Day 1 - Merry Christmas from Antigua

After a wonderful two weeks of celebrating the Holiday season with family and friends, we decided to take a vacation in Antigua to celebrate the last weeks of 2011.  It's been a long and hard 2011 - work, school, and life has really taken its toll.  Jeff and I were looking forward to simply relaxing and just enjoying each other's company without the bother of email, phones, and other professional commitments.

Landing on Christmas day was bittersweet.  We were fortunate to spend time with both Jenn and Jeff's family, but vacation was in desperate need.  Landing in Antigua, we immediately noticed its lush, green, and beautiful landscape.  It is exactly how you would imagine a post card.  A warm, balmy 81 degrees, we immediately made our way to the pool. 

While Antigua is a destination for some Americans, it is more frequently visited by the British, who choose the island as a prime vacation spot year to year.  If you love a good beach and a frosty cocktail, Antigua is the place for you.

We are staying on the south western side of Antigua, in English Harbor.  English Harbor is most known for Nelson's Dockyard, which is the only continually working Georgian Shipyard in the world.  It still retains its eighteenth-century charm with original, restored buildings and it also serves as a world-class marina, hosting yachts from around the globe.

Our quaint hotel, The Inn by The Harbor, boasts 34 rooms, all distinct in design, but all holding the beatiful charm of an ocean side bed and breakfast.  The hotel is magnificent, small, and everything you could ask for when wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of Chicago.  This is exactly what the Dr ordered for us!  Our room sits direclty on the beach, two steps from the sand, boasting what will be a beautiful, Carribean sunrise.  We are looking forward to exploring this part of the country.

Tonight we visited Shirley Heights Lookout Restaurant.  Every year they host a reggae band and barbeque on the top of the hill for Christmas.  We arrived around 7pm and enjoyed the local beer, Wadadli, and concoction of Rum and coconut water, before feasting on the HUGE selection of Carribean barbeque.  As you know, we danced to Bob Marley at our wedding, so we were in heaven eating BBQ Chicken dancing to Bob!  It was a night we will never forget.

Tomorrow we plan to take it easy.  We may take the boat over to the Harbor and provide a little more history of the island, so don't miss out!

Till tomorrow.  Wishing all a Happy and Healthy 2012!
Jenn and Jeff
XOXO