Martin Battaliou’s Grenada Favorites

Martin and I met through the Grenada-Beaches website in the weeks leading up to his Grenada travel.

He and his family were some of the many South African fans who came to Grenada for the Cricket World Cup.

Pictured to the left is Martin at the Grenada National Stadium at the South African versus West Indies Match.

South Africa did well in Grenada, and Martin and family did even better. They had a blast!

Here’s what Martin said about his favorite places and things to do in Grenada:

Hello Neville

Thanks for the email. We had an awesome holiday in Grenada. My family particularly enjoyed the hotel we stayed in Mi Hacienda, high over Grand Anse beach near the golf club.

We also enjoyed our day trips, especially the ferry to Carriacou and the beach bbq. Our favorite restaurant by far was Aquarium.

A week is too little to see the whole island. Missed fish Friday but got to see Short Shirt and Gabby performing instead. They were also staying at our hotel. Please find some photos on the following link:

(Neville’s Note: I’ve selected some photos from the link Martin sent me. See them below. Oh, and I’ll definitely check out the Beach BBQ at Aquarium next time I’m home … Now back to Martin)

Downside was we thought accommodation a bit pricey, renting a serviced apartment in Venice was about half the cost (500 pounds v 1000 pounds). Seems like there’s a US dollar price for tourists and a local EC price for everyone else. Got to find a beach house away from St Georges on a bus route…

Straight ahead mon!

Martin Battaliou

(Neville’s Note: Martin you are sure right, the major hotels in the Grand Anse area can be pricey especially in peak season. The World Cup Cricket was Grenada’s biggest event ever, so I am sure the laws of demand and supply took over and made things much more pricey. Feel free to venture outside to the touristy areas to find better deals next time … Grenada is very safe and friendly.)

Here is the entire Battaliou gang: little Johnathan, wife Roz, Martin and older son Joshua.

Martins lovely wife Roz, on their hotel patio overlooking grand anse

Jonathan poses on a coconut tree for a picture in Levera (or Satauers) Beach

Joshua takes a shower at Annandale waterfalls

Joshua and Jonathan with new found friends in the hotel pool

Roz and Martin on route to Carriacou aboard Osprey Ferry

From room at Mi Hacienda Hotel. Roz relaxing on the patio with Grand Anse Beach in background

Now that’s what paradise is all about. Just think of this when you want to relax

The local mini buses are great and cheap way to get around Grenada. Here is Martin on a bus ride through River Road headed to St George’s. The background music is actually playing in the bus, and is by popular Grenada Soca artist Tallpree. You will notice Martin in the front window seat recording. According to him: It [this video] always brings a smile to my face.

Thank you Martin for sharing your special moments in Grenada with us. You absolutely had and amazing time. And I have a strong feeling you will be back.

If you have a great story, experience, place, person or thing you want to tell us about Grenada please share by clicking here.

I’d love to hear from you.

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ICC 2007 World Cup Cricket

Grenada

The ICC 2007 World Cup Cricket Grenada segment has come and gone, but for those of us who were there the memories live on.

This section of Grenada Beaches is dedicated to all the cricket fans world wide, especially those who made it to Grenada for Cricket World Cup 2007, and especially, especially those who partied with me at the Grenada National Stadium Party Stand.

ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 as it was officially called was the biggest sporting event ever hosted in the Caribbean. And Millions of dollars went into the preparation. By far the greatest expenditure for each island was the building of a new Cricket Stadium. Grenada was no exception.

Grenada Bounce Back

The Grenada National Stadium was built specifically with the Cricket World Cup 2007 in mind. But for Grenada, the West Indies and the rest of the world successfully completion of the Grenada National Stadium and hosting the World Cup Cricket games ran deeper. It was a symbol of resolve in the face to two back to back hurricanes that devastated the island two years earlier.

I think anyone who visited Grenada for the World Cup Cricket never imagined that only two years earlier this beautiful island laid in ruins. To rebuild from scratch a new and more impressive National Stadium and to host an event the magnitude of the Cricket World Cup, in the face of utter destruction and chaos from hurricanes is nothing short of spectacular. And Grenada could not be more proud.

