Wise Thoughts

Usually if a car is shared among a couple of people, only one car insurance policy needs to be purchased rather than having a policy for each person who wants to drive the car. For instance, if there’s mum, dad, son and daughter, dad can be the main driver on the policy and mum, son and daughter can become named drivers on the same policy.

This is all good except for one very important clause – named drivers shouldn’t be using the car more than the main driver. If the son is going to take the car to work rather than dad, then he should be the policyholder (main driver) and not dad. Putting the father as the main driver will undoubtedly reduce the car insurance quote because of the driving experience he has combined with the no claims bonus accumulated over the years but this is an illegal practice nowadays and if get caught, then the insurance policy is automatically invalidated.

It is worth noting that named driver insurance is very popular because many people share a single car among themselves but there’s a major drawback to it nevertheless. Only the main driver accumulates no claims bonus for each year which has been passed without any claims to the insurer. Additional drivers or named drivers do not get any of this and should they decide to start a car insurance policy in their own names, they would unfortunately do so without any No Claims Discount (NCD) even if they haven’t made any claims whilst being on somebody’s else policy. Quite unfair but this is the reality that most named drivers come across when they look for their own car insurance.

Some companies nowadays are offering a discount to named drivers though, similar to NCD that main drivers get but different in the sense that this named driver no claims discount is not transferrable. This means that named drivers cannot use this discount with another car insurance company except the one which has given it to them. One other thing about this No Claims Bonus (NCB) being issued to named drivers is that it is not equivalent to the NCB given to policyholders; it is usually a lot less than that.

I have two male kittens that are just over 6 months old, one is a stripy grey colour called Tiger Billy and the other is stripy with a white face, belly and legs called Jet Li. They both have different personalities; Tiger Billy is very greedy whilst Jet Li plays it cool. The other day I found what looked like diarrhoea in the kitchen, I cleaned it up and checked the boys but they seemed fine. Tiger Billy was acting very strange he was very quiet and withdrawn.

We made a little area for him on the sofa and he slept for a little while and even ignored me whilst I served his lunch which was very unusual for him. After a little while he jumped off the sofa let out a very load meow and run under the table. I went to see and it sounded like he was throwing up a hairball, when I looked he vomited all his cat biscuits he cried for in the morning.

After I cleaned up the mess I called the vet, she advised me that he was over eating on cat biscuits and this was very hard to digest as it gets absorbed by water so he had to vomit it out. We have limited how many biscuits we give him  now no matter how much he meows and he seems to be fine.

It’s just really hard to ignore when your cat cries for food all the time you feel like you have to give in. My mum only feeds her cats twice a day once in the morning and again in the evening whereas mine get fed 4 times a day. Whiskas advises you to feed little and often recommending two pouches of food a day in small portions. I feed a pouch of kitten food in the morning and the half a pouch for lunch and another half a pouch for dinner. Just before we go to bed we leave some biscuits out for them. I have heard of neighbours who only feed their cats once a day, so I suppose it’s a personal choice.

Even after doing this my kittens still cry for food, other cats seem to survive on less than this and are perfectly fit and healthy. My mum has the third kitten in the litter that mine came from, he eats less but is so chubby whereas mine are long and lean. My kittens look like fully grown cats as their brother looks like a chubby kitten.

Just got back from Antigua in the Caribbean Sea and found a useful tour operator that supplies info for all tours and excursions in Antigua including prices. There is pretty much an excursion for everybody, land, sea and combining it with nature too. There are tours for younger children and those with teenagers that can also be enjoyed as a family with mum and dad. All holiday reps will tell you not to book with the hotel or independent tour reps because they are more expensive and don’t have proper insurance but this is incorrect. Holiday reps sometimes sell excursions too you that are cheaper because they don’t involve transport to and from the location. Having come back from Antigua a week ago I know because our rep tried it with us too. I prefer having a tour booked that also includes transport as this saves the hassle of having to pay different people for different services. Here are the current excursions and tours widely available in Antigua 2009:

Aqua Tours

Bird Island Cruise – A catamaran will pick you up from your hotel (if possible) and take you straight to Bird Island, a sanctuary for rare species of birds, marine life and unusual flora. You will get the chance to snorkel in the Caribbean Sea and a barbeque lunch and open bar is included.
Adults US $130pp Children US $82pp

CircumNavigation Cruise – You will see where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea, learn about the eco system of the mangroves, and stop at a deserted beach on Green Island for snorkelling and swimming. Lunch will be served before continuing to visit Pillars of Hercules and Nelsons Dockyard.
Adults US $150pp Children US $95pp

Sunset Cruise – By catamaran you will sail into the sunset to watch the sun go down whilst sipping champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
Adults US $110pp

