Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2015 / January 2016 | Page 54

TRAVEL

Heart
Caribbean
The

of the

Antigua and Barbuda

I

of Antigua. This is a trip not to
have been fortunate to
be missed as Barbuda is fringed
visit these Islands on
with a most wonderful pink coral
several occasions and you
and the Island is known for its
cannot help being drawn
tranquillity, crystalline waters and
in by the breathtaking
deserted beaches. It is off the
beaches and relaxed way
Island of Barbuda that the late
of life and one of the most
Princess Diana so enjoyed taking
comfortable climates in the
her holidays, for its tranquillity in
world. Antigua is reputed
By Terence
particular I believe.
to have a beach for each
Willey
The Island itself is formed of
day of the year and many
coralline limestone and is 62
to this day still remain
square miles in size, but flatter than
undiscovered.
Antigua. The central feature being the
My favourite location is around
Codrington Lagoon National Park and
Dickenson’s Bay where regular catamaran
such a lagoon supports one of the world’s
trips moor up to take visitors to the
largest colonies of frigate birds. On
neighbouring Island of Barbuda, just
our first visit to Antigua we enjoyed an
twenty-seven miles off the north coast
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excursion there, such a trip should not
be missed. The frigate birds have a wing
span of 8ft and the males are particularly
spectacular during the mating season
when they blow up a scarlet throat sac
the size of a balloon in order to attract a
female mate.
Upon arriving on the shores of Barbuda
by catamaran you are taken by locals in a
long boat with an outboard motor, where
they all enjoy racing each other to reach
the lagoon. Once in the lagoon you are
requested to remain very quiet whilst the
boats weave between reeds and water
rushes, it is sheer bird watchers paradise.
We were able to observe pelicans,
cormorants, oyster catchers, kingfishers,
herons and the most fascinating of all, a