The "Antigua 2019: Meeting Michael - Part I" Story

Tour guide Michael. Click to enlarge images.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting on the Starfish Halcyon Cove beach reading my Kindle when this fellow struck up a conversation.  "Interested in an island tour or maybe a sunset cruise with a lobster dinner?  Or maybe an afternoon fishing trip?"  Yesterday Carol and myself, along with our traveling friends Jere and Just Sue, visited Shirley Heights to listen to the steel drum bands and take in the view of Nelson's Dockyard from the point above it at the end of the harbor, but we were still interested in an island tour and perhaps this fellow may have what we need in a tour guide.  The gentleman we had last evening was a very nice guy, but he seemed to be a bit too shy and we had to ask him just about everything in order to learn about the island of Antigua.  

Entrance to Devil's Bridge National Park

That certainly wasn't the case with this guy standing in front of me.  His shirt told me he was Michael and he gave island tours.    I asked him where he would take us and he said, "Anywhere you want to go!"  As I looked at him I had this sneaky suspicion that he could tell us more about island life than anyone else would.  I told him I would talk to my wife and see him tomorrow.  Tomorrow came and there stood Michael with his bright orange shirt, blue hat that he wore sideways that read "BOSS" and a smile that was contagious.  

Devil's Bridge with water washing under the rock formations.

Carol and I asked about a half day trip and he said he would take us to a few locations and then stop for lunch at a local restaurant before returning us.  We asked about Nelson's Dockyards, the Fig Tree Art shop in the Rainforest, Betty's Hope and Devil's Bridge.  He said he would be glad to take us to those four locations before we had lunch.  His charge for the trip would be $120 a couple.  We gave him a deposit for the trip to be taken the following day.  

A cairn build with stones at Devil's Bridge.

We made arrangements to meet him at the resort bar at 9:00 am and sat down to decide which places we wanted to visit first.  The next morning we met Michael at 9:00 am with hopes  of having a memorable day in Antigua.  And...we certainly did!  First stop was Devil's Bridge, but Michael wasn't real happy about going there.  The place has large rock formations that the sea rushes through, creating large rushes of water and subsequent water splashes.  The place was known as a place where slave owner's took their slaves to drown them when they no longer wanted them.  Also a place where battered slaves would go to commit suicide.  We chose to stop here because of it's majestic water displays as well as it's history.  

Michael, Carol and LDub on Long Bay Beach.

Perhaps we made a bad choice in requesting this stop, but the worst was yet to come.  The road to Devil's Bridge was very rutted with sharp objects sticking up along the road at different places.  After this stop Michael pulled in to Long Bay to show us the beautiful beach at this location.  As we were preparing to get back in his van after this stop I noticed the rear tire was almost flat.  

The flat tire!

Pointed it out to Michael and before he looked at it the tire was totally flat.  "Last time I go to Devil's Bridge!" he said.  He was rather upset so I offered to help him change the tire.  Between he and I we managed to get his spare from under his van and on to the wheel that held the flat.  We next stopped at a garage so he could purchase a new tire since the other tire had a bad slice in it from the poor roads at Devil's Bridge.  

LDub relaxing after a tire change. I'm
drinking a grapefruit soda called Ting.

A stop that we had not requested, but one which gave us a chance to meet some of the locals and talk with them about the island.  A very interesting stop with a chance to drink a cool beverage.  With everyone back in the van, Michael headed to our next location; Betty's Hope which is a historical sugar plantation.  As we approached the sign to the plantation, it read "Sorry, We're Closed".  It is the slow season on the island of Antigua, thus the closure of one of out stops.  Since it was close to noon, Michael decided to stop at the restaurant he had planned to take us for lunch.  Place called "Road House" which had some of the best island food we experienced during out trip to Antigua.  After our meal we headed to our next stop, Nelson's Dock Yard. Follow along tomorrow as I take you with us to one of the most interesting spots on the island of Antigua.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy

The Road House Restaurant

Our table was waiting for us!

Out the rear window we saw these unusual ducks.

Another view of the local restaurant. 

My meal.  Sorry I ate most of it before I snapped the photograph.  It was so good that I
forgot the photo.  Consisted of fish, salad, rice & beans, Mac & cheese and ice cream.
Also had a coke to drink.