Thursday 28th April. Barbuda, Antigua & Barbuda
Barbuda makes up half the name of the country of Antigua and Barbuda, but it is smaller and less known than its partner island. Barbuda is a low limestone island with shallow lagoons, coral reefs and sandy beaches like reef-lined Spanish Point and North Beach. Some beaches have a slight pink hue. Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017, with 95% of the buildings destroyed. All 1600 residents were evacuated to Antigua afterwards but returned to rebuild the only village on the island, Codrington.
The village was founded by two British brothers of that name who brought African slaves to the island. Many were born on the island and “exported” to Antigua. Several rebellions occurred, and secure lockups were built around the island for runaways. Freedom arrived in 1834.
The Caribbean may be known for its pirates but the most elegant and effective pirates at Barbuda are the Magnificent Frigatebirds. These large long-winged fork-tailed birds harass other flying seabirds until they regurgitate recently caught fish. The frigatebirds then snatch a free meal in an act of ‘aerial piracy’. The nesting colony in the Magnificent Frigate Sanctuary at Codrington Lagoon boastst the largest nesting colony (with an estimated 2500 birds) in the western hemisphere .These magnificent birds travel between the Caribbean and the Galapagos islands during the varying mating seasons. In the mating season males will inflate red balloon-like throat pouches to attract females.
.A mini bus ride to the lagoon, then on a boat for about 30 minutes to see thousands of nesting frigate birds. The 4 participating boats had a joint talk there by a local expert. A brief stop at the 17th century Martello tower on the way back The island had suffered a devasting hurricane
Click on any thumbnail photo and get a larger photo
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