Kleeneze Caribbean Cruise 2009 > Diaries
Day one
We’ve arrived!
And what an arrival it was! After nearly a day of traveling, 146 Distributors arrived in a very hot Martinique and were ready to officially get the Spring Destination 2009 underway. Squeals of excitement were already heard on the plane, as we flew over Club Med 2 onto the island. But the squeals gave way to utter silent awe as the coach pulled up in front of the yacht.
Ultimate is the word. The ship itself is stunning. With swimming pools and bars peppered around every deck, the size of it is truly awesome. After a quick rum punch, everyone had time to explore their cabins, get changed and down for a mouth watering meal in La Magellan Restaurant on board.
Then it was back onto deck in time to watch the sails go up and the ship set sail for Antigua. Head of Network Development, Michael Khatkar welcomed the qualifiers to our most impressive Destination and to a background of stirring music, the ship set sail.
Of course, the night wasn’t over just yet. In true Kleeneze style, Distributors made the most of the complimentary cocktails and made their way to the Moby Dick nightclub before getting some well-earned rest. After all – they’ve worked incredibly hard to get here.
Day two
It’s been surreal waking up in the Caribbean sun, looking out of the cabin portholes onto a brilliantly turquoise, gentle sea. While everyone tucked into an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, one of the staff members shouted to come and look as some dolphins were swimming alongside us. “Throw them some bread,” cried one over-enthusiastic Distributor!
Luckily the dolphin was spared from being pelted with one of the many varieties of baked goods from the buffet, as it was down on deck for a safety drill.
By 10 o’clock this morning, we’d docked in Antigua. With the sun already blazing hot, some more energetic Distributors took to the pool for a water aerobics session with the fitness instructor. Among others, Mike Bibby, Craig White and Bob Webb would have put a synchronized swimming team to shame with their grace and elegance in the water as they aerobicized to Michael Jackson’s Don’t Stop til You Get Enough. We really couldn’t get enough of that spectacle, but there was a luscious lunch on offer, so it was time to pause the entertainment.
It’s been a very relaxed day. With shuttle boats going over to the island every 15 minutes, some have chosen to stay on board and relax with a cocktail and catch some rays. Others took the opportunity to explore Antigua, pick up some souvenirs and meet the very friendly locals or relax on the beach.
It’s Carnival night tonight and as we write this, everyone’s making their way back to their cabins to dress up in various costumes – from Venetian masks to Indian saris. We already know from Marrakech that esteemed Distributor Peter White is partial to dressing up as belly dancer on occasion, so we’ll let you know what happens tomorrow!
“It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s our very first Spring Conference and it’s great. It couldn’t be any better. The service is amazing, everyone’s taken great care of us. From the very first moment we arrived at the airport, we’ve been taken care of. It’s the first full day and I’m loving it,” Angel Hill.
Day three
We’ve just docked in Jost Van Dyke. It’s famous for having the most beautiful beach in the whole of the Caribbean. It’s another glorious morning, the sun is shining and the sea is the most beautiful deep blue. Which is just as well, because last night was a bit of a rocky one – and it wasn’t just because of all the Pina Coladas that were consumed throughout the evening.
Ok, firstly, can we just say – we need a career change. We’ve decided that we’re psychic because Mr White did indeed dress as a belly dancer. It seems to have become a bit of a tradition, so get qualifying for Blackpool and we’ll see if we can carry it on!
The Carnival night was brilliant. Everyone was dressed in the most amazing costumes from Venetian chic to glitzy, fun Rio attire. The sea was slightly choppy last night, which made it all the more fun really as we all swayed along in our outfits. Once we’d had another delicious dinner (seems to be a running theme on this destination), we made our way up to the nightclub where the staff of Club Med 2 entertained us, getting us to join in with dances and just general frivolity really.
It’s the first time we get to try the water sports today and we know loads of people are going to try their hand at everything from snorkelling to water skiing so we’ll have all the photos from that later, plus messages from your team members.
We wish you were here, but our wishes aren’t enough to make that happen, so keep on working hard to join us on the next Destination. It truly is amazing!
Day four
Yesterday has to be the hottest day we’ve enjoyed so far and all the better for heading for the truly idyllic white sands of Jost Van Dyke. Most took a transfer boat over to this dream island for a spot of water sports, the local cocktail – The Painkiller – and, of course, to pop in at the now famous, Foxy’s Bar, which you will have all seen in the Caribbean Cruise video. What a character Foxy is with his poems, stories all to the backbeat of great Reggae music. The afternoon proved to be one of the best days many distributors have ever experienced.
Later in the evening we had Kleeneze’s Got Talent and you all really do! With first prize of $150 up for grabs with $75 and $50 for 2nd and 3rd, the competition was already heating up. Then to a soundtrack that we all know as Britain’s Got Talent, our judges Tony and Chantal from Club Med 2 and our very own Michael “The Cruel” Khatkar took their seats and the first act opened – with spoons. Yes, that’s right ladies and gentlemen, little did you know that in the heart of the Network were six Distributors who are simply whizzes with metal spoons – The Premier Spoon Group! (Peter and Myrna Wellock’s team).
Next up – the Pegasus Choir (Ram and Sylvia Laing's team) to the tune of Hallelujah they sang an incredibly stirring song (we can't forget those spoons can we?!) of Kleeneze success….ok, maybe it wasn’t stirring. And maybe “to the tune of” is a slight over-exaggeration too.
Our next act was Gold Rush winner and heavily tattooed Amy Winehouse (Debra Bamford). This is one little lady with one big voice, even impressing the Michael “Cowell” Khatkar – not a feat that’s easily achieved.
Ok, we don’t want to spoil the rest for you (plus, we need to keep something back for you to read in our bumper edition of EWB!). You’ll just have to wait until it comes out.
Anyway, we’ve just docked in Virgin Gorda – another stunning day and another stunning island to explore. Everyone’s looking forward to a sumptuous lobster barbecue on the beach followed by a pirate party back on deck. More later!
Day five
As we arrived at the next beautiful island of Virgin Gorda we were able to take advantage of the fabulous nautical centre at the bow of Club Med 2, with its amazing array of watersports equipment.
Many of the qualifiers did a spot of water skiing across the calm waters of the bay as well as canoeing, wind-surfing and even scuba diving.
The afternoon was spent at a lobster barbecue followed by a short trip to the wonderful boulder-lined beaches on the island where the waves roared across the sand, tempting everyone to have a dip and ride the swell of the breakers.
The anticipation of the evening's Pirate Party has been building all week and as the costumed revellers arrived the outfits really did astound us all. Team pirate games were set for everyone to participate in and even a force 5 storm could not curtail our fun on the way to St Martin.
If everyone thought they had found their sea legs then this night really did put them to the test! In typical Kleeneze style the group ignored the storm and got stuck into balloon popping, a drinking game, walking the plank, blind food tasting and an egg and spoon race in flippers, as the boat went on its big dipper ride.
You can find out all about the games and the winners in the next bumper edition of Spring Conference edition of EWB...