And for me the little boy who grew up only a stone throw from the site of the Grenada National Stadium watching the transformation from a rinky-dink Queens Park cricket ground to a state of the art National Stadium especially with the hurricane disasters in the mix gave me much to celebrate. And celebrate I did.

Here are some additional highlights as I saw them over the 2 weeks I spent at the Grenada World Cup Cricket Super 8 round.

A Gloomy Start

Grenada was one of the most exciting and action packed venues of the Cricket World Cup 2007. Other than the known fact that we Grenadians know how to party, a couple other unexpected variables set this up.

• First, the Big Boys India and Pakistan were sent packing in the opening round of Cricket World Cup 2007.
• Second, Pakistan’s coach Bob Woolmer was murdered in his hotel room.
• And finally West Indies fans stayed away from matches due to inflated ticket prices, and anti West Indian restrictions, and regulations at the venues.

So it’s fair to say that Cricket World Cup 2007 was off to gloomy start. But by the time the action got to Grenada in the Super 8 round, restrictions were relaxed, the Woolmer murder was background noise, and fans got over the absence of India and Pakistan. The Stage was set for fun, rum, sun and oh yeah Cricket lovely Cricket. Take a look at the Party Stand Action to see what I mean.

The Windies Heart breakers

You didn’t need to read a romance novel, or go watch a Hollywood blockbuster to get your heart broken. You only needed to watch the West Indies World Cup cricket team. That is of of course if you are a Windies cricket fan.

West Indies had already lost all it’s matches in the Super 8 round and a lost to South Africa in Grenada meant certain elimination, and no chance to lift the World Cup. Confidence was at an all time low. But not mines.

I arrived in Grenada very hopeful, and full of excitement. This was going to be the turning point, I’m sure of it! Lara and the boys will make a stand, defeat South Africa, and the momentum will take us all the way. Little did I now the stand or lack of it was going to be Lara’s Last Stand.

The lost to South Africa was the final blow to West Indies cricket in my book. Mind you, Windies cricket has been on a slippery slope for a long time but know now after watching their pathetic performance that we have passed the point of no return.

It’s not because West Indies lost the World Cup that it was a heart breaker, it was how they lost. There was no fight, no spirit, no love, no effort, no pride. They went down like a lamb to the slaughter.

What’s wrong with West Indies Cricket you ask? All I can tell you is that those who should know the answer to that question clearly don’t. But something stinks in the Windies camp, you can smell it a mile away. And it’s not just the stench of defeat and failure, it’s much more sinister. One thing is clear, the Windies house needs to be cleaned from top to bottom and it needs to be cleaned NOW if the future of West Indies Cricket is to survive.

Say Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! …

___! ___! ___! Thank You. Everything that is wrong with West Indies Cricket is in tip top shape with Australia Cricket: fighting spirit, love and passion, endless pride, and an impeccable work ethic. This Ricky Pointing Australia Cricket Team have it all.

Kudos to you guys on a superb job. The athleticism and professionalism you bring to the sport make me proud to say that I am a cricket fan. Keep pushing the envelope, a rising tide lifts all ships. Although the West Indies ship is not even in the water at the moment.

To all you Aussies that were at the Grenada World Cup Cricket leg I know you had a blast and you certainly rocked this spice island. Do come again.

All in all Cricket World Cup Grenada was a blast, easily one of the best vacations I’ve ever had anywhere, and certainly the most thrilling sporting event I ever attended. I can’t wait to hook up with all you guys at another event in Grenada. Keep Rocking!!!

Grenada Party Stand

Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007

Were You There?

The Grenada National Stadium, want to do it right? Then do it in the party stand. Were you in Grenada for Cricket World Cup 2007? If you were then you know what I am talking about.

It’s the best place to enjoy cricket. Music, non stop spirits; pure Grenadian island vibes; people from every creed and race; and world class cricket. That was the atmosphere at World Cup Cricket Grenada in the Party Stand.

