My Barbados Blog

The Caribbean International Film Festival will take place in Barbados April 9-13 at which "Hit For Six!" will be screened.

"Hit For Six!" is a fictional account of a West Indian cricketer who fights a match-fixing charge.

Since its establishment in 1992, the Pan African Film Festival has promoted cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression featuring quality films from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the South Pacific and Canada.

Visit the "Hit For Six" website for more information - http://www.hitforsix.com/ 

Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, March 1st, 2008

The 27th annual Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup will be held at The Garrison on Saturday March 1st, 2008.

This is the the leading horse racing event in Barbados, and the largest and most important in the Caribbean region. This international 9 furlong race attracts some of the world's best thoroughbred horses throughout North America and the Caribbean.

Along with a fine day of racing, visitors can also enjoy the traditional Gold Cup Parade, local food vendors, and there will also be live bands to provide musical entertainment.  

For more info, please visit the Sandy Lane site

The technical adviser to the Barbados national team, the USA's probable opponent in the second round of World Cup qualifying, says the Bajan Rockets can upset the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) giant if they meet in June.

"I am quietly confident that we can upset America despite they are rated 109 places above us," Keith Griffith told the Sunday Sun recently. "It will be the greatest moment in the history of Barbados' football if we can knock out America."

Griffith's confidence flies in the face of history, however . . .
The USA and Barbados have met twice, and the Americans have won each time.

In qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, the USA beat Barbados, 7-0, in Foxboro, Mass. In the final game of the semifinal qualifying round, the Americans needed to win in St. Michael to advance to the Hexagonal finals, and they won, 4-0, after going into halftime tied at 0-0.

Read full article at Soccer America Daily

Almond Resorts Celebrating Super Bowl

For the 10th year, Almond Resorts is inviting clients to watch the Superbowl 42 game at Almond Resorts, the all-inclusive brand in Barbados.

Big Game Week is once again being hosted by NFL alumni Billy Taylor, former N.Y. Giants' running back, along with Matt Blair, former Minnesota Vikings' star linebacker, Iowa State player and author; Jim Osborne, former Chicago Bears Defensive tackle; and Joe Morris, former N.Y. Giants running back and member of the Superbowl XXI winning team in 1987.

Big Game weekend activities with the players include a golf scramble, beach volleyball, basketball, tug-o-war and a relaxing sunset cruise on the Caribbean Sea.

Big Game Week Packages at Almond Beach Village Start at $1,039 per person during Almond Resorts'Big Game Week, Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, 2008.

Packages are all-inclusive except for any equipment that guests may wish to rent for the Golf Tournament and the Sunset Cruise. Package price quoted is for a standard room, based on double occupancy. Booking period for this special rate ends Jan. 11, 2008.

Participation in activities with the NFL alumni is subject to space availability and reservations are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Once booked, travel agents can sign up clients for the week's events and the Big Game Party (on or before Jan. 15) via email. Other packages are available.

A minimum stay of three nights is required to qualify for participation in Big Game Week activities.

This is a very popular package. Please contact us ASAP to make reservations!

As promised, My Barbados Blog is featuring some of the smaller, more affordable properties on the island. Today's feature property is an apartment complex on the south coast of the island, in an ideal location - with a golf course!  . . .  Linda

Plum Tree Club is nestled amid the lush tropical gardens on the well known Rockley Golf Course in the south of Barbados, and just six miles from the airport, and four miles from the Capital of Bridgetown.

Plum Tree has a total of 40 self-contained apartments grouped around its own swimming pool, car park facilities and beautifully landscaped gardens.

A free shuttle service takes you to Rockley beach, one of Barbados' most beautiful beaches. The ocean is breathtaking, and swimming is safe, and the warm water is glorious. 

The location is bustling with activity (shops, restaurants, bars, banks, etc.), but you can always return to the peace and tranquility of Plum Tree. They can also arrange golf packages, car rentals, island tours, scuba diving, sailboat and jet-ski rentals as well as fishing expeditions.

