I traveled from Guadeloupe to the nation of Antigua and Barbuda from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August 2026, I took Liat Air. The flight lasts about 40 minutes from Guadeloupe to Antigua and Barbuda. Wadadli and Wa’omoni are the original name of Antigua and Barbuda. Guadeloupe is part of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). I completed the entry immigration form found online before my arrival at V. C. Bird International Airport in Antigua and Barbuda. I did a screenshot of the QR Code. It was my second time in the country and I spent one week. I rent an Airbnb accomodation entitled Gordon Christophers’ Place in Fort Road. It is the proprety of Marilyn Christopher and his brother Gordon Christopher. Antigua and Barbuda is well-known for its 365 beaches. According to the Official Website of Visit Antigua and Barbuda, « Antigua is a captivating volcanic island that emerged from the sea around 30 million years ago. Spanning 108 square miles and home to nearly 80,000 friendly residents, it features lush limestone landscapes and stunning vistas ». The capital is St. John’s. « Just 28 miles away lies Barbuda, a serene haven known for its untouched beauty. Covering 62 square miles and with a population of just 1,300, this island is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Barbuda is also home to the world’s largest breeding colony of the Magnificent Frigate Bird, making it an ecological paradise. With its diverse habitats and abundant wildlife, Barbuda remains one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets, where nature thrives in harmony with tranquility ». The capital is Codrington. « Antigua and Barbuda’s diverse population includes African, European, and indigenous heritage ». Among the National Symbols, there is the Coat of Arms, « originally designed by Mr. Gordon Christopher » and it was « modified by Mr. Don Cribbs ». Gordon Christopher, a school teacher designed the Coat Of Arms in 1966 and he was rewarded in 2001. For example, « The PINEAPPLE surmounting the arms represents the famous Antigua Black Pineapple. Originally introduced by the Arawakan speaking people, the Antiguan Black Pineapple (Ananas comosus) was used for making twine, cloth and for healing purposes. Today it is mainly grown on the south side of Antigua ». The Official Government Website of Antigua and Barbuda says that « Under the Bird administration, Antigua achieved independence in association with Great Britain in 1967, and full independence in 1981 ». It was on 1 November 1981. Vere Cornwall Bird became Prime Minister of the new country. Antigua and Barbuda became a nation part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Official Website of Antigua and Barbuda Government Information Service mentions that the country is « a constitutionnal monarchy with a parliamentary system. The government has three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The British monarch serves as the ceremonial Head of State, represented locally by the Governor-General. The Governor-General acts as the representative of the monarch in Antigua and Barbuda, performing ceremonial duties and ensuring the smooth functioning of the government. The Governor General is Sir Rodney Williams GCMG KGN KS MBBS PhD (h.c.)« . The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda consists of the Monarch of England, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Honourable Gaston Browne won a fourth consecutive term as Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister. He is also the Minister of Finance, Corporate Governance & Public Private Partnerships and the leader of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party since 2014. According to the ElectioMap, « Antigua and Barbuda held a general election on 30 April 2026. The governing Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) of Prime Minister Gaston Browne won a commanding victory, taking 15 of the 17 seats in the House of Representatives on 60.79% of the vote. The opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), led by Jamale Pringle, was reduced to a single seat on 37.30%, and the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM) of Trevor Walker retained its traditional seat for the island of Barbuda with 1.57%. Turnout was 62.41% ». About Blue Economy : « Antigua and Barbuda has jurisdiction over significant ocean areas (exclusive economic zone) which far exceeds its terrestrial footprint containing a diverse range of habitats, species and economically valuable resources. It has therefore embraced the Blue Economy as a mechanism for sustainable growth utilizing abundant ocean and coastal resources. The Maritime Blue Economy includes established sectors such as fisheries, tourism and shipping as well as emerging activities such as offshore renewable energy, aquaculture and marine biotechnology. The government is therefore keen to attract investments in this sector to take advantage of opportunities in marine ecosystems as well as shipping and ports ». According to the article Economic Activities in Antigua and Barbuda: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary, « In Antigua and Barbuda, key tertiary activities are restaurants, healthcare, education, banking, tourism, transportation, and telecommunications ». Antigua Carnival occured from 25 July to 4 August 2026. Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday, 1st Monday and Tuesday in August are « Official Public Holidays in Antigua and Barbuda ». It is a celebration of emancipation. K@ribbean Newsweek shares with you some pictures.

Day 1: Sunday 2 August 2026

In the afternoon, I arrived at the V. C. Bird International Airport in Antigua and Barbuda. I took Pauline’s Car Rental & Taxi Service, $54 EC Dollars (20,76 euros) to go to my Airbnb entitled Gordon Christopher’s Place in Fort Road. After dropping off my suitcase at the accomodation, I went to the supermaket 1st choices. While walking in the streets with the « help » of a geolocation app, I asked a woman named Bianca my way to go to this supermarket. I walked with her and she showed me the road to go to the supermaket.

Day 2 : Monday 3 August 2026

Antigua Carnival started on 25 July and finished on 4 August 2026. Before Carnival Monday, I went to the PC Doctor Computer Repair Center to have the phone number because I had a problem with my computer when I arrived on Sunday.

I walked for about 30 minutes from Fort Road to the City Center. For Carnival Monday, I went to the J’ouvert at around 8 AM. While I was walking toward the music, I talked to a woman named Joy. I walked with her and she showed me for about one hour the main streets of St. John’s where I watched a little bit of J’ouvert morning jump-up. The J’ouvert started at 3 AM and finished at 10 AM. I saw a vendor of Guinep fruit (Kénèt, Quenette). I saw the police but I was also surprised to see the army in the streets. I don’t know if the well-known Asa Bantan from Dominica was on a truck for J’ouvert, because I saw him at the airport in Guadeloupe the day before; I was sitting behind him on the plane to go to Antigua.

According to the Official Website Visit Anigua and Barbuda, « Antigua & Barbuda’s Carnival, held annually in late July to early August, is a cultural extravaganza marking the abolition of slavery. The festival features vibrant street parades with intricately designed costumes, pulsating soca and calypso music, and high-energy events like the J’ouvert morning jump-up and Panorama steel drum competition. The week culminates with Carnival Monday and Tuesday, where the streets come alive with a kaleidoscope of color and rhythm. Visitors can immerse themselves in the festivities, savoring local cuisine, dancing alongside revelers, and experiencing the island’s rich heritage. It’s an unforgettable celebration of freedom, unity, and Caribbean spirit ».

Before the end of the J’ouvert, I took a taxi, $25 EC Dollars (9,61 euros) to go to Hobby Lobby Tours to pay cash $297 EC Dollars (110 US Dollars; 114, 23 euros) for a Jeep Tour scheduled for Tuesday 4 August 2026, the next morning. It is a 2 hour and a half tour to go to Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation and Devil’s Bridge National Park. As a matter of fact, I went to this tour on Friday 7 August 2026 in the morning instead of Tuesday morning. From Guadeloupe, I was already in contact with Hobby Lobby Tours via email, Facebook and Whatsapp.

