ANTIGUA

The runway at Antigua from Wind Chimes Inn

We set off early under clear blue skies, down the mountain from Rosehall to Kingstown and St. Vincent airport. This tiny airport, taking only prop planes, is soon to be replaced by a spanking new airport on the east side of the island. A pity really as Arnos Vale airport has it's charms. For example, the runway ends where the sea begins, so when approaching the runway, incoming planes are, at the last moment, seemingly centimetres from the waves. Also, the runway is right next to the Arnos Vale cricket ground. A first class venue, where one day internationals are played. The new airport, with it's 2.5 km runway is slated to open next year. We went up to see it last Saturday. Let me tell you, given the West Indian attitude to manual labour, combined with the fact that although the area is prepared, apart from a level surface to put the runway on, there is not a single building to be seen, there will be no airport before 2014 at the earliest. A pity as it would do away with the necessity to fly with Liat Air in order to get to St. Vincent.


But, I digress slightly. We arrived in plenty of time to catch our flight to Barbados which of course was late. We just about made it to get the connecting flight to Antigua where we are now spending the night. Knowing we would have an overnight stay I booked us into the nearest B and B to the airport. It's from our room I now write. This is a plane spotters paradise. We have a lovely room, breakfast served at our door on the morrow, and a balcony which overlooks not the sparkling Caribbean, but the runway. Planes come and go and you can't hear the TV if the balcony doors are open but what the hell, The Wind Chimes Inn is clean, comfortable, has cable TV (with BBC America), free internet, and AIR CON!!!!! It's a fiver by taxi to the airport where tomorrow we take an afternoon flight to Montserrat. And anyway I secretly like to watch 'planes take off and land.Especially at night, sitting on the balcony when slightly pissed. So there!

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, 75cl of Absolute Vodka was a mere £6.50 at St. Vincent airport. Bargain! Have to drink it before tomorrow too.

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