeded to RastaPasta
and the Corner
and once we found the Kramers, we returned to Mama Lolly's to admire the art work
as we met Mama Lolly
and took pictures of her foods
even as our plates were being assembled
which amused Peter
Suzanne
Seva
and me
as the sandwiches came
along with the smoothie drinks
and after a journey to the ScotiaBank
and a quick stop at a sidewalk stand
where the owner posed with Suzanne after her purchase
we drove on by the Public Market
got gas
as we noted the sign for Obama
and made our way to this beach at Coco's Resort (adjacent to Ffryes Point)
where this gentleman powed with Peter after selling us chairs
and this gentleman came by promising various forms of healing which I eventually embraced
as Suzanne and Seva came back from their swim.
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to find that beyond admiring the sea where Peter was returning,
I was also having my leg treated with strange and odd smelling chemicals
even as this gentleman tried to sell me on the idea of paragliding
and Peter slowly made his way back
to observe that despite the treatment, my treated leg seemed to attract flies
while my untreated leg (I did manage to eventually escape from the treatment) did not.
All of this amused Suzanne as she marched back from the water
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and noted that I had completed my book
as our favorite catamaran came in
as Seva and Peter tested the waters (and escaped the grip of the catamaran)
before we headed to Turner's Beach
where a boat in the distance
appeared as we read the prayer for the old (which, I suppose begins to include us)
and the Turner's menu
before watching the sun
and settling on the beach with our drinks
only to see the catamaran arrive once
as we swam
and avoided its grip
even as the sun began to set
so that Peter and Seva settled in at the restaurant
and we recorded the sun going down
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before bringing out the insect repellent
so that Suzanne
Peter
Seva
and I could prepare for dinner
and have our drinks
as the cat came back
and placemats
and coasters
were out but didn't disguise our gear spread about
as the condiments were served
and the coke
raised Peter's spirits
as my vegetable curry
Peter and Seva's burgers
and Suzanne's lobster salad were served
before the moon rose
and we headed home later to enjoy a Wadadli, the local beer and the name given to our favorite catamaran
and some papaya.
On Tuesday we decided to locate near home at Dickinson Bay but first Suzanne inspected the towels on the line (in one of the few nights when rain didn't make them wetter)
and then we walked past this lovely sign
to record some concessions on the beach
and this touching marker on a palm tree about a couple who met, had their first date, were engaged and were married all at the Coconut Grove at this spot.
With this warm feeling, we walked back home and joined Seva
and Peter on the patio
as I took this self portrait
and Seva passed judgment on our sea glass
before we noticed the bird in the tree
and we decided to go looking for fresh bread at a bakery which had become Chef's World and didn't meet our needs
though at Rituals
we observed the menu
and Peter ordered
as Seva and Suzanne sat
until he returned
with his drink
and then we made our way home for my breakfast
before heading to the beach where this woman sold us our beach chairs and shade
as we admired the beach
and the woman reading her book in the water
before Seva and Peter
decided to ask her what she was reading
and Seva brought back the answer (a Jeffrey Deaver book that wasn't so good)
as the fishing boat went by
and I studied my untreated leg
while this gentleman tried to sell me some services
while a paraglider in the distance
and this rock off shore
did little to hide the catamaran that motivated our creative fantasies.
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After the cruise people left, we tried the special rum punch of the day
along with the cheese and bread we had brought
as black birds arrived to visit us (and hope for food).
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As Seva and Peter
visited with Suzanne
and I took this self portrait,
we analyzed the tomatoes we'd brought with us
as the Sandals boat passed
and I made a straight line
to see if I was sober enough to take this picture of the moon
as this coconut
amused Seva and Peter
while Suzanne
and I
wondered about the fate of the people coming to shore in this catamaran
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and noted the few who left
without my coconut
as the ship headed to other ports (or so we think)
and the coconut meat was all removed
when Seva
saw this man cleaning a baracuda down the beach
as yet another book came in
and after another baracuda picture
Seva and Peter posed
before Seva was sent off to form a distraction so that we could identify the place from which our neighbors came (ultimately it was Manchester, England, England, across the Atlantic Sea) and we could head home
where this cat appeared
as we observed the setting sun
but our best efforts could not get the cat
onto the tin roof (which was probably hot and surely contained a cracker).
