A flat island on a turquoise sea
From Antigua, as soon as the trade wind blows at more than fifteen knots, the sea is quite rough. Then, after a few hours of a shaker crossing, a thin grey line appears, which underlines a part of the horizon as if to inform: "in one hour we will be there".
But, as usual, it is the sea that decides. And then, while the sweet taste of the near happiness of a delightful stopover comes to our mouths, it is a very dark and windy squall that darkens our pupils. Fortunately, the sketch ends before the landing.
And it is on a turquoise plateau that Lady't Bee, our catamaran, discovers Barbuda: a green band underlined by a delicate gold border.
A post-hurricane reconstruction without real estate excess
At the beginning of 2010, when we last visited, the aftermath of the Irma disaster was still omnipresent and the meager reconstruction work was giving rise to doubts about a future resurrection.
clearly, things have changed for the better. Several buildings are under construction or being completed, and it is clear that Barbadians remain committed to their sober lifestyle.
No concrete building comes to disfigure their ribbon of coastline, flat as a Polynesian motu.
History and spirit of Barbuda
A few centuries ago, Barbuda was a place of misery and shame. A Codrington family had settled there and operated a kind of logistic platform of a very unglamorous kind
Many slaves were stored there while waiting for their "assignment" to the neighboring islands. This deplorable, but lucrative, activity ended in the 19th century.
Barbuda was associated with Antigua. The name "Codrington" currently designates the only village where the vast majority of the islanders reside. Very attached to their land, they firmly reject any attempt at invasive development, preferring to draw their subsistence from local natural resources.
The irresistible charms of Barbuda
There is no way to get people there en masse. As a result, the country exudes a charm and serenity that has become very rare nowadays.
The endless beaches of golden sand are perfectly suited for long meditative walks. You can stroll for hours, letting your mind wander to the sound of the waves licking your feet.
One frequently crosses groups of horses or donkeys which evolve here in freedom.
A fabulous expanse of mangrove constitutes an ornithological reserve which shelters an exceptional variety of frigate birds. The major part of the coastline shelters a natural underwater park where an abundant and colorful fauna proliferates.
Several easily accessible wrecks seem to have been laid out for the delight of diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
Beware, it's a preserve!
No harvesting is allowed for travelers in stopover. It is absolutely forbidden to hunt or fish.
At night, at anchor, big tarpons come to harass and capture preys attracted by the lights projected from our portholes. What a festival! It bursts out of the waves in a real aquatic fireworks. And we remain blissful like children, sitting in the back skirt, admiring this deadly bullfight.
The five stars of Cocoa-beach
The southwestern tip is the kingdom of the wealthy. An establishment of great luxury stretches its rather discreet infrastructures along its coastline. Sometimes, a helicopter or a seaplane comes out of the clouds to drop off a few rich clients who love the quality of life and the authenticity of the place.
These gifts of nature, reserved for a class of very wealthy landlubbers, are, fortunately, easily accessible to boaters, even the most modest. And this is one of the reasons why Barbuda is considered a wonderful haven.
An exceptional stopover
If lovers of chic restaurants and posh nightclubs will not find their favorite atmosphere, on the other hand, fans of turquoise water and robinsonnades will be mesmerized by Barbuda. Especially kitesurfers, windsurfers and other water sports enthusiasts.
As for the champions of underwater crossbows, frustrated to see themselves forbidden the slightest "harvest", they will console themselves by buying lobsters and fresh fish to the local fishermen at very advantageous rates
