I'm sorry that it has been so long since my last update. Now that tourists are back on the island (and the huge Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Line ships have returned), I have realized that while I've been working on AntiguaToday.com I've been neglecting my galleries and the chores have really piled up.
In addition, I've been proving the old adage that "it's an ill wind that blows no good". I've acquired a 28 foot sailing yacht, "Pumpkin" which Georges bounced off a few rocks and tangled up with tree in Seatons. As you might imagine, I got a good deal on it, but I've been fighting the clock to fix it up enough to get it back in the water to coincide with the passing of a marine crane.
Pumpkin is a project that you will hear quite a bit about as the weeks unfold. If all goes well I'll document it's recovery and our progression towards participation in Antigua's mammoth Sailing Week.
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous host, Robin Leech emailed me out of the blue to congratulate me on "a superb site". Robin owns a home on Jumby Bay which will be re-opening on Dec 16th. The chief Engineer at Jumby, Doug Luery is my partner in the Pumpkin project so I'm sure you'll be hearing more about their re-opening in due course.
I want to thank Curtain Bluff for sending me their newsletter from which most of this update is derived.
It has been suggested to me that some airline schedules have changed and service are reduced. Consequently, you should reconfirm your flight reservations. This will probably only effect travelers who booked flights separate to their accommodation but you might want to check anyway. It's suggested that in particular there might be a shortage of seats on flights to/from San Juan. There are now two airlines offering direct jet service from Miami. From the UK...... There was a question over canceled British Airways but BWIA and Virgin Atlantic are flying in now..
Those of you who have visited Antigua before will remember the challenge of touring the island by car. For some years tourists and locals have had to contend with navigating bumpy roads with no signs to advise where they are headed. Well relief is at hand. Over thirty miles of road have been laid or resurfaced on Antigua this year. This brings to 100 miles the total length of improved road and eases the scenic coastal ride. In addition, forty directional street signs have been added to the landscape so, next season, getting around Antigua should be much easier.
As always, a big event will be the international Sailing Week which, in its 32nd year, will take place April 25 to May 1. In 1998. Curtain Bluff's Managing Director, Rob Sherman, was again Chairman of the event which had 247 participants from around the world. We will post updates about that event at a later date.
Curtain Bluff's 98/99 season started October 17, 1998 and will end May 16, 1999. The property suffered no structural damage as a result of the September 21st storm.
Curtain Bluff has been busy during its five months between seasons. On the technical front, a new generator was installed and the capacity of the reverse osmosis plant increased. They also put in a new telephone system that enables guests to receive messages via voice mail. Each summer the guest rooms are redecorated and this year the upstairs Deluxe Rooms have been given new mirrors and lighting. the calm bay beach now boasts ten additional umbrellas for shelter from the boundless Antiguan sunshine. The kitchen, which was extended a few years ago, has been further enhanced.
Added for last season, the freshwater swimming pool is greatly enjoyed by the hotel's guests. Marianne Fitt, exercise instructress, has added water aerobics to her repertoire (she also conducts aerobics classes and power walks). For the coming season, umbrellas and chairs are being placed at poolside for shade.
This season Ruedi Portmann, Executive Chef, will offer a very special dinner at the Beach Club each Sunday ( the main dining room will be closed that night). There will be a splendid selection of culinary delights and two marquee areas and delectable desserts to challenge even the resolute dieter.
If you're anticipating a stay at Curtain Bluff or nostalgic about your last one, you might want to make an virtual visit at http://www.curtainbluff.com. Besides rate information and general descriptions, the Web pages include a tempting list of dinner menu selections.
American Express continues to be the only credit card accepted at Curtain Bluff.
YOU CAN CONTACT CURTAIN BLUFF........
On Antigua: Telephone: (268) 462 8400 Fax: (268) 462 8409
Correspondence: P. O. Box 288, Antigua, West Indies
In The United States, Telephone their representative: Ruth Herd 212 289 8888 or 888 289 9898 toll free
Correspondence only: 68 East 93rd Street, New York, NY 10128
The Old Road Fund has been doing wonderful work for decades. It is sponsored by Curtain Bluff guests and management with the aim to advance education locally. Curtain Bluff is a stunning resort that is superbly managed. It's not cheap though, and attracts up market guests. As a result of their great generosity, the Fund has achieved more this year than any other.
Clifton Simon (Sleepy) has been accepted at Lee University in Tennessee, which brings the total of collage students currently assisted by the fund to three. This is a milestone for the Fund. The Old Road Fund is also assisting my friend, Donnell Josiah, (who with his brother Lenard arranged and recorded the theme music for my eTales project). Donnel, son of Lennie and Pearl, is taking a computer engineering degree at Andrews University in Michigan.
If you have large (or small) sums of cash that you don't know what to do with, tax-deductible (501C3 tax status) gifts, marked Old Road Fund, can be sent to Dr. Paul Conn, Office of the President, Lee University, Cleveland, TN 37311 [Telephone (423) 614-8603].
The Fund's summer camp program has also broken new ground: They sent two young ladies, Kandice Turner and Tameka Carrington, plus two young men, Andret Thomas and Kenvino Henry, to the States. Head Tennis Pro Rennie along with Nigel, Dillo, Old Road Fund alumni Kevin, Burdette Martin, Jr. and Wendy are at Bob Briskin's Marine Teen Camp.
With the wonderful help of Curtain Bluff alumni Bob O'Hara who, with his wife Pat, has been visiting Curtain Bluff for twenty years, Jamal Joseph has joined Karime King at Camp Dudley.
In its 24th year, Antigua Tennis Week was a huge success with the usual full house and great program. Grand Slam Sports Legends Fred Stolle, Ross Case and Owen Davidson again lent their expertise, ably aided by Kathy Rinaldi, once ranked sixth female player in the world. For the second year, Steve Contardi excelled as Tournament Director with sterling support from U.S. and Curtain Bluff pros.
The event was sponsored by American Airlines, American Express, Jewelry by Paul Kutchinsky, Nike, Penn Racquet Sports, Rolex (Little Switzerland, Antigua) and Tennis Magazine. Very special mentions go to ATW guests Rolf Jaeger, who donated to the Old Road Fund the Rolex he won (thank you, Rolex), and Graeme Bretall, who purchased it at auction with all the proceeds going to help Sleepy in College. We are grateful to Carlisle Bay Club, our co-host, for use of their tennis courts and umpires' stand.
The 25th Antigua Tennis Week will take place May 9 to 16, 1999. Many of this year's participants have already signed up and have suggested that friends join them. First come, first served.
STOP PRESS: An additional Tennis Week has just been announced for October 10 to 17, 1999 with Grand Slam Sports Legends Stolle, Case and Davidson at the helm. If you wish to make sure of a room, please call Ruth Herd.
Curtain Bluff, with its unique combination of traditional Antiguan atmosphere and contemporary informality, invites you to enjoy its fine resort facilities. Please get in touch with their reservations office on Antigua or their representative (see above) or of course, your travel agent.
That's all for today. See you in Antigua...............
regards
Nick
