Paradise Found!

Four weeks today our ship docked in the glorious island of Antigua.  I had always wanted to go to this island as it is probably most like our honeymoon island of Aruba.  We were not disappointed with what we found in this little slice of the Caribbean Sea!

The port was nothing to write home about as we walked down the dock into Antigua...

We walked along the narrow streets where taxi drivers desperately tried to get us to tour the island with them, but nope... we were on a mission.  Gord, Barb, Hubby and I were looking for the bus station as we planned to take the local transit to Jolly Beach for the day.  Who can resist becoming a local for $1.25/p each way instead of $20+ for a cab!

The bus let us out at the gates of Jolly Harbor and we walked along the resort area road until we came to a pathway that led us to this view...

I believe Paradise has been found and it is located here in Antigua!  On arrival to this most breathtaking of beaches, we rented lawn chairs and set out to wander the soft sand shoreline.  Ahh... bliss!  This was (and remains so far) our most favourite beach ever, except maybe Palm Beach in Aruba which is just as breathtaking (and even more special as it was our first beach as a married couple!).

Turquoise water as far as the eye could see... How can people believe there is no Creator?  Being here just made Hubby and I want to jump for joy!

As we walked along the far left of this amazing beach, we saw these really cool huts in the hillside.

 We couldn't tell if they were condo rentals or what so Hubby and I googled it when we got home and they are hotel rooms in this exclusive 24 room hotel called Cocos Hotel.  They are something like $495/night.  Guess Hubby and I won't be staying there anytime soon but one can only dream!  (Check out their site and you'll know why we're drooling over these little places).

As the afternoon hours ticked by, it was hard leaving this place, but leave we did, with the hopes of one day returning for a week-long stay on this most gorgeous of islands so far.

Our timing was perfect as we left the beach as large dark clouds gave way to sprinkles just as the bus pulled up, ready to take us back to downtown St. John's.  By the time we got back to the port, the sun was once again shining so Hubby and I took the opportunity to have a little fun...

Doesn't my Hubby make a fabulous mermaid?!  Arrrgh!

We got back on our ship, dressed for dinner and enjoyed the entertaining evening on board, all while anticipating our next stop in the morning... Dominica!

Today our ship is back in St. John's and it's another glorious day in Antigua.  Lucky ducks on the Caribbean Princess this week!!