I got my power back!!! Two hours ago. After LUIS we had no power for 3 months. After Georges it was one week and a day!
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Your missing some great images at today's update at http://1-by-1.com/AntiguaNews/latest.html
They accompany the Jolly Harbour update and truly show that Antigua is NOT devastated.
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For those of you wondering why reports from the hotels seem discouragingly cautious, let me start by sharing with you an insight from Geoff Pidduck (see below)...... " The problem with resorts is that if guests arrive and have any excuse not to pay their bills then Hotels are oblidged to refund the full fare!! "
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Jolly Harbour survives.
Rumors ran around the island that Jolly Harbour and Club Antigua sustained extensive damage and that the Epicurean Supermarket was trashed. Happily the photos at http://1-by-1.com/AntiguaNews/latest.html , taken 1 week after the eye of hurricane Georges ran over Antigua, clearly refute that.
Jolly Harbour is a development of some 600 condos, a marina and shopping complex and golf course. Although the development suffered a lot of damage to the roofing, most of it was limited to the lifting of roof tiles. I am told by a friend who works there that the interiors are not seriously affected. This is confirmed by Geoff Pidduck, the force behind the Jolly Harbour website. Geoff tells me..... "Jolly Harbour is in operation with owners and guests staying in the villas. There was loss of some roof tiles and shingles but the units are dry because the roofs and the seals are intact. All facilities including the Epicurean Grocery store are operational. The loss of roof tiles in that section of the Shopping Center did cause water damage and is being repaired." Much of the shopping complex was closed when I passed by but the interior of most stores looked untouched by Georges.
There is a rumor that the Jolly Harbour golf course is in bad shape but someone who walked the greens 4 days ago tells me that it's OK. Courses in the Caribbean are almost never manicured because of dry weather and salt water. Trees are still up and the club house simply lost some roofing tiles like the rest of the complex. Geoff advises..... "The Marina, Golf Club, Sports Center and most restaurants are open for business."
There's no doubt that the marina looks great, (as the photo taken the first Sunday after the storm clearly shows). For some obscure reason they made me the Vice Commodore of the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club for a couple of years and I must declare a favoritism for this self contained Caribbean water world and am very pleased that damage appears so light. There is a regatta there on October 10th and I shall be helping, (or otherwise), my old friend Colin Jones by crewing on his classic sloop TORRIDGE.
I was unable to take a meaningful shot of the roof damage, but work was in progress to minimize the problem.
For a closer look at Jolly Harbour visit Geoff's site http://www.jollyharbour.ag
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Club Antigua
Unfortunately reports about the main Club Antigua Complex are mixed and I am told that their gardens, like mine, are really messed up. Landscaping damage looks terrible at first glance but debris is quite quickly cleared away to leave room for new growth. Club Antigua is a huge complex with a beautiful beach on the idyllic leeward of the island where sands are golden and the water is a perfect shade of turquoise. It is an all in resort and as such I couldn't wander in to take photos. Official reports state that damage is minimal (mainly water damage) but they plan to be closed until 21 November, 1998. Martie Stevenson <msteven@hankins.com> tells me..... "I've had a couple of e-mails from Iiona McCauly from Club Antigua and also talked with the Club via phone. They say they plan to be open by October 21st - not Nov. 21st. Hope so - 'cause we are to be there on the 7th of November for the 14th time!" I guess she likes it there huh?
Geoff Pidduck offers an even earlier opening date... "Club Antigua, Antigua's larget resort will reopen October 17th. They suffered minor damage."
I prefer Jolly Harbour and if I was booked into Club Antigua and were offered a transfer to Jolly Harbour I would Accept the offer.
News from Barbuda
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Tue, 29 Sep 1998 16:41:56 +0100
Bruno Fabiano of Palmetto Beach Hotel Barbuda <guffanti@comm2000.it> kindly provided info our sister island. They say that there was more wind than rain and that the island faired pretty well... "the island is still there with his beautiful people,beaches and hotels." People are already involved with generally light in repairs in order to ensure the usual welcome for Guests. Phones are still down but the outlook is hopeful that they will be repaired shortly. Flights are on schedule since the day after George. "The only help we need is Guests booking as usual, since we will welcome them as usual with a nice stay and relaxing in our lovable compound."
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Autumn in Antigua
I put up an image of the view from my terrace at Aiton Place looking out across Hodges Bay a week after the storm. We are right on the Northwest coast and took the full force of the early winds that struck Antigua. (Click for close-up). See what I mean about the brown leaves simulating an autumnal look, but devestated? I don't think so. (The tennis court didn't look too good BEFORE the storm). Those like me that have weathered 4 or 5 hurricanes will instantly take note of the perfectly upright utility pole. You didn't see many of those after LUIS.
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Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 14:01:08 GMT
My old friend Paul Roos <roosp@candw.ag> writes:
"Dear Nick; Thank you for the opportunity to let everyone know about our operations, "Jolly Dive" and "Kokomo Cat Cruises Ltd.
We sustained basically no damage to our operation. We are now sailing an abbreviated schedule since some of the major hotels are closing for repairs. However, Jolly Harbour is up and running with power and water and also minimal damage. We are sailing our "Circumnavigation Cruise" on Thursdays, Our "Bird Island Cruise" on Wednesdays, and our "Triple Destination Cruise" on Sundays. We have been in contact with Shirley Heights as to our Sunday cruise and they are up and running as of last Sunday the 27th of September. Of course if there are any groups that wish to sail on another day we are most happy to accommodate. We can be contacted through our web site : http://www.kokomocat.com or our direct email : mary@kokomocat.com or direct phone : 268-462-7245 (That's 462-SAIL) or direct fax : 268-462-8305.
Jolly Dive We sustained virtually no damage to this operation either. We are diving 6 days a week,excluding Sunday, divers permitting, with emphasis on our two tank morning dives and our "Discover Scuba Course" ( a one day beginners course.) We will be offering a complimentary pool demonstration here in Jolly Harbour at the BBR Sports Club, schedule to vary weekly according to guest's interest. Since Club Antigua is closed for approximately one month we will be doing all our booking through our Jolly Harbour office next to the "Epicurean Super Market" ( which by the way is fully stocked and open 9:00 am through 5:30 pm , Monday through Sunday) We may be contacted through our web site : http://www.kokomocat.com/jollyd.htm or direct email : divemaster@kokomocat.com or direct phone / fax: 268-462-8305
Once again thank you for this opportunity and all the best to you and yours. Sincerely, H. Paul Roos, Managing Director, Kokomo Cat Cruises Ltd. and Ken Thibodeau Owner/Manager, Jolly Dive, and Mary at the office in Jolly Harbour.
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I must apologize to those still waiting for the news of Dickenson Bay that I promised.... I'm swamped. Maybe tomorrow.