Then I walked up to the City Center for about 45 minutes. I sit at Hab restaurant to eat local foods. I paid my meal and drink $42 EC Dollars (16,15 euros). After, I went back to my accomodation to relax a little bit.

In the afternoon, I bought a freezer $20 EC Dollars (7,69 euros) at Street Blends. I spent more time at the Monday Mas than at the J’ouvert in the morning. Monday Mas started at 2PM and finished at 8PM. I stayed only in High Street because Joy told me that all the bands will parade in High Street. According to the program, it is one of the official parade routes. In the evening, I saw Yung Bredda from Trinidad and Tobago, he was singing in a truck. At the end, I bought an ice cream with caramel syrup, $14 EC Dollars (5,38 euros) after asking a woman where I can buy what she was eating.

I walked to go to the Airbnb accomodation.

Day 3 : Tuesday 4 August 2026

In the morning, I walked about 15 minutes to go to Fort James Beach on Fort Road. In the afternoon, I went to Carnival Tuesday. According to what people from Antigua told me, the Parade of the bands will start at around 2 PM. It was written 12 Noon on the program published on the Facebook’s page of Antigua Carnival. I bought a beef burger and 2 local juices, $ 23 EC Dollar (8,84 euros) on Redcliffe Street. It is where I started taking pictures and videos. I bought 2 others local juices by another vendor, $14 EC Dollar (5,38 euros). I walked from Redcliffe Street to Independence Avenue and Old Parham Road. I walked in others differents streets up to Heritage Quay Complex.

In the evening, I was too tired and I could not walk. I decided to take a taxi, Peter Metro, $20 EC Dollar (7,69 euros) to go back to my Airbnb accomodation.

To know about the full results for Antigua Carnival 2026, this is an article of Antigua News Room entitled « Full Results Released for Antigua Carnival 2026 ».

Day 4 : Wednesday 5 August 2026

I took the bus, $2,50 EC Dollar (96 centimes) after waiting at a bus station at Anchorage Road. First, I went to the bank to change Euros in EC Dollar. Then, I went to Cyber Center Ltd on Newsgate Street because I had a problem with my computer when I arrived on Sunday. The owner of the business gave me advice.

I went to ABS Television/ Radio. The man at the front desk told me that an approval is necessary to visit the Media House. Two days before, I sent already an email to the main contacts found on the website of the Media House abs.news@ab.gov.ag, info.abs@ab.gov.ag. For the first email, message not delivered. So he gave me another email: abstvradio@ab.gov.ag..

I was walking in the streets with the geolocation app. I asked Corinna where is Redcliff Street to go to Antigua Observer Newspaper. She is from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and works as a security guard in Antigua, She asked a man from Antigua information for me. She walked with me up to the entrance of the building of Antigua Observer.

I visited the Antigua Observer by NewsCo Ltd : The Daily Observer and Observer Radio 91.1 FM. According to the website of Antigua Observer Newspaper : « The Daily OBSERVER newspaper is the flagship company of the OBSERVER Media Group which now goes under the banner of NewsCo Limited. NewsCo includes Observer Radio 91.1 FM, HITZ FM, antiguaobserver.com and Observer Publications ».

I met Sharon Simon, who is a Broadcaster Journalist and Producer of Observer A.M. since one year: news, current affairs and Interviews with the people who make the BIG STORIES at Home & Across The Region from 7:00 to 9:00 AM from Monday to Friday; It is broadcast on radio and Facebook Live. I also talked with Mitzi Allen, Deputy Editor, Kisean Joseph, journalist, Neto Baptiste, a Sport journalist, Latriska Thomas, Producer Journalist, Azara Lavia, Producer Journalist, Venique Francis, Photographer. I talked a little bit with all of them. If I remember well, Mitzi Allen and Sharon Simon agreed that I will be interviewed in Observer A.M. scheduled on Friday 7 August 2026.

While I was taking selfies in front of the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, I met Nathaniel Williams, IT student at UWI and CEO of West Indies Botanicals who proposed me to take a picture of me in front of the Museum. I visited the Museum with him. I already visited the same Museum in 2018 when I came for the first time in Antigua with the ferry Jeans for freedom for one day. Nathaniel Williams showed me the Vere Cornwall Bird Monument and the Prince Klass Monument, the National Public Library of Antigua and Barbuda. After going to the V.C. Bird Monument, I asked him to show me a black-owned restaurant where I can eat. I paid for my food and my 2 drinks at Palm Court Restaurant & Bar. It was less than $40 EC Dollars (15,38 euros). Nathaniel Williams told me that Wadadli Beer is made in Antigua and Barbuda. I saw this local beer but I did not tasted it.

The Official Website of Visit Antigua and Barbuda writes about The Right Honourable Doctor Vere Cornwall Bird Sr. : « Born on 9 December 1910, he is considered the ‘Father of the Nation’ and is commonly known as ‘Papa Bird.’ V.C. Bird was Antigua’s first Prime Minister from 1981-1994. While he lacked formal secondary and tertiary education, his work experience in both the Salvation Army and the Antigua Trades and Labour Union sparked his interests in unionism and politics. He gave up his post at the Salvation Army to fight for the freedom of his people, which he succeeded in doing. He was elected to the colonial legislature in 1945 and became the founding member of the Antigua Labour Party. His drive, conviction, and passion for Antigua propelled him to assist in the independence process for Antigua in 1981. If not for his passion, Antigua would not be entering its 40th year of Independence. In 1985, Antigua’s airport was renamed the V.C. Bird International Airport in his honour and in 1994, he was declared a national hero. He died 28 June 1999 ».

Prince Klass Monument located on the outskirts of St. John’s, is a monument commemorating the leader of a failed slave rebellion in 1736 : « This former slave, Prince Klass, also known as King Court, is credited with organising the 1736 rebellion which sought to free all slaves. However the plot was unsuccessful, as fellow slaves informed of their plans, and the ring leaders, Prince Klass included, were executed. It has been said that this African slave was of royal heritage. A monument stands on Independence Drive in his honour. Its colours symbolise the black men who were killed for their rebellious attempt and the blood that was shed. The monument was designed by Barry Davis, while Sir. Reginal Samuel, designer of the National Flag, fashioned the statue ».

After spending a short time in the National Public Library, I walked to Historic Redcliffe Quay and Heritage Quay Complex to do shopping and to see where the Barbuda Express is located.

I took a taxi, $20 EC Dollar (7,69 euros), to go to the PC Doctor Computer Repair Center that is near my Airbnb accomodation and the supermarket. The owner of the business gave me advice.