The action in the Party Stand I have to tell you was contagious. You see I did not plan on being in the party stand. I figured the Posse Stand was close enough. But being in the Posse stand is too close for comfort for a partyaholic like me.

It’s like placing a fine bottle of Rivers Rum or Clarkes Court Rum next to an alcoholic, and saying “you can smell it, and watch me drink it but you can’t taste it”. Now that’s just pure cruelty!! And that’s how I felt my first day the Posse Stand.

So after being tortured in the Posse Stand by watching Lara’s Last Stand go down in flames, all the while observing the fun and frolic in the Party Stand my friends and I decided that it was time to upgrade. For the next 5 matches we joined the mayhem and madness in the Party Stand.

Oh, and my Sony 7.2 Mega Pixels Digital Camera also tagged along … So if you spent anytime time in the Grenada Party Stand chances are good that you met me or my Sony digi.

Check out the videos and Pics that follow. Do you have a story or more pics to share? Click this link and tell me about it.

Don’t let your boss or pastor see you with your pass down. If my Sony Digi caught you in and compromising position shoot me an note and I will take care of it. Enjoy …

Videos and Pics – Grenada Party Stand

Party Stand Girls

Here’s a slideshow with many of the sexy, beautiful and friendly ladies at the Grenada Party Stand.

Were you one of them?

A variety and colors, shapes, sizes and ages. That’s what being in the Isle of Spice Grenada is all about: Variety …It is this spice of life, and the Grenada Party Stand had it.

Best Party Stand Costume

Take a look at the Party Stand at any of the Grenada World Cup Cricket matches and you would swear you were at a costume party.

So who got best costume? Was it the Kiwi Wonder Woman, The South African Nuns, or the Aussie Sheiks? You be the judge, just check out the slide show to the left.

Grenada National Stadium

Experience It!

Are you planning to attend a major event at the Grenada National Stadium shortly? Well you are in for a pleasant experience. Or maybe you are contemplating where to host your next major sporting, cultural or entertainment event. Well look no further than the Grenada National Stadium.

The Grenada National Stadium is a brand new State of the art modern facility with everything you need to both absorb and produce a remarkable experience. The stadium was host to ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. And among all the facilities built throughout the entire Caribbean to host the World Cup Cricket, Grenada National Stadium was the visitors choice. It got rave reviews from well traveled cricket commentators, and cricket fans from all over the world.

Go here to see photos of Australians, Sri Lankans, Irish, English, Americans, Grenadians, Indians, New Zealanders, Pakistanis, South Africans, and who knows who else all having fun in the Grenada National Stadium. Imagine you or your patrons having a similar experience.

The Grenada National Stadium is located in Queens Park, which by the way is my hometown.

• It’s a 20 minute drive from the Point Salines International Airport.
• It’s a 15 Minute drive from the famed Grand Anse beach and tourist hub.
• It’s only a 5 minute walk from Grenada’s capital city St. George.
• It lies along the main bus routes leading up the western coast through Gouyave, and also into the interior rain forest area to the town of Grenville.
• You can access it from five different routes, so no congestion problems

All this means is that you will find the Grenada National Stadium extremely accessible, and you will be right in the center of activity.

If you are looking for accommodations in the Queen’s Park, River Road area and surroundings, there are bed and breakfast, and homestays available. These were a highlight with hundreds of visitors that came to Grenada for the Cricket World Cup. If you want something more upscale look to Grand Anse area, remember its only a 20 minute drive, but expect to pay much more.

For more information on accommadation in Queens Park area shoot me a note here and I will help you sort it out. And take a look at our accommodations page for the more established hotels and resorts here.

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Australia Cricket in Grenada

World Cup Cricket West Indies 2007

Watching Australia run over team after team evoked vivid memories of my dislike for Michael Jordan in his heyday. It was deja vu all over again.

I disliked Mike for every wrong reason:

• he was too fast
• he dunked too good
• he read the game too well
• he’s too great at crunch time

It was clear Mike was the greatest, but being an LA Lakers die hard I was just having a hard time accepting that. That is until something strange happened one day.

