We received a very nice email from Ronald M Sanders, the High Commissioner in London and share this recent press release with you.
In the light of the trail of death and destruction left in the path of hurricane Georges, the recovery being made by the tiny Caribbean island of Antigua is remarkable. Now the storm battered inhabitants must face a new threat.......... posed by the international press.
Killer hurricane Georges was at his strongest (category 4) when he made his first landfall 10 days ago by raging over Antigua before careening through the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba. It was a miracle that only 2 people died in this twin island state when you consider that evacuation is impossible. Now a second miracle is emerging as the people of Antigua, who's national slogan is "the heart of the Caribbean", are set to bounce back in record time. Despite misleading reports to the contrary in Europe and the USA, power and water have been restored to many areas and 90% of the island's prestigious resorts are expected to be clean, polished and fully operational in just a month.
Ronald M. Sanders, High Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda in the United Kingdom writes "Today, I have had to deal with a completely false article in The Travel Weekly in the UK with a headline that declared "Antigua Hardest Hit by Georges" under a photograph of devastation in the Florida Cays." ".........people lean to
the sensational. even if it has to be invented." Commissioner Sanders words came in a letter of commendation to international artist and movie effects veteran Nick Maley who has been attempting to redress this imbalance, by documenting Antigua's exceptional resurrection online via his emergency AntiguaNews website at
http://1-by-1.com/AntiguaNews . Post hurricane Georges photos at the site clearly show that Antigua is far from devastated and constant updates of information about mopping up operations at the island's hotels reassure anxious tourists that their planned vacations are not spoiled.
"We have had thousands of hits in just a few days", says Maley who's movie credits include STAR WARS, SUPERMAN and HIGHLANDER. Unfortunately the press seem to believe that only BAD NEWS makes good news and endeavor to wreck our economy with misleading reports."
"This is the 3rd serious hurricane to affect the island in a decade" says Maley, there have been 5 in all. "Each time precautions get better. People take the warnings more seriously now. Consequently we are well prepared to restore normality in record time and the web site shows that in vivid color".
High Commissioner Sanders applauded Maley's hastily created site, spawned from the wreckage of this monster storm. "I can not help but congratulate you again on the great effort you've made to ensure that people everywhere have an accurate perspective of Antigua and Barbuda after Hurricane Georges." "It is authoritative because you're there and your pictures paint a thousand words! "
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I just came from Royal Antiguan where there is GOOD NEWS and BAD.
Firstly the hotel is OK. The grounds are fixed up, the rooms are in good shape. The bar/pool area looks great and the beach is fine too. The tropical atrium in the lobby is filled with lush looking tropical plants that appear as energized as a cheerleader on Prozak.
Their biggest problem is with the elevators. Royal Antiguan is on 7 floors and the higher you go the better the view out across the Caribbean sea. The elevators are messed up so if exercise is low on your agenda you would do well to reserve a room on a low floor.
Two restaurants are functional. the beach restaurant was struck by lightening but the jaunty angle of the roof (prior to it being fixed) just adds character to the wooden building.
The drive out to the hotel from the airport is a bit daunting. The Roads are fine but the closer you get to the hotel the more remarkable the example of the "Autumn in Antigua" syndrome that I describe previously. There is also a really surreal quality as you come close by Antigua's garbage dump and see where light weight refuse has been carried up into trees and bushes. It looks like Antigua is growing plastic bag trees! Once in the hotel grounds reality is restored.
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Whether Antigua is the right place for you right now is dependent upon your outlook. If you are looking for a "perfect" experience you are likely to be disappointed by post Georges Antigua. If on the other hand you are the kind of person who embraces unique experiences...... come and you will have a good time.
This afternoon I sailed with a tourist from Jolly Harbour who is returning to the UK tomorrow. He felt that his experience here was good, a valuable and unique memory that despite a few difficulties was unlike any other holiday he had ever experienced. He enjoyed it so much that he bought time share here and will be returning every year... for years to come. You must determine for yourself if this is likely to be the right experience for you.
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Ali Harvard from THE INN at English Harbour reports upon their situation as on 1st October.
"Damage - Minimal. Some roofing lost - being replaced now. Beach - none lost and maybe even gained a little! Palm trees fine. Debris has been cleared around the property.
* Power - generator and mains expected any day
* Opening on 25th October, fully operational by then.
P.O Box 187 - St. John's - Antigua - West Indies
Phone No. (268) 460 1014 Fax No. (268) 460 1603
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For those of you that are wondering about Crabb's Marina Rachel Smith <ladysailor@uconect.net> had contacted me about her boat CAMELOT VII' in a trench "on the hard" there.