After a drink
a view of my feet
a glimpse of the sunset
and a pictures of the half moon (which suggested the next day's journey)
we headed to the Bayhouse
were this was our bread
wine
and water
as Peter's soup
Suzanne's salad
and Seva's salad
led to the fish dish
the chicken dish
the meat dish
and the vegetarian dish
as Nico the manager discussed plans for the next day
and Suzanne
Peter
Seva
and I all felt relaxed
and happy to see the decaf
and dessert (one strawberry and 2 coconut) arrive.
On Wednesday we realized that we had spent many days building up to the half moon, so that it was time to go see Half Moon Bay where we posed in front of the beautiful beach
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and then walked around
until Suzanne
and I posed
and then began a trek through the rocks
as Peter attempted to find a passage to the next beach (there are 365 to reach)
as Seva and Suzanne sat
before Peter returned
and we admired where we had come from as we headed back
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and met this couple from Yellow Springs, Ohio
who were nice enough to take this group picture of us
and then Peter took the camera and recorded Suzanne, Seva and me walking down the beach
me testing the water
and my careful attempt to use just enough lotion to get an even tan on my face
before I walked down the beach in the other direction
and back.
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At this point, we realized it was time to get back in the car
because time was passing
and so we drove past the sign honoring the best perform minister
to Harmony House
with a great view down to the sea
and this menu
from which water came first
after which Suzanne
Peter
Seva
and I
had bread
with butter and olive tappenade
salad
with balsamic vinegar
and oil
water
champagne
pasta (which was a bit too oily)
shrimp
and a lobster dish
before we admired their lobsters in the tank
and headed down to the dock where the boat
waited on their beach
and as we observed the half moon
our captain
launched the ship
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through which it was hard to get pictures of the real Green Island until we landed and saw the main lizards under this tree
and then headed to the neighboring beach
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where for that moment the purple sandal was the only sign that life had been there
and so we enjoyed sand
and sea
and explored
finding some nice shells
before Peter returned from his snorkeling adventure
and this gentleman asked where he was
as we admired the views from the island
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and then from the boat (of the island) on the ride back.
On our journey back home, we paused at Long Bay to check out the beach though the ride there was enough to convince us we would not be returning.
Back at home, the blender was fired up
and this mystery picture was taken
before the vegetables were cut
and cooked up
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this wine was opened
and the eggs were made
to go with the wine glasses
and make this delightful dinner at home
as my admiration of my treated leg
was only interrupted by the popsicles that were there to eat.
Thursday was our last full day on the island, so after the towels were set up to dry
we noticed that the catamaran of tales had appeared at our local beach
and drove into town where this protest picket line was assembled in front of Shoul's
and made our way past the directorate of gender affairs
and around the large cruise ships at dock
to Mama Lolly's where I recorded the outsider art
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and then to the cigar store where we got some Cubans
and then began our trek to Hawksbill Bay but got lost along the way with these ducks
and this horse stall unable to help us find our way
but fortunately the map and advice from an English gentleman led us to the beach
with an excellent view of the hawk's bill rock
and Seva and Peter settled in
and we all ate our lunch from Mama Lolly's
before exploring and returning with remarkable sea glass
as Peter brought even more
and Suzanne showed off our wonderful collection of glass
and shells
and still more glass
so that we could enjoy the beach
and record the size of the moon
as Suzanne sat
and Peter swam
before clouds arose
and the surf got bumpy
suggesting that we adjourn to the car to sit out the rain on our windshield
before we headed back past the truck with the ad for women who prefer their men dry
with a stop at the shoppers area
for supplies
that we could serve
with our home made rum punch
by the pool
as we watched out favorite catamaran pass us by
and prepared for dinner with views of the moon.
Dinner was at Le Bistro
where we were impressed by the menu
and its many pages
as bread
and wine (in life sized goblets) arrived
with a cork to admire
along with carrot soup
and onion soup
and pumpkin soup
and boulliabase
and this was the opened onion (French, of course) soup
before our main courses of chicken
fish
and more fish
arrived with their vegetables
and I had my pasta
before the chocolate grand mariner dessert
and the banana dessert
which together with their card ending the meal
so that we could go back and enjoy our cigars and call it a night.
Our last day, it seemed like the only picture to take was of Seva with the ship that had been around us for our whole time on the island (and my finger seems to have stuck on the button)
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but then Suzanne made some purchases from this lady because she couldn't find Ragamuffin
and as drops of rain fell with the power off at home, this short movie characterized what happens at the end of a vacation
and if we had any doubts, the airline food reinforced the message that our time in paradise was over.
When all was said and done, I was very happy to share our events with Claudia Johnson who wrote this wonderful review
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