The day came when I was literally forced to say to myself yes he is great, maybe even the greatest like many say. It happened kind of subconsciously.

The game started and I had my usual Anti-Jordan Attitude. And then it happened! In a flash my entire body and spirit had surrendered to the greatness before me. It was like a burden was lifted, and I moved from I “hate” Mike, to I love Mike.

Well Australia the same thing to me again. I am a die hard Windies fan (and by the way … they are doing a damn good job of killing me slowly). But anyways, I did not want to admit that the Australian team was so powerful. But by the time they showed up at Grenada National Stadium with their Army of fans it was a foregone conclusion in my mind.

Maybe the Windies being out of contention had something to do with it. Nah! I had to strike that, because it’s definitely not true. Side by side Australia was clearly a superior team, with superior players, and administrators. And Windies being in or out of contention for The World Cup could not change that.

I enjoyed watching you guys. And anyone who get a chance to see this mean machine in action should definitely jump at the opportunity. And to all you Aussie fans … as we say in Grenada: “Nuff Respect”. The next time you are thinking about a Caribbean vacation make sure Grenada is on your list. And drop me a line to let me know you are coming.

Aussie Fans and Friends in Party Stand

Here is a slide show of many Aussie Cricket fans in the Party Stand at the Grenada National Stadium.

Enjoy the photos, you might see yourself, especially if you were in the Party Stand with me.

And if you have photos and videos of your Grenada World Cup Cricket fun, or any cool stories you want to share with me and future Grenada visitors, you can tell me right here.

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Brian Lara’s Last Stand

Cricket World Cup 2007

Grenada

Brian Lara is gone but the excitement he gave us lives on. In the sense of a tournament the Cricket World Cup 2007 was Lara’s last stand. His last stand as captain of West Indies and his last stand as the great cricketer he is. But here is a question: did Lara know this was how it was going to end?

Of course he didn’t, at least not before the Cricket World Cup begun. But certainly somewhere in the Super 8 round of the World Cup, with pressure mounting and West Indies pinned against the ropes, I think the future came racing towards Lara plain as daylight.

And the somewhere was right before Lara encounter with South Africa in Grenada. It must have occurred to him crystal clear that this could very well be his last stand. That if he does not pull off a win in Grenada that it was all over. All over not just for West Indies, but for his captaincy and his career.

I was in Grenada for that faithful stand. I also saw Brian Lara and West Indies in the Nets at the Grenada National Stadium the day before that match. As you will see it was a joy to watch him practice, but you also clearly saw in his face the load he was bearing.

Well we all know how things turned out. Like Custer’s last stand at the battle of Little Bighorn against the Indians, Brian Lara made his Last Stand at the Grenada National Stadium against the South Africans. And like Custer and his men who were annihilated, Lara and his men were similarly annihilated by AB de Villiers and his South African teammates.

I only wished Brian Lara got to leave on his terms. The plan all along was to retire from One Day Internationals and continue to play Test Cricket. Nothing would have pleased Lara’s fans more than to see him lift the Cricket World Cup above his head. It would have been a fitting crown to a true Cricketing King.

When the history books are written about the Lara era of West Indies Cricket one phrase will sum it up: “Controversy mixed with Excitement“. Maybe the demise of West Indies cricket started, or at least accelerated under Lara’s watch. Maybe he was the cause, or maybe it was all coincidental. I’ll let the pundits fight it out.

But one thing is for sure: Lara is King with the Bat. He marveled and excited millions, and his contribution to the Cricket World is beyond measure. And for that we will always love him. Farewell oh Great One, your excitement Lives On.

Videos and Pics South Africa vs West Indies Match

Here are photos of both South Africa and West Indies in warm up session the day before the match.

Here are photos the day of the match. A day Brian Lara no doubt will always wish turned out differently.

Here are the fans throughout the day. The West Indian fun and frolic in the Party and Posse Stands could did not last as Brian Lara and his men felt the weight of South Africa.