US$85 per 1 bedroom apartment, per night, plus 7.5% tax. Max. 2 persons per apartment. This price is valid til December 22, 2007. 

This weekend, the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders Associations Sprint Stakes and Trophy will be run at the Garrison Savanah.

The purse is over $44,000 for the main race, and a $25,000 purse for the second featured race.

Kabul, a six year old thoroughbred, and four time winner is the favorite to take the trophy on Saturday. Two other horses from last year's race, Don Anglesonny and Ribo Tango, will also be competing for the title.      

GO LADIES! YOU ARE NOT GETTING OLDER, JUST BETTER!

This first day of competition was this past Monday, and Barbados senior women athletes have so far won six medals at the 2007 Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah.

Held each year in St. George, Utah, this event attracts athletes age 50 and above. It's a good thing to see international seniors competing, and showing the world they are in great athletic shape.

Barbadian Esther Worrel took a gold medal in the women's 55-60 age group shot putt.

And Janita Austin won a gold medal in the 50-54 age group women's shot put, and then Janita took the silver medal in the high jump.

Barbadian seniors Kathy Harper-Hall, Shirley Harper and Ainsley Lovell all won bronze medals in the standing broad jump event.

Bajan born Rihanna continues to top the Billboard Charts at the number one spot for the 7th week in a row. Some of the folks back home in Barbados don't like her new image, but we are not "hating" at My Barbados Blog!

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Caribbean Beat Blog says that Brooklyn sometimes feels like it is part of the Caribbean. In part because of the many Caribbean immigrants that call it home, in part because of its Carnival.

The Brooklyn Museum is hosting an exhibition of Contemporary Caribbean Art from August 31 to January 27, 2008.

On show will be nearly 80 works in a wide range of media, created in the past six years by 45 emerging and established artists with ties to 14 Caribbean nations, including Barbados. 

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Shane Brathwaite - World Champion Gold Medal Winner

Barbados Free Press congratulates Shane Brathwaite - Gold Medal Winner, and we also send wholehearted congratulations - carry on to the Olympics! Read more about Shane at the Free Press.

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Barbados Restaurant Blog - Says that Danar serves good local food and the bar is well stocked. It is a great opportunity to try such local delicacies as black pudding, souse and coucou. There are daily specials too. Tasty food and generous portions. Check out other restaurant reviews.

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Barbados Hash Harriers - Run 1258

Saturday, July 14th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Location: Windsor Plantation, St. George
Hares: George "Running Man"
Signs Posted From: Bussa Roundabout, ABC Highway.
- Bring your own Meat, Mugs, Money - 

The Barbados Hash House Harriers was founded in November of 1985. Although we are a group primarily focused on running and walking events, we also promote charitable projects for the less fortunate. Boasting over 100 regulars, we meet every Saturday and Bank holiday at different locations throughout our beautiful island of Barbados. All are welcome to join us, just show up to run or walk, and to socialize... On On!

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Kathleen Springer writes Travel Q & A for the Washington Post and the current subject is "An Eye Out for Hurricanes"
She says "Even in a worst-case scenario in which, say, you took 50 one-week vacations to Puerto Rico (relatively hurricane-prone) in September (the busiest month for storms), you would probably get hit only once. In short says Chris Landsea, of the National Hurricane Center, "if I got a chance to go to Barbados or Jamaica in September, I'd go." I could not agree more! - Read the full article at Washington Post

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Pink Sand & Cocktails posting at travelblog

After posting a few bars of Rihanna's hit "Umbrella", blogger "Adventures in the West Indies" concludes that Barbados was a nice dose of civilization with fantastic restaurants and beautiful beaches - especially Crane Beach.

