Antigua Bliss » Uncategorized

2010 Hurricane Season

antiguabliss — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:35:20 +0000

Today commences the start of Hurricane Season 2010. Being a windsurfer I am pretty much a weather nut. I have been reading a plethora of information most suggesting it’s going to be an active season. One thing for sure, weather in the Caribbean has been nothing short of weird. Drought conditions prevailed in many spots. Heat indexes in the ABC islands are much higher than I can recall in the past 9 years.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) predicted 14 to 23 named storms, including eight to 14 hurricanes, three to seven of which were likely to be “major” storms, with winds of at least 111 mph. What concerns me are two areas to consider. Haiti is still in a mess. Folks are living in tents at best in some areas. Flooding from heavy rains could be detrimental. The second matter is the BP oil crisis in the gulf. Imagine what would happen if a hurricane did hit this fragile area?

Having lived and traveled to the Caribbean since 87 I have witnessed some serious storms in Antigua. I have lived through one minor hurricane and many tropical storms. It’s still early but it’s food for thought. My one prediction is that the ninth storm, Igor has potential for something to remember. Why, just a feeling. And in closing here is a little saying well known in the Caribbean that always lingers in my head:

‘June too soon, July stand by, August you must, September remember, October all over.’

Just a note of mention, each storm that I can remember that was pretty bad came in Sept. A few to recall include Gilbert and Hugo. They were heavy duty storms in Antigua but went on to be killer hurricanes.

Cheers and be prepared.

Cedar Grove

antiguabliss — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:23:55 +0000

Photo by Marguerite Wynter

I spent several years living in Cedar Grove. The local village is nestled between the upscale communities of Hodges Bay and Crosbies. If you are heading to or from the airport you might miss the village but inside the heart and soul of the Antiguan people is felt in the churches, rum shops and corner stoops. The tennis and ball court is a gathering spot of the kids. There is a shop that used to be called Joe’s where I still buy my Ting or Ribena for Maggie. Up the hill was Miss George’s where I bought bread and listened to local gossip and chat. The corner church had lovely gospel music on Sat. nights. On the side near Miss George’s is Judgement City, a stone stoop where local men gather to chat and gossip and pass judgment on those who have been scorned, who have committed an infraction or who simply need to be set straight by the local brethren. Many a quarrel have been witnessed at Judgement City. Up the hill is a rum shop and restaurant where locals and tourists gather. It is a sleepy village most days. Sadly the still night is woken by the pathetic cries of dogs tied to their 24/7 prisons in tiny yards. Animal welfare is not in the forefront of concerns in much of Antigua. Beyond the village lies the Caribbean blue where many locals still fish and enjoy a sea bath.

Beach Bliss – 365 choices

antiguabliss — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:56:09 +0000

Number 280 of 365 Beaches

Who counted the 365 beaches? I would have loved to have spearheaded that effort and documented such information. Can you imagine? The first beach I saw in Antigua was Jabberwock Jan. 8, 1987 when I was heading from the airport to Dickenson Bay. The color of the sea was like wow. You must know I am from Massachusetts so the waters of Cape Cod and Nantucket are nothing like the Caribbean. The hues of blue, phew. As the week progressed Mom and I saw about 10 of the 365 beaches on Antigua. Each time I return I try to find a new secret spot….I am still counting…what’s your beach bliss? To book your beach bliss click on www.antiguacaribbean.com to see some of my special listings or email me at ann@antiguacaribbean.com

bathing beauties at beach 211 of 365

My favorite beaches in Antigua:

Half Moon Bay for surf

Galley Bay for shelling on the far north secret cove

Darkwood to ” bust a lime”

Dickenson Bay to power walk and people watch

Jabberwock to windsurf or watch the kite boys

Number 145 of 365

Tonys’ Beach Bar

antiguabliss — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:21:03 +0000

Long time friends Tony and Judy run a fun beach bar on Dickenson Bay. I have known Judy since 87 when we first met. She was braiding hair on the beach. When I move to the island I lived in her home. She is a wonderful woman and is hardworking. Tony, the son of famous Calypsonian, Short Shirt now runs the bar. Recently my daughter spent a few days at the beach. There are cabana rentals, jet skis and more. Enjoy a Coconut Crush at the bar. Beach bliss at Tony’s.

Tony's Beach Bar Dickenson Bay

RIP Nina Elizabeth Nilssen

antiguabliss — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:10:51 +0000

In the midst of the horrific tragedy unraveling in Haiti I have just learned of the senseless murder of Nina Elizabeth Nilssen near Pidgeon Beach in the English Harbour area. Just as a country is healing after the horrific murder of Drew Gollan and prior to that a Welsh couple, the nation is facing societal scrutiny as the world learns of yet another murder. Details are not fully clear but Ms. Nilssen was enjoying a bbq on the beach with her family when she walked down to Windward Beach. Police patrols were in the area of Pidgeon Beach but did not walk down the path to Windward. They cannot be everywhere and sadly Ms. Nilssen died alone with her assailant. I cannot speculate nor will that bring back a young life. I pray for her family..I pray for comfort and peace..and I pray for a nation that has a dark cloud looming overhead…

Help for Haiti

antiguabliss — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:25:37 +0000

Help Haiti, that’s all that’s on my mind. I have had a Caribbean connection since 1987. I lived in Antigua, married a West Indian and lived the life in what was sometimes a third world existence. I lived without running water and plumbing. I lived in Grays Farm (Cook’s Hill), one of Antigua’s roughest neighborhoods. I saw the day to day existence of poor people and understood their resilience and determination. Later, I was part of a relief effort for Montserrat after a deadly hurricane. Next I saw the disaster caused by a dormant volcano that came to life. I realize how precious life is and how fragile many areas of the Caribbean are in reality. My family has Haitian connections. I am certain many of you do too. My sister in law married a Haitian. My former gardener is Haitian. Haiti is part of the Caribbean community and during their darkest hour, they need our help.

