Day 2: Antigua

Today was our first full day in Antigua. This morning, we went to Stingray City. It was so cool! You are able to hold the stingrays and feed them squid. Grant was very loved by the stingrays- he got his first hickey. Dad got scraped by the stingray- he says he was prepared to fight of the sharks due to his bleeding, but I'm not so sure. Lindsay was all freaked out because of the barracuda. Mom loved touching the string rays. She says they feel like a portobello mushroom. I liked the entire experience. It was really cool to see how the stingrays burrow into the sand after they are finished eating.

After Stingray City, we went to Nelson's Dockyard. Nelson's Dockyard was the main port of the British Navy during the American Revolutionary War. Nelson was not was an admiral, but he became famous later on and is now very well known.

We went to Shirley Heights after Nelson's Dockyard. Shirley Heights has beautiful views and a cool steel drum band. However, it was very touristy with a lot of alcohol and a ton or honeymooners.

On our way back to the villa, we got caught in the campaign parade. In Antigua, they have elections every 5 years. The island became independent in 1984, so it is only 30 years old. This parade was insane. Everybody was drinking and partying and yelling and partying and throwing t-shirts and just having so much fun. It was incredible to be a part of- this election is history in the making. My dad was all for it and really into the campaign. He was yelling out the window and all in support. The locals LOVED him. They gave him a t-shirt and a hat and three flags. Our car looked downright ridiculous, but it was fun so it's ok :)

We are doing our best to post pictures, but sometimes the connection is too slow and the words are all we can post. Tomorrow we get the boat and we are sailing to the north end of Antigua so hopefully we'll be able to update you.