Back
to Exploring Antigua and Barbuda | Photo
Album
Betty's Hope Sugar Plantation
Betty's Hope was the first large sugar plantation on Antigua,
and its success led to the island's rapid development of large-scale
sugar production. Although the only surviving structures are two
stone sugar mills and the remains of the stillhouse, the site's
importance in Antiguan
history has prompted the government to begin developing it
as an open air museum. About a hundred stone windmill towers dot
the Antiguan landscape, and the two restored examples at Betty's
Hope provide a dramatic sense of the way these mills must have
dominated the island during the hundreds of years that sugar production
was the dominant industry. Betty's Hope was built by Sir Christopher
Codrington, who came to Antigua in 1674 from Barbados, and was
named for his daughter.
Indian Town National Park
Indian Town Point, on the eastern extremity of the island, is
thought to have been an Arawak campsite prior to the arrival of
European colonists. Devil's Bridge, a large, natural limestone
arch on the shoreline of Indian Town Point, offers one of the most
spectacular sights on the island. At high tide, the rougher waves
of the Atlantic force enormous geysers of water through boreholes
in the rocks near the bridge. Guided tours of the site are available.
Fort James
Built in the first half of the 18th century, this picturesque
bastion was intended to guard the harbour of St. John's. The walls
remain in excellent condition, and a few of the cannons are still
intact - but the main attraction today is the excellent view of
the surrounding harbour. Nearby is Heritage Quay, which comprises
a hotel, four duty-free shops, restaurants and a casino, all part
of the newest development in downtown St
John's.
Fig Tree Drive
Antigua's most picturesque drive meanders from the low central
plain of the island up into the ancient volcanic hills of the Parish
of Saint Mary in the island's southwest quarter. The none-too-smooth
road passes through an area of lush vegetation and rainforest and
rises to the steep farmlands around Fig Tree Hill (figs are what
Antiguans call bananas) before descending to the coastline again.
Along the way are banana, mango, and coconut groves, as well as
a number of old sugar mills and pleasant little churches.
Although St. John's has long been Antigua's capital city, the
island's historic heart is across the island at English Harbour.
One of the finest natural harbours in the Caribbean, and located
at a highly strategic position, English Harbour was used by Admirals
Nelson, Rodney and Hood as a secure home for the British Navy during
the Napoleonic wars. Today, Nelson's Dockyard forms part of a designated
national park, complete with a museum. shops, hotels, restaurants
and a yacht haven. The park embraces the whole of English Harbour
and Shirley Heights.
Green Castle
Hill
The 'megaliths' that initially drew curious visitors to Green
Castle Hill are almost certainly geologic features, but they are
no less impressive and picturesque for being natural features.
Green Castle Hill also provides an excellent view of the island's
interior, including both the southwestern volcanic mass (of which
it is a part) and the interior plain. (due south of St. John's,
btw. Jennings and Emanuel).
Back
to Exploring Antigua and Barbuda | Photo
Album
|
