More Boat Race Preparations

Are these the boys in dark blue or light blue? Anyhow, prime and backup boats out for training...... and doing interviews:

Which requires truck loads of equipment to get those pictures back, an in HD too:

Are you excited yet?

{my view for the next week}

Tune in around April 12th to hear all about my 10 day trip to Jamaica. We will be enjoying a private villa rental and then our annual pilgrimage to Strawberry Hill in the Blue Mountains.

I've arrange some lovely little posts in my absence... such as my favorite travel gear, a few more new photos from Sandals Emerald Bay, and don't forget to click on over to my Destination Wedding Blog for more Caribbean fun! Enjoy!

Oxford in training

More preparations for this weekend's Oxford (boo, hiss!) vs. Cambridge (hurrah!) boat race.

It's the Oxford squad (boo etc) out for a practice row, accompanied by some of the ladies and gentlemen of the press.

Note the dainty little landing stage to ensure the scribblers and paps don't get their precious feet wet in the process!

Laying the buoy

More preparations for the Boat Race on Saturday, this time a bright yellow buoy (pronounced "boy") just upriver from the start. I'm guessing its for spectator boats to moor up to without drifting into the way of the rowers.

In size its not really in the same league as those big boys (pronounced "boys") down by the docks but just as useful.

Breezes Resorts March Madness Sale!

For 3 days only BREEZES Resorts are on super sale at 35 to 50% off!

Book by March 31 for travel April 10 – June 11 to take advantage of these incredible savings. Blackout dates and restrictions apply. See below for complete details. Applies to new bookings only. Other dates are available at higher rates. 

TRAVEL: April 10 - June 11, 2010
BOOK BY: March 31, 2010 at 11:59pm ET

What's Included? At Breezes Resorts & Spas virtually everything you can eat, drink & do is included in one simple, upfront price with no tipping allowed. So leave your wallet behind and bring a healthy appetite for great food and endless fun. All on some of the best beaches in the Caribbean and Latin America. 


Sample Rates:
Breezes Panama starts at $78/night
Breezes Grand Resort in Negril starts at $138/night
Breezes Runaway Bay starts at $114/night
Breezes Trelawny starts at $81/night
Breezes Curacao starts at $104/night


Breezes Resorts are located in Jamaica, Bahamas, Curacao, Panama, and Brazil. All areas with easy airlift from most major US gateways and if you fly Condor from the UK.

BOOK HERE!

DW minus 5 O&C BR minus 6

There were quite a few double kayaks heading downstream this evening - must be final training for next week's Devizes to Westminster Race.

Easter weekend will be a busy one, as its also date of the annual the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race.

Hope the weather is good for both, and they don't bump into each other!

H.O.R.R. 2010

Well the Embankment at Putney was heaving today with boats and their rowers getting ready for this year's Head of the River Race.

Nearly 400 crews from Universities all over the UK, including my old College, together with entrants from across the Channel, competed on a pleasant spring day.

The results are out and can be found here. Also found an interesting if rather fuzzy video guide for coxes that was interesting viewing which can be downloaded here.

New Sandals Emerald Bay Photos!

Sandals Resorts newest property is a gem! Sandals Emerald Bay is located in the Exumas, the Out Islands of the Bahamas. Enjoy these photos of some of the beautifully appointed common spaces on property:

We love the rich dark woods and cooling neutral palettes...

The chic, classic Caribbean style greets you from the moment you step into the lobby:

Do we really need any words to describe the beach? 

If you need words, think sugar sand, calm waves, and the warmest clear water around...

The Boathouse Restaurant is reminiscent of a posh yacht club...

Being that Sandals Emerald Bay is a new hotel, there are some great promotion rates right now - up to 65% off + 1 night free! Combine this with great airfare rates from the US or cheap flights to the Caribbean from London.

Stay tuned - I'll be posting a few photos of the rooms and private living spaces at Sandals Emerald Bay next week!

