A week ago 3 girls from Antigua and Barbuda rowed a 2800-mile stretch from California to the Hawaii Island of Kauai in 42 days. Next week you will find two Antigua girls in space. There are no limits for the Island Nation of Antigua and Barbuda and the women in that country that simply love adventure to the extreme.
No wonder Antigua and Barbuda are among the best holiday islands in the Caribbean. They offer visitors two uniquely distinct experiences.
With two of its own, the twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is over the moon, and excitedly gearing up for one of their greatest adventures in history as Keisha Schahaff and her daughter Anastasia Mayers embark on a space travel journey, that will see them become Antigua and Barbuda’s first astronauts, and the first Caribbean mother-daughter duo to go to space.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Schahaff who is forty-six years, and her eighteen-year-old daughter will on August 10, 2023, board the Galactic 02 spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico, marking Virgin Galactic’s first private astronaut spaceflight, and second commercial spaceflight.
To mark the historic occasion, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority announced today that two public watch parties will take place on August 10 in both Antigua and Barbuda, allowing for the entire nation to be a part of the celebrations.
Galactic 02 will mark a historic and inspirational moment for the Caribbean and beyond, with watch parties and observances happening to celebrate the curiosity and achievements of the astronauts.
“Antigua and Barbuda’s spirit of adventure is unparallel. We commend the duo who will for years to come serve as an inspiration for those within our society who dream of traveling to space, and as a reminder of fearless Antiguans and Barbudans who have broken barriers. We are excited to witness this moment in history and extend an open invitation to all to join us at the watch parties for this historic moment”, said Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment.
CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James added, “We applaud our ladies as they embark on their remarkable journey to space. The excitement is such that the whole of Antigua and Barbuda feels as if we will be going to space with the ladies. We cannot wait for August 10, and will be out with our flags to cheer the ladies on”.
Special invited guests of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, The Hon. Gaston Browne. Also at the watch party will be Sir Richard Branson founder of Virgin Galactic, and Christopher Huie, a Jamaican-American, who earlier this year became the 19th Black astronaut, family of the Antigua and Barbuda astronauts as well as Government officials and dignitaries.
The watch party in Antigua will take place at the Antigua Recreation Ground and in Barbuda, at the Holy Trinity Primary School. Venues will open at 9:00 a.m. with launch time shortly after 10:00 a.m.
Antigua Recreation Ground is the national stadium of Antigua and Barbuda. It is located in St. John’s, on the island of Antigua. The ground has been used by the West Indies cricket team and Antigua and Barbuda national football team.
In addition to being part of the countdown and witnessing the exciting launch of the Galactic 02 spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico live on screens in Antigua and Barbuda, persons attending the public event will enjoy entertainment and activities in celebration of the occasion.
The public will be able to view the spaceflight live on: www.virgingalactic.com anywhere in the world.
More about Antigua and Barbuda:
Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every day of the year.
The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities.
Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism events calendar includes the Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month, Run in Paradise, the prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles northeast of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away.
Barbuda is known for its untouched 11-mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere.
Find information on Antigua & Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/antiguabarbuda Facebook: www.facebook.com/antiguabarbuda; Instagram: www.instagram.com/AntiguaandBarbuda
SOURCE: Rowing the Oceans, Flying to Space: Antigua & Barbuda Girls do it
