Day 5 ~ Antigua, British Virgin Islands

Happy St. Patricks Day from the Virgin Islands!

Antigua ("An-tee-ga") was amazing! Today we walked around St. John and then took a taxi to Indian Town Point to see Devil's Bridge. From there we drove through Stanford International Bank (Tommy is a financial news guru) and ended up at Fort James Bay Beach for more sun and sitting!

The goats roam free. Tommy laughed at how excited I got to see Donkeys and Goats. He told me that I would go crazy at Yellowstone! Yellowstone is on my list ~ I know I would like it!

And a donkey. Does he not looked thrilled to pose for a picture?

Devil's Bridge is at the North Eastern end of Antigua.

Devil's Bridge is now a national park. It is a great example of sea-water erosion. It is a natural arch carved by the sea from soft and hard limestone ledges . A bridge was created when a soft part of the limestone eroded away by action of Atlantic breakers over centuries.

Devil's Bridge received its name because a lot of slaves from the neighboring estates use to go there and throw themselves overboard. That was an area of mass suicide. waters around Devil's Bridge is always rough and anyone fall over the bridge never come out alive.

Me on the ledge... being very careful not to fall in! We know what happens to the those that fall in...

Tommy is responsible for finding this beautiful spot. He did his homework and really wanted to see it. In my mind I was picturing the Golden Gate Bridge. Literally, a bridge. But was pleasantly surprised to find such a unique spot. I wish that we would have packed a lunch and sat for a while.... but... we had the beach to get to! (And were full from our 14 course breakfast of champions!)

Picking a rock. Tommy took a piece of rock or shell from every spot we visited. He'll have some great pieces to add to his collection.

I'm coming back here someday. It's called Dying Bay. Isn't the water amazing?

The Stanford International Bank Headquarters were landscaped over-the-top. Who knows what will happen know that, "Washington, D.C., Feb. 17, 2009 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Robert Allen Stanford and three of his companies for orchestrating a fraudulent, multi-billion dollar investment scheme centering on an $8 billion CD program." 8 BILLION dollars! Seriously????

These hand made flip dolls were purchased by a sweet lady at an Antiguan craft market. One side of the doll is the, "single girl" with no earrings and bright patterned fabric. The flip side is the, "married woman" with earrings and traditional dress fabric. I had to buy one for my special princesses, Brittnee, Taylor, Mira and Annah. They can add her to the Rwandan dolls!

More of Stanford.

And today's beach was Fort James. Again, we were so blessed to have most of the beach to ourselves!

After the beach we took a taxi to St. John's Cathedral.

"St. John the Divine Cathedral (or St. John's Cathedral) was built in 1681. It has seen hard times, however – this is actually the third incarnation of the church. It just can't seem to survive the region's destructive earthquakes – one in 1745 brought whole structure toppling to the ground, while another in 1843 left the Cathedral of St. John the Divine reeling yet again.
The current church – reconfigured in a neo-Baroque style has stood since 1845 however, and shows no sign of giving into nature a third time. The interior of St John's Cathedral has completely encased in a variety of substances (most prevalently pitch pine) to ensure that the cathedral remains upright. The imposing white towers overlook the country's turquoise waters, a stark contrast between the nation's colonial history and its current fame as, one of the party capitals of the world."

The houses are, for the most part, pretty run down. It is a stark contrast to the Stanford property. Such wealth next to such simplicity.

Hey! I can do that with a bunch of bananas! I did it Rwanda!

On the helicopter pad of the ship. I'm getting a little bronzed. Tommy, thanks to his 95 SPF sunscreen is only slightly sun kissed.

I could get used to this!

The beginning of a sunset....

Headed to dinner...

And after dinner, Gordon gave the guys a lesson on how to play pool. This guy is amazing. And the next time he has a Vegas tournament, I'm there! I grew up with a pool table and despite my brothers and dad's tutelage, I can't play to save my life!

Uh oh. Karaoke in the Schooner bar. The girls and I signed up to sing, Love Shack. And when our name was called, they chickened out! I wanted to sing since Simon from American Idol always says, "You sound like a singer from a cruise ship!!!!!"

"Love Shack, Baby, Love Shack!" Singing Karaoke in a room full of people that you will never see again is the way to go.

What a full and memorable day!

Tomorrow: St. Lucia!