Veni Vidi Vici... Well, almost

After a fortnight of pina coladas, rum and very little coke, local beers, some of the best beach cricket and tanning you ever want to see, a couple of days on a catamaran and a schooner, a few charter flights on a 20 seater twin prop plane.... oh, and the Cricket World Cup, it had to come to an end.

I'm not going to steal everyone else's thunder with this post; a trip like this can only be done justice with a post from everyone involved. I've barely even touched on the highlights, and haven't even mentioned swimming with turtles and snorkeling on the reef just off the island where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed.

The semi-final day aside... the less mentioned about the day spent in hell the better, the entire trip was unbelievable. I've never seen such clear sea water in my life, such beautiful sunsets, so much rum... in fact, its probably apt that one of the most common sayings of the tour was, "...hey, lets get so bombed we can't see!!". But thankfully, my vision throughout most of daylight hours was great.

Anyway, I'm going to stop rambling on now, hopefully I'll be able to extract some pics from my camera's memory card so I can let some of the snaps do the talking. In the meantime, thanks to everyone for such and awesome trip, words do not do it justice. Hope all the kids have a great time in NYC, and the two who remained in Barbados for an extra night live it up large with Andy and Mark. Lara and Muzz, hope you had a good day in the Smoke and a safe flight back to the Republic. To the rest of the Londoners... roti's and rum at the Farm for the final tomorrow!! Go the 'Lankans!!

Cottons of London

Lee aka lava (??) located this legend restaurant and rumshack in 'norf' London (Chalk Farm) and it seemed only sensible for the London crew to hit the rum and get a taste of the Caribbean food we are about to live off for 2 weeks. Well, it seemed sensbile for the 4 of us to try it out, not so much for the 2 'close' friends from Southfields......

Leanne, Dodge, Sar and I climbed into some of the 200 rums available, as well as the fare. Items such as 'Coq-A-Rum' dissappeared seemingly as fast as they arrived, and it this restaurant is a guide on the flavours and quantities we are about to enjoy, then we certainly arent going to go hungry. Or thirsty for that matter!!

Check out the photos here.

The website is well worth a look as well.

So excited I can't sleep...

Bryan and I have just watched the Pirates of the Caribbean to get ourselves even more excited than we already are...and now I just can't sleep!!

So started googling more activities to do in the carribean and here's one I thought you guys might be interested in :)

Barbados Rum Shop Safari Tours
http://www.islandsafari.bb/barbados/island-adventure-tours/rum-shop-safari/

"A Real Local Experience"
Barbados is synonymous around the world with great tasting rum! As it should be - since rum was invented here! This tour is a celebration of this and the rum shop culture which is so integral to life here!
Our rum shop safari tour will take you on a day of adventure and discovery with stops at selected rum shops for a drink or “touch one” as bajans would say, as we sit around and discuss the latest gossip. This is a real local experience!
Must be 18 yrs or older to participate.
RumShops:
Martins Bay, Sandunes, Nigel Benn, John Moore
Includes:
Rum!! & Mix, Traditional Bajan Cutter and few other suprises along the way.
Duration:
9:30/10:00am – 3:00pm
Days:
Saturdays
Price:
Adults: US $42.50


Aye Maties
Captain Jack Sally ;-)

What we're allowed to take into the stadiums

Lots of talk recently about what you can, and what you can't take into the stadiums. Here is a summary.

The kit has landed

Bwymie has sent picked up the kit, and forwarded the photos. Click here to see the kit, as professionally modelled by 'Sally' at Bryan's personal modelling studio in Durban......... Photography by.... well, Bryan I assume!

HOw to make mates and influence people

By Ian Chappell (coach of India).

Following India's disastrous World Cup and humiliating early exit, Ian Chappell has decided that the best way to endear himself to the Indian public in teh aftermath is too recommend that Sachin Tendulkar retires from cricket. Now, India is an extremely religious country with approx. 1 billion inhabitants, and I bet that Sachin is not far behind the 'big guy' in the popularity stakes. Good thinking Ian, way to go. Stupid Aussie.

If Tendulkar had found an honest mirror three years ago and asked the question; "Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the best batsman of all?" It would've answered; "Brian Charles Lara." If he asked that same mirror right now; "Mirror, mirror on the wall should I retire?" The answer would be; "Yes."

Ruls is ruls - part 2

Further to my post below about the RULS, Cricinfo has provided a summary here.

They're having a laugh

Kevin Patterson is world's best one-day batsman

Kensignton Oval - Bring It On

Ok, so tournaments like this generally provide one or two shocks. Safe to say this one has trumped all aother in that area. Without even mentioning Woolmergate, we get to witness the cricketing talents of Ireland and Bangladesh in the Super 8's rather than the more fancied Pakistanis and Indians.


No matter. And true to form, I'm sure we'll all be part of the Blarney Army against the Sheep Shaggers come Friday, April 13th! Without further ado, here are the fixtures we'll be a part of.

April 13: Australia v Ireland
April 15: Bangladesh v Ireland
April 17: South Africa v England
April 19: West Indies v Bangladesh

I have no doubt that the showdown with the Poms will be epic, both on and off the field. I can't wait.

17 days.... and counting!