The name of the island counry of Antigua and Barbuda comes from the Spanish words antigua (“ancient”) and barbuda (“beard”). There are actually three islands that make up this lovely Caribbean country, but Redonda, the third, is just an uninhabited rock. They were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 during his second expedition. They were first inhabited by Indian tribes, and later by Arawaks and Caribs. The first colonial settlements were founded by the Spanish and French, but after two centuries the islands became a long time British possession.

Past and Present

The English arrived on the archipelago in 1667 and a little later planted the first plantation with sugar cane. Soon they started growing more cotton and tobacco. To provide themselves with workers, they imported slaves from Africa. Slavery was abolished in 1834. The entire economy of the country is now based on the development of tourism. Its main asset is the already mentioned beaches – exactly 365 in number, with golden-pink sand. The sweetest pineapples in the world grow here, and they are black in color. Low mountains, coral reefs, tropical forests and a year-round temperature between 26 and 32 degrees are a magnet for tourists. The name “Antigua and Barbuda” sounds today like a promise of an earthly paradise.

The full text of the article,  can be found in the file attached.

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You can read the entire interview in the attached file.

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Autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges with social communication. Parents often notice signs of autism during the first three years of their child’s life and the signs often develop gradually. Autism has been associated with a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It affects information processing in the brain and how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize. Behavioral, psychological, education, and/or skill-building interventions may be used to assist autistic people to learn life skills necessary for living independently. It is estimated that 1 in 160 children or 0.63% have autism nowadays.

“Autism Awareness Month” in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition. The Society for Children with Autism was founded in 1965 by Bernard Rimland and remains one of the few civic organizations in the autistic community. Driven by the fact that autism is one of the fastest growing disabilities in the world, in 1972, the Society for Work with Children with Autism organized one of its first national events – an awareness campaign – “National Week of Children with Autism”, which later grew into “Autism Awareness Month“, and is celebrated in April.

The initiative emphasizes the need for public awareness to promote acceptance, celebrate the differences, and be more inclusive towards autistic individuals around us. Every April, the Autism Society works to build an inclusive community where autistic individuals are embraced and supported to achieve the highest quality of life possible. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Environment of Antigua and Barbuda decided to support the cause by the moto “Wear Blue on Fridays” starting the campaign from 1st of April.

The campaigns do not end here, a month earlier, on 21st of March is the “World Down Syndrome Day”, which has been officially celebrated by the United Nations since 2012. Down’s syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is usually associated with physical growth delays, mild to moderate intellectual disability, and characteristic facial features. Education and proper care have been shown to improve quality of life. Down syndrome is one of the most common chromosome abnormalities in humans and occurs in about 1 in 1,000 babies born each year or around 0.1 %.

The date chosen is the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. This year, the Health Minister of Antigua and Barbuda supported the initiative and rocked at his office with different socks, thus following the initiative around the world again gave publicity to the disease. The various socks were not chosen as a symbol of the campaign by chance, in 2013 the topic “Wearing strange socks” was initiated to raise awareness. Over time, it became known as “Many Socks“. The idea was created because chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome.

These are some great initiatives which are taking part in Antigua and Barbuda, showing that the island is not only a holiday destination, but also a supportive community. Everybody can help by supporting local group activities, donating to non-governmental organisations and showing your love to the most vulnerable ones.

Sources:

https://nationaltoday.com/autism-awareness-month/

https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/about-wdsd

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It is a place where you return to your nature,  dissolve into nature and fill yourself with harmony. It is a place where people, who know how to celebrate life, live – if you forgot how it is done, they will teach you.

The address is easy: Antigua and Barbuda, the Lesser Antilles, somewhere between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Set aside the worries and take the adventurous spirit with you. Bon Voyage!

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Fully vaccinated arriving passengers must present an RT PCR test negative result of 3 days or fewer from the date of testing to be permitted entry into Antigua and Barbuda. This includes transiting passengers. In keeping with concerns over the potential spread of the new COVID-19 OMICRON variant, the provision allowing for the presentation of Rapid Antigen Tests is suspended until further notice. Home PCR tests are not accepted.

Unvaccinated minors between the ages of five and eighteen years old must present a negative PCR test of 3 days or fewer from the date of testing. Children below the age of 5 years entering Antigua and Barbuda,  do not require a COVID -19 RT-PCR test.

