ANTIGUA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION 🇦🇬 Why This Caribbean Island Stole Our Hearts
Hey guys! What an absolutely incredible day we had in Antigua during their Independence Day celebration! If you've been following our Caribbean adventure, you know we love discovering the authentic side of every destination we visit. But Antigua? This beautiful island completely stole our hearts in ways we never expected.
Arriving in Paradise: First Impressions of Antigua
Good morning from the stunning island of Antigua! Waking up to those Caribbean views never gets old, and today felt extra special knowing we'd arrived during such an important celebration for the locals. With 365 beaches (one for every day of the year!), Antigua promised to be something truly spectacular.
One thing that immediately made our day easier was discovering that all the Eastern Caribbean islands Antigua, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts, and others use the same currency. American dollars work everywhere, and even better, our eSIM cards worked perfectly without needing to top up. These little conveniences make such a difference when you're traveling as a family!
Exploring the Colorful Streets of St. John's
The morning started quietly as we wandered through the beautiful streets of St. John's, Antigua's charming capital. It was clear that everyone had been celebrating late into the night for Independence Day the streets were peaceful, giving us a perfect opportunity to explore at our own pace.
The architecture here is absolutely gorgeous, with those classic Caribbean colors and colonial influences that make every corner photo-worthy. But what really caught our attention was the stunning cathedral with its impressive clock tower.
The Cathedral and an Amazing Discovery
Inside the cathedral, we learned some fascinating history that completely blew our minds. Did you know that the famous hymn "Amazing Grace" has connections to this region? We discovered that the song was written by someone who was involved in the slave trade between Africa and the West Indies, but who eventually converted and realized the evil of what he was doing. The story gave us chills and added such depth to our understanding of the area's complex history.
The cathedral itself is an architectural marvel. All the wood was imported from Texas and chemically treated to prevent termites not a single piece comes from the local area! They even stained all the wood to match perfectly, and the building can seat 2,000 people. The combination of imported wood (earthquake resistant) and local stone (hurricane resistant) shows the incredible thought that went into its construction.
Budget Travel Reality: How We Really Explore
Here's where we get real with you guys and why Growing Up Without Borders shows authentic family travel. When we exited the cruise port, there were tons of people offering tours and taxi rides. While these can be great, even $5 per person adds up quickly for our family of four.
So what did we do? We decided to walk and see where the adventure took us. You might think we're crazy, but this is how we've been able to visit 146 countries by being creative with our budget and embracing the unexpected!
Hitchhiking Adventures and Local Kindness
Well, our walking plan didn't last long! We ended up hitching a ride with a incredibly kind local who offered to help us get around. This is the beauty of authentic travel you meet the most amazing people when you're open to genuine connections.
Our driver had lived in Antigua for years and shared local insights we never would have gotten on a formal tour. The kindness of strangers continues to restore our faith in humanity, and it's one of the reasons we love this style of travel so much.
Independence Day Celebration at the Stadium
Thanks to our helpful local friend, we made it to the main Independence Day celebration at the stadium something we never could have walked to on our own! The atmosphere was absolutely electric, with food stands, live music, and locals celebrating their nation's independence with such pride and joy.
This is exactly what we hope for when we travel to be welcomed into local celebrations and experience destinations the way people who live there do. The stadium was packed with families, and we felt so honored to be included in such an important day for Antigua.
Authentic Local Cuisine Adventures
One of the highlights of any Growing Up Without Borders adventure is trying local food, and Antigua did not disappoint! We followed the crowds to see what the locals were eating, which led us to some incredible discoveries:
Lobster Fritters - Can you believe I'd never tried lobster before? These were absolutely delicious with just the right amount of spice!
Salt Fish - A local specialty that was surprisingly flavorful and perfectly seasoned.
Green Banana Dumplings - Made with green bananas full of iron, these were both healthy and tasty.
Spinach and Eggplant Mix - Even though we're not typically big fish people, we loved trying everything the locals recommended.
The girls were such good sports about trying new foods, and it's experiences like these that make our travels so educational and memorable. Food is such a window into culture, and the warmth of the vendors made every bite even better.
Discovering Antigua's Incredible Beaches
After our cultural immersion, it was time to experience what Antigua is truly famous for those stunning beaches! Here's something amazing we learned: all beaches in Antigua are completely public. Even if a hotel has chairs on the beach, they cannot charge people to use the beach or prevent access. This policy makes the island so much more accessible for families like ours!
The water color was absolutely breathtaking that perfect Caribbean turquoise that looks almost unreal. The temperature was perfect, and the girls could have stayed for hours. Angelique even got a little surprise from a jellyfish, but nothing could dampen our spirits on such a perfect day!
More Hitchhiking and Local Connections
Throughout the day, we continued to rely on the kindness of locals for transportation. Every single person who helped us was incredibly welcoming and proud to share their island with visitors. It's interactions like these that remind us why we choose authentic travel over typical tourist experiences.
These genuine connections are what our girls will remember long after the trip is over. They're learning that the world is full of kind people willing to help, and that some of the best travel experiences come from being open to unexpected adventures.
Evening Celebrations and Reflections
Back on the ship, we discovered a white party happening everyone was supposed to dress in white for the evening's festivities. Of course, we didn't get the memo and showed up in all black! But that's part of the adventure, right?
The evening included amazing desserts (that tiramisu was incredible!), stir-fry stations where you could customize your meal, and more celebration of this special day in Antigua's history.
Why Antigua Captured Our Hearts
What made this day so special wasn't just the beautiful beaches or delicious food it was the warmth of the Antiguan people and their willingness to include us in their Independence Day celebration. From the cathedral guide who shared the Amazing Grace story, to every person who offered us a ride, to the food vendors who welcomed us with smiles, we felt the true spirit of Caribbean hospitality.
This is what Growing Up Without Borders is all about showing that incredible travel experiences don't require huge budgets, just open hearts and willingness to connect with local communities. The girls are getting an education that no classroom could provide, learning about history, culture, and human kindness firsthand.
Continuing Education on the Road
Speaking of education, we want to give a shoutout to Crimson Global Academy, the online school that makes our travels possible. Angelique, Julia, and Chloe can attend classes with teachers and classmates from around the world while we explore incredible destinations like Antigua. Angelique just started their new Da Vinci program with individualized tutors for each subject, and she even placed second in an art competition! It's amazing how technology allows families to combine world-class education with real-world experiences.
Planning Your Own Antigua Adventure
If you're considering visiting Antigua, here are our top tips:
- Currency: US dollars work everywhere
- Beaches: All 365 beaches are public and free to access
- Local Food: Follow the crowds to find the best authentic cuisine
- Transportation: Locals are incredibly helpful, but plan for longer distances between attractions
- Culture: If you're lucky enough to visit during Independence Day or other celebrations, embrace the opportunity to join in!
Our Caribbean adventure continues, and we can't wait to share more incredible destinations with you. Each island has its own personality, and we're loving the opportunity to experience authentic Caribbean culture beyond the typical cruise port experience.
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