Excellence Barbuda by Sea – Aboard the luxury state of the art catamaran travel in comfort to visit Antigua’s sister island Barbuda. Arrive at Low Bay beach you will see the largest colony of frigate birds in Codrington Lagoon. Lunch is served on the boat; swim in the tranquil crystal clear waters of Low Bay, the sand in Barbuda is pink because of the pink shells that wash ashore. Truly not a sight to be missed.
Adults US $165pp Children US $105pp

Deep Sea Fishing – Using rods and bait along with an experienced fisherman try your hand at catching Blue Marlin, Dolphin, Sailfish, Tuna or Wahoo. Some of the best fishing can be found off the Antiguan coast for beginners or seasoned angler.
Adults US $175pp Children US $175pp

The Extreme CircumNav – This will take you around the 365 beaches that Antigua has to offer, travelling gin a 45ft offshore racing boat. Stop at Stingray City and swim the tame stingrays, buffet lunch is served at Green Island. You will also cruise around Nelsons Dockyard with and expert historian and snorkel at the Pillars of Hercules with volcanic boulders below. You will then stop at Rendezvous Bay at a secluded beach to swim.
Adults US $218pp Children US $218pp

Antigua Beach Lime – Sail to the South of the Island taking in the picturesque views of the 2 mile long Cades Reef, snorkelling here is a must with a rainbow of fish swimming below you. A barbeque lunch awaits you on the beach with entertainment also provided, limbo with fire dancing and eating. You will then be taken to Frye’s Beach where you can swim in the crystal clear waters.
Adults US $130pp Children US $75pp

Cades Reef Cruise – Similar to the excursion above only it only takes you to Cades Reef and lunch is included.
Adults US $110pp Children US $75pp

Subcat – It’s a catamaran… it’s a submarine… it’s a SubCat. A real submarine and the only fully submersible catamaran in the world. The submarine has air conditioning and comfortable cushioned seats throughout. You will get the chance to sea angelfish, groupers, snappers, stingrays, barracudas, moray eels and many more tropical fish. There will be a tour guide who will point out and name the fish as you go by.
Adults US $125pp Children US $95pp

Adventure Antigua Eco Tour – visit the secret spots of Antigua’s North Sound, which are made up of countless reefs and twenty two little islands. Taken by catamaran into the calms waters you can then snorkel, visit caves, swim and take a small hike for some sightseeing.
Adults US $140pp Children US $140pp

Aqua and Land Tours

Island Safari and Stingray City – Take a drive through Antigua’s rugged countryside over rugged trails, drive through a fishing village of Seaton’s to Stingray City. Swim with the stingrays and snorkel to get a close up and see tropical fish.
Adults US $95pp Children US $75pp

Island Safari Eco-Kayak Tour – In a land rover explore the rugged countryside and historic sites. You will then arrive at the club house where with an experienced guide kayak over Antigua’s North Sound National Park. Snorkel in the colourful reef, visit the uninhabited bird island and enjoy a scrumptious lunch.
Adults US $100pp Children US $60pp

Mystic Land and Sea – a 4×4 safari exploring the South of the island, you will see the beautiful views of Falmouth Harbour. Arrive at the West coast and continue exploring by catamaran, then stop at Turners beach to swim and snorkel and enjoy a delicious lunch also included.
Adults US $115pp Children US $75pp

Land Tours

Best of Antigua Sightseeing Tour – experience local culture and life styles as you pass through different villages and many beaches and hotels along the way. Take a tour of the National Park and learn about Antigua’s history of Nelsons Dockyard, Clarence House and the Interpretation Center. The last stop is at Shirley Heights for a panoramic view of the Island.
Adults US $60pp Children US $60pp

Segway Historic Fort and Beach Tour – Travel back in time to 1706 when the British built the impressive forts to protect against the French invasion. Refreshments are provided as you drive along seeing the beautiful beaches along the coast.
Adults US $115pp Children US $115pp

Shirley Heights Sunset & Party – the most dramatic place in Antigua to watch the sunset sink below the horizon. Steel band playing in the background and new friends to be made as you dance to the rhythms.
Adults US $40pp Children US $40pp

Shopping – Take a trip down to St John’s for the day and stock up on Duty Free items such as alcohol, cigarettes, perfume and jewellery. If you’re lucky you might even bump into the local coconut sellers and drink fresh coconut and coconut cream.
Adults US $20pp Children US $20pp

Antigua Rainforest Canopy tour – well suited for children and their families as you visit a gorge in Fig Tree Drive. Glide along the tree tops to get an amazing view and complete the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ course if you dare.
Adults US $125pp Children US $75pp

Classic (SUV) Safari – In an air conditioned 4×4 relax in style as a VIP guest as you visit places of historic and cultural interest. Travel through the rainforest and stop at Nelsons Dockyard, visit a sugar plantation at Betty’s Hope and learn how rum is made. Lovely photos to be taken at Devils Bridge and Shirley Heights, you’ll also get to swim in the gorgeous turquoise Caribbean Sea.
Adults US $105pp Children US $78pp

Island Safari 4×4 Discovery – Take a tour of the Island on a comfortable 4×4 Land Rover as you discover the island and countryside. Stop at Betty’s Hope and then Long Bay beach for a swim.
Adults US $98pp

Remember to bring sensible shoes, towel, change of clothes, camera, sun cream and sea sickness tablets if travelling in a boat.