I ran across two interesting stories from both Barbados newspapers, The Nation and The Advocate . . . Linda

NBA Player Enhances Basketball in Barbados

NBA player James Jones, also known as "JR", is on the island of Barbados to enhance the sport of basketball on the island. Jones was recently traded in a $3 million NBA draft deal by the Phoenix Sun to the Portland Trailblazers.

Jones is married to a Bajan, and after leaving the NBA players meeting in the Bahamas, they both traveled back to her island home.

Read NBA Player Here to Help in the Nation News

BTA hosts New York radio station in Barbados

The island of Barbados reached 1.5 million listeners in New York with a three day live broadcast by 101.1 JACK FM's promotion with the Barbados Tourism Authority.

And starting next week, the radio station will offer six listeners an opportunity to win a trip to Barbados by registering online, and then calling the station within 30 minutes if their name is called.

Air Jamaica will provide airfare, and the participating Barbados properties are The Hilton, Treasure Beach and The Crane Hotel.

Read full story at the Barbados Advocate

A Bajan reader responded to a posting we made on March 8, 2007 - Marion Jones Marries Barbados Sprinter Obadele Thompson 

The blog posting stated that Obadele Thompson, 30, was the first athlete from Barbados to win an Olympic medal when he took the bronze in the 100 at the 2000 Sydney Games.

Actually that is NOT correct, Thompson was the first Bajan to win an "individual" Olympic medal - not the first to win an Olympic medal.   

Bardadian James Wedderburn won an Olympic Bronze medal, along with his team mates in the 1960 Olympics.

In looking up the records for the 1960 Olympics, Wedderburn and his team mates were listed as being from the British West Indies. The West Indies Federation was formed back in 1958, and Barbados athletes were part of the West Indies Team as part of the official Olympic records. 

James Wedderburn (born 23 June 1938) was a Bajan athlete who competed mainly in the 400 metres.

He competed for West Indies in the 1960 Summer Olympics held in Rome, Italy in the 4 x 400 metre relay where he won the bronze medal with his team mates Malcolm Spence, Keith Gardener and George Ezekiel Kerr. And George Kerr also took home the bronze medal for the men's 800 meter race.

While verifying the medals for the 1960 Olympics, there were a lot of surprises and new comers that were destined to become famous.  

The first African American women's track star Wilma Rudolph set two world records in the 200 meter and 100 meter, and ran the anchor leg on the 4 x 100 meter relay team for a third gold medal. 

The 1960 Olympics also introduced 18-year-old Cassius Marcellus Clay won the Gold medal in the light-heavyweight boxing division, and he later became known as Muhammad Ali.

The 1960 U. S. Olympic basketball squad was one of the best teams put together until pros were allowed to play in 1992. The roster included Walt Bellamy, Terry Dischinger, Jerry Lucas, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West who brought home the Gold. All went on to stardom in the NBA, and three of them - Lucas, Robertson, and West - are in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

And another bit of trivia - The 1960 Olympics were the first to be fully covered by TV. Taped footage of the Games were flown to New York at the end of each day and broadcast on CBS in the US, and Eurovision provided live TV broadcasts throughout Europe.

Posting from the Black Muddy River Blog

Barbados has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, and is easily the most beautiful island in the Caribbean.

I obviously haven't been to all the Caribbean islands, but some of my colleagues have and they assure me that no place is as beautiful and complete as a tourist destination as Barbados is.

I say 'aye' to that from my scattered experience.

Read more . . .

http://blackmuddyriver.blogspot.com/2007/04/world-cup-diary-barbados-in-submarine.html

A group of 41 former cricketers from Barbados, including some famous names, is clubbing together to help former team-mates who have fallen on hard times.

The organization, Cricket Legends of Barbados, will also promote the game on the island, and stars a glittering roll-call of members.

Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes, Wes Hall, Charlie Griffith, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Joel Garner will all lend their time.

