Trinidad & Tobago

by Jenny Andersen

I'm not really a cricket groupie... honest. It's possibly a little odd to spend 5 days travelling just for a 6 day break, but I'm no groupie.

Granted, it's a long way to go... but hanging out in the West Indies is about as far away from work, war and winter as you can get... and there just happened to be a test match on at the same time! Five days, 6 centuries (including King Lara's 1st on his home ground and Ponting's double), 3 shockers from Mr. de Silva, a couple of very fun evenings, and one breakfast with Boonie... and I've had a blast.

Highlights included Stag beer, any rum, The Pelican Club, the night after winning the test match, the guys who brought the 63cm colour TV to the ground, the 'quiet ones' after the game at the Cricket Wicket, conch shell blowers, my karaoke-ing taxi driver, steel drums, The Trinnie Posse, Chutney music (a blend of Indian and Calypso?!?), flying fish burgers, shark and bake, cashew nuts and the fantastic locals who were just so friendly and welcoming. A word of warning though - the cans of XS that look and taste like lemonade, aren't - ooops. Trinnie accents are really strong and I generally had no idea what people were saying. Best to smile politely and say 'oh no, thanks' rather than a tentative 'ye-es' in this place. "I canna let yuh be going dem back to Australia wid dow me nuh baby can nuh? Don't yuh wanna hab my chirren, baby" is not necessarily a good thing to be agreeing to. A few hundred flag-waving, fellow non-groupies were there, but Trinnie people are just so chilled! It's also famous for hosting the loudest, wildest and most popular Carnival in the Caribbean, usually in about March. Trinidad is not a huge tourist destination (they have large petroleum reserves) but Tobago (the little island off the coast) has an excellent reputation for diving and wildlife. It's about a 15-minute flight from Port of Spain. I stayed at the Hilton which was fantastic and easily the best accommodation in Trinidad. Both teams, all the media and Boonie (!!!) were there too. Spacious rooms, big balconies, great views and an omlette man at breakfast! There's a nice pool, a couple of bars, friendly staff, and it's walking distance to the major sights of Port of Spain. Rates are from about US$110 in Trinidad, and US$135 in Tobago.
	Player access was amazing, and nothing like the hours I'd spent with a little brother waiting patiently outside the dressing rooms at the SCG. Both teams were extremely friendly, always said 'hi' in the corridors and chilled out in the bar of the hotel. Actually, the West Indies team were hilarious - and could be coaxed into swimming races and diving competitions (point your toes Mervyn and you'll get a better score!).
All in all, a great destination - especially if you combine it with some other Caribbean islands, or perhaps a cruise. Every cricket fan should see a test match in the West Indies at some stage - the atmosphere just can't be beaten. It's just so 'cool mun'.