Antigua and Barbuda is a simple Garden of Eden.
365 beaches, 365 flavors
Antigua and Barbuda is located in the northern part of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. This small island country is mainly composed of three islands, besides antigua island and barbuda island, there is also an uninhabited island reef named Redonda.
It is said that there are 365 beaches in Antigua and Barbuda, and each beach has its own unique taste and charm. You can go to a beach every day according to your mood, and there will be surprises and discoveries every day of the year: Dixon Beach and Xiaoyao Bay are the best places for couples to hold hands, whisper in their ears and walk between the beach and the sea; Located on the northwest coast, Gare Bay is a paradise for surfers. Haux's Crescent Beach even has a famous nude beach.
Compared with the white beaches in Valadero, Cuba and Cancun, Mexico, the beaches in Anba are still slightly rough and the colors are somewhat gloomy. However, the popularity is slightly inferior, but it also lacks the noise of tourists and can fully enjoy the comfort and tranquility of that busy time. Put on a beach skirt, put on a sun hat, take a drink and lean back on the sofa. You can also laugh at the blue sea and blue sky and laugh at the ebb and flow of the tide.
If it is a sunny afternoon, let's go out to sea by boat. Don't worry that seasickness medicine may make you sleepy, because the blue Caribbean will bring you a unique exciting experience.
One afternoon, we boarded a cruise ship in antigua island and sailed slowly to the deep sea. Gradually, the sea breeze that was warm and docile just now became chilly, making people's hair messy. Cruise ships constantly stir up waves in the course of sailing, and under the strong sunlight, they are like sparkling pearls sprinkled into the sky, flashing dazzling light. From time to time, flying fish jump on the sea, seabirds fly in groups, and the sea and sky meet in the distance, making tourists feel like they are in a beautiful dream world.
A big wave came, and the cruise ship was quickly lifted up by this sudden great force, falling like a roller coaster and passing through an arch bridge. The tourists on board suddenly wobbled, and some even felt weightless. Everyone quickly helped each other and suddenly laughed. Black sailors in flowered shirts and shorts were not alarmed. He smiled at this intimate comedy, then walked into the small bar in the cabin, mixed a cocktail, walked barefoot to your side and handed it to you politely.
Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Commonwealth, and the vast majority of the population is of African black descent. The islanders inherited the happiness and generosity of African ancestors and the courtesy of British gentlemen, and quietly waited for this simple Eden.
Antigua? Shirley. Highland is the seat of the colonial seaport, named after the Governor General Shirley of leeward islands. Every Sunday, this former British post station becomes a happy paradise for local residents and tourists. Everyone is enjoying the barbecue, holding a large glass of beer, singing and dancing with the crisp and cheerful accompaniment of the unique steel drums in the Caribbean, enjoying the beauty and comfort of life.
The profound history in the happy dawn
I believe that all visitors to Anba will not miss two scenic spots, namely the British Harbour and Ghost Bridge. Because here, you will realize that besides the beautiful seaside scenery, Anba has a profound history.
The British port is located in Nelson Shipyard National Park. In the heyday of navigation, it was regarded as a base of the British navy and became the headquarters of the leeward islands Fleet in the late18th century. The calm bays and intact coral reefs in the British harbor can provide a natural barrier for the fleet.
Today, this harbor, once full of British imperial warships, has become a paradise for yachts and sailboats. Sailing Festival is held in antigua island every year. Sailing boats and yachts from all over the world gather here, and the British port is the origin of the competition. If you overlook the British harbour from high altitude, you can witness a fascinating scene: white yachts and sailboats are dotted on the blue dreamy sea, the shore is shaded by green trees, and the mountains in the distance are endless, just like a magnificent green picture.
Nelson Shipyard, which matched the British port, once reached its peak, but gradually declined in the19th century, and finally closed completely in 1889. I wonder if this symbolizes that the once powerful British Empire has gradually declined. However, the people of Anba have restored Nelson Shipyard, making it the only Georgian shipyard in the world.
In Antigua, there is also a ghost bridge in the east of the island that can bring infinite reverie.
So-called? Ghost bridge? It is not a man-made bridge, but a natural arch formed on gray limestone after years of seawater erosion, just like an arch bridge. If it is a rare windy day, the waves are rolled up and slapped on the cliff by the strong wind, flying thousands of waves at a time, like countless pearls crossing the sea, which is very magnificent.
Is there really a ghost on the ghost bridge?
When you step on the ghost bridge with one foot, you will suddenly have a chilling feeling. A big wave came and patted the rocks not far away. The cold spray splashed head-on, which made people shudder. The roar of the waves is endless, and people are frightened and have to retreat angrily.
The locals in antigua island don't run to the Ghost Bridge like tourists, not because the devil's eyes are staring at them, but because the cold sea breeze makes people dizzy, the roar of the waves makes people feel palpitation, and the rocks are slippery, which is very prone to danger. Plop? With a cry, it is impossible for a fresh life to survive.
