Antigua, Falmouth Harbour – A Historic Hike and a Tourist Trap

HISTORIC HIKE

The humans decided to drag me on another of their ‘hikes’.

This hike was ‘intended’ to be up to the top of the hill, and a battlement, with a nice view over the harbour, but you know right away, nothing is what they ‘intended’ with these guys!

It started out well. We climbed up the hill and got some great views back on the entrance to Falmouth Harbour and our anchorage off of Pigeon Beach.

It was worth the hike up as we got a great view from the Fort at the top.

Then....they convinced me to hike a bit further — Then….they convinced me to hike a bit further

Before long they had me walking clear down the south coast to the next harbour, English Harbour — And then a bit further

Some interesting wild life. How much do you want to bet this confident caterpillar is poisonous? — Past some interesting wild life. How much do you want to bet this confident caterpillar is poisonous?

We also passed some interesting cacti. This one is for you Auntie Helen

Finally we got with in view of English Harbour

The entrance to English Harbour. — The entrance to English Harbour with the anchorage on the right and the docks on the left.

The fort protecting the entrance to English Harbour

The walk did give us some great views of the Historic Harbour including the popular anchorage there

All the harbours in Antigua seem to have lovely beaches

We also got a nice view down to Nelson's dockyard deeper in the harbour — We also got a nice view down to Nelson’s dockyard deeper in the harbour

It was a great hike from historical point to point — It was a great hike from historical point of view.

But I was a little hot and tired by the time we got there

And we still had to walk back!

Thankfully we were anchored off a lovely beach, so there was a cool swim waiting for us when we got back

But not for long………….

We were invited to join some other cruisers for an excursion to the famous Shirley Heights in the evening to watch the sun set over the harbours.

SHIRLEY HEIGHTS

Shirley Heights is the ‘place to be’ on a Sunday night.

And, as you can see, it is a very busy place

Everyone comes for the famous views.

Sunset over the still volcanically active island of Montserrat.

The famous 'photo shot' view of Nelson's Dockyard lit up below — The famous ‘photo shot’ view of Nelson’s Dockyard lit up below

After sunset the crowds stick around for a BBQ

And if you are willing to stick around a live band sings tunes well into the night

All the dancing ‘into the night’ got the human’s into the mood for New Years.

NEW YEARS

The lucky humans got an invite to spend New Year on a boat moored up in English Harbour.

This gave the human’s access to Nelson’s Dockyard New Years party and fireworks.

Unfortunately the human, I usually rely on to do photography for me, was ‘under the weather’ and stayed on the boat with me instead. Good she did, as a couple of ‘badly’ anchored boats around us tried to hit us during the evening festivities.

We were anchored on a shallow shelf off the beach. Only 2.8m, and the other boats did not account for their drafts (depth under the water) and the fact there is a small tide here (only 0.5m usually). It was enough for them to run aground while we were still afloat. When the wind shifted, with the evening thermal differential between land and sea, it was a game of BUMPER BOATS. All you can do is get out there with fenders! No harm was done.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Check out my ‘New Year Page’ for a recap of the last years adventures.