Day 5 : Thursday 6 August 2026

At first I did not know about the story of Gordon Christopher when I rent an Airbnb apartment entitled Gordon Christopher’s Place in Fort Road. In the apartment, I watched a picture of Gordon A. Christopher and his reward (2001) in gratitude and recognition for the Original Design of the National Coat of Arms of Antigua and Barbuda (1966). I did some research in the Internet. I asked Marilyn Christopher if Gordon Christopher was her father or her husband. She told that Gordon is her brother.

I talked to a man named James from Dominica at the bus station. I took the bus, $2,25 EC Dollar (86 centimes), on Anchorage Road to go to the City Center. I went in front of the entrance of the Government House. I asked the security guard to take photos.

Before leaving Guadeloupe, I booked on the Website of the Sea Bridge Ferries and the Hillside Tours, I paid 124,80 US Dollars (109,81 euros) for the ferry and 190 US Dollars (167,18 euros) for the Hillside Tours including 10 US Dollars for the lobster with my meal.

I took the Leeward Express at 8:30 AM to go to Barbuda. I arrived at almsot 10:30 AM. In Barbuda, I was greeted by the local Hillside tours guide. The guided 5-hour tour of Barbuda includes : A ride through Codrington Village ; A view from the bus of the Historic Martello Tower; A visit to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary; A stop at Pink Sand Beach ; Lunch at Hillside View Grill & Bar; A Stop at Caves at Two Foot Bay; A stop at Princess Diana Beach. The land was very dry because of the season. In the bus, I was among a group of Black people living in the United States, originally from Antigua and others Caribbean Islands. I saw donkeys in Barbuda like one in Antigua on Tuesday. I dd not understand why there were no vendors to buy souvenirs and gifts at the dock.

According to the Official Governement Website of Antigua and Barbuda, « Barbuda has had a long history of dependence, first as a private leasehold of the Codrington family (1685-1870), later as a Crown colony and then as a dependency of Antigua. For many years the political relationship between Antigua and Barbuda has been an uneasy one but with the recent success of the United Progressive Party at the polls, bold steps have been taken to improve this situation and a member of the Barbuda Council (which was formed in 1977) now sits as a member of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda […] Over the past three decades, its natural resources, particularly its beaches, have become vulnerable to commercial exploitation. Sadly, Barbuda has benefited fractionally from the vast revenues drawn from the sand mining industry over the years and its environment is now in danger of being seriously impaired. Its many coral reefs that surround the island make it dangerous for shipping but at the same time provide a haven for fishing and scuba diving. It is virtually a hunter’s paradise where wild boar, deer, guinea fowl, pigeons and ducks are in abundance ».

The Leeward Express left Barbuda at 4 PM and arrived in Antigua at about 5:45 PM. I walked a little bit in the streets. It was very dark, I was in Anchorage Road and a bus dropped me for $3 EC Dollar (1,15 euros) in front of my Airbnb accomodation.

I read an email of the Hillside Tours in Barbuda about a payment receipt and a refund. They gave me back 60 USD (51,90 euros). I don’t understand and I don’t know why. I never asked for a refund because I did the tour and everything was well. On Tuesday 11 August 2026, I saw the money on my bank account.

I completed the exit immigration form to leave Antigua and Barbuda. I booked Pauline’s Car Rental & Taxi Service to go to the airport on Saturday, the day to go back to Guadeloupe.

Day 6 : Friday 7 August 2026

I took a taxi, Peter Metro, $20 EC Dollar (7,69 euros) to go to Antigua Observer. Sharon Simon, Broadcast Journalist and Producer of Observer AM interviewed me from 8:15 to 8:30 AM. It is possible to watch it from 1:14:26 on Facebook Live. i talked about my travel, my doctoral thesis, my online media Karibbean Newweek. Before being interviewed, I met Dave Lester Payne, Human Resources Manager;

I looked for a taxi, $25 EC Dollar (9,61 euros), to go back quickly in my Airbnb accomodation in Fort Road. Hobby Lobby Tour picked me up at 9:30 AM. It was a 2 hour and a half tour. The Jeep Tour includes historical sites :

• Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation located in Parish of Saint Peter, is a restored sugar plantation that offers insights into the island’s colonial history. I paid an admission of $5 EC Dollars (1,92 euros).
• Devil’s Bridge National Park found on the northeastern coast of Antigua, near Willikies in Saint Philip Parish, is a natural limestone arch where the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea meet.
• Long Bay Beach
• The countryside

According to the Official Website of the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, « Betty’s Hope was organized much as other large plantations. The Buff House was where the owner and his or her family lived. It was called The Buff because it was the highest point on the plantation, so that those who lived there could monitor the work of the estate. If there was a manager in addition to the owner, then there was a Manager’s House as well. At Betty’s Hope, the canfields were to the south. The mills were easily accessible from the canfields but also close to the owner’s house, with a roadway in between. From the mill, the cane was taken to the mill yard, then into the boiling house and from there to the curing house and, if rum was a product of the particular plantation, to the still house. The water catchment and cisterns were behind the Buff House, while the horses were kept further away, near the Groom’s House. An extensive slave village was to the north and west of the buildings. Betty’s Hope is one of only two estates in Antigua that were owned by one family, the Codrington’s, from the 1600s to the 1940s. The other family is the Tudway, who owned Parham Hill and additional surrounding estates. The Codrington papers are in the National Archives of Antigua and Barbuda while the Museum has microfilm reels of the Tudway Paper ».

According to the Website of International Parks, « The area around Devil’s Bridge carries a somber significance in Antigua’s history. According to oral tradition, enslaved Africans who were brought to Antigua to work on sugar plantations during the 17th and 18th centuries came to this remote eastern headland to end their suffering by leaping into the violent seas below. The name ‘Devil’s Bridge’ itself reflects this tragic history, as local people attributed the deaths to the work of the devil rather than to the desperation of the enslaved. The nearby Indian Town Point takes its name from the indigenous Arawak and Carib peoples who inhabited the area before European colonization. Archaeological evidence of pre-Columbian settlement has been found in the wider region. The northeastern coast of Antigua was less developed for plantation agriculture due to its thin soils and exposure to storms, but it was still part of the colonial sugar economy that dominated the island from the 1640s until emancipation in 1834. The site serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the transatlantic slave trade ».

In the afternoon, I decided to go to Shirley Heights Lookout situated above English Harbour. It is a former military lookout and fort that offers panoramic views. It’s part of the Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites UNESCO Heritage Site. I sent a WhatsApp message to Pauline’s Car Rental & Taxi Service and she asked her colleague Ninja Taxi Service to do the Tour. I paid $40 EC Dollars (15,38 euros) at Shirley Heights Lookout, With the same ticket, I visited the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park located in English Harbour. A restored 18th-century naval dockyard that was once home to the British fleet. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After Nelson’s Dockyard, I went to a restaurant in Darkwood, $108,11 EC Dollars (41,58 euros). I ate my lucnch very late, at 5 PM. I paid 702 EC Dollar, 260 US Dollar, 270 euros for 5 hours for the tour. If I understood well, I paid 50 US Dollar per hour.