Ghost Bridge is named after the place where slaves committed suicide during the colonial period. Sammy, the famous patriotic writer of Anba? Smith explained the origin of the name Ghost Bridge in detail in his book:? The famous Ghost Bridge, located on the east coast of antigua island, was named after a large number of abused slaves came here from nearby plantations and jumped into the sea. With more and more suicides, people began to think that death must be standing on the bridge. The sea under the ghost bridge is very fast, so there is no possibility of survival for those who fall. ?
Why did slaves choose ghost bridge as the place to end their lives? This is also a topic that historians have been studying. In addition to the danger of water and waves, there is another reason, that is, there is no land between Ghost Bridge and the west coast of Africa. The slaves believed that the rough waves of the Atlantic would send their tortured bodies back to their haunted homes.
This reminds people of the famous sentence in the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin:? Even the meanest creature has his indelible dignity and value. ? Ghost bridge is the end of life and suffering of black slaves, but it is the starting point for their souls to return to their hometown.
Experience a simple and warm state banquet.
As a famous tourist island in the Caribbean, many tourists choose to spend the warmest and sweetest moment in their lives in Anbar. Many newlyweds from Europe and America choose to spend their honeymoon here. Some couples walked into the stained glass Gothic church in Antigua and got married in the solemn and loving voice of the black priest, making this beautiful island a witness to the beginning of their happy life.
Not only that, the Saunders Luxury Resort in Dixon Bay only offers couples rooms. According to the regulations, the hotel only provides rooms for couples or couples over 18, and does not accept single tourists and tourists with children.
Will the Saunders Hotel? Only for couples? As the foundation and first principle of opening a shop, it can be said to be firm. Some embassies or companies receive foreign delegations, hoping to book the Saunders Hotel with the best conditions on the island and try their best. They even invited Spencer, the Premier of Anbar Province, as a lobbyist, and finally they had to leave angrily. It is this touching persistence and persistence that makes Saunders Luxury Resort Hotel win the award for four years in a row? The world's top honeymoon resort hotel. .
However, renting a hotel banquet hall by the government is another matter. I was lucky enough to attend the state banquet at Saunders Hotel. It was the Governor of Anbar Province who received the distinguished guests from China. Enter the white and elegant main building of the hotel and enter the elegant and luxurious hall through a long corridor.
Through the promenade of Saunders Hotel with Romanesque dome, you will enter the elegant and luxurious hall. This banquet hall is decorated in European style, with an exquisite podium at the end, a long table covered with a white tablecloth next to it, and a wrought iron table board with the names of the governor's wife and guests written in Chinese and English.
There are more than a dozen round tables in front of the long table, also covered with white and clean tablecloths, with flowers in the center of the table. I was arranged to sit at a table with several officials of Anbar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I sat in my seat and looked around, and found that all the men who came to the party were wearing suits and ties, and all the ladies were wearing exquisite clothes. Soon, Amba's diplomats arrived one after another, nodding to me very politely, and some even handed me business cards. The atmosphere is harmonious and cordial.
About five minutes later, the elegant female governor entered the banquet hall with China guests, and everyone stood up to welcome her. After the governor gave a welcome speech, an elegant waiter in a white shirt, vest and bow tie came in with a plate.
In fact, Anba's state banquet is very simple, with only three courses: the first course, the main course and the dessert. The first course is lettuce, which is commonly used in western food. It's brittle, but it will come out when you cut it with a knife. Bang, bang? The sound of knocking on the plate. For lettuce, many people may disagree, but what we don't know is that in an island country like Anba, there are many tropical fruits, but the varieties of vegetables are very limited. Most vegetables on the market are imported and expensive. For us, lobster seafood is delicious, but for islanders, what is really precious is vegetables.
There are two choices for the main course, one is grilled fish, and the other is steak. Steak is only the size of the palm of your hand, but it is very thick, and it is delicious with the sweet and spicy sauce of local specialties. After the main course, the waiter brought dessert ice cream, which naturally eased the greasy nature of fish and meat.
It turns out that even the unattainable state banquet can be made so simple and intimate, just like ordinary people's home cooking, but it makes the guests forget their restraint and feel at home. In order to show respect for the guests, the Anbar government also attaches great importance to the details outside the meal, not only creating an atmosphere with colorful flowers and wonderful music, but also inviting famous local singers to present the British musical master Andrew? Weber's famous song "Chapter of the Night" pushed the atmosphere of the banquet to a climax.
In Antigua and Barbuda, the state banquet is only a form of expressing friendship, and there is no extravagance or ostentation at all. Although the first time I tasted the state banquet, I didn't taste the delicacies, but the elegant and warm atmosphere created by the host was equally intoxicating. The thrifty spirit of the three-course state banquet made me come from Yico Zeng? Frugality? The reporter of Lide Oriental Ancient Country has endless aftertaste.