Fully vaccinated passengers entering Antigua and Barbuda who can present verifiable documentation that they have received both doses of a World Health Organization (WHO) or Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment approved 2-dose COVID 19 vaccine or one dose of a single dose COVID-19 vaccine and have a COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test result will be allowed to stay at bio-safe/certified accommodation/yacht. At least two (2) weeks must have passed since the administration of the FULL vaccine dosage. Vaccinated citizens or residents of the island who test negative for PCR will not be subject to quarantine.

Persons quarantined at a government-approved facility for a period of fourteen (14) days will do so for a fee not exceeding EC$82.00 per night. Passengers who arrive without COVID 19 test results or with incorrect COVID test results will be charged the cost of administering the required RT PCR test assay. The fee is US$100.00 for non-nationals. Passengers who knowingly present false declarations of COVID-19 negative tests or vaccination on arrival will be fined according to the laws of Antigua and Barbuda.

The approved vaccines on the territory of Antigua and Barbuda are the following: AstraZeneca (SK Bioscience), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Covishield, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Moderna (Pikevax), Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty), Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik V.

The wearing of a face mask in public spaces is mandatory throughout Antigua and Barbuda and social/physical distancing protocols must be adhered to. Therefore, all passengers arriving in Antigua and Barbuda must wear a face mask on disembarkation, while on the airport compound, and in all public places.

All arriving passengers must complete a Health Declaration Form which will be distributed on the plane and will be subjected to screening and temperature checks by Port Health Authorities upon arrival in Antigua and Barbuda.

Additional information can be found on the following link.

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The Minister of Health announced that there are currently only six (6) active cases of Covid-19 in Antigua and Barbuda. Despite the situation with the reduction of the number of infections, the cabinet decided that the visitors and the returning citizens cannot use fast antigenic tests for entry. Entry into the country will be done only with a PCR test done no later than 3 days before the visit. The new measures will take effect from 8th of December. The cabinet’s concern comes from the growing incidence of the new variant of Covid-19 – Omicron.

According to the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) data, it is not yet clear whether Omicron variant causes more severe infection than other variants, including Delta. Preliminary data suggests that the number of hospitalizations in South Africa is increasing, but this may be due to the growing total number of people infected rather than the specific Omicron variant . There is currently no information to suggest that Omicron-related symptoms are different from other variants. Initially reported cases of infection are among younger students, who usually have a milder illness, but determining the severity of the Omicron variant will take from a few days to a few weeks.

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 On November 1, 2021, Antigua and Barbuda celebrates their 40th anniversary of independence. In 1981, the island nation gained its independence, but remained within the British Commonwealth. The Head of State of Antigua and Barbuda is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She appoints a governor of Antigua and Barbuda, who performs her functions.

On this occasion, the Honorary Consul of Antigua and Barbuda in Bulgaria, Professor Ivan Todorov addressed his wishes for progress and prosperity and expressed hope for promising and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Traditionally the celebrations for the national holiday of Antigua and Barbuda are held for a whole week during which parades, exhibitions and competitions of various kinds memorable for their splendor, diversity and enthusiasm are organized involving both the local population and the tourists. The celebrations of the island nation are impressive, full of high spirits and positive emotions.

Antigua and Barbuda is an incredibly beautiful country populated by happy and hospitable people. Tourism as well as many other sectors in Antigua and Barbuda are experiencing serious upswing. An unforgettable experience and memories of the sparkling smiles of people always filled with optimism, remain for anyone who has already visited this beautiful country.

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„The visitors of Antigua and Barbuda fall in love with this Caribbean paradise full of nice people, great food, 365 beaches and lots of fun.”

Antigua and Barbuda is an incredibly beautiful country with kind and hospitable people. It has some of the most captivating white beaches, surrounded by breathtaking turquoise sea. Due to its incredible natural resources and impeccable service, tourism there is making a real progress.

The wonderful climate, the natural resources, the opportunities for free movement to other Caribbean countries, nice and positive people, for a leisurely lifestyle, for exceptional fishing are something which should not to be missed. Fresh seafood, combined with exotic spices and the influence of Creole cuisine, cannot leave any lover of delicious food indifferent!

The head of state of Antigua and Barbuda is the Queen and the state is a member of the British Commonwealth. The citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are governed by Her Majesty. This is also a guarantee of legal order and respect for the state. Antigua and Barbuda has a visa-free regime with many countries around the world.

