After a few fast-paced days in the city that never sleeps, the Travelistas set their sights on the land of sea and sun. Destination: Antigua.
The Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda are home to 365 beaches, friendly people, world-class hotels and amazing cuisine, plus, a universal charm that makes you feel like you never want to leave.
On the first leg of their trip, Travelista Teri checks into her resort and sets out to explore a little high-flying fun -- literally. And lucky for us, she's taking the Huffington Post along for the ride.
I arrived in Antigua on the new service offered by Caribbean Airways that flies direct from JFK airport in New York. After a relaxing 4-hour flight, I checked into Carlisle Bay, which is located on the south coast of Antigua. Upon my arrival, I was greeted with a sweet glass of watermelon juice and a refreshing towel. This five-star resort is breathtaking and has all of the amenities you could ever need. I spent some time relaxing on the beach, sipping afternoon tea and dipping in the ocean. After a few days in this life of luxury, I was ready for some adventure and excursions.
My first stop was Mount Obama, which was renamed in 2009 by the Prime Minister as a symbol of hope for all people. Formerly Boggy Peak, this is the island’s highest mountain peak and is a popular place to hike. After enjoying fresh coconut water at Mount Obama, I desired a more thrilling experience, so I went zip lining in the rainforest. I zipped across nine lines that were over 300 feet high to get my adventure fix.I had heard a lot about the vegetable market in the capital of St. John’s, so I went and was amazed by how busy and colorful it was. The locals selling the fresh produce were friendly and didn’t mind taking moments out of their schedules to chat with me about the exotic fruits and vegetables that they were selling.Being the curious traveler that I am, I inquired about a strange looking fruit in the shape of a large brown toe. This fruit comes from the West Indian Locust, aka the “Stinky Toe Tree.” The locals convinced me that the fruit was delicious and encouraged me to try it. Reluctantly, I tried it and was surprised by the strange smell, yet good taste of this interesting fruit.
After eating the “stinky toe,” I felt that I needed to reward myself with some Antiguan black pineapple, which is indigenous to Antigua. The sweet and savory taste of this pineapple has changed the pineapple game for me. I kept thinking, “How can I possibly eat a traditional pineapple after having an Antiguan black? Can these be grown in the States? Why don’t all pineapples taste this way?” Posing these rhetorical questions wasn’t really going to get me anywhere, so I tried my best to savor the flavor and experience of eating such a delicious treat and made it my goal to eat the Antiguan black pineapple at least once a day while there.
Before You Go
