It is a simple country, without the arrogance of skyscrapers or the luxury of brand-name hotels; even the roads do not have names. It has endured the baptism of colonialism and witnessed the blood and tears of enslaved people, possessing a heavy yet unyielding history.
Antigua and Barbuda is a simple Eden for the soul.
365 beaches, 365 flavors
Antigua and Barbuda is located in the northern part of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, and the vast majority of the population are descendants of African people. This small island nation is mainly composed of three islands. In addition to the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, from which the country derives its name, there is also an uninhabited islet called Redonda.
Legend has it that Antigua and Barbuda has 365 beaches, each with its own unique flavor and charm. You can visit a different beach every day according to your mood, and you will have surprises and discoveries every day of the year: Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay are best for couples to walk hand in hand, whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears, and strolling between the sea and the sand; Galley Bay on the northwest coast is a paradise for surfing enthusiasts; there is even a famous nude beach at Hawksbill's crescent-shaped beach...
Compared with the snow-white, silk-like beaches of Varadero in Cuba or Cancun in Mexico, the beaches in Antigua and Barbuda are slightly coarser and somewhat grayer in color. However, being slightly less well-known also means avoiding the hustle and bustle of crowds, allowing you to fully enjoy a sense of leisure and quietude snatched from a busy life. Don a beach dress, put on a sun hat, hold a drink, and lean back on a lounge chair; you can smile as you watch the blue sea and sky, and the ebb and flow of the tide.
If it is a bright and sunny afternoon, take a boat out to sea. Don't worry that motion sickness pills might make you sleepy, because the deep blue Caribbean Sea will bring you a truly unique and exciting experience.
One afternoon, we boarded a cruise ship on Antigua and slowly sailed into the deep sea. Gradually, the once warm and gentle sea breeze became piercing, blowing our hair into a mess. As the cruise ship moved forward, it stirred up waves that, under the intense sunlight, looked like crystal-clear pearls scattered into the sky, flashing with dazzling light. Flying fish jumped from the sea from time to time, and flocks of seabirds flew over. In the distance, the sea met the sky, making visitors feel as if they were in a beautiful dream world.
A large wave hit, and the cruise ship was quickly lifted by this sudden, tremendous force, only to drop again like a roller coaster, as if driving over an arched bridge. The tourists on the ship were instantly swaying, and some even felt a sense of weightlessness. Everyone helped each other, and soon laughter filled the air again. The Black sailor, dressed in a floral shirt and shorts, did not panic; he looked at this comedy with a smile, then walked into the small bar in the cabin, mixed a cocktail, walked barefoot to your side, and politely handed it to you.
Deep history in the dawn of joy
I believe that for everyone traveling to Antigua and Barbuda, there are two attractions they will not miss: English Harbour and Devil's Bridge. Because here, you will realize that in addition to the beautiful coastal scenery, Antigua and Barbuda also has a profound history.
English Harbour is located in Nelson's Dockyard National Park. During the heyday of sailing, it was considered a base for the British Royal Navy and served as the headquarters for the Leeward Islands fleet in the late 18th century. The calm bay and intact coral reefs of English Harbour provided a natural barrier for the fleet.
Today, the harbor, which was once filled with warships of the British Empire, has become a paradise for yachts and sailboats. Antigua hosts a Sailing Week every year, attracting sailboats and yachts from all over the world, and English Harbour is the starting point for the races. If you look at English Harbour from a high vantage point, you can witness a breathtaking scene: white yachts and sailboats are dotted among the dreamlike blue water, the shore is lush with greenery, and the mountains stretch continuously in the distance, like a magnificent and verdant painting.
The Nelson's Dockyard, which complemented English Harbour, was once quite prosperous but gradually declined in the 19th century, finally closing completely in 1889. One wonders if this symbolizes the gradual decline of the once all-powerful British Empire. However, the people of Antigua and Barbuda have restored Nelson's Dockyard, making it the only remaining Georgian-era shipyard in the world.
In Antigua and Barbuda, another place that can inspire endless imagination is Devil's Bridge, located in the east of the island. The so-called "Devil's Bridge" is not a bridge built by humans, but a natural arch formed on a patch of gray limestone after years of erosion by seawater. If it happens to be a rare windy day, the waves are whipped up by the roaring wind and lash against the cliffs, sending thousands of layers of spray flying into the air, like countless pearls leaping out of the sea, which is truly spectacular.
Devil's Bridge earned its name because it was a place where enslaved people committed suicide during the colonial era. The famous patriotic writer from Antigua and Barbuda, Sammy Smith, explained the origin of the name Devil's Bridge in detail in his work: "The famous Devil's Bridge is located on the east coast of Antigua. It got its name because a large number of enslaved people, unable to bear the abuse, ran from nearby plantations and leapt into the sea. As more and more people committed suicide, people began to believe that the God of Death must be standing on the bridge. The water under Devil's Bridge is very turbulent, and there is no possibility of survival for those who fall in."
Why did the enslaved people choose Devil's Bridge as the place to end their lives? This is a topic that historians have been studying. In addition to the rapid currents and dangerous waves, there is another reason: there is no land between Devil's Bridge and the west coast of Africa. The enslaved people believed that the surging waves of the Atlantic Ocean would send their tortured bodies back to their beloved homeland.
This reminds one of the famous quote from the novel *Uncle Tom's Cabin*: "Even the lowliest creature has its own indelible dignity and value." Devil's Bridge was the end of the life and suffering for the enslaved, but it was the starting point for their souls to return home.
Finding the true meaning of love in Antigua
As a famous tourist island nation in the Caribbean, many visitors choose to spend the most warm and sweet moments of their lives in Antigua and Barbuda. Many newlyweds from Europe and America choose to honeymoon here, and some couples walk into Antigua's Gothic churches with colorful stained glass to become husband and wife under the solemn and loving voice of a Black priest, making this beautiful little island a witness to the beginning of their happy lives.
Furthermore, the Sandals Luxury Resort located in Dickenson Bay only provides rooms for couples. According to the rules, the hotel only provides rooms for couples or romantic partners over the age of 18, and does not accept single travelers or travelers with children.
Sandals Hotel regards "only serving couples" as its fundamental principle and top priority, which is considered unwavering. Some embassies or companies receiving foreign delegations wanted to book the best accommodation on the island, Sandals Hotel, and pulled every string, even asking the respected Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Spencer, to act as a lobbyist, but they still returned empty-handed. It is this somewhat moving stubbornness and persistence that has led Sandals Luxury Resort to be voted the "World's Leading Honeymoon Resort" for four consecutive years.
I had the honor of enjoying a state banquet at Sandals Hotel, hosted by the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda for distinguished guests from China. Entering the white and elegant main building of the hotel, we walked through a long corridor into the elegant and luxurious hall. Waiters in suits and bow ties moved between the guests of honor, serving Caribbean delicacies one by one. An Antiguan singer presented the classic piece by Andrew Lloyd Webber, "The Color of the Night," to the guests; all of this was truly a beautiful pleasure.
Today, in Antigua and Barbuda, that tragic colonial history has faded away with the wind, and the islanders have inherited the joy and boldness of their African ancestors and the politeness of British gentlemen, quietly guarding this simple Eden.
Antigua's Shirley Heights was a military outpost during the colonial period, named after General Shirley, the Governor of the Leeward Islands at the time. Every Sunday, this former British military outpost turns into a paradise of joy for local residents and tourists. Everyone enjoys barbecue, holds large mugs of beer, and dances to the crisp and cheerful accompaniment of the Caribbean's unique steel drums, enjoying the beauty and comfort of life.