She advises me that she finally got some information on Crabb's from someone who had been there. Crabbs has suffered over the years as hurricane after hurricane has battered their facility. Apparently the main office was destroyed but the boats are all in good condition and boat lift is operational.
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I asked my close friend "Big" John about Rex Halcyon Cove since his dive operation Dive Antigua is based there. I had previously walked the beach in their direction and noted that the grounds contained a lot of garden debris that was being cleared but that, apart from 4-5 rooms that had major roof damage, the rooms appeared to be fine. The beach is still one of Antigua's finest.
This is his response.
"Hi Nick,
I spoke to the manger at Rex halcyon Cove Resort and was
informed the hotel is scheduled to be open for business on 1st. November, but may be open as soon as 25th. October. The damage was minor compared to Hurricane Luis but the management was of the opinion that being a 1st class resort they owed it to any guest to present it in top condition, thus they decided to take the time to do a complete restoration before opening."
Of Dive Antigua he says:
"Dive Antigua survived in OK condition. No damage to the dive shop but we sustained minor damage to one dive boat and lost another boat. We are planing to be open for business by the 3rd week in October.
As to the reefs we are looking forward to some exploration to observe changes. Reefs have adapted to the ravages of hurricanes over millions of years of evolution and as a matter of fact research has shown that reefs which experience hurricanes fare much better over time in terms of health and biodiversity. As appears increasingly more and more common in ecology, parallels occur, for example forests in which fires have been aggressively controlled, fare much worse in terms of biodiversity, parasites, health and nutrient availability than forests that experience a regularly occurring burn.
Anyway back to the grind, boats to fix, reefs to explore and.....Rum and Pina-Coladas to liberate!
See you on the reef....Big John"
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Now seems a good time for me to catch up with the report I promised about Dickenson Bay.
We have briefly covered Rex Halcyon..... Right next door is Sandals. As I previously stated, I took a look there several days back and apart from some roof damage facing East it looked as if the resort could be open for business tomorrow. The grounds looked impeccable. I'm guessing that they closed because of the inconvenience of having workmen on the roof since this resort prides itself on providing a superior "all in" experience. In the many years that I have been dealing with tourists at my galleries "Island Arts" I have heard no complains of this resort and I am sure that when they open for business, their operation will be in perfect condition. Their part of the Dickenson Bay beach is also perfect.
Next up the beach is Antigua Village. Their grounds look OK though some debris remained to be cleared when I looked around earlier this week. I spoke to a worker there who told me that most rooms are fine though some lost their roofs. They are offering alternative accommodation to tourists booked in to damaged rooms to assure that your vacation will be care free. Unfortunately the South end of Dickenson bay is messed up and it seemed like Antigua village had the worst of it. They had been doing some work moving boulders to create a sea break wall where their property meets the sea. That sea break protected the property but Georges messed up their beach and guests have to walk perhaps 50 yards North to an area where the beach is fine.
Siboney Hotel is a small independent operation built and run by Tony Johnson. It houses probably the nicest restaurant on the beach, "Coconut Grove". Both sit perfectly on the waters edge as if nothing had happened. The hotel is untouched and Tony was sitting in the restaurant (which is functioning as we speak) watching the pelicans fly by as I looked around. Even the pool was in perfect condition and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who is unsure where to stay.
I spoke briefly with the Manageress of Marina Bay. She told me that damage was light there and certainly as I drove by there was little sign of damage beyond lifted roof tiles.
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Runaway Bay faired well this time. In LUIS to was VERY hard hit and much of the beautiful beach was eroded. Georges kindly returned the beach and now the South end by Sandhaven hotel is quite splendid. Damage at Sandhaven was light and this inexpensive hotel is open and a favorite spot for locals who stop by for happy hour and a great sunset.
My friend Tony Sayer at The Runnaway Beach Hotel advises me that his elegant restaurant on the beach is fine and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel was VERY badly damaged in 1995 by LUIS and now operate just 10 rooms. Georges has had no appreciable impact on the operation there. This is an excellent choice for those looking for a quiet place where few tourists vie for a place on the sand. It is one of my favorite beaches.
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Galley Bay & St James
While I was over at Royal Antiguan I talked to Stan Rose. Last time I knew, Stan was Managing Director of Royal, St James, Galley Bay etc. but that company is expanding so fast I'm not sure what his official title is now. He told me that Galley Bay is virtually untouched and that they are open already. Apparently St. James was their hardest hit hotel and it will be closed until repairs are complete. These guys did a great job of repairing their properties after LUIS and I think that should provide confidence to anyone booked into any of their hotels.
I hope to talk to Tony Bowen their Vice President of Operations in a few days for full details.
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my letters may slow down for a day or so since I am now concentrating more on publicizing the site. but rest assured that I will be back with you soon.