According to the Official Website of Antigua & Barbuda National Park, « The Shirley Heights Lookout was first used during the War of American Independence (1774-1783) as a signal station and lookout for approaches to English Harbour. With French Guadeloupe directly to the south, the area was well suited for keeping Antigua’s coastline safe. A sentry could spot approaching sails and spread an alarm using flags during the day and firing signal guns at night. The signal system in Antigua was one of the best in the Caribbean, and the entire island could be on alert and know where to march within 10 minutes of the first signal. As the garrison along the Ridge grew, barracks for soldiers, water cisterns, and gun platforms were added to Shirley Heights to keep the Dockyard below safe. Today, the Lookout is where you get THE ICONIC view of English Harbour and the Dockyard. It is a vibrant event space that hosts the popular Sunday Afternoon BBQ, Thursday Reggae nights, and is a centre for weddings, private events, and catering ».

About Nelson’s Dockyard National Park: « This working Georgian era naval dockyard is set in some of the most picturesque scenery found anywhere. Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2016 as the “Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites”, the Park is a unique combination of history, heritage, and environment with scenic beauty, beaches and sailing. Learn, explore, hike, sail, swim, dine: Experience It. The Dockyard has it all ».

More information about these two Heritage Sites on the website of Visit Antigua and Barbuda.

After 7 PM, I read an email of Liat Air about a reaccomodation. I told the landlady about the bad information. I sent an email to reservations@flyliatair.com and I asked the company to pay one night hotel for me.

I sent a WhatsApp message to cancel my booking with Pauline’s Car Rental & Taxi Service for the next morning.

Day 7 : Saturday 8 August 2026

I was supposed to leave Antigua and Barbuda on Saturday. I read an article of Antigua News Room entitled « Five LIAT Air Flights Cancelled, Leaving Passengers Stranded at V.C. Bird Airport » published on Friday 7 August 2026. It is about the cancellation of flights on Friday, the day before. I also read the comment of people. I wrote a comment to talk about my own experience with Liat.

In the morning, I sent an email again to reservations@flyliatair.com to ask them to pay also for my taxi on Sunday, the next morning. I paid the landlady one more night, $156 EC Dollar, 60 US Dollar. She gave me a receipt. I called several times Liat until I could talk to someone who told me to sent my request to customersupport@flyliatair.com. So I sent a picture of the receipt of $156 EC Dollar. On Monday 10 August 2026, I sent them the receipts of the Airbnb accomodation, the taxi and the food I bought at the supermarket.

On Saturday, after the call with Liat, I booked again with Pauline’s Car Rental & Taxi Service for Sunday, the next morning. Then I went to the supermarket to buy some food and drinks.

Sharon Simon producer of Observer A. M. sent me a message. From the radio interview, she wrote an article about my travel and my research entitled Off the Clock : A Guadeloupean Civil Servant’s Quest to Understand Caribbean Independence. The article is published in page 7 in The Daily Observer on Tuesday 11 August 2026. You can read the PDF of the Newspaper.

In the afternoon, the rain stopped. However it started raining again when I was in the City Center. One of my phones inside the bag of the supermarket got wet. I was searching for the buildings of some ministries. The geolocation map showed me some ministries. However, on the Government Website of Antigua and Barbuda, I found others locations.

During my stay, I searched for the Ministry of Agriculture on Queen Elizabeth Highway. I saw no sign in front of the buildings. I asked someone in the streets and he told me that the ministry has moved somewhere else.

As a matter of fact, some of ministries were located on Parliament drive. I saw the buildings but not a sign in front of them. I decided that I will not a take picture.

I ate a cheesecake, $12 EC Dollar (4,61 euros) and I bought two bakes and one egg ball made with kassava, $10 EC Dollar (3,84 euros).

Day 8 : Sunday 9 August 2026

In the morning, I completed the exit immigration form to leave Antigua and Barbuda.

Then, I walked 20 minutes to go to Fort James in Fort Road, a historic fort site with old cannons. located at the entrance of St. John’s Harbour,. There was nothing interesting to see. I do not know if this Fort is really preserved.

Pauline’s Car Rental & Taxi Service picked me up to go to the airport. She also sells tamarind juice, $8 EC Dollars, 3 US Dollars. I bought one bottle. I was supposed to fly at 13:45 PM but my flight was delayed again. The plane left Antigua at almost 3 PM.

About Emancipation and Antigua Carnival

I understand now that Antigua Carnival is a celebration of emancipation.

The Official Website of Antigua and Barbuda Government Information Service explains :

« Along with most colonies of the British Empire, all slaves in Antigua were emancipated in 1833, but remained economically dependent upon the island’s white plantation owners. Economic opportunities for the freed population were limited by a lack of surplus farming land, no access to credit and an economy built on agriculture rather than manufacturing. Poor labour conditions persisted until 1939 when a member of a British Crown commission urged the formation of a trade union movement.

The Antigua Trades and Labour Union, formed shortly afterward, became the political vehicle for Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, who became the union’s president in 1943. The Antigua Labour Party (ALP), formed by Bird and other trade unionists, first ran candidates in the 1946 elections and became the majority party in 1951, beginning a long history of electoral victories.Voted out of office in the 1971 general elections that swept the progressive labour movement into power, Bird and the ALP returned to office in 1976.

Until 1958, Antigua and Barbuda were part of the British Leeward Islands. From 1958 to 1962, Antigua and Barbuda were part of the West Indies Federation.

The history of Antigua’s Carnival begins in the 1800s with the abolition of slavery. On August 1, 1834, enslaved Africans were emancipated in Antigua and other British colonies, per the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.

The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 (3 & 4 Will. 4. c. 73) was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which abolished slavery in the British Empire by way of compensated emancipation.The act was legislated by Whig Prime MinisterCharles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey’s reforming administration, and it was enacted by ordering the British government to purchase the freedom of all slaves in the British Empire, and by outlawing the further practice of slavery in the British Empire.

However it was not until 1937 that the trade of slaves was abolished throughout the entirety of the British Empire, with Nigeria and Bahrain being the last British territories to abolish slavery.

The act was technically repealed in 1998 as part of a restructuring of the entirety of English statute law, though slavery remains abolished.

On that day, Antiguans took to the streets to celebrate their freedom and express their joy. Antigua was the only British colony in the Caribbean where the enslaved population was freed unconditionally, as opposed to via indentured servitude.Over the years there was a return to this informal celebration of emancipation. Antiguans celebrated August 1st with picnics, family reunions, and other small celebrations. Today’s Carnival is a formal, island-wide celebration of emancipation ».