The island is a relatively well developed country with higher GDP per capita than in Bulgaria and several renowned American hospitals. The prime ministers of Antigua and Barbuda have always graduated from some of the world’s most prestigious universities, which is not insignificant.

As an honorary consul of this wonderful country, I am obliged to assist not only its citizens in Bulgaria and the surrounding countries, but also the citizens of the Caribbean Union, which unites more countries. We take part in the annual festivals for the presentation of the local cuisine and the typical for goods for the island. I am actively working to clear up the problems between the EU and Antigua and Barbuda regarding the registration of companies and the use of banking services. Antigua and Barbuda is no longer on the EU’s “blacklists” in these fields.

Even now Antigua and Barbuda is extremely attractive to visit. Isolated cases of coronavirus, impressive level of hygiene in the hotels on the islands, exceptional measures of the airlines, which through the installation of filters and air disinfection made it almost impossible to get infected with coronavirus in compliance with all acting safety measures, make Antigua and Barbuda the right place for a safe vacation even during the coronavirus pandemic.

Intercultural differences are one of the main factors to visit a country. The people there are really very kind to tourists. Everyone is very kind to tourists. People are more relaxed, but that doesn’t mean they’re lazy – they just don’t waste their nerves on things they can’t change. They love spontaneous fun, dancing, spending a lot of time outside. Bulgarians feel perfect there.

The world is so colorful and extraordinary. It gives you the opportunity as a child to enjoy so many new things. In this sense, travelling not only enriches but also makes you feel younger. In general, the accumulation of wonderful memories is so much more fascinating and therefore more valuable than the accumulation of objects.

Link: https://travellmagazine.com/prof-ivan-todorov-posetilite-antig/

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The smartphone is turned off here, the laptop does not come out of the bag, the people do not look for contacts with the outside world. Holidays in Barbuda are a kind of retreat: the rejection of such benefits of civilization such as hot water at any time of day or night, good roads, store shelves, abundance of goods, Wi-Fi. One day in Barbuda becomes a test of strength – it’s hard to stay out of the habit of almost never talking to anyone, seeing nobody, relaxing blissfully on the beach, almost like you are on a desert island.

For the refined tourist, Barbuda may seem like a boring island. The only attractions that the island offers are the famous pink sandy beaches, caves, and the habitats of large colonies of rare birds. The list of “attractions” on the island ends here. But if you go to the Caribbean, you should be prepared to be amazed by the pristine nature of the islands and the lack of Ibiza-style parties or shopping malls in the spirit of Bangkok…

Among the famous attractions of the island are the 17-kilometer beach with soft, fine and clean sand, white as flour; the famous Pink Beach – a beautiful phenomenon of several miles of pink sand, which looks like this because of the shells living in the reefs; Darby Cave, where when you sit on the edge of the huge rock, you feel as if you have found the Lost World, as well as the Dark cave where the local Arawak Indians probably lived hundreds of years ago.

With its population of less than 100,000 inhabitants, the island will offer you moments that will stay with you for a long time after you leave, amazing weather regardless of the month of the year, as well as  solitude, silence and tranquility.

This is probably how heaven looks like…

Link: https://travellmagazine.com/barbuda-nebrezhniyat-karibski-ritm-na/

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Sounds like a real paradise. Visitors to Antigua – nearly half million people per year are convinced of this! The motto of the islands is the phrase “Here we have 365 beaches – one for each day of the year.”

Here are 365 great beaches, one for each day of the year, and the choice of restaurants and bars is abundant and you can definitely count on delicious food and refreshing drinks, served with great care and attitude. But Antigua also offers a number of attractions for those who want more from the sun and the sea. Historic sites like Betty’s Hope Estate take you back in time. In the season of legendary cricket competitions, in Antigua the excitement of avid fans peaks. The culmination of the season is, of course, the Sailing Regatta, which is also Antigua’s biggest event: the famous Sailing Week, where the spirit of competition electrifies and the party is endless.

Antigua and Barbuda is a destination for all who love the splendor of the sea and beautiful nature. In fact, many investors take advantage of the opportunity for profitable options for real estate on the islands. The business is booming due to the fact that thousands of tourists from all over the world come to the islands every year.

For more interesting facts for the islands, you can read the attached article at Travel magazine.

Link: https://travellmagazine.com/antigua-i-barbuda-karibski-raj-s-365-plazh/

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