Best Caribbean Cruise Shore Excursions

I have a secret. I don't like to cruise. I've gone on ONE cruise 10 years ago and it was the worst. vacation. ever. No need to name names or go into detail... cruising simply isn't the vacation style for me at the moment. Because of this, cruises are a tough sell for me. The only time I am comfortable suggesting this for a client is if they are new to Caribbean Travel and they can't settle on one to two islands for their first visit. In this case, cruising is a great idea! It can give you a synopsis of what every island has to offer and you can decide which one you want to return to for more. The downside to this idea is that you really can't judge an island by what you see at the cruise port. You MUST get as far away from the ship as possible, away from the noisy vendors and crowds. I've put together a list of my favorite Port Excursion Companies:

Chukka Caribbean - one of the most reputable tour companies in the Caribbean with outposts on Jamaica, Belize, and the Turks & Caicos. Highlights of this company are the horseback ride & swim.

Shore Trips is the largest provider of shore excursions catering to the cruise market. The neat thing about this company is they will package together excursions in multiple ports so you can plan more and save more!

Island Routes is a new company but owned by the same company as Sandals Resorts. They offer tours in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua, & the Bahamas.

PS. You don't have to miss out on cruising the Caribbean if you live in Europe! There are many cheap flights when you fly Condor to the Caribbean!

Tonight we sail to the edge of the world

Actually not quite that far, just to Brixton.

And we got the tube rather than sailed.

And it was last night, when went to see the indy rock group Editors at Brixton Academy, who's lyrics include the line used as the title of this post. It was rather good, even though rather a lot of the songs were about death and blood.

To get a flavour there's a rather crackly YouTube of Papillon someone's uploaded here.

How it is at the Tate Modern

Been rather busy recently, so not a sailing entry but a last chance to see post.

Over the weekend went to the Tate Modern to see the installation in the Turbine Hall called "How it is" which is basically a very big black box.

Black, that is, on the the inside, so that when you walk into it up a metal ramp you are marching towards the void, into the tunnel towards the underworld.....

Spooky!

Of course not quite so spooky when sharing the experience with dozens of tourists taking pictures of themselves with flashes on max.

However well worth a dash in and see, but it's only on till the 5th April so go for it now.

ME Cancun Launches Meal Plan Special Discounts!

ME Cancun Launches Irresistible Meal Plan for 2010!

IRRESISTIBLE Meal Plan Package Rates:

$185.00usd per person per night based on double occupancy

$255.00usd per person per night based on single occupancy

The above rates are per person, per night, based on double or single occupancy in US Dollars. Based on Meal Plan Packages.

Rates Include:

Room Night

      Maid Service and Porterage

      Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (selected menus will apply)

      Dinner a la carte with reservation in our SALT, SILK  and/or BEACHHOUSE Restaurants (selected menus will apply)

    Unlimited Domestic Drinks from 10ª.m. until 11:00p.m.

      All Food & Beverage gratuities

      Use of the Gym (lessons are at additional cost)

     Turn down service

     Taxes and services included

**All meals/beverages are offered at the restaurants/bar available during regular hours of operation. Surcharges apply for private events.

Book by April 20, 2010! Hurry, don't let this great offer get away! Contact the Caribbean Travel Specialists at Caribbean Journey to book today.

Beaches Friends Forever Girls Getaway

Have you seen the trailer for the Sex & the City 2? My favorite tagline at the end of the clip is when Carrie says "Sometimes, you just have to get away with the girls." So true!

Ready for your Girlfriend Getaway? Beaches Resorts are rolling out the red carpet for you and your girlfriends to go on a 4-night vacation in paradise at a very special rates. So, grab your girlfriends, kick back, relax and enjoy Caribbean-style fun at the Beaches Friends Forever (B.F.F.) Girls Getaway.

Exclusive B.F.F. Activities:

Welcome Cocktail Reception

Island Dance Lessons

Skin-timate Skin Care Sessions

Beach Bonfire Pajama Party

Meditation Classes

Stretch Yoga & Seaside Pilates Classes

Chartered Snorkeling

Farewell Dinner

PLUS:

$200 SPA GIFT CERTIFICATE
Receive a $200 Red Lane® Spa gift certificate for the ultimate in pampering. Plus, receive welcome gifts, a 10% discount at the retail shops and a free 5x7 photograph.

SUNSET SAIL AWAY CATAMARAN CRUISE
Sail away on a catamaran cruise for the ultimate party on the water! (An $85 value)

B.F.F. Weekends:

April 29 to May 3, 2010

October 14 to 18, 2010

May 12 to 16, 2011 

October 13 to 17, 2011

Rates start at $1199/per person. Visit Beaches website today or send me an email and I will help you plan this fabulous getaway!

