Carnival Valor Adventure Antigua Eco Tour April 2005

Click here for my pictures from the Carnival Splendor Inaugural Cruises July 2-25, 2008

Wed April 5 - Eli's Adventure Antigua Eco Tour
http://www.adventureantigua.com/

There were already a few people on board when the group from the cruise ship was picked up.

Some fortifications

The Captain and "Co-captain" Reef.

We passed Dickenson Bay, a few nice houses, hotels, etc on the way to pick up the last passengers at (pretty sure) the Colonna Sailing Resort Antigua.
http://www.sunsail.com/brochure/club...rescode=caanco

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And here they come!

I think they said that was what was left of an old sugar mill.

Some of our government tax money hard(ly) at work!

The island where Princess Di was once turned down when she tried to stay. Very wealthy, very exclusive - I guess! Very expensive, but also eco-friendly...
http://www.jumbybayresort.com/

These aren't holy men - there are very shallow flats where the little fish like to hang out to avoid being eaten. It is also where stingrays and birds like to feed. Barracuda hang around if any of the small ones wander too far from "safety". There are nesting grounds for turtles on the island, also.

Glad NOT to be on a cruise ship tour.

A private island.

Part of the artificial reef the owner built to help keep the private island, private.

Onto a mangrove swamp.

An egret. Also saw some stingrays swimming around, but too deep to photo.

More flats.

Caught a glimpse of Hell's Gate on the way to Bird Island.

Rush hour (not really)

Our boat wasn't crowded at all - lots of room - here we are arriving at Bird Island.

And we will hike to the top! Although you could, and some did just hang around the boat. Some went swimming and some tried out snorkeling, although not much to see underwater - more just to become familiar with the equipment, if necessary.

Not the best way to go down a ladder, but oh well.

Why you don't walk barefoot here - ouch!

Century Plant

Ditto

Ditto (blooming stalk)

And magically we are on top - focused on getting up there safely instead of snapping photos.

Looking for a bird that decided to hide from us - it never did come out...