Antigua, Shirley Heights and NELSON'S DOCKYARD

St. John’s is the capital city of the nation of Antigua and Barbuda, a country located in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. Dockyard Map. The First People, TOOLS & BOATS - The harbor’s history started about 500 BC when Archaic Indians settled in the harbor living on marine resources. Later, around 500 AD, the Arawak indians actually lived where the Dockyard is today and at Freeman's Bay near the entrance to the harbor. Their artifacts are shown in the Museum. Shirley Heights Lookout was basically a signal station to give advanced warning of attack. Built in 1780 high on the hills surrounding English Harbor to provide defense for Nelson’s Dockyard during the Napoleonic wars. Our Tour Guide was most informative about his hometown. As he drove us to and from the Dockyards we learned a lot. For instance the sheep and goats that freely range the streets and roads, the Roosters and the information about Cock Fighting, down to the uniformed school children and the many religions on this island. According to our Driver the sugar cane has almost disappeared and farming has shifted to fruit, vegetables, cotton and livestock. We passed many remnants of these former factories. Lots of good pictures here! The buildings were the most colorful. There was one very small house that the driver told us a 98-year-old man lived in and yearly he painted his small house different colors. He also said that when the Hurricanes would be a threat this old man’s children would get him out of the house to “weather” the storm in their lovely homes. The Driver reported that during all the bad weather this old mans house NEVER suffered any damage. The Driver chuckled and said.” My friends, it has to be the amounts of built up paint that saves his house.” Just east of St. John's is the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, a multi-use stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, that is currently under construction. When completed in 2007, it will be used mostly for cricket matches, and will host matches during the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards (born St John's, Antigua on 7 March 1952), better known by his second name, Vivian or, more popularly, simply as Viv is a former West Indian cricketer. Richards was an extremely attacking right-hand batsman, a good fielder, an occasional spin bowler, and a successful captain. His impressive style of play, and relaxed but determined demeanor made him a great crowd favorite.