Huge Savings on the new ELITE Rooms at Casa de Campo!

APRIL & NOVEMBER OFFER:
Valid for programs held April 5-30 and November 1-30, 2010
Experience our new Elite rooms with a FREE category upgrade...book now and save up to $300 per room on your
4-night program!

•	Savings represented on rate inclusive of tax and service charges.
•	Available for select dates and new bookings only. Some restrictions apply.

BEST VALUE SEASON OFFER:
Valid May 1 - October 31, 2010
Elite Room with Golf Cart $195 per room single/double occupancy, per night, 4-night minimum.

•	One Complimentary meeting room for entire group stay.
•	One Complimentary function area for private group event (on day of your choice).
•	Private group check-in and assistance of in-house Group Specialist.
•	Complimentary turn down service each night.

In addition, a 5% discount on your choice of ONE of the following:

–	Spa Services
–	Food & Beverage consumption charges
–	Entertainment Charges
–	Group Excursions or Team Building Activities

I'm ready to help you plan your trip to Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic today! Drop me a line: 866-236-1924.

Jakes OFF ROAD Triathlon - Jamaica

Book Review: The Natural Navigator

I have just finished Tristan's "The Natural Navigator" and there is one clear bit of evidence that I've enjoyed it and it has in some sense done its job. For having read all about the different ways in which the world around you can give you navigational clues I just want to head right out there and look for them, preferably with the expert to hand to guide me.

Tristan has a straight-forward style that is easy to read and the book has many clear illustrations to explain things such as constellations and sun sticks. There are many gems inside, from stories of the explorers in the time of the Egyptians and Ancient Greeks, to the great Polynesian navigators that travelled the vast spaces of the Pacific sailing by the stars and reading the swell.

This book would be of interest not just to those that have an interest in navigation, but also for anyone who walks, kayaks and sails in the outdoors, for it will enhance the experience. By looking at the world around you rather than staring at the LCD screen of a GPS you will have a much more rewarding experience.

It's something that us humans used to rely on for thousands upon thousands of years, and we evolved from animals that also needed to be able to find their way to food, water, and home. So just like the Tern can pilot its way from Arctic to Antarctic, there is a bit of our brain that lies there waiting to help us find out way.

And what's more it enjoy's the act of helping us, and as any navigator knows, there is great pleasure to be had in the landfall that arrives on cue, or the risky path through the fog that takes you just where you planned to go.

When travelling if I have a new city to explore I sometimes do what I call "map reading without a map" which is to have a good look at the map but then leave it in the hotel room, exploring with nose and eyes rather than looking down at a scrap of paper.

And it's always been an interesting and much more rewarding experience, to find your way from A to B by your skill and observation.

So get this book and use it to feed your instincts so you too can become a Natural Navigator.

Spring Boat

I have just finished the Natural Navigator (review to come tomorrow) and it made me think about this picture.

It's a boat I saw on the Thames recently, and there is time information in this picture, and time knowledge is crucial for navigation.

So why does this boat say that Spring is here?

Cancun's Underwater Sculpture Museum

Cancun's Underwater Museum gives divers and snorkelers the opportunity to admire more than 400 original sculptures in depths ranging from 9 to 20 feet. 

The amazing sculptures are by the artist Jason de Caires Taylor. {be sure and check his other projects to read about the installment in Grenada.}

Enjoy!

A walk and talk with the Natural Navigator

I'm about two thirds through Tristan's book on Natural Navigation and enjoying it a lot. It makes you want to go out there and try them out in the field - hopefully with the NN himself to hand to pick up the subtle clues that otherwise I'd miss.

But there is a chance to do just that - and in comfort - simply by using your browser to follow Tristan and the BBC's Evan Davis as they explore the land around the M25 (so not exactly wilderness) .

Just click here to go to the BBC web site to watch the video, here to go to Tristan's site or here to go to Amazon to order your copy!

Haiku for Tillerman's Laser

I was very impressed by the talent on display inspired by the call to write a poem about the America's Cup, and decided that such skills deserved, nay demanded, a second showing.

But what topic to cover? Well how about the possible (or possibly not) damage to Tillerman's Laser.

So how about it, blog readers of the world, present your poetry please, on the "Ode to the fallen Sailboat (or maybe not)".