Just returned from a last minute break to Antigua leaving from Gatwick airport. As the holiday was last minute we only had a week to organise everything before flying off. The flying time is approximately 8 hours and 40 minutes from Gatwick airport via Virgin Atlantic direct flight. Upon arrival the airport was very chaotic and very hot; we opted for private transfers that only cost £20 per person return. We had a very big shuttle bus for just the two of us. The drive from Antigua airport to our hotel was only 20 minutes. The drive was very pleasant taking us through villages and farms with farm animals on each corner of the roads. All the houses are individual on large plots of land with a lot of trees and greenery not like the UK.

Arriving at the hotel Grand Pineapple Beach, we noticed that the reception is very old but staff are very welcoming and friendly; we were offered a very refreshing fruit punch (rum punch available as well) and checked in. We opted for a garden view room but were upgraded to an ocean view room at no extra cost. Upon arrival to the room the porter told us all about the facilities and where everything was situated, he didn’t even expect a tip!

The room was not at all as expected even for an ocean view room, it was very run down with dusty furniture and the tiles in the bathroom were dirty with grout missing. The sheets were dirty and smelly and air con was fairly loud.

As we arrived at the hotel for 3pm we set out to explore, everything is within easy reach of the ocean view rooms which is set on the hill and may not be suitable for the elderly or those with mobility problems. We headed to the beach and we were very disappointed! It is not at all like the pictures on the website, the sea is a little rough for our standard as I like to see my feet when I look down in the sea. You couldn’t see anything if you snorkelled as it was too murky but everyone there loved the beach! The food was ok not much choice with pretty much the same everyday and the same went for breakfast – nothing exciting. As this is an all inclusive hotel breakfast, lunch and dinner is all buffet style; we were very surprised when we were told you had to make reservations every single day. When you make them at reception they sometimes don’t pass it onto the restaurant and we are told that no reservations have been made, it is a very big inconvenience!

We only did one excursion and that was to Stingray City which is 5 minutes from the hotel (check the list of antigua excursions if you want). They came by speedboat and take you to the middle of the sea where it is calm and the water is crystal clear. There was only my husband and I and another couple on the boat. Upon arrival at Stingray City we were briefed of the dos and don’ts and were given snorkels. The stingrays are wild and venture out into the ocean but because they know their feeding time they come back when the boat arrives for us to swim with and feed them. We had pictures taken with them and hand fed them squid, we then got to snorkel and stroke them. They are very big but we never felt threatened or scared as we had guides with us in the water. It was the best excursion ever and I highly recommend it!

After arriving back from the excursion we were returned a few minutes from the hotel beach as the sea is calmer, we then realised the public beach was better than the hotel beach. We took bread with us every day to feed the fish that you could see at the water’s edge. The sea is much calmer at the far side of the public beach and snorkelling was amazing, apart from fish we also saw a baby sea snake, an octopus and jellyfish.

We went onto St John’s to get out money for the departure tax and were very surprised by how friendly the locals are. There isn’t much to see in St John’s and everything cost the same as the hotel shop apart from cigarettes. A box of 20 cigarettes cost $6 in the hotel and in St John’s duty free it cost $19 for 10 boxes of 20! Alcohol was also very cheap in duty free St John’s and we advise taking a private taxi and not a shuttle bus as the drivers are very friendly and tell you all about the island.

We had an 8pm flight so opted for a late checkout and got it for free; the going rate for the room is about $50. Even when we arranged this they didn’t make a note of it and we were given instructions for our check out at 12pm. So we had to go back to reception to sort it which they did hassle free but this could’ve been avoided!

Overall it was quite a disappointing holiday as we do enjoy pristine beaches with calm water. Antigua pictures are deceiving and holiday makers have a low standard when it comes to holidays abroad. Grand Pineapple is ok as it’s the only hotel on Long Bay beach and staff are fine but they are not so efficient. You would have thought that the caribbean would be much nicer than anywhere else but that’s not really the case. You cannot get the feeling from the pictures shown on most holiday places for the Caribbean. Some people have even booked their wedding there but Antigua itself doesn’t have the wow feeling unfortunately when compared to places like Mauritius or Maldives. I will not return to Antigua as there are far more beautiful islands in the world to explore so if you are on a budget this is for you if not then go somewhere else.