Its been a really good four days or so in Barbados. Now time to head on after an extenssion of my original plans of eight days. Dont regret a minute of it as its been brilliant and memorable. The cruise liner has been really good and I started getting very used to the cabin bed and the great buffet. Chatted to an elderly Indian gentleman and he explained that the Carnival Desitiny had been chartered by Indian supporters a few months before the World Cup started. They were pretty confident that their team would make it all the way to the final. Then after the debacle where they were eliminated by Bangaldesh, most supporters (based in both the UK and India) decided that they would miss the trip altogether. Thank goodness that mad/fanatical fan in Mumbai did not sell his kidney…may have been tempted to sue the team when they went out in the preliminary stages.

Barbados is a super island and its easy to see why so many Brits have this pencilled in as a holiday spot and there are plenty who have packed up and moved over here. Really cool lifestyle with plenty of sunshine all year round and crystal clear waters. After docking in Bridgetown on the Friday morning, I took a brisk walk down to the old military barracks. Along the way there were plenty of pubs and a few games of street cricket going on. When an island produces all time greats like Greenidge, Haynes, Worrel, Weekes and so forth, its no mystery why cricket is so popular here. Got talking to a few of the locals in the street but must admit that the people of Grenada are still the best and warmest of the lot. The local beer is Banks and its pretty good.

Hooked up with the Kiwi crew once again. While I was lounging in luxury on the cruise liner, they were indulging in something very similiar. They had managed to rent a superb spot in a beachfront complex in St Lawrence Gap, a few kms from the centre of Bridgetown. One of the best views I have seen in a long time. The idea was to head through to the Fish Market in the next town south….rumour had it that the place goes off on the weekend. A short bus ride and we were there. The place was like a wall to wall pub crawl with various stalls offering feasts from the ocean. We got stuck into a few local Banks beers and watched the locals getting down to the sounds of reggae. Plenty of bump and grind to the extent that similiar behavious in London or anywhere else, may have resulted in an arrest for grevious bodily harm! 

All the boys were a few sheets to the wind and now ready to head back to St Lawrence Gap. Best option- the local mini taxis. Now being a South African and having been forced to climb into these weapons of mass destruction on several occassions, this was no issue for me. However the other guys were soon discovering that having good travel insurance and maybe phoning home to say their final goodbyes was a good idea. Our driver was in no mood to mess around and was flying down side streets at speeds unknown to most people. Overtaking three cars at once around a sharp bend, stopping at whim and simply going beserk with so much base it was like a large bouncing can of soda. He must have been on a mixture of speed and the giggly twig! I looked around me and saw faces filled with fear and nails embedded into the fabric. It was soon over however and we all headed on our merry way. Big day tomorrow with the finals of the cricket. Thats if it was possible to sleep after seeing St Peter waving a few minutes earlier!

Finals day and after a great sleep (amazing considering that my body was still shaking from “The Fast and the Furious”), I walked onto the deck to discover that the sky was overcast and the covers were on the pitch. The game then only started around 12 noon. Enjoyed a great lunch (curry again..) and headed off to the new ground. Really impressive stadium. Bumped in to Steve and Scott, my tax and company administration founders in London, who were out here following their beloved Australia. Sat between the two of them and watched the drama unfold. It was pretty clear that Sri Lanka were the overwhelming underdogs and all the neutrals were firmly behind them. The guys were not so impressed when I started shouting for the Sri Lankans….easy explanation. Was pain enough seeing England win the World Cup Rugby….no chance that I was going to want to see Australia win three in a row. Very strange match in that it was called off after very bad light and then they decided to continue a few minutes later. In fairness there had been persistent rain but when they came back on the field it was impossible to see the white ball. ICC rules also stipulate that you cannot play under lights, so after a great match (unbelievable 149 by Gilchrist), it was hats off to the Aussies. Another win and time for me to head back to the cruise liner. Early evening and no alcohol with some diving planned for the morning…also not sure I could stomach the gloating that would surely be par for the course on the evening.

Sunday morning and off to Dive Adventures, based a few kilometers down the coast. One of the first dive establishments on the island and well recommended. Two dives with great visibility. First time I have ever seen turtles in the sea and managed to spot four in all along with a stingray. Took another stroll around town and then booked myself off the Carnival Destiny. The boat is supposedly forced (for ecological reasons) to leave port for six hours. It meant I could not go out and be back on time so I left the boat….my deal was only for four nights and this was the last one. The guys allowed me to sleep on their couch for the next two evenings which was greatly appreciated. Big evening had been planned with the Kiwi crew and the South Africans who had been staying in our apartment block in Grenada. Turned into a very interesting evening with plenty of rum punch for all to enjoy. The Yellow Bird apartment block looked like a bottle store the next morning.

We all headed up to Speightstown, north of Bridgetown, for some snorkelling and relaxation on the beach. really interesting taking the local bus there. Loud reggae music, jam packed with commuters and all singing under a blue Barbados sky. All good and another great island in the Carribean. Would love to come back one day!Now off to Puerto Rico and then on to Mexico.