So it’s 3 in the afternoon, I hear the sound an incoming message on WhatsApp business. I check the phone and I see its a message from someone. “Hey Samari, this is Ron’s friend. He told me you are the hokup in Antigua”. Of course, I offer local guide services in Antigua, and my name is Action Jaxkson, so Ya. He said he was flying into Antigua in a week and wanted to know the best things to do, someone to take him, his wife and 4 of his friends around. Note, it was carnival, so this was the end of July into August. Of course, it’s the perfect time to get around. Lots to do, events happening back to-back, sometimes 3 events in one day. It is the busiest time of the year to go to a fete, drink and wine in the streets and just have a blast.
So I asked him if I could give him a ring, because there’s quite a bit to do and we just can’t speak over messages to get him what he wanted. So, at about 4:30 we got on a group call with all 6 of them. Apparently, he was celebrating his wedding anniversary, but the trip was a disguise to an amazing anniversary gift. From the on-set, I could see that they were obviously mid 40’s, not trying to do any extras, but I do have a slight remembrance of “strip club” somewhere in the back of my mind. Lol. They were coming to go all out.
After much deliberation, we broke it down to a few party spots, the “strip” club and a night on the town. They were only in for 4 days. The carnival J’ouvert, which is basically a celebration of freedom in the Caribbean in many countries where you can jump and prance behind live bands on trucks. Picture it now, paint, powder, fire truck hoses, girls in bikinis, guys shirtless at 3am, drinking and dancing in the middle of the road along a 7-hour route. It finishes at 10 am. It was about to be amazing.
So, my team and I put everything in place. They were staying at the Sandals Resort so it wasn’t too far from the action. Matter fact, nowhere in Antigua is too far. Further point on island is literally about 45 minutes away, and it’s a beach. They get in the Friday afternoon, take some time to relax at the resort and I get a call, “Hey Jaxkson, we wanna hit the road, where to?” Now, we were supposed to collect their mas packages, which are basically a package for the road for the J’ouvert. We get there, wait for like 15 minutes before we are served. They were playing with Caution J’ouvert Mas troupe. Highly recommended. So after that, they wanted to get a few drinks.
First place I could think about was this really nice beac bar spot on the Fort James beach. It’s a historical site also. We get there, and the place is empty. Literally one guy on his phone, dressed in work attire (button-up, long sleeves, khaki pants, brown shoes) and the bartender, a pretty, short girl with dreads. So they take a few pictures and they are all seating around the bar area. "Hey Sam, let’s take a drink. What are you having? Now note, I am NOT driving, Del is, so it’s whatever. Let’s go for it. “English Harbour rum and Coca Cola please.” We cheers, drink up, have two, drink up and I see my boy Dave, a little “swayish”. Lol. He’s already on a vibe (that’s what I needed to see what pace we were looking at). Either way, they say they’re basically ready to get back to the resort because tonight is Party Friday. Let’s GO!
Now there’s this small, energetic spot in the city, St. Johns, a hookah lounge, to be exact.
The driver Del picks me up at about 6:30 and we head to the resort to get the guests because, we like early. With early, you get the best seats in the place, note you, we had a surprise for them. We reserved a table for them to sit and feel comfortable, but we weren’t gonna tell them that until they are nearly there. Finally, at about 7:47 pm they are all ready. It’s two sides to the resort, it’s the Mediterranean side and the Caribbean side. So we have to go to the two sides because everyone’s split up in different rooms. I think I’m just rambling at this point. So either way, everyone’s in the bus, and we introduce ourselves as the Action Team, because as we say “No Action, no fun”.
…to be continued (It gets better, pics and videos come at the end.)