Hawksbill Resort - NYE 2009
Very special friends from Saskatchewan, Canada, visited Antigua over the holidays and wanted to share their evening with us. We'll let James Burton tell us in his own words: "New Year's eve at Hawksbill was a snazzy affair. We are a Canadian couple in Antigua for the first time staying at the nearby Inn La Galleria, and chose Hawkbill for it's presentation, reasonable price and proximity to our guesthouse. There were a couple of hundred people in open air under the roof of the main dining area. Staff was decked out in tuxes and finery. Guests were looking sharp as well. It was raining for the first part of the evening, and while Hawksbill staff had set up tents over the non-roofed deck area, they thoughtfully sat people under the solid roof first. The rain stopped around 10 pm - about the time most people had finished their leisurely and generous supper from the buffet - which featured international and local cuisine. The food was of a quality to be expected from a resort of Hawksbill's reputation. When the rain stopped, the party got going. There was a live band. There were only a few players at the beginning of the evening and we were concerned we would be stuck with "elevator music" for the whole evening. Not the case. As the evening wended it's way toward midnight more band members arrived and the resort started to shake. The band got everyone involved in everything from couples dancing to a conga line, Soca, and even a rag dance. The whole crowd, from retirees to people in their early twenties to children, was up around the band clapping and dancing. At midnight there was an excellent and exciting fireworks display. It was certainly the best New Year's I have ever had (not the least of which involved NOT having to dig out of a snowdrift or blizzard). It was incredible to walk after midnight in the open air around the restored sugar mill and along the beautiful beach. The air is so perfect. Antigua really is a piece of paradise." Thanks James! No clicking required, just sit back and watch the photos. photos courtesy JAMES BURTON