About Barbuda Land

If I well understood what someone from Antigua explained me : the People of Barbuda own their lands for free. But the governing Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) would like the people of Barbuda to pay for the land, « to sell or to give » the land to international companies to build luxury hotels without first consulting the people of Barbuda.

I did some research. The website Barbudaful says that : « Trevor Walker MP has represented the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM) for many years and previously served in the UPP Cabinet in Antigua. Trevor Walker was first elected to the Barbuda Council in 2001. He was educated at the Holy Trinity School and was awarded a degree in Economics by St Leo University in Florida. He worked at the K Club as the local manager for nine years. His father, Rueben Harris, was Minister of Education for eighteen years. He has since been elected to represent Barbuda for the BPM with an even larger majority after Hurricane Irma devastated the island. Trevor’s mandate for this latest term will be to continue to secure Barbuda Land Rights and bring the right kind of development to Barbudans on their own terms ».

More information : « As a result of this UPP partnership the people of Barbuda embraced the passage into law of the Barbuda Land Act 2007 which recognized communal ownership of all lands on the island, and Barbudans’ sole right to determine how their land is to be used, developed, and tenured in the future. In recognition of his wish to enter into a strong partnership with Barbuda, the UPP Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer gave the BPM representative at the time – Trevor Walker – the Cabinet position of Minister for Works and Transport. This recognition brought many benefits to Barbuda, including some major improvements in the previously neglected infrastructural aspects of the island’s economy: a new and expanded roads network, an improved electrical supply that did not fail, the construction of a reverse osmosis water supply system, greater educational opportunities for young Barbudans overseas, and radical improvements in the health and social welfare provisions of the Barbuda Council. A Pensions Act introduced into the legislative structure has vastly improved the level of security for all workers when they reach retirement age. In addition BPM insisted that the Chinese government aid to Antigua and Barbuda provided a new community centre in Barbuda and a Japanese government aid fisheries building situated in the Lagoon – the most accessible place for local small boat fishers.

But in 2014 – as a result of ABLP corrupt influence in Barbuda’s electoral affairs – Trevor Walker was defeated by Arthur Nibbs, another ex-BPM Barbudan member of the ALP in the 2014 general election. As an afterthought the ALP became the ABLP.

Since Hurricane Irma, this relationship has been consistently undermined by Gaston Browne, the current ALP Antigua Prime Minister. The BPM know that the ruthless exploitation of Barbuda’s natural resources are now at risk from his government, as a result of our experience of sand mining in the past. Now we see most of our coastline being allocated to ‘investors’ who are destroying our infrastructure to build on our beaches for profit. And of course to give this income to Antigua government ministers who do not have Barbuda’s best interests at heart. The De Niro Paradise Found Project wanted to include an unwelcome casino as part of a ‘Barbuda Master Plan’ for which the government repealed the Barbuda Land Act, and created the Paradise Found Act. These actions have resulted in expensive and time-consuming court cases for Barbudans that further undermine the relationship between Antigua and Barbuda ».

So BPM has now returned Trevor Walker as MP and have since easily won all of the seats on the Barbuda Council, with the land issue dominating local opinions. They have vowed to continue to campaign and to take legal action where necessary for self-determination, equality and justice« .

Observer A.M. and The Daily Observer

Sharon Simon would like to have contact with journalists in the Caribbean. If you are a journalist from Guadeloupe, and you are a serious professionnal, you can contact her : sharon.simon@antiguaobserver.com.

Back To Guadeloupe

On Monday 10 August 2026, all day, I was able to fix the problem with my computer and the phone that got wet.

On Tuesday, 11 August 2026, after reading the article of Sharon Simon about my travel and my research entitled, « Off the Clock : A Guadeloupean Civil Servant’s Quest to Understand Caribbean Independence », page 7 in the Daily Observer, Valique Gomes contacted me via Whatsapp. She is a career strategist, project manager, and Co-Author of the book, « Counsciously Quitting: A Guide for Navigating Your Career Transition ». She gave me advice: considering the role, mentality and atitude of women in my research, and how they played a role in the independence movements in the english-speaking caribbean. She asked me to also pay attention to Haiti and the effect of that country on the Caribbean psyche. She is a colleague of Sharon Simon and you can find her work here at www.consciouslyquitting.com. I searched for the article on the website of the Daily Observer.

Official Websites & contacts in the country

For more information, you can go to :

• The Official Website of Visit Antigua and Barbuda
• The Official Government Website of Antigua and Barbuda
• The Official Website of Antigua and Barbuda Government Information Service
• The Website of Antigua and Barbuda General election 2026 — Results
• The Website of Antigua Obsever Newspaper and the Facebook’s page
• The Official Website of the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
• The Website Welcome to Barbuda- Barbudaful
• The Official Website of Sea Bridge Ferries
• The Official Website of Hillside Tours in Barbuda
• The Official Website of the Antigua & Barbuda National Park
• The Website of International Parks : Devil’s Bridge, Antigua and Barbuda: Ratings & Visitor Guide
• The Facebook of Antigua Carnival
• The article Economic Activities in Antigua and Barbuda: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary
• Pauline’s Car Rental & Taxi Service : +1 268 784 8776 / + 1 268 722 0952
• Peter Metro, a taximan : Cellphone : +1 268 720 4986 / Whatsapp : + 1 268 727 4986
• Ninja Taxi Service : Cellphone : +1 268 789 4382
• The PC Doctor Computer Repair Center : + 1 268 734 8564 / + 1 864 712 4860

All the photos and videos are on Instagram and the Facebook’s page of Karibbean Newsweek.

You can also read my article about my first travel in Antigua and Barbuda where I spent only one day : Destination Antigua and Barbuda – K@ribbean Newsweek

Reaccomodation of Liat Air

On Sunday 2 August 2026, I was supposed to fly at 12:15 PM and to leave Antigua and Barbuda on Saturday 8 August at 14:20 PM. On Friday 31 July 2026, Liat Air sent me a message about my new flight information : from Sunday 2 August 2026 at 15:35 PM to Saturday 8 August 2026 at 18:15 PM.

On Friday 7 August 2026, Liat Air sent me a message about my new flight information : instead of flyiing on Saturday at 18:15 PM, I will leave Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday 9 August 2026 at 13:45 PM. As a matter of fact, the flight was delayed again. The plane took off at almost 3 PM.

From Friday 7 August to Monday 10 August 2026, I sent 4 emails: 2 to reservations@flyliatair.com, and 2 to customersupport@flyliatair.com.

On Wednesday 12 August 2026, I read an email of the Customer Care : « As a gesture of goodwill in recognition of the inconvenience caused, we would like to offer you a travel voucher in the amount of USD 105,00, which may be applied toward a future Liat Air booking. Please note that this voucher is valid for one-year from the date of issue and is non-refundable and non-transferable. Please let us know if you would like us to proceed with issuing the voucher, and we will arrange to send it along with the relevant details ».