Lastly a brilliant vivacious lovely young woman, Britney Gengel is missing. I worked in the small town where Britney hails and know her family and the community. Britney along with her professors and fellow students traveled to Haiti from Lynn University to offer relief work. During the earthquake her fellow students were at the pool and escaped. Britney and others were inside Hotel Montana and up to today are missing. The hours tick away and chances of survival are slim. It is pure horror for her family. This is indeed harrowing times for too many.

Please take time to look at the many organizations that need your help. Please during this tragic time consider donating whatever is possible, even 5.00. Anything will help. Together creating positive focus and effort sending out thoughts and prayers of hope and recovery is paramount. I believe in any miracle possible and hope you do too.

The most concise source of support listings can be seen on: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/

Tsunami Alert in Cuba, the DR, Haiti and Bahamas

antiguabliss — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:05:29 +0000

From www.meteo.an

Telefon (+5999) 839-3360 839-3361 Telefax (+5999) 868-3999 869-2699 Website: http://www.meteo.an, E-mail: cur-met@meteo.an
INFORMATION BULLETIN
Date: Tuesday, 12 January 2010 Time: 7:00 P.M.

A SPECIAL INFORMATION BULLETIN ISSUED FOR RADIO AND TELEVISION TRANSMISSION.

This bulletin will be issued by the MDNA & A. when a Tsunami statement is received from the CTWC.

More or less at 22:03 hours local time, the Meteorological Service received an information statement on a strong earthquake that occurred over the Haiti Region.

The data received shows that near 21:53 hours local time there was an earthquake at a depth of 10 kilometers with a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter Scale. The epicenter was near 18.5 degrees North and 72.5 degrees West, This is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Port-au Prince, the capital of Haiti.

According to the Tsunami Warning Center, based on these data there is a possibility of a local tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than hundred kilometers from the eartquake epicenter. Areas further from the epicenter could experience small sea level changes. The Tsunami Warning Center for the Caribbean Sea has issued a watch for a possible tsunami for Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas & Dominican Republic late tonight. Hence no threat is foreseen for the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

from www.meteo.an

Concierge Services on Antigua

antiguabliss — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:54:35 +0000

Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations is proud to offer free Concierge for all valued clients. Services include:

Reservation Service for:

Spa

Restaurants

Tours

Hotels/Accommodations

Vehicles

Provisioning for Villas

Call 800-219-0118 or email ann@antiguacaribbean.com for your Concierge call.

Tea at Admiral's Inn

Chavez and Antigua…

antiguabliss — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:06:27 +0000

I live 50 miles from the nation of Venezuela. I have not personally been to the country but would love to see Los Roques someday. The countryside looks amazing. Someday…
Overall it is my observation, Venezuelans in Bonaire do not love Chavez. Many came to the ABC islands for a better life. Many of my contacts vote against Chavez. Personally I cannot comment too much but I have seen him on TV. This man can talk for hours. Everyone wears red in his presence. He is clearly an egomaniac. What about Chavez Time. The man could not even get it straight when he announced the new time zone created for his country. He had his IT people scrambling trying to switch over the country…

Yes in the US Joe Kennedy has a relationship with Chavez and bought oil cheap to sell to the poor. I realize Chavez’s presence extends into many US sectors…but..

What about Antigua? The Stanford fiasco has devastated many on island. It is in a vulnerable position and having a bale out by Chavez, well is it the best choice? Why isn’t the US assisting or are we? Yes, we have poverty and our economic situation is in dire straits but letting Chavez bale out Antigua? Hmmm..food for thought. Take a read…educate me please..inform me..I plead ignorance.

http://devilsexcrement.com/2009/08/16/the-curious-case-of-chavez-giving-antigua-us-50-million-in-aid/#comment-2049

Where is Allen Stanford? Who is Allen Stanford

antiguabliss — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:13:58 +0000

About 15 years ago I started hearing the name Allen Stanford cropping up all over the island. From what I could garner from the talk was he was a gazillionaire Texan making his mark on the island. He was in banking, real estate and investment. Later he went on to build up massive real estate on islands completely ravamping the airport building two restaurants, his bank of course and a gorgeous cricket field. He became a citizen of the island and was knighted. He had a newspaper and later this year became a cricket promoter causing an uproar in the sporting community. The purse prize for the 20/20 games was beyond belief. Oh by the way, he has property in St. Croix where he spends a lot of time. I am summarizing a rather lengthy 20 year relationship with the island but it came to a head in the last few days. Sir Allen is in deep doo doo. Some say he is a scam artist. Others say he has done nothing wrong. He is being investigated by the US government. Investors in banks related to Stanford have their accounts frozen. Even the once famous Red Sox now Yankee ball player Johnny Damon is feeling the wrath of Stanford. Poor Johnny allegedly could not pay his personal trainer this week. Meanwhile locals in Antigua stood in lines at the bank for up to 8 hours pulling out their money. Simliar bank runs occured in Venezuela and reportedly in Columbia. Where is Sir Allen? Some say in Virginia. Who is he?? He is an enigma and it’s all catching up to him now……whatever it all really is.