Sunset over Montserrat

Montserrat has a still-active volcano.  We would love to go there one day!

Sunset, Day 18 (Antigua)

After a wonderful day on Antigua, we had an equally good evening, launched by a beautiful sunset over Antigua, and then a second sunset at sea after we'd sailed.

Pre-dinner cocktails in Skywalkers

Tonight's special appetizer (in addition to the always available cheeses, crudités and dips, fancy olives, and twisted breadsticks) was a sushi bar. I love the spicy seaweed and caviar topped sushi.









The view as we sailed from St. Johns harbor, Antigua

Street scene- St. Johns, Antigua

I wasn't kidding. This really is a different way of life. I think we were shocked the first time we saw it, but now it doesn't even phase us. A smile and a question, and the vendor is offering a bit of jerk chicken or a strange fruit- no charge. We like to keep a few local currency coins for use in these instances, but, really, this is one friendly island.

Valley Church (we think)

We decided to bypass the taxis on our return, and walked down the dirt road to the main road to wait for a bus. While we were waiting, I looked across the road and saw this church, which I'm guessing is where the beach got its name. Several taxis stopped and asked if we wanted a ride to the ship, but when we told them we were waiting for a bus, they waved and drove on. Finally, a taxi-looking minivan stopped with several locals already seated on board. The driver said it was a bus. It looked legit, and he said it would be $1.50US per person to go back to St. Johns. Certainly the price was right. It was a 12 passenger van, and we had as many as 14 passengers and one driver at one point. As usual, Caribbean rap music played on a radio, and, shoulder squashed to shoulder, G and I bopped in unison. We were taken to the same bus station, but a back area, not the main area.
We've learned not to try to figure out the economics of island buses. There are sometimes main buses (small) and always minivans that are privately operated along the same routes for the same fares.
Hey, it works for us.