Finish reading this article at BBC Sport

Been on vacation enjoying some Caribbean sun and fun in Turks & Caicos. Now its back to reality with catching up on lots of e-mail, and getting taxes done before the April 15th deadline. I'll be back to regular posting either before or by this weekend - meanwhile here's a little of what's happening in Barbados - Linda

Barbados Brothers Make Their Mark

Rico Walcott began riding when he was seven years old but got serious about becoming a jockey when he turned 15 in his native Barbados.

"There were horses in a pasture near where we lived and I learned how to ride initially on them," said Rico.

"I kept seeing how good Rickey (pictured here) was becoming as a jockey, though, and I got excited about maybe trying to follow him. I started as a jockey in Barbados two-and-a-half years ago and now I'm pretty focused on following in his footsteps."

Rickey is the leading rider at Stampede Park at the moment and the first to surpass the $100,000 earnings mark already this spring.

Read full article

Prince Harry Enjoying Barbados

Before Britain's Prince Harry heads off to Iraq for a six month tour, he and his girlfriend Chelsy Davis are having a great time in Barbados. The prince and his girlfriend are staying at a private villa at the Coral Reef Resort.

Reports from the British press say that Harry and Chelsy have been boozing it up with rum punch, lots of dancing and boat racing on the West coast. Over the weekend he and Chelsy flew to Antigua to watch England play Australia in the Cricket World Cup.

The young prince loves a good time, and the British press recently photographed him on a drunken night out at home. So the young prince is not doing anything more than he does at home, but I bet it's more fun in the Caribbean!

Air Jamaica's New Barbados Schedule is a Success!

Air Jamaica is reporting lots of business with its new schedule to Barbados, and the Eastern Caribbean.

Air Jamaica recently celebrated 10 years of service bringing visitors to the island of Barbados, and there are plans to add additional flights to Barbados.

Barbados All Decked Out
Indiatimes Cricket reports that Barbados is all decked out!

"Welcome to Barbados, the three Ws were born here." This was a hoarding put up right inside the Grantley Adams International Airport.

It was the best possible reminder to all tourists travelling for the first time to these parts. Of all the islands in the Caribbean, this is the richest in terms of cricketing tradition. More cricketing legends have come out of Barbados than from any of the other islands put together.

Read the full article

In other World Cup news . . .

Kensington Oval is the Best!

The directors of CWC has given Barbados Kensington Oval the highest score of the 12 Cricket World Cup venues for preparedness and readiness. Kensington Oval is the host the World Cup Final, which will be held on April 28, and also stage six Super Eight matches.

Slow Ticket Sales . . .
CWC organizers have priced tickets so high that cricket fans throughout the Caribbean and Barbados have not attended many matches. Along with high tickets prices, cricket fans complained bitterly about not being able to bring their traditional musical instruments (conch shells, shak shaks, horns, trumpets and drums) into the stadium unless they had advance permission.

But the organizers finally caved in to the reality that cricket fans in the Caribbean have their own lively cricket culture, and if you try to make that culture bend to your rules - it won't. So, the traditional musical instruments have been allowed, along with allowing fans to leave the grounds and re-enter.

Now to fill up the stand with locals, tickets are being offered at discount prices, and in some cases free tickets . . .

A plan which could include a drop in ticket prices for the Cricket World Cup matches in Barbados is being devised by officials to avoid the low turnout and other disappointments being reported in host countries so far. Read more at caribbeannetnews.com

And the Barbados Free Press comments on the "strategy" of selling the same tickets twice.
 

48 Days of Sky Sports Coverage From A Five Star Villa in Barbados - Now that's a "dream assignment" . . .

The question on every viewer’s lips, as the cricket World Cup gets under way in the Caribbean, is: “How did David Gower swing it?”

How did the silver-haired former England captain come to be presenting Sky Sports’ coverage from a five-star holiday villa in Barbados, with sumptuously stocked and shaded garden, private beach and exquisite sea views?

Sounds like lots of envy among his peers, and I'm jealous too!

