This morning we skipped the water aerobics class to walk to the capital, St John’s, about 3 miles from our resort. Everyone thought we were crazy, but it was relatively flat and we wanted to see the island better. On the walk, we realized why it was crazy – humidity! I would not recommend this to anyone who lives in an arid environment – the humidity tired us out!

One car stopped to ask if we needed a ride (we must have looked really red).

Cattle egret – very similar to our snowy egrets in Colorado. This one does not like to wade so much as hang out in the fields.

The first place we visited in St John’s was the Cathedral and Parish of St John. We had to go all the way around it to find an open gate.

In front is a cemetery; so strange to me to have it in the middle of town, right next to an active church. Last Sunday was the confirmation day, with the local bishop administering.

From the outside, the stained glass windows behind the altar are not impressive but notice the storm shutters for protection from hurricanes.

Inside the church was very dark, especially after the bright sunshine from our walk here. The pews were all made of wood, nicely polished.

One of the stained glass windows behind the altar.

View of the south gate with one of the towers in background. The two white statues are of St. John the Devine and St. John the Baptist and were planned for the island of Guadeloupe but were confiscated by the British navy from a French ship in 1756.

We then visited the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. Located in the old courthouse, it had good displays on the geology and history of the country. By the way, Antigua is east of the main volcanoes in the Leeward Islands; there has been no volcanic activity on this island for more than 25 million years.

We don’t know when this was built – it looks like a long time ago.

This is more fun to see, so colorful!

Again. Caribbean?

We ate lunch at Big Banana; it was good timing as it poured rain while we were eating. The restaurant staff had to mop up water that blew in the open doors.

After a short taxi ride back to our resort, we went for a swim in the ocean (which we have done most of our days on this island). While we were getting in, Clare stopped to point out to Brian how high the water had gone on the adjacent cliff, and we were dumped, slammed by an exceptionally large wave. Clare got up and called to Brian “I lost my glasses,” and he said “So did I”. Fortunately, four friendly French people were in the water nearby and they helped us find BOTH pair (unbelievable). Brian commented that we should go to the casino next, and one of our saviors said, “I’ll go with you.” The water was only chest deep, so the sunglasses were found by carefully walking around and feeling the sandy bottom for them. It was amazing that they were recovered without damage. We continued our ocean swim afterward, feeling lucky.

No – we did not go to the casino.

• Lesser Antilles 2020