Résumé

J’ai voyagé avec Liat Air de la Guadeloupe vers la nation Antigua-et-Barbuda du dimanche 2 au dimanche 9 août 2026. Le vol dure environ 40 minutes de la Guadeloupe à Antigua-et-Barbuda. Wadadli et Wa’omoni sont les noms originaux d’Antigua et Barbuda. La Guadeloupe fait partie de l’Organisation des États de la Caraïbe orientale (OECO). J’ai rempli le formulaire d’immigration d’entrée que l’on trouve en ligne avant mon arrivée à l’aéroport international V. C. Bird à Antigua-et-Barbuda. J’ai fait une capture d’écran du QR code. C’était ma deuxième visite dans le pays et j’y ai passé une semaine au lieu d’une journée. J’ai loué un appartement via Airbnb qui s’appelle Gordon Christophers’ Place à Fort Road. C’est la propriété de Marilyn Christopher et de son frère Gordon Christopher.

Antigua-et-Barbuda est bien connue pour ses 365 plages. Selon le site officiel de Visit Antigua et Barbuda, « Antigua est une île volcanique captivante qui est sortie de la mer il y a environ 30 millions d’années ». Elle compte « près de 80 000 habitants« . La capitale est St John’s. « Barbuda a une population de seulement 1 300 personnes. Cette île abrite également la plus grande colonie de reproduction au monde du Frégate magnifique, ce qui en fait un paradis écologique ». La capitale est Codrington. « La population diversifiée d’Antigua-et-Barbuda comprend des héritages africain, européen et autochtone ».

Parmi les symboles nationaux, il y a les Armoiries, « à l’origine conçues par M. Gordon Christopher » et qui ont été « modifiées par M. Don Cribbs ». Gordon Christopher, un enseignant, a conçu les Armoiries en 1966 et il a été récompensé en 2001. Par exemple, « L’ANANAS surmontant les armoiries représente le célèbre Ananas Noir d’Antigua. Initialement introduit par les peuples parlant l’arawak, l’Ananas Noir d’Antigua (Ananas comosus) était utilisé pour fabriquer de la ficelle, du tissu et à des fins médicinales. Aujourd’hui, il est principalement cultivé dans le sud d’Antigua ».

Le site officiel du gouvernement d’Antigua-et-Barbuda indique que « Sous l’administration Bird, Antigua a obtenu l’indépendance en association avec la Grande-Bretagne en 1967, et l’indépendance totale en 1981 ». Le pays est indépendant depuis le 1er novembre 1981. Vere Cornwall Bird est devenu Premier ministre du nouveau pays. Antigua-et-Barbuda est devenu une nation faisant partie du Commonwealth. Le site officiel du Service d’information du gouvernement d’Antigua-et-Barbuda mentionne que le pays est « une monarchie constitutionnelle avec un système parlementaire. Le gouvernement a trois branches : législative, exécutive et judiciaire. Le monarque britannique sert de chef d’État cérémonial, représenté localement par le Gouverneur général. Le Gouverneur général agit en tant que représentant du monarque à Antigua-et-Barbuda, accomplissant des fonctions cérémonielles et assurant le bon fonctionnement du gouvernement. Le Gouverneur général est Sir Rodney Williams GCMG KGN KS MBBS PhD (h.c.)« . Le parlement d’Antigua-et-Barbuda se compose du monarque d’Angleterre, du Sénat et de la Chambre des représentants.

L’honorable Gaston Browne a remporté un quatrième mandat consécutif en tant que Premier ministre d’Antigua-et-Barbuda. Il est également ministre des Finances, de la Gouvernance d’entreprise et des Partenariats public-privé, ainsi que chef du Parti travailliste d’Antigua-et-Barbuda depuis 2014. Selon le site Internet ElectioMap,  » Antigua-et-Barbuda a organisé une élection générale le 30 avril 2026. Le Parti travailliste d’Antigua-et-Barbuda (ABLP) au pouvoir, dirigé par le Premier ministre Gaston Browne, a remporté une victoire écrasante, obtenant 15 des 17 sièges à la Chambre des représentants avec 60,79 % des voix. L’opposition, le United Progressive Party (UPP), dirigé par Jamale Pringle, a été réduite à un seul siège avec 37,30 %, et le Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM) de Trevor Walker a conservé son siège traditionnel pour l’île de Barbuda avec 1,57 %. La participation a été de 62,41 % « .

À propos de l’Economie bleue : « Antigua-et-Barbuda exerce sa juridiction sur d’importantes zones océaniques (zone économique exclusive) qui dépassent largement son territoire terrestre et qui contiennent une grande variété d’habitats, d’espèces et de ressources économiquement précieuses. Le pays a donc adopté l’économie bleue comme un mécanisme de croissance durable en utilisant les abondantes ressources océaniques et côtières. L’économie bleue maritime comprend des secteurs établis tels que la pêche, le tourisme et la navigation, ainsi que des activités émergentes comme les énergies renouvelables en mer, l’aquaculture et la biotechnologie marine. Le gouvernement souhaite donc attirer des investissements dans ce secteur pour profiter des opportunités offertes par les écosystèmes marins ainsi que par le transport maritime et les ports« . Selon l’article Activités économiques à Antigua-et-Barbuda : primaire, secondaire, tertiaire et quaternaire,  » à Antigua-et-Barbuda, les principales activités tertiaires sont les restaurants, la santé, l’éducation, les banques, le tourisme, le transport et les télécommunications ».

Le carnaval à Antigua et Barbuda s’est déroulé du 25 juillet au 4 août 2026. Le lundi et mardi de carnaval, premier lundi et mardi du mois d’août, sont  » des jours fériés officiels à Antigua-et-Barbuda « . C’est une célébration de l’abolition de l’esclavage.

J’ai regardé J’ouvert pendant une heure lundi matin grâce à une femme Joy qui m’a montré les principales rues de St. John’s. J’ai aussi vu le Monday Mas dans l’après-midi. Le mardi matin, je suis allée à Fort James Beach et j’ai regardé le défilé des différents groupes de carnaval dans l’après-midi et ce jusqu’au soir.

Le mercredi, j’ai visité Antigua Observer de NewsCo Ltd : The Daily Observer et Observer Radio 91.1 FM. J’ai rencontré Sharon Simon, journaliste animatrice et productrice de Observer A.M. : informations, actualités et interviews avec les personnes qui font les GRANDES INFORMATIONS dans son pays et dans la région de 7h00 à 9h00 du lundi au vendredi. Son émission est diffusée à la radio et sur le direct de Facebook. J’ai aussi parlé avec Mitzi Allen, rédactrice adjointe, Kisean Joseph, journaliste, Neto Baptiste, journaliste sportif, Latriska Thomas, journaliste productrice, Azara Lavia, journaliste productrice, Venique Francis, photographe. J’ai discuté un peu avec chacun d’eux. Si je me souviens bien, Mitzi Allen et Sharon Simon ont accepté que je sois interviewée dans l’émission radio Observer AM prévu le vendredi 7 août 2026.