Read the full article
 

Olympic sprinters Marion Jones and Obadele Thompson were married in a small ceremony in the rural North Carolina town of Wilson's Mills.

"It was very homely, very quiet and simple," the Rev. Vibert Tyrrel, pastor of the Union Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilson's Mills, told Reuters News in a telephone interview from his home in New Bern, North Carolina.

It's Only Cricket!
51 "need to know" on ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in Caribbean

A cricket blogger who not only gives the pros and cons on blogging, but has made a list of 51 "need to know things" on the 9th Cricket World Cup - the ICC Cricket World Cup.

The blogger has broken down the game of cricket into categories, and additional links are included. Especially good info for those that are not familiar with the game.

There has been, and continues to be conflicting information on the number of cruise ships visiting Barbados during World Cup Cricket.

Since many of the ships are chartered by individuals, companies, organizations, along with travel agencies, it is nearly impossible at this time to really determine the number of arriving cruise ships and passengers - but information on the status of the Carnival Destiny continues to stay in the news. 

The Barbados Free Press ran a posting, and asked why the Barbados Tourism Authority was now in the Middle East trying to sell cruise cabins on the Carnival Destiny.

Any organization, travel agency or company can charter an entire cruise ship provided they first have the clout and financial backing to do it. When a cruise ship is chartered, the expectation is obviously that the majority, if not all of the cabins will be sold. Also, when chartering a cruise ship, a lot of control on the "theme" of the cruise, the food that is served, as well as onboard entertainment, etc can be exercised.  

The worst possible scenario is chartering an entire ship, and not being able to sell the cabins. What happens then? Since the cruise line has shown "sold out" for that particular sailing, either last minute bookings, or a check better come QUICK!

Speaking of the power that can be exercised when chartering a cruise ship . . . 
- In December a family of 16 paid deposits for a July cruise on the Norwegian Dawn's cruise to Bermuda in July. Their cruise was just cancelled last week because Rosie O'Donnell & Associates booked the entire ship for the annual gay and lesbian family cruise. The family's grandparents were celebrating birthdays, the family tried to re-book - only to find out the cruise price had gone up by $600 per person. The  cruise line refunded their deposits, and offered them $100 per cabin towards onboard expenses if they would choose another Norwegian cruise - end of story. 

Aside from charters, some travel agencies have the clout to reserve group space - which simply means a number of cabins are put on hold, allowing the agency time to market and sell the cruise space. Selling a number of reserved group spaces on a cruise ship does not usually exercise any control other than your agency will have a number of clients onboard. But as we'll see here that's not always the case.

Okay - Back in Nov 2006, Barbados Free Press ran an article about the Barbados Tourism Authority chartering the Destiny (3,000 passengers) for 19 days at the cost of $15 million US.

On February 2, the Barbados Nation News announced that since the Barbados Tourism Authority had chartered the ship, Barbadians were being offered a low cruise price of $495, and hundreds had taken advantage of this special low price.

News travels at the speed of light across the Net, and I'm sure many cricket fans found this interesting since at the same time the Destiny was offering prices ranging from US$8,000 and up for cruises from 8, 12, and 20 night packages.

On Feb 9, the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association stated that the Carnival Destiny was 80% booked, predominately with the Indian community - however they stated there was a "continuous potential" to pick up last minute bookings. However BFP now reports that only 40% of the ship has been booked.

Then on February 17, Trust Travel & Tours, a top travel agency in India announced they had arranged an "deal" with Carnival Destiny cruise ship to be anchored off the island of Barbados, and the cruise ship will also be used for travel to the other island matches. Trust Travel & Tours says they "negotiated" with the cruise company for serving "authentic Indian food”.

The only time you arrange a "deal" or "negotiate special food" with the largest cruise line in the world is that you bring lots of paying customers, or on a charter gone astray, bringing about 40% of the passengers will create a new "theme" cruise.    

BTA is in Dubai selling last minute cabins because they chartered Carnival Destiny, and have a responsibility to make their intentions (money) good.

Since the Indian travel agency has sold most of the cabins, it will now be a Middle Eastern theme ship, along with "authentic" food, Bollywood or whatever it takes to please the paying clients. I wonder what the Dubai clients might request? Anyway, it's all good - I have hope everyone has a great time on Destiny. 

One things for sure, BTA certainly learned a lesson about "marketing" a chartered cruise ship. And those few hundred Bajans who took advantage of the low cruise prices will get a lot of exposure to Indian culture.   

As far as other cruise ships docking in Barbados . . .

From the listing below, some cruise ships are offering overlapping cruises. A particular cruise ship may offer a shorter cruise for World Cup - still have cabins available, and have marketed longer cruise sailings on the same ship. Other ships are offering back to back cruises - see SeaDreams schedule below.

One things for sure, Barbados harbour will be full - just how full is still the question - and I certainly don't have all the info!!!

Private Yacht Charters

Caribbean Yacht Charter, Sailing Directions and Crewed Caribbean Yacht Charters have available yacht charters for CWC from US $11,000 to $100,000 per week. All companies report that yacht charter sales are going well - 6 private charters by individuals will be primarily docking in Barbados, and 11 other private charters that will visit Barbados. 

Celebrity Cruises has announced that they have added 5 additional cruises to accommodate World Cup fans - try to figure it out at this site: http://www.cricket-cruise.com/itinery.html

Two of the Celebrity cruise schedules that have been extensively marketed:
Celebrity Galaxy Super Eights Cruise - Departs April 5th from Puerto Rico - Itinerary leaves Puerto Rico, includes stopovers at the islands of Antigua, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Bequia and Barbados. Prices starting at US $6,200 per person

Celebrity Galaxy Finals Cruise - Departs April 18 from Barbados  Cruise hosted by Merv Hughes - Itinerary includes stopovers at the islands of Grenada, St Maarten, Antigua, St Lucia, Bequia, Dominica and Barbados. Prices starting at US $9,500 per person

SILVERSEA SILVER WIND - Private Charter for World Cup
The Geographical Company of India has exclusive use of the luxury 6 star 296 passenger Silversea - Silver Wind for 2007 World Cup. The ship is scheduled to be in Barbados April 11,13, 15 and 19. Other ports of call include Martinique, St Lucia, Bequia, Grenada.  All inclusive cruise only fares for the 11 day voyage start at US $7,500 per person.

Norwegian Crown - Private Charter from Australia - 16 Days
April 12 leaves Miami - Cruise to St Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Tobago and Curacao. First semi from Jamaica shown onboard - Priced from US$9386.00 per person to US $14,096.00 per person - includes airfare from Australia, match tickets to semi finals and finals, cruise, meals and entertainment on board.

Holland America - World Cup Cruise 17 Nights
April 16 - May 3 - Maasdam
Departing Miami, sail to Grenada and Barbados for 2 Super Eight Matches before cruising to Martinique, Dominica, St Lucia for the Semi, St Vincent, Barbados for the final and then via the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale. Inside cabins start from US$9322.00.

SEADREAM - Prices not quoted

March 15 -25 - Seadreams II - Graham Gooch Scholarship Cruise - Hosted by Graham Gooch, Alec Stewart, and Geoff Miller
Arrive Barbados, St Lucia, England v New Zealand, St Lucia (Sailing around the island), St Lucia, England v Canada, Dominica,  Nevis, St Barths, St Martin, Virgin Gourda BVI (Seadream Beach party), St Kitts, Australia v South Africa, Depart Antigua

March 25 - April 12 - Seadream - 18 Night A Caribbean Odyssey
Australia v West Indies, West Indies v New Zealand, Australia v India, India v New Zealand, England v Sri Lanka and England v Australia, all in Antigua, and England v India in Barbados.

March 30 - April 30 - Seadream - True Cricket Fan Cruise - 30 days
Arrive in Antigua, Day in Antigua, Sail to Nevis, Return Antigua, Montserrat, Sail back to Antigua, Arrive St Barts, Sail to Virgin Gorda, Arrive St Martin, Return to Antigua, Sail to Guadeloupe, Arrive St Lucia, Arrive Barbados, Spend day in Barbados, sailt o Bequia, Arrive St Lucia for 3 days, St Vincent, Mayreau, Return to Barbados, Day in Barbados, Depart for London

April 4 - 12 - Seadream - Idyllic Isles - 8 Nights
Arrive Antigua, St Barts, Virgin Gorda, St Martin, Return to Antigua, Guadeloupe, St Lucia, Arrive Barbados, Depart Barbados next day.

April 12 - 30 - Seadream 18 night cruise
Depart London to Barbados, Spend day in Barbados, Arrive Grenada, Union Island day sail, return to Grenada, Arrive back in Barbados, Cruise to Bequia, Mayreau, return to Grenada, Arrive Barbados, Day in Barbados, Sail to Bequia, St Lucia, Mayreau, return to Barbados, Day in Barbados, Depart for London.

April 12 - 22 - Seadream 10 Night
Depart London for Barbados, Spend day in Barbados, Arrive Grenada, Sail to Union Island, Return to Grenada, Arrive back in Barbados, Cruise to Bequia, Sail to Mayreau, Return Grenada, Arrive back in Barbados, Return to London

Apr 22 - 30 - Seadream 8 nights Semi-Final & Finals Cruise
If there’s one place that every cricket lover will want to be on 28 April 2007 it’s at the Kensington Oval in Barbados for the Cricket World Cup Final. You can be there, in a style second to none, by boarding SeaDream with us for 8 nights combining island hideaways in St Vincent & The Grenadines, the St Lucia Semi-Final and the Final itself.

Air Jamaica has implemented a special schedule (including Barbados) designed to benefit cricket fans attending ICC World Cup Cricket matches in the Caribbean.

These rescheduled flights between South Florida and the Caribbean will make it possible to fly in and out of Jamaica on the same day to watch a game.

The revised schedule will see JM038 departing Fort Lauderdale on March, 13, 19, and 24 at 6:45 a.m. and JM039 rescheduled to depart Kingston at 7:30 p.m. (arriving back in Fort Lauderdale at 10:10 p.m.). This schedule will also be in place for the semi-final round in Jamaica on April 24.

Air Jamaica has also scheduled special flights from Barbados and Jamaica for the semi-final round in Jamaica and St. Lucia and the finals, which will take place in Barbados.

On April 24, the special charter will depart from Barbados at 5:10 a.m. to arrive Kingston at 7 a.m. to give fans the chance to see the semi-final in Kingston and return following the game at 7:45 p.m. to Barbados via St Lucia.

The following day, April 25 will see two flights departing Kingston to St. Lucia at approximately 2:30 a.m. and returning the same day at 9 p.m. to give fans the opportunity of viewing the second semi-final.

Air Jamaica will operate two flights on April 28 from Kingston to Barbados, departing at approximately 2:30 a.m. and returning 9 p.m. to facilitate viewing of the final match.

For more information, visit www.4isv.com or www.airjamaica.com.

Sandy Lane Gold Cup - March 3, 2007 - 1 p.m.

The Garrison Savannah, located outside of the capital of Bridgetown has been the home of horse racing since 1845.

The Sandy Lane Gold Cup is the most prestigious in the Caribbean and attracts the very best horses and jockeys from across the region for a nine-furlong invitational race.

The Gold Cup race is run annually on the first Saturday in March. Prior to the race the Royal Barbados Police Force Band will perform, and there's always a colorful parade with dancers and stilt walkers. 

The Gold Cup is sponsored by one of the island's leading, and most exclusive hotels, Sandy Lane.