keendog
I have been operating BA777's into ANU for 3 years now. What you are seeing is the result of V C Bird's ATC playing things safe and quite a few pilot's reluctance to deviate from "European" procedures.
Arrivals into ANU will be given a clearance to the Antigua VOR at the lowest level available above safety altitude and in respect of departing traffic - remember no radar here. If the crew do not elect to fly a visual approach when in sight of the field they will be cleared for a procedural VOR approach. From memory this starts at about 7000 ft altitude, hence the long descent and turn to the west.
If the weather is good my preferred option is to call field in sight a soon as is safe and perform a left visual approach from 2500 ft over the North coast. By careful use of speedbrake/flaps/gear/power (and not overflying St Johns) you can roll out on finals at 900 ft in a safe landing config. This saves quite a few minutes flying and announces our arrival to the crew hotel at Dickenson Bay.....