J’ai visité le Musée d’Antigua-et-Barbuda avec Nathaniel Williams, un étudiant en informatique à l’Université des West Indies (UWI) et Chef d’entreprise de West Indies Botanicals. J’avais déjà visité le même musée en 2018 lorsque je suis venue pour la première fois à Antigua avec le bateau Jeans for Freedom pour une journée. Nathaniel Williams m’a aussi montré le monument de Vere Cornwall Bird et celui de Prince Klass, ainsi que la Bibliothèque publique nationale d’Antigua-et-Barbuda. Nathaniel Williams m’a dit que la bière Wadadli est produite à Antigua-et-Barbuda. J’ai vu cette bière locale, mais je ne l’ai pas goûtée.

Le site officiel de Visit Antigua et Barbuda écrit à propos du Très Honorable Docteur Vere Cornwall Bird Sr. : « Né le 9 décembre 1910, il est considéré comme le ‘Père de la Nation’ et est communément connu sous le nom de ‘Papa Bird’. V.C. Bird a été le premier Premier ministre d’Antigua de 1981 à 1994. […] En 1985, l’aéroport d’Antigua a été renommé Aéroport International V.C. Bird en son honneur et en 1994, il a été déclaré héros national. Il est décédé le 28 juin 1999 ».

Le monument Prince Klass, situé à la périphérie de St. John’s, est un monument commémorant le leader d’une révolte d’esclaves ratée en 1736 : « Cet ancien esclave, Prince Klass, également connu sous le nom de King Court, est reconnu pour avoir organisé la rébellion de 1736 qui visait à libérer tous les esclaves. Cependant, le complot a échoué, des esclaves ayant informé les autorités de leurs plans, et les principaux responsables, dont Prince Klass, ont été exécutés. On dit que cet esclave africain était d’origine royale. Un monument se dresse sur Independence Drive en son honneur. Ses couleurs symbolisent les hommes noirs qui ont été tués pour leur tentative de rébellion et le sang qui a été versé. Le monument a été conçu par Barry Davis, tandis que Sir Reginal Samuel, le concepteur du drapeau national, a façonné la statue « 

J’ai passé une journée à Barbuda le jeudi. J’ai pris le Leeward Express à 8h30 pour aller à Barbuda. Je suis arrivée vers 10h30. À Barbuda, j’ai été accueilli par le guide des visites locales de Hillside Tours. Voici ce que comprend la visite guidée de 5 heures à Barbuda : un trajet à travers le village de Codrington ; une vue depuis le bus de la tour historique Martello ; une visite du sanctuaire des frégates ; un arrêt à la plage de sable rose ; le déjeuner au Hillside View Grill & Bar ; un arrêt aux grottes de Two Foot Bay ; un arrêt à la plage Princess Diana. La terre était très sèche à cause de la saison. Dans le bus, j’étais parmi un groupe de personnes noires vivant aux États-Unis, originaires d’Antigua et d’autres îles des Caraïbes. Je n’ai pas compris pourquoi il n’y avait pas de vendeurs pour acheter des souvenirs et des cadeaux sur le quai. J’ai repris le Leeward Express à 16h et je suis arrivée vers 17h45. Le soir, j’ai reçu un mail de Hillside Tours m’indiquant que j’allais être remboursée de 51,90 euros. Un montant reçu sur mon compte bancaire le mardi 11 août 2026. Le tour s’est très bien passé pour moi. Je ne comprends pas ce remboursement.

Si j’ai bien compris ce qu’une personne d’Antigua m’a expliqué : les habitants de Barbuda possèdent leurs terres gratuitement. Mais le Parti travailliste d’Antigua et Barbuda (ABLP) au pouvoir voudrait que les gens de Barbuda « paient pour la terre », ils veulent  » vendre ou donner  » la terre à des investisseurs internationaux afin de construire des hôtels de luxe sans consulter au préalable le peuple de Barbuda. J’ai fait quelques recherches. Le site Barbudaful affirme que : « Trevor Walker, député, représente le Mouvement du Peuple de Barbuda (BPM) depuis de nombreuses années et a précédemment siégé au cabinet de l’UPP Parti progressiste uni à Antigua. Trevor Walker a été élu pour la première fois au Conseil de Barbuda en 2001. Il a étudié à l’école Holy Trinity et a obtenu un diplôme en économie à l’université Saint Leo en Floride. Il a travaillé au K Club comme directeur local pendant neuf ans. Son père, Rueben Harris, a été ministre de l’Éducation pendant dix-huit ans. Il a depuis été élu pour représenter Barbuda pour le BPM avec une majorité encore plus grande après que l’ouragan Irma a dévasté l’île. Le mandat de Trevor pour ce dernier mandat sera de continuer à garantir les droits fonciers de Barbuda et d’apporter le bon type de développement aux Barbudans selon leurs propres conditions« .

Plus d’informations sur la problématique des terres de Barbuda : « À la suite de ce partenariat avec l’UPP, le peuple de Barbuda a adopté la loi sur les terres de Barbuda de 2007, qui reconnaît la propriété commune de toutes les terres de l’île, et le droit exclusif des Barbudans de décider comment leurs terres doivent être utilisées, développées et gérées à l’avenir. En reconnaissance de son souhait de former un partenariat solide avec Barbuda, le Premier ministre de l’UPP, Baldwin Spencer, a donné au représentant du BPM à l’époque – Trevor Walker – le poste de ministre des Travaux et des Transports au sein du Cabinet. Cette reconnaissance a apporté de nombreux avantages à Barbuda, y compris des améliorations majeures dans des aspects infrastructurels de l’économie de l’île qui avaient été négligés : un réseau routier neuf et étendu, une alimentation électrique améliorée qui ne tombe pas en panne, la construction d’un système d’eau par osmose inverse, de meilleures opportunités éducatives pour les jeunes Barbudans à l’étranger, et des améliorations radicales dans les services de santé et de protection sociale du Conseil de Barbuda. Une loi sur les pensions introduite dans le cadre législatif a considérablement amélioré le niveau de sécurité pour tous les travailleurs lorsqu’ils atteignent l’âge de la retraite. De plus, BPM a insisté pour que l’aide du gouvernement chinois à Antigua-et-Barbuda fournisse un nouveau centre communautaire à Barbuda et qu’une aide du gouvernement japonais permette la construction d’un bâtiment pour la pêche situé dans le lagon – l’endroit le plus accessible pour les petits pêcheurs locaux.