I'll kick-off with these Haiku: there are two as don't know whether the news is good or bad, hence:

Alas it gusted fifty

Tillerman's Laser is lost

Now we are all sad

Or

Despite it gusting fifty

Tillerman's Laser is safe

Now we are all glad

3 Nights Free at the Hermitage Inn - Nevis

Low Season Special! Book 7 nights and receive 3 FREE at the Hermitage!

The Hermitage is charming historic Caribbean Plantation Inn on the island of Nevis.  It offers true West Indian-style cottages in a lush tropical location, with swimming pools, tennis courts, horses, great nature walk opportunities and gourmet dinning.

The Hermitage is perched about 800 feet on the side of Mount Nevis -the perfect location, cool mountain breezes at night and the beaches are only 15 minutes away!

Our frequently returning guests help create a wonderful house party.  With only 15 rooms, the atmosphere is always intimate. 

A Poem for the America's Cup

The Poet Laureate is the official bard of the royal family. It's a traditional post that goes back hundreds of years and holders of it include William Wordsworth, Lord Tennyson, John Masefield, John Betjeman and Ted Hughes.

There's been quite a variety of topics for their works, from wandering as lonely as a cloud to the sea fever that sailors get.

And today we have another, namely the skills of that great footballer David Beckham. The current holder, Carol Ann (no not that one, her surname is Duffy) is a big fan of the beautiful game and morns the loss of one of England's finest from the coming World Cup - and rightly too.

But where are the great poets for the sailing competitions of today? Did any crafter of words become inspired by the 33rd America's Cup? I would like to say I leapt at the chance to fill this gap but poetry is not my forte

Is there, then, someone out there who will be able to record for literary posterity something that captured the essence of the contest?

In order to show how low the threshold of quality really is, here are some lines using the structure of a limerick drafted by yours truly:

There was a young man named Ernesto

Who loved to race with a gusto

On loosing AC-33

Said Larry with glee

It’s time he hung up his Mustos

Oh dear! Please put us all out of our misery!

Caribbean Journey - World Travel Awards Nominee

I am so excited to announce that my travel company, Caribbean Journey, has been nominated for a 2010 World Travel Award. Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the "Travel industry's equivalent to the Oscar's", the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and most prestigious awards program in the global travel industry.  

As a World Travel Award Nominee, Caribbean Journey will be put forward into the final round of voting. The results will then be announced in September. Voting is extended to over 183,000 travel industry professionals and the general public. If you've used my travel planning services or simply appreciate learning about the Caribbean from this blog, please take a minute and vote for us! Check back in September to see if we won. Thank you!

St. Mary's Putney

I only noticed today the writing on the sun dial on St. Mary's Church, Putney.

A very appropriate message for those living by the tidal Thames!

Henry Moores at the Tate

Another post, another excuse.

This time it's the Henry Moore Exhibition at the Tate Britain, looking at the development of his ideas and influences like Mexican art and the blitz of London. Some of the latter were rather scary, sculptures of figures that looked like they were made from bone (but actually plaster).

As always the Tate puts on a good show so very interesting and enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. The restaurant at the Tate Britain in particular came out trumps

What makes a good club member?

I'm re-posting this picture for three reasons.

Firstly it's a nice picture of Wayfarer with asymmetric up on the Thames.

Secondly to honour O'Docker's detective work.

Thirdly because it comes from a sailing club I'm not a member of, and that is a bit of a relief.

The thing is I'm not a very active member of either the sailing or kayaking clubs I'm a member of. The emails come popping into my in-tray at regular intervals, telling of successful trips here, plans for voyagers there, and always the call for help.

And there are people out there who are club regulars who are always out on the water, not just sailing and kayaking but training and safety boats, cleaning out the boat shed and organising the racing.

I have friends who row who are in the gym what looks like all the time and then out on the water a couple of times per weekend. While I'm impressed by their dedication that doesn't feel right for me.

Apart from the fact that its cold and dark there, work sends me to travelling at irregular intervals, there are relatives to visit and entertain, nephews, nieces and godsons with birthday's to entertain, and I made a resolution to do more non-blog related writing.

And, oh yes, I have a blog to update, a blog about the sailing and kayaking I'm not doing. Hmmm.... something not right about that sentence.......

Though on reflection I've decided that maybe I'm actually the perfect club member, as I pay my dues but don't wear out any club boats.

That's my story, and for this evening at least I'm sticking to it.