Codrington Barbuda

Town center of Codrington

March 20th -After the Frigate Bird Colony,  Goldilocks took us into the only village on Barbuda - Codrington.  Approximately 1800 people live on Barbuda.  The island has done a really good job of keeping growth aka hotels and tourism to a minimum, thus preserving the natural beauty of Barbuda.

Goldilocks walked us around town a bit and then to the Roti Queen's house for lunch.  Marci was having trouble with her cooking gas but Goldilocks helped her and so it was decided that we would come back at noon (30 mins later) for Roti's.

Roti Queen

Goldilocks then took us around to a place where we could sit out of the shade.  It ended up being the local bar/meeting house/gathering spot.  It was on the town center.  Tom bought a beer and then we walked about town a bit.

New paved road with drainage in one section

The houses appear to be in much better shape than other Caribbean islands we've been to.  Most houses had a yard and fence and some had a few bushes and trees/landscaping.  Additionally there were some fantastic concrete roads about.  Then we went back to the Roti Queens for lunch.  We had to wait.  Several people came and had take away.  They would respectfully wait for their food just outside her kitchen door which was slightly open.  Sometimes they visited with her through the door but they never went in or opened the door further.  Tom and I had the chicken roti.  Mike had a veggie roti.  Goldilocks came back and had a huge bowl of cows foot soup (bull soup) only it wasn't in a bowl but a Pyrex dish slightly larger than a meatloaf pan!  He said she makes the best and I believe it as he ate every drop.

Common facade in Antigua and Barbuda

During lunch, Mike inquired about local healthcare.  They have a hospital and three doctors.  Two from Cuba and one from the US- I think. They are provided a house and car while here and can bring their families.  They rotate through for a period of time and work 9-2 and plus call.  They also have 3 med students from Barbuda - I think, that have just finished up med school in Cuba and are now back doing their final internships.  They have nurses as well.

School

 After lunch, we walked around town a bit more.  Horses are really popular in Barbuda.  The local horses just wonder around town.  Donkeys too.  The thoroughbreds are kept in stables.  Every other Sunday there is horse racing and the entire island shows up to watch.  If you are into horses, I would think this would be a must for your visit.  FYI because of the horses and donkeys, they also have flies but they aren't too bad.  

Ad for Venezuela sponsored public works projects

The local fisheries dept has a lovely, modern, new facility to sort their fish.  I mean super fancy.  When we asked about it, Goldilocks said the Japanese had built it.  Hum?  He explained further that Antigua and Barbuda still have rights to limited whaling because of their heritage and so... the Japanese are trying to get in good with both for that reason.  A-ah!  This lead me to ask about the billboard we saw in town advertising three public works projects being built by the Venezuela government.  I asked what they wanted in return for doing these three projects.  Nothing is FREE, right?  Goldilocks said it started with Chavez trying to bring all the Caribbean nations together on their side and against the USA.  Hum?  Very interesting.  I wonder who is paying for the nice concrete roads we saw?  

Objection list to those running for office

Self explanatory

Pretty clear

We stopped a couple of different times to read the local postings.  One was about people running for office. One guy in particular was against certain people running and so had files a grievance saying so.  We were also able to peruse the local voter registry for the island of Barbuda as it was handing up outside the bar and post office.  It listed everyone, gave their voter reg number and told what they did for a living.  Another posting asked the people please get their horses off the cricket field!  So interesting.

Goldilock's skiff

We stopped in a local grocery store on the way back to the dock.  It was small but nice.  Mike bought a loaf of bread.  I thought the veggies that they had looked good - tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, lettuce and I think carrots.  Goldilocks said they have two other grocery stores.

Pride and joy buoy

The town dock primarily has small fishing skiffs that are used to fish the lagoon, get lobster, and take tourist across the lagoon.  The entrance to the lagoon is only big enough for small skiffs.  However off to one side of the town docks, near some mangroves, there is a huge, red sea buoy.  I asked Goldilocks about this.  He said some of the locals found it floating close to shore.  It's a sea buoy from Nova Scotia- blown WAY off course.  They drug it back into the lagoon and now it's used during hurricane season to sound storm warnings.  I think it's primarily a big prize for the village....."look what we found!"   It was just funny to see if sitting there.