Mais en 2014 – à la suite de l’influence corrompue de l’ABLP dans les affaires électorales de Barbuda – Trevor Walker a été battu par Arthur Nibbs, un autre ancien membre barbudien du BPM au sein de l’ALP lors des élections générales de 2014. Par la suite, l’ALP est devenue l’ABLP.

Depuis l’ouragan Irma, cette relation a été constamment minée par Gaston Browne, l’actuel Premier ministre ALP d’Antigua. Le BPM sait que l’exploitation impitoyable des ressources naturelles de Barbuda est maintenant menacée par son gouvernement, à la suite de notre expérience des extractions de sable dans le passé. Maintenant, nous voyons la plupart de notre littoral être attribuée à des ‘investisseurs’ qui détruisent notre infrastructure pour construire sur nos plages à des fins lucratives. Et bien sûr, pour donner ces revenus aux ministres du gouvernement d’Antigua qui n’ont pas les intérêts de Barbuda à cœur. Le projet De Niro Paradise Found voulait inclure un casino indésirable dans le cadre d’un ‘Plan directeur de Barbuda’ pour lequel le gouvernement a abrogé la Barbuda Land Act et a créé la Paradise Found Act. Ces actions ont entraîné des procès coûteux et chronophages pour les Barbudiens, ce qui a encore fragilisé la relation entre Antigua et Barbuda. Ainsi, le BPM a maintenant réinstallé Trevor Walker comme député et a depuis facilement remporté tous les sièges au Conseil de Barbuda, la question des terres dominant l’opinion locale. Ils ont promis de continuer à faire campagne et à prendre des mesures juridiques si nécessaire pour l’autodétermination, l’égalité et la justice« .

Le vendredi matin, je me suis rendue à Antigua Obsever Newspaper & Radio. Sharon Simon, journaliste, productrice de Observer AM, m’a interview, de 8h15 à 8h30. C’est possible de regarder l’interview à partir de 1:14:26. L’émission est diffusée à la radio et sur le direct de Facebook. J’ai parlé de mon voyage, ma thèse de doctorat, mon média Karibbean Newsweek. Avant l’interview, j’ai rencontré Dave Lester Payne, le responsable des ressources humaines. À partir de l’interview à la radio, Sharon Simon a écrit un article sur mon voyage et mes recherches intitulé « Off the Clock : A Guadeloupean Civil Servant’s Quest to Understand Caribbean Independence », « Hors du bureau : La quête d’une fonctionnaire guadeloupéenne pour comprendre l’indépendance des Caraïbes » et publié à la page 7 dans The Daily Observer du mardi 11 août 2026. Vous pouvez lire le PDF du journal.

Sharon Simon aimerait entrer en contact avec des journalistes dans les Caraïbes. Si vous êtes journaliste en Guadeloupe et que vous êtes un professionnel sérieux, vous pouvez la contacter : sharon.simon@antiguaobserver.com.

Je suis maintenant en contact avec Valique Gomes, une collègue de Sharon Simon, qui a lu l’article sur mon voyage et mes recherches. Elle m’a donné des conseils : considérer le rôle, la mentalité et l’attitude des femmes dans mes recherches, et comment elles ont contribué aux mouvements d’indépendance dans la Caraïbe anglophone. Elle m’a aussi demandé de faire attention à Haïti et à l’effet de ce pays sur la psychologie caraïbéenne. Vous pouvez trouver son travail ici : www.consciouslyquitting.com.

Ensuite, grâce à Hobby Lobby Tour qui propose une visite deux heures et demi en Jeep, j’ai visité des sites historiques :

• Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation, la plantation historique de sucre Betty’s Hope, située dans lalocalité de Saint Peter, est une plantation de sucre restaurée qui offre un aperçu de l’histoire coloniale de l’île.

• Devil’s Bridge National Park, le parc national Devil’s Bridge, trouvé sur la côte nord-est d’Antigua, près de Willikies dans la localité de Saint Philip, est un arc de calcaire naturel où l’océan Atlantique et la mer des Caraïbes se rencontrent.

Selon le site de International Parks, « La zone autour de Devil’s Bridge revêt une signification sombre dans l’histoire d’Antigua. Selon la tradition orale, les Africains réduits en esclavage qui ont été amenés à Antigua pour travailler dans les plantations de sucre au cours des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles venaient dans cette pointe isolée de l’est pour mettre fin à leurs souffrances en se jetant dans les mers violentes en contrebas. Le nom « Devil’s Bridge » lui-même reflète cette histoire tragique, car les habitants attribuaient les décès au travail du diable plutôt qu’au désespoir des esclaves. Le proche Indian Town Point tire son nom des peuples autochtones Arawak et Carib qui habitaient la région avant la colonisation européenne. Des preuves archéologiques de peuplement précolombien ont été découvertes dans la région plus large. La côte nord-est d’Antigua était moins développée pour l’agriculture sucrière à cause de ses sols maigres et de son exposition aux tempêtes, mais elle faisait quand même partie de l’économie coloniale du sucre qui dominait l’île des années 1640 jusqu’à l’abolition de l’esclavage en 1834. Le site rappelle fortement le coût humain de la traite transatlantique des esclaves. »

Le vendredi après-midi, grâce à un taxi guide touristique, j’ai vu Shirley Heights Lookout situé au-dessus du port anglais. C’est un ancien poste d’observation militaire et fort qui offre des vues panoramiques. Ce lieu fait partie du chantier naval d’Antigua et des sites archéologiques associés, classés au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO. Le même ticket est valable pour visiter Nelson’s Dockyard National Park situé dans le port anglais. C’est un chantier naval du XVIIIe siècle restauré qui accueillait autrefois la flotte britannique. C’est un site du patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO.

Je devais prendre mon avion le samedi 8 août 2026 pour rentrer en Guadeloupe mais à cause de Liat Air, je suis restée bloquée une journée supplémentaire à Antigua-et-Barbuda. J’ai fais les démarches nécessaires auprès du service client de Liat Air pour le remboursement des dépenses engagées. A mon retour en Guadeloupe, Liat Air a proposé de m’offrir un bon de voyage d’un montant de 105,00 US Dollars, qui peut être utilisé pour une réservation future. C’est un bon valable une année. Le samedi après-midi, j’ai décidé d’aller voir les bâtiments de quelques ministères à Parliament Drive. Bref, un peu difficile de les trouver parce que je n’ai pas vu d’indications devant l’entrée. En plus, une pluie trop forte m’a découragée.

Avant de prendre l’avion le dimanche après-midi, j’ai visité le Fort James à Fort Road, un site fortifié historique avec de vieux canons, situé à l’entrée du port de St. John’s. Il n’y avait rien d’intéressant à voir. Je ne sais pas si ce fort est vraiment préservé.

Pour mieux comprendre mon voyage et mes recherches, voici la version PDF de ma thèse de doctorat.

St